Tertullian

“ For Clement’s Esoteric Doctrine (See Vol. II. pp. 302, 313, etc.) is defined as perfecting the type of the Christian by the strong meat of Truth, of which the entire deposit is presupposed as common to all Christians. We must not blame Clement for the abuse of his teaching by perverters of Truth itself. ”

“ Is it so secret as to be supposed to characterize [4] a new doctrine? or is it a part of that charge of which he says, “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy?” [5] and also of that precept of which he says, “I charge thee in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Jesus Christ who witnessed a good confession under Pontius Pilate, that thou keep this commandment?” [6] Now, what is (this) commandment and what is (this) charge? ”

“ Now, if they refuse to allow that the church is meant by these “many witnesses,” it matters nothing, since nothing could have been secret which was produced “before many witnesses.” Nor, again, must the circumstance of his having wished him to “commit these things to faithful men, who should be able to teach others also,” [10] be construed into a proof of there being some occult gospel. ”