Tertullian, Prescription against Heretics 15
But they themselves traffic in the Scriptures and argue from them; obviously they could not speak about the faith from any other source than the letters of faith. So we arrive at the point we aimed for: we steered the discussion here and prefaced our address precisely so that we can now engage the very issue our opponents raise. They flaunt the Scriptures, and their sheer audacity instantly sways some people; yet in the actual confrontation they merely exhaust the strong, ensnare the weak, and dismiss the undecided with a lingering doubt. Consequently we bar this move outright, refusing them any place in a scriptural debate. If these are indeed their strong points, enabling them to claim them, then it must be determined who rightfully possesses the Scriptures, lest anyone who has no claim whatsoever be admitted to them.
Latin
Sed ipsi de Scripturis agunt, et de Scripturis suadent. Aliunde scilicet loqui possent de rebus fidei, nisi ex literis fidei? Venimus igitur ad propositum: huc enim dirigebamus, et hoc praestruebamus allocutionis praefatione, ut jam hinc de eo congrediamur, de quo adversarii provocant. Scripturas obtendunt, et hac sua audacia statim quosdam movent; in ipso vero congressu firmos quidem fatigant, infirmos capiunt, medios cum scrupulo dimittunt. Hunc igitur potissimum gradum obstruimus, non admittendos eos ad ullam de Scripturis disputationem. Si hae sunt illae vires eorum, uti eas habere possint, dispici debet cui competat possessio Scripturarum, ne is admittatur ad eas, cui nullo modo competit.