Ante-Nicene Christian Library/Volume VI

by Hippolytus

ANTE-NICENE

CHRISTIAN LIBRARY:

TRANSLATIONS OF

THE WRITINGS OF THE FATHERS

DOWN TO A.D. 325.

EDITED BY THE

REV. ALEXANDER ROBERTS, D.D.,

AND

JAMES DONALDSON, LL.D.

VOL. VI.

HIPPOLYTUS, BISHOP OF ROME.

VOL. I.

EDINBURGH:
T. & T. CLARK, 38, GEORGE STREET.

MDCCCLXVIII.

EDINBURGH: MURRAY AND GIBB,
PRINTERS TO HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE.

THE

REFUTATION OF ALL HERESIES,

BY

HIPPOLYTUS:

TRANSLATED BY

THE REV. J. H. MACMAHON, M.A.,

WITH

FRAGMENTS FROM HIS COMMENTARIES ON
VARIOUS BOOKS OF SCRIPTURE;

TRANSLATED BY

THE REV. S. D. F. SALMOND.

EDINBURGH:
T. & T. CLARK, 38, GEORGE STEEET.

LONDON: HAMILTON & CO. DUBLIN: JOHN ROBERTSON & CO.

MDCCCLXVIII.

CONTENTS.

			page
Introductory Notice by the Translator,			17
BOOK I.
CHAP.
	Contents,		25
	The Proœmium—Motives for undertaking the Refutation—Exposure of the ancient Mysteries—Plan of the Work—Completeness of the Refutation—Value of the Treatise to future Ages.		26
1.	Thales—his Physics and Theology—Founder of Greek Astronomy,		30
2.	Pythagoras—his Cosmogony—Rules of his Sect—Discoverer of Physiognomy—his Philosophy of Numbers—his System of the Transmigration of Souls—Zaratas on Demons—why Pythagoras forbade the eating of Beans—the Mode of Living adopted by his Disciples,		31
3.	Empedocles—his Twofold Cause—Tenet of Transmigration,		36
4.	Heraclitus—his Universal Dogmatism—his Theory of Flux—other Systems,		36
5.	Anaximander—his Theory of the Infinite—his Astronomic Opinions—his Physics,		37
6.	Anaximenes—his System of "an Infinite Air"—his Views of Astronomy and Natural Phenomena,		39
7.	Anaxagoras—his Theory of Mind—recognises an Efficient Cause—his Cosmogony and Astronomy,		40
8.	Archelaus—System akin to that of Anaxagoras—his Origin of the Earth and of Animals—other Systems,		43
9.	Parmenides—his Theory of "Unity"—his Eschatology,		44
10.	Leucippus—his Atomic Theory,		45
11.	Democritus—his Duality of Principles—his Cosmogony,		45
12.	Xenophanes—his Scepticism—his Notions of God and Nature—believes in a Flood,		46
13.	Ecphantus—his Scepticism—Tenet of Infinity,		47
14.	Hippo—his Duality of Principles—his Psychology,		48
15.	Socrates—his Philosophy reproduced by Plato,		48
16.	Plato—Threefold Classification of Principles—his Idea of God—different Opinions regarding his Theology and Psychology—his Eschatology and System of Metempsychosis—his Ethical Doctrines—Notions on the Freewill Question,		49
17.	Aristotle—Duality of Principles—his Categories—his Psychology—his Ethical Doctrines—Origin of the Epithet "Peripatetic,"		54
18.	The Stoics—their Superiority in Logic— Fatalists—their Doctrine of Conflagrations,		55
19.	Epicurus—adopts the Democritic Atomism—Denial of Divine Providence—the Principle of his Ethical System,		57
20.	The Academics—Difference of Opinion among them,		58
21.	The Brachmans—their Mode of Life—Ideas of Deity—different Sorts of—their Ethical Notions,		59
22.	The Druids—Progenitors of their System,		61
23.	Hesiod—the Nine Muses—the Hesiodic Cosmogony—the Ancient Speculators, Materialists—derivative Character of the Heresies from Heathen Philosophy,		61
[BOOKS II. AND III. AWANTING.]
BOOK IV.
1.	System of the Astrologers—Sidereal Influence—Configuration of the Stars,		64
2.	Doctrines concerning Æons—the Chaldæan Astrology Heresy derivable from it,		65
