Jerome wrote a response to Helvidius regarding the virginity of Mary.  This post is the first in a series of responses to what Jerome wrote.

Jerome:

1. I was requested by certain of the brethren not long
ago to reply to a pamphlet written by one Helvidius. I have deferred
doing so, not because it is a difficult matter to maintain the truth
and refute an ignorant boor who has scarce known the first glimmer of
learning, but because I was afraid my reply might make him appear worth
defeating. There was the further consideration that a turbulent fellow,
the only individual in the world who thinks himself both priest and
layman, one who, as has been
said, thinks that eloquence consists in loquacity and considers
speaking ill of anyone to be the witness of a good conscience, would
begin to blaspheme worse than ever if opportunity of discussion were
afforded him. He would stand as it were on a pedestal, and would
publish his views far and wide. There was reason also to fear that when
truth failed him he would assail his opponents with the weapon of
abuse. But all these motives for silence, though just, have more justly
ceased to influence me, because of the scandal caused to the brethren
who were disgusted at his ravings. The axe of the Gospel must therefore
be now laid to the root of the barren tree, and both it and its
fruitless foliage cast into the fire, so that Helvidius who has never
learnt to speak, may at length learn to hold his tongue.

One has to smile a little.  Here’s Jerome eagerly whipping up emotions against Helvidius as being someone who “considers speaking ill of anyone to be the witness of a good conscience” and “when
truth failed him he would assail his opponents with the weapon of
abuse.”  Yet obviously Jerome is intending to speak ill of Helvidius, and is assailing his opponent verbally, rather than beginning with arguments founded in truth.

We certainly agree with Jerome that the Gospel (i.e. the Scriptures) ought to be brought to bear on the matter, and that we ought not to count mere loquacity as eloquence.  On the other hand, we will need to examine the arguments before we decide whether it is Jerome’s arguments or those of Helvidius that ought properly to be described as ravings (if any!).

– TurretinFan