The testimony of the fathers.
The testimony of the fathers.
§ 428. Bellarmine draws his second class of arguments from the testimonies of the fathers, to which we respond in general: (1) In many places the fathers bring a glowing witness about the perspicuity of Scripture. (2) The testimonies that Bellarmine adduces here do not conflict with our position. Irenaeus, Contra haeres., bk. 2, c. 47: “In the Scriptures there are some things that we understand, some that we commend to God.” Who of us denies this? Origen, homily 12 on Exodus, says, “We must employ study and prayers.” We, too, say the same thing. (3) The fathers are speaking about the means necessary for the reading and interpretation of the entire Scripture. By no means, however, are they accusing it of obscurity in handing down the necessary dogmas.