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| Preface.
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Preface.
1. Inasmuch2655
| 2655 The Greek original of the work of Irenæus
is from time to time recovered through the numerous quotations made from
it by subsequent writers, especially by the author’s pupil
Hippolytus, and by Epiphanius. The latter preserves (Hær. xxxi.
secs. 9–32) the preface of Irenæus, and most of the first book. An
important difference of reading occurs between the Latin and Greek in the
very first word. The translator manifestly read ἐπεί,
quatenus, while in Epiphanius we find ἐπί,
against. The former is probably correct, and has been followed in
our version. We have also supplied a clause, in order to avoid the
extreme length of the sentence in the original, which runs on without any
apodosis to the words ἀναγκαῖον
ἡγησάμην,
“I have judged it necessary.” | as certain men have
set the truth aside, and bring in lying words and vain genealogies,
which, as the apostle says,2656
“minister
questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith,” and by
means of their craftily-constructed plausibilities draw away the minds of
the inexperienced and take