18. They who have
handed down the Creed to us have with much forethought specified the
time when these things were done—“under Pontius
Pilate,”—lest in any respect the tradition should falter,
as though vague and uncertain. But it should be known that the clause,
“He descended into Hell,” is not added in the Creed of the
Roman Church, neither is it in that of the Oriental Churches. It seems
to be implied, however, when it is said that “He was
buried.” But in the love and zeal for the Divine Scriptures which
possess you, you say to me, I doubt not, “These things ought to
be proved by more evident testimonies from the Divine Scriptures. For
the more important the things are which are to be believed, so much the
more do they need apt and undoubted witness.” True. But we, as
speaking to those who know the law, have left unnoticed, for the sake
of brevity, a whole forest of testimonies. But if this also be
required, let us cite a few out of many, knowing, as we do, that to
those who are acquainted with the Scriptures, a very ample sea of
testimonies lies open.