I might be thought to have laid down this position to remedy distrust in my case, [2027] or from a desire of entering on the contest [2028] in some other way, were there not reasons on my side, especially this, that our faith owes deference [2029] to the apostle, who forbids us to enter on "questions," or to lend our ears to new-fangled statements, [2030] or to consort with a heretic "after the first and second admonition," [2031] not, (be it observed,) after discussion. Discussion he has inhibited in this way, by designating admonition as the purpose of dealing with a heretic, and the first one too, because he is not a Christian; in order that he might not, after the manner of a Christian, seem to require correction again and again, and "before two or three witnesses," [2032] seeing that he ought to be corrected, for the very reason that he is not to be disputed with; and in the next place, because a controversy over the Scriptures can, clearly, [2033] produce no other effect than help to upset either the stomach or the brain.

---

Footnotes:

[2027] De consilio diffidentiæ.

[2028] Constitutionis, "prima causarum conflictio,"--a term of the law courts.

[2029] Obsequium.

[2030] 1 Timothy 6:3, 4.

[2031] Titus 3:10.

[2032] Matthew 18:16.

[2033] Plane, ironical.