Chapter XXVI.--The Method Observed in the History of the Creation, in Reply to the Perverse Interpretation of Hermogenes.
We, however, have but one God, and but one earth too, which in the beginning God made. [6366] The Scripture, which at its very outset proposes to run through the order thereof tells us as its first information that it was created; it next proceeds to set forth what sort of earth it was. [6367] In like manner with respect to the heaven, it informs us first of its creation--"In the beginning God made the heaven:" [6368] it then goes on to introduce its arrangement; how that God both separated "the water which was below the firmament from that which was above the firmament," [6369] and called the firmament heaven, [6370] --the very thing He had created in the beginning. Similarly it (afterwards) treats of man: "And God created man, in the image of God made He him." [6371] It next reveals how He made him: "And (the Lord) God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." [6372] Now this is undoubtedly [6373] the correct and fitting mode for the narrative. First comes a prefatory statement, then follow the details in full; [6374] first the subject is named, then it is described. [6375] How absurd is the other view of the account, [6376] when even before he [6377] had premised any mention of his subject, i.e. Matter, without even giving us its name, he all on a sudden promulged its form and condition, describing to us its quality before mentioning its existence,--pointing out the figure of the thing formed, but concealing its name! But how much more credible is our opinion, which holds that Scripture has only subjoined the arrangement of the subject after it has first duly described its formation and mentioned its name! Indeed, how full and complete [6378] is the meaning of these words: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth; but [6379] the earth was without form, and void," [6380] --the very same earth, no doubt, which God made, and of which the Scripture had been speaking at that very moment. [6381] For that very "but" [6382] is inserted into the narrative like a clasp, [6383] (in its function) of a conjunctive particle, to connect the two sentences indissolubly together: "But the earth." This word carries back the mind to that earth of which mention had just been made, and binds the sense thereunto. [6384] Take away this "but," and the tie is loosened; so much so that the passage, "But the earth was without form, and void," may then seem to have been meant for any other earth.
[6366] Gen. i. 1.
[6367] Qualitatem ejus: unless this means "how He made it," like the "qualiter fecerit" below.
[6368] Gen. i. 1.
[6369] Gen. i. 7.
[6370] Ver. 8.
[6371] Gen. i. 27.
[6372] Gen. ii. 7.
[6373] Utique.
[6374] Prosequi.
[6375] Primo præfari, postea prosequi; nominare, deinde describere. This properly is an abstract statement, given with Tertullian's usual terseness: "First you should (decet') give your preface, then follow up with details: first name your subject, then describe it."
[6376] Alioquin.
[6377] Hermogenes, whose view of the narrative is criticised.
[6378] Integer.
[6379] Autem.
[6380] Gen. i. 1, 2.
[6381] Cum maxime edixerat.
[6382] The "autem" of the note just before this.
[6383] Fibula.
[6384] Alligat sensum.
Chapter XXVII.--Some Hair-Splitting Use of Words in Which His Opponent Had Indulged.
But you next praise your eyebrows, and toss back your head, and beckon with your finger, in characteristic disdain, [6385] and say: There is the was, looking as if it pointed to an eternal existence,--making its subject, of course, unbegotten and unmade, and on that account worthy of being supposed to be Matter. Well now, for my own part, I shall resort to no affected protestation, [6386] but simply reply that "was" may be predicated of everything--even of a thing which has been created, which was born, which once was not, and which is not your Matter. For of everything which has being, from whatever source it has it, whether it has it by a beginning or without a beginning, the word "was" will be predicated from the very fact that it exists. To whatever thing the first tense [6387] of the verb is applicable for definition, to the same will be suitable the later form [6388] of the verb, when it has to descend to relation. "Est" (it is) forms the essential part [6389] of a definition, "erat" (it was) of a relation. Such are the trifles and subtleties of heretics, who wrest and bring into question the simple meaning of the commonest words. A grand question it is, to be sure, [6390] whether "the earth was," which was made! The real point of discussion is, whether "being without form, and void," is a state which is more suitable to that which was created, or to that of which it was created, so that the predicate (was) may appertain to the same thing to which the subject (that which was) also belongs. [6391]
[6385] Implied in the emphatic tu.
[6386] Sine u lo lenocinio pronunciationis.
[6387] Prima positio: the first inflection perhaps, i.e. the present tense.
[6388] Declinatio: the past tense.
[6389] Caput.
[6390] Scilicet.
[6391] This seems to be the meaning of the obscure passage, "Ut ejusdem sit Erat cujus et quod erat."