3.	The Horoscope the Foundation of Astrology—Indiscoverability of the Horoscope—therefore the Futility of the Chaldæan Art,		66
4.	Impossibility of fixing the Horoscope—Failure of an Attempt to do this at the Period of Birth,		68
5.	Another Method of fixing the Horoscope at Birth—equally futile—Use of the Clepsydra in Astrology—the Predictions of the Chaldæans not verified,		70
6.	Zodiacal Influence—Origin of Sidereal Names,		72
7.	Practical Absurdity of the Chaldaic Art—Development of the Art,		73
8.	Prodigies of the Astrologers—System of the Astronomers—Chaldæan Doctrine of Circles—Distances of the Heavenly Bodies,		75
9.	Further Astronomic Calculations,		77
10.	Theory of Stellar Motion and Distance in accordance with Harmony,		77
11.	Theory of the Size of the Heavenly Bodies in accordance with Numerical Harmonies,		79
12.	Waste of Mental Energy in the Systems of the Astrologers,		80
13.	Mention of the Heretic Colarbasus— Alliance between Heresy and the Pythagorean Philosophy,		80
14.	System of the Arithmeticians—Predictions through Calculations—Numerical Roots—Transference of these Doctrines to Letters—Examples in particular Names—different Methods of Calculation—Prescience possible by these,		82
15.	Quibbles of the Numerical Theorists—the Art of the Frontispicists (Physiognomy)—Connection of this Art with Astrology—Type of those born under Aries,		86
16.	Type of those born under Taurus,		88
17.	Type of those born under Gemini,		88
18.	Type of those born under Cancer,		89
19.	Type of those born under Leo,		89
20.	Type of those born under Virgo,		90
21.	Type of those born under Libra,		90
22.	Type of those bom under Scorpio,		91
23.	Type of those born under Sagittarius,		91
24.	Type of those born under Capricorn,		92
25.	Type of those born under Aquarius,		92
26.	Type of those born under Pisces,		92
27.	Futility of this Theory of Stellar Influence,		93
28.	System of the Magicians—Incantations of Demons—Secret Magical Rites,		93
29.	Display of different Eggs,		97
30.	Self-slaughter of Sheep,		97
31.	Method of poisoning Goats,		98
32.	Imitations of Thunder, and other Illusions,		98
33.	The Burning Æsculapius—Tricks with Fire,		99
34.	The Illusion of the Sealed Letters—Object in detailing the Juggleries,		101
35.	The Divination by a Cauldron—Illusion of Fiery Demons—Specimen of a Magical Invocation,		103
36.	Mode of managing an Apparition,		104
37.	Illusive Appearance of the Moon,		105
38.	Illusive Appearance of the Stars,		106
39.	Imitation of an Earthquake,		106
40.	Trick with the Liver,		106
41.	Making a Skull speak,		106
42.	The Fraud of the foregoing Practices—their connection with Heresy,		107
43.	Recapitulation of Theologies and Cosmogonies—System of the Persians—of the Babylonians—the Egyptian Notion of Deity—their Theology based on a Theory of Numbers—their System of Cosmogony,		108
44.	Egyptian Theory of Nature—their Amulets,		112
45.	Use of the foregoing Discussions,		113
46.	The Astrotheosophists—Aratus imitated by the Heresiarchs—his System of the Disposition of the Stars,		113
47.	Opinions of the Heretics borrowed from Aratus,		115
48.	Invention of the Lyre—allegorizing the Appearance and Position of the Stars—Origin of the Phœnicians—The Logos identified by Aratus with the Constellation Canis—Influence of Canis on Fertility and Life generally,		116
49.	Symbol of the Creature—and of Spirit—and of the different Orders of Animals,		119
50.	Folly of Astrology,		120
