Germanus Objects That Many Impure Men Have Knowledge

This claim does not seem to us to rest on truth or on solid reasoning. It is clear that all who never accept the faith of Christ at all, or who corrupt it by the wicked sin of heresy, have unclean hearts. How is it, then, that many Jews and heretics, and catholics too who are entangled in various sins, have gained a perfect knowledge of the Scriptures and boast of the greatness of their spiritual learning? And how is it, on the other hand, that countless crowds of holy men, whose hearts have been cleansed of every stain of sin, are content with the devotion of a simple faith and know nothing of the mysteries of a deeper knowledge? How then can that opinion stand which credits spiritual knowledge to purity of heart alone? [a]