Latin · De praescriptione haereticorum
A legal-style argument that heretics have no right to use the scriptures, which belong to the churches founded by apostles. It lists apostolic churches where the apostles' letters were still read.
Dating
Belongs to Tertullian's early, pre-Montanist period; usually dated c. 200 (Barnes: c. 203).Read the full text(opens in a new tab)ANF vol. 3 (1885), tr. Peter Holmes, from CCEL, public domain
Books it uses
Praescr. 22–23 appeals to 'the Acts of the Apostles' against heretics who reject it.
Praescr. 36 names Corinth among the apostolic churches where the apostles' 'authentic writings are read'; many 1 Corinthians citations (e.g. Praescr. 4–5 on heresies, 1 Cor 11:19).
Quotations
Come now, you who would indulge a better curiosity, if you would apply it to the business of your salvation, run over the apostolic churches, in which the very thrones of the apostles are still pre-eminent in their places, in which their own authentic writings are read, uttering the voice and representing the face of each of them severally. Achaia is very near you, (in which) you find Corinth. Since you are not far from Macedonia, you have Philippi; (and there too) you have the Thessalonians. Since you are able to cross to Asia, you get Ephesus. Since, moreover, you are close upon Italy, you have Rome,
Praescr. 36.1Names the book
ANF vol. 3 (1885), tr. Peter Holmes, ed. A. C. Coxe · Source (opens in a new tab)
The apostolic churches still read the apostles' 'authentic writings' (authenticae litterae).