11. “But, hidden wolves,”
thou wilt say, “clad in sheep’s clothing, and privily and
grievously wasting the Lord’s flock, can we no otherwise find
out.” Whence then have the Priscillianists become known, ere this
way of hunting for them with lies was ex-cogitated? Whence was
their very author, more cunning doubtless, and therefore more
covert, got at in his bed? Whence so many and so great persons made
manifest and condemned, and the others innumerable partly
corrected, partly as if corrected, and in the Church’s compassion
gathered into her fold? For many ways giveth the Lord, when He hath
compassion, whereby we may come to the discovery of them: two of
which are more happy than others; namely, that either they whom
they have wished to seduce, or they whom they had already seduced,
shall, when they repent and are converted, point them out. Which is
more easily effected, if their nefarious error, not by lying
tricks, but by truthful 486reasonings be overthrown. In
the writing of which it behoves thee to bestow thy pains, since God
hath bestowed the gift that thou canst do this: which wholesome
writings whereby their insane perversity is destroyed, becoming
more and more known, and being by catholics, whether prelates who
speak in the congregations, or any studious men full of zeal for
God, every where diffused, these will be holy nets in which they
may be caught truthfully, not with lies hunted after. For so being
taken, either, of their own accord, they will confess what they
have been, and others whom they know to be of the evil fellowship
they will either kindly23952395 correct, or mercifully betray. Or
else, if they shall be ashamed to confess what with long-continued
simulation they have concealed, by the hidden hand of God healing
them shall they be made whole.