Book 5, Chapter 60: Chapter 60
If, however, it be necessary to express ourselves with precision in our answer to Celsus, who thinks that we hold the same opinions on the matters in question as do the Jews, we would say that we both agree that the books (of Scripture) were written by the Spirit of God, but that we do not agree about the meaning of their contents; for we do not regulate our lives like the Jews, because we are of opinion that the literal acceptation of the laws is not that which conveys the meaning of the legislation. And we maintain, that when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart,
because the meaning of the law of Moses has been concealed from those who have not welcomed the way which is by Jesus Christ. But we know that if one turn to the Lord (for the Lord is that Spirit
), the veil being taken away, he beholds, as in a mirror with unveiled face, the glory of the Lord
in those thoughts which are concealed in their literal expression, and to his own glory becomes a participator of the divine glory; the term face
being used figuratively for the understanding,
as one would call it without a figure, in which is the face of the inner man,
filled with light and glory, flowing from the true comprehension of the contents of the law.
English translation by Frederick Crombie, in Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. IV (eds. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson; Buffalo: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885). Public domain. Digital text via New Advent Church Fathers.