51.	The Hebdomadarii—System of the Arithmeticians—pressed into the Service of Heresy—Instances of, in Simon and Valentinus—the Nature of the Universe deducible from the Physiology of the Brain,		121
BOOK V.
	Contents,		125
1.	Recapitulation—Characteristics of Heresy—Origin of the Name Naasseni—the System of the Naasseni,		125
2.	Naasseni ascribe their System, through Mariamne, to James the Lord's Brother—really traceable to the ancient Mysteries—their Psychology as given in the "Gospel according to Thomas"—Assyrian Theory of the Soul—the Systems of the Naasseni and the Assyrians compared—Support drawn by the Naasseni from the Phrygian and Egyptian Mysteries—the Mysteries of Isis—these Mysteries allegorized by the Naasseni,		128
3.	Further Exposition of the Heresy of the Naasseni—profess to follow Homer—acknowledge a Triad of Principles—their technical Names of the Triad—support these on the authority of Greek Poets—allegorize our Saviour's Miracles—the Mystery of the Samothracians—why the Lord chose Twelve Disciples—the name Corybas, used by Thracians and Phrygians, explained—Naasseni profess to find their System in Scripture—their Interpretation of Jacob's Vision—their idea of the "Perfect Man"—the "Perfect Man" called "Papa" by the Phrygians—the Naasseni and Phrygians on the Resurrection—The Ecstasis of St. Paul—the Mysteries of Religion as alluded to by Christ—Interpretation of the Parable of the Sower—Allegory of the Promised Land—Comparison of the System of the Phrygians with the Statements of Scripture—Exposition of the Meaning of the higher and lower Eleusiuian Mysteries—the Incarnation discoverable here according to the Naasseni,		138
4.	Further use made of the System of the Phrygians—Mode of celebrating the Mysteries—the Mystery of the "Great Mother"—these Mysteries have a joint Object of Worship with the Naasseni—The Naasseni allegorize the Scriptural Account of the Garden of Eden—the Allegory applied to the Life of Jesus,		148
5.	Explanation of the System of the Naasseni taken from one of their Hymns,		153
6.	The Ophites the grand Source of Heresy,		154
7.	The System of the Peratse—their Tritheism—Explanation of the Incarnation,		154
8.	The Peratæ derive their System from the Astrologers—this proved by a Statement of the Astrological Theories of the Zodiac—hence the Terminology of the Peratic Heretics,		156
9.	System of the Peratæ explained out of one of their own Books,		160
10.	The Peratic Heresy nominally different from Astrology, but really the same System allegorized,		163
11.	Why they call themselves Peratæ—their Theory of Generation supported by an Appeal to Antiquity—their Interpretation of the Exodus of Israel—their System of "the Serpent"—deduced by them from Scripture—this the real Import of the Doctrines of the Astrologers,		164
12.	Compendious Statement of the Doctrines of the Peratæ,		168
13.	The Peratic Heresy not generally known,		170
14.	The System of the Sethians—their Triad of infinite Principles—their Heresy explained—their Interpretation of the Incarnation,		170
15.	The Sethians support their Doctrines by an allegorical Interpretation of Scripture—their System really derived from Natural Philosophers and from the Orphic Rites—adopt the Homeric Cosmogony,		176
16.	The Sethian Theory concerning "Mixture" and "Composition"—Application of it to Christ—Illustration from the Well of Ampa,		179
17.	The Sethian Doctrines to be learned from the "Paraphrase of Seth,"		181
