Three rows of decorative printer's ornaments appear at the top, consisting of floral scrolls and stars.

SOURCES OF THE ARGUMENTS ARE SET FORTH

FROM WHICH

THE TRUTH OF THE PRESENT QUESTION

IS ELICITED

§. I.

The first locus, from which a Theologian can derive a firm argument, is Holy Scripture.

Intending to treat the present matter usefully and in an orderly fashion, it behooves us to proceed according to the Canons and rules of sound and established criticism, and to uncover and stabilize those Theological loci places/sources and fonts from which the tested and universally accepted ramparts of arguments are supplied to us against our Adversaries. Among these, the first and principal place is held by Holy Scripture. The Apostle says to Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16: All Scripture inspired of God is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice. And the Holy Father Augustine, in The City of God, Book 11, Chapter 3, pressing the footsteps of the Apostle, says: God, who spoke first through the Prophets, then through Himself, and afterward through the Apostles as much as He judged to be sufficient, also composed the scripture which is called canonical, of most eminent authority, to which we give faith regarding those things which it is not expedient to ignore, and which we are not fit to know by ourselves. For unless—continues the distinguished and most Reverend Theologian Melchior Canus in his On Theological Sources, Book 2, Chapter 2—this foundation (he understands Holy Scripture)...