Two kinds of Roman disputants: blindfold quarrelers who hiss at the Spirit's testimony
Next we must see what the Roman doctors judge about all this, so that it may be plain where the real state of the question on Scripture's authority lies — the question fought today with such heat between us and them. First of all, notice that among the Pontificii there are two kinds of men.
Many among them are insolent, without candor, with scarcely any learning. Their only aim is to harass our people with importunate disputes. They often fight like the Andabatae — blindfold fighters — not seeing what they hold or where they aim their blows. In debate they not only attack our doctrine; they also tear up their own opinions and contradict themselves. Pointed sophisms and captious subtlety are enough for them if they can make trouble for us. They do not care whether what they urge against us can be turned back on themselves.
So when Scripture's authority is the question, they hiss at the Holy Spirit's inward testimony and babble against our people words that strip sacred Scripture of all authority and hang our faith solely on human testimony. In that way they expose the Christian religion to reproach and make it look ridiculous, as if it rested on no foundation but the authority of those who profess it.
Latin
V. Sequitur jam ut videamus quid de istis omnibus Pontificii censeant, ut inde liquido constet, qua in re situs sit status quaestionis de Scripturae authoritate, quae tanta contentione inter nos et illos hodie agitatur. Hic autem ante omnia observandum inter Pontificios duo esse hominum genera. Etenim inter eos multi sunt homines procaces, nullius candoris, vix ullius doctrinae, quibus aliud nihil propositum est, quam nostros importunis disputationibus vexare. Hi saepe pugnant Andabatarum more, non videntes quid teneant, et quo dirigant ictus. Itaque inter disputandum non tantum nostram doctrinam impugnant, sed propria quoque placita convellunt, et sibi ipsis adversantur. Satis enim ipsis est, modo aculeatis quibusdam sophismatis, et captiosa quadam subtilitate molestiam nobis creent; non curantes interim, an ea, quae contra nos proferunt, possint in ipsos retorqueri. Ita, quum de authoritate Scripturae quaestio est, internum Spiritus sancti testimonium exsibilant, et multa in nostros blaterant quae omnem Scripturae sacrae authoritatem detrahunt, et fidem nostram unice suspendunt ex hominum testimonio. Et ita Christianam religionem exponunt opprobrio et ridiculam reddunt, quasi nullo alio fundamento niteretur, quam eorum, qui illam profitentur, authoritate.