18.	The System of Justinus antiscriptural and essentially Pagan,		182
19.	The Justinian Heresy unfolded in the "Book of Baruch,"		183
20.	The Cosmogony of Justinus an allegorical Explanation of Herodotus' Legend of Hercules,		184
21.	Justinus' Triad of Principles—his Angelography founded on this Triad—his Explanation of the Birth, Life, and Death of our Lord,		185
22.	Oath used by the Justinian Heretics—the Book of Baruch the Repertory of their System,		192
23.	Subsequent Heresies deducible from the System of Justinus,		194
BOOK VI.
	Contents,		195
1.	The Ophites the Progenitors of subsequent Heresies,		195
2.	Simon Magus,		196
3.	Story of Apsethus the Libyan,		197
4.	Simon's forced Interpretation of Scripture—plagiarizes from Heraclitus and Aristotle—Simon's System of sensible and intelligible Existences,		198
5.	Simon appeals to Scripture in support of his System,		200
6.	Simon's System expounded in the work Great Announcement—follows Empedocles,		200
7.	Simon's System of a Threefold Emanation by Pairs,		201
8.	Further Progression of this Threefold Emanation—Co-exist ence with the Double Triad of a Seventh Existence,		202
9.	Simon's Interpretation of the Mosaic Hexaëmeron—his allegorical Representation of Paradise,		203
10.	Simon's Explanation of the First Two Books of Moses,		205
11.	Simon's Explanation of the Three last Books of the Pentateuch,		206
12.	Fire a Primal Principle, according to Simon,		207
13.	His Doctrine of Emanation further expanded,		209
14.	Simon interprets his System by the mythological Representation of Helen of Troy—gives an Account of himself in connection with the Trojan Heroine—Immorality of his Followers—Simon's View of Christ—the Simonists' Apology for their Vice,		210
15.	Simon's Disciples adopt the Mysteries—Simon meets St. Peter at Rome—Account of Simon's closing Years,		213
16.	Heresy of Valentinus—derived from Plato and Pythagoras,		214
17.	Origin of the Greek Philosophy,		216
18.	Pythagoras' System of Numbers,		216
19.	Pythagoras' Duality of Substances—his "Categories,"		218
20.	Pythagoras' Cosmogony—similar to that of Empcdocles,		219
21.	Other Opinions of Pythagoras,		220
22.	The "Sayings" of Pythagoras,		221
23.	Pythagoras' Astronomic System,		223
24.	Valentinus convicted of Plagiarisms from the Platonic and Pythagoric Philosophy—the Valentinian Theory of Emanation by Duads,		224
25.	The Tenet of the Duad made the Foundation of Valentinus' System of the Emanation of Æons,		227
26.	Valentinus' Explanation of the Existence of Christ and the Spirit,		229
27.	Valentinus' Explanation of the Existence of Jesus—Power of Jesus over Humanity,		231
28.	The Valentinian Origin of the Creation,		233
29.	The other Valentinian Emanations in conformity with the Pythagorean System of Numbers,		234
30.	Valentinus' Explanation of the Birth of Jesus—Twofold Doctrine on the Nature of Jesus' Body—Opinion of the Italians, that is, Heracleon and Ptolemæus—Opinion of the Orientals, that is, Axionicus and Bardesanes,		236
31.	Further Doctrines of Valentinus respecting the Æons—Reasons for the Incarnation,		237
32.	Valentinus convicted of Plagiarisms from Plato,		239
33.	Secundus' System of Æons—Epiphanes—Ptolemæus,		241
34.	System of Marcus—a mere Impostor—his wicked Devices upon the Eucharistic Cup,		243
35.	Further Acts of Jugglery on the part of Marcus,		244
36.	The heretical Practices of the Marcites in regard of Baptism,		245
37.	Marcus' System explained by Irenæus—Marcus' Vision—the Vision of Valentinus revealing to him his System,		246
38.	Marcus' System of Letters,		249
39.	The Quaternion exhibits "Truth,"		250
40.	The Name of Christ Jesus,		251
41.	Marcus' mystic Interpretation of the Alphabet,		251
42.	His System applied to explain our Lord's Life and Death,		253
43.	Letters, Symbols of the Heavens,		254
44.	Respecting the Generation of the Twenty-four Letters,		255
45.	Why Jesus is called Alpha,		257
46.	Marcus' Account of the Birth and Life of our Lord,		258
47.	The System of Marcus shown to be that of Pythagoras by Quotations from the Writings of Marcus' Followers,		259
48.	Their Cosmogony framed according to these mystic Doctrines of Letters,		262
49.	The Work of the Demiurge perishable,		263
50.	Marcus and Colarbasus refuted by Irenæus,		264
BOOK VII.
	Contents,		265
1.	Heresy compared to (1) the Stormy Ocean, (2) the Rocks of the Sirens—Moral from Ulysses and the Sirens,		266
2.	The System of Basilides derived from Aristotle,		267
3.	Sketch of Aristotle's Philosophy,		268
4.	Aristotle's general Idea,		268
5.	Nonentity as a Cause,		269
6.	Substance, according to Aristotle—the Predicates,		269
7.	Aristotle's Cosmogony—his "Psychology"—his "Entelecheia"—his Theology—his Ethics—Basilides follows Aristotle,		271
8.	Basilides and Isidorus allege Apostolic Sanction for their Systems—they really follow Aristotle,		273
9.	Basilides adopts the Aristotelian Doctrine of "Nonentity,"		274
10.	Origin of the World—Basilides' Account of the "Sonship,"		275
11.	The "Great Archon" of Basilides,		279
12.	Basilides adopts the "Entelecheia" of Aristotle,		280
13.	Further Explanation of the "Sonship,"		282
14.	Whence came the Gospel—the Number of Heavens according to Basilides—Explanation of Christ's Miraculous Conception,		283
15.	God's Dealings with the Creature—Basilides' Notion of (1) the Inner Man, (2) the Gospel—his Interpretation of the Life and Sufferings of our Lord,		286
16.	The System of Saturnilus,		289
17.	Marcion—his Dualism—derives his System from Empedocles—Sketch of the Doctrine of Empedocles,		290
18.	Source of Marcionism—Empedocles reasserted as the Suggester of this Heresy,		296
19.	The Heresy of Prepon—follows Empedocles—Marcion rejects the Generation of the Saviour,		298
20.	The Heresy of Carpocrates—Wicked Doctrines concerning Jesus Christ—practises Magical Arts—adopts a Metempsychosis,		300
21.	The System of Cerinthus concerning Christ,		302
22.	Doctrine of the Ebionæans,		303
23.	The Heresy of Theodotus,		303
24.	The Melchisedecians—The Nicolaitans,		304
25.	The Heresy of Cerdon,		305
26.	The Doctrines of Apelles—Philumene, his Prophetess,		306
BOOK VIII.
	Contents,		308
1.	Heresies hitherto refuted—Opinions of the Docetæ,		309
2.	Docetic Notion of the Incarnation—their Doctrines of Æons—their Account of Creation—their Notion of a fiery God,		311
3.	Christ undoes the Work of the Demiurge—Docetic Account of the Baptism and Death of Jesus—why He lived for Thirty Years on Earth,		313
4.	The Docetic Doctrine derived from the Greek Sophists,		316
5.	Monoïmus—Man the Universe, according to Monoïmus—his System of the Monad,		317
6.	Monoïmus' "Iota"—his Notion of the "Son of Man,"		318
7.	Monoïmus on the Sabbath—allegorizes the Rod of Moses—Notion concerning the Decalogue,		319
8.	Monoïmus explains his Opinions in a Letter to Theophrastus—where to find God—his System derived from Pythagoras,		321
9.	Tatian,		322
10.	Hermogenes—adopts the Socratic Philosophy—his Notion concerning the Birth and Body of our Lord,		323
11.	The Quartodecimans,		324
12.	The Montanists—Priscilla and Maximilla their Prophetesses—some of them Noetians,		325
13.	The Doctrines of the Encratites,		326
BOOK IX.
	Contents,		328
1.	An Account of Contemporaneous Heresy,		328
2.	Source of the Heresy of Noetus—Cleomenes his Disciple—its Appearance at Rome during the Popedoms of Zephyrinus and Callistus—Noetianism opposed at Rome by Hippolytus,		329
3.	Noetianism an Offshoot from the Heraclitic Philosophy,		330
4.	An Account of the System of Heraclitus,		331
5.	Heraclitus' Estimate of Hesiod—Paradoxes of Heraclitus—his Eschatology—the Heresy of Noetus of Heraclitean Origin—Noetus' View of the Birth and Passion of our Lord,		332
6.	Conduct of Callistus and Zephyrinus in the matter of Noetianism—avowed Opinion of Zephyrinus concerning Jesus Christ—Disapproval of Hippolytus—as a contemporaneous event, Hippolytus competent to explain it,		336
7.	The Personal History of Callistus—his Occupation as a Banker—Fraud on Carpophorus—Callistus absconds—attempted Suicide—condemned to the Treadmill—Recondemnation by Order of the Prefect Fuscianus—banished to Sardinia—Release of Callistus by the interference of Marcia—Callistus arrives at Rome—Pope Victor removes Callistus to Antium—Return of Callistus on Victor's Death—Zephyrinus friendly to him—Callistus accused by Sabellius—Hippolytus' Account of the Opinions of Callistus—the Callistian School at Rome and its Practices—this Sect in existence in Hippolytus' Time,		338
8.	Sect of the Elchasaites—Hippolytus' Opposition to it,		345
9.	Elchasai derived his System from Pythagoras—practised Incantations,		347
10.	Elchasai's Mode of administering Baptism—Formularies,		348
11.	Precepts of Elchasai,		349
12.	The Heresy of the Elchasaites a derivative one,		350
13.	The Jewish Sects,		351
14–20.	The Tenets of the Esseni,		352
21.	Different Sects of the Esseni,		357
22.	Belief of the Esseni in the Resurrection—their System a suggestive one,		358
23.	Another Sect of the Esseni—the Pharisees,		359
24.	The Sadducees,		361
25.	The Jewish Religion,		362
26.	Conclusion to the Work explained,		364
BOOK X.
	Contents,		366
1.	Recapitulation,		366
2–4.	Summary of the Opinions of Philosophers,		367
5.	The Naasseni,		370
6.	The Peratæ,		371
7.	The Sethians,		372
8.	Simon Magus,		375
9.	Valentinus,		376
10.	Basilides,		377
11.	Justinus,		379
12.	The Docetæ,		381
13.	Monoimus,		382
14.	Tatian,		383
15.	Marcion and Cerdo		383
16.	Apelles,		384
17.	Cerinthus,		385
18.	The Ebionæans,		385
19.	Theodotus,		385
20.	Melchisedecians,		386
21, 22.	The Phrygians (Montanists),		386
23.	Noetus and Callistus,		387
24.	Hermogenes,		388
25.	The Elchasaites,		389
26, 27.	Jewish Chronology,		389
28, 29.	The Doctrine of the Truth,		393
30.	The Author's Concluding Address,		400

THE EXTANT WORKS AND FRAGMENTS OF HIPPOLYTUS.

PART I.—EXEGETICAL.

Fragments from Commentaries on various Books of Scripture—
	On the Hexaëmeron (or Six Days' Work),	407
	On Genesis,	407
	On Numbers,	423
	On Kings,	423
	On the Psalms,	424
	On Proverbs,	430
	Another Fragment,	438
	On the Song of Songs,	439
	On the Prophet Isaiah,	440
	On Jeremiah and Ezekiel,	442
	On Daniel,	443
	Scholia on Daniel,	463
	Other Fragments,	483
	On Matthew,	484
	On Luke,	485
	Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch,	486
	On the Psalms,	497
	Other Fragments on the Psalms,	505