21. This, you will say, is
ridiculous, whereas all profess to hold and teach this: all
heretics make this profession, I cannot deny it; but so, as that
they promise to those whom they entice, that they will give them a
reason concerning matters the most obscure: and on this account
chiefly charge the Catholic [Church], that they who come to her are
enjoined to believe; but they make it their boast, that they impose
not a yoke of believing, but open a fount of teaching. You answer,
What could be said, that should pertain more to their praise? It is
not so. For this they do, without being endued with any strength,
but in order to conciliate to themselves a crowd by the name of
reason: on the promise of which the human soul naturally is
pleased, and, without considering its own
357strength and state of
health, by seeking the food of the sound, which is ill entrusted
save to such as are in health, rushes upon the poisons of them who
deceive. For true religion, unless those things be believed, which
each one after, if he shall conduct himself well and shall be
worthy, attains unto and understands, and altogether without a
certain weighty power of authority, can in no way be rightly
entered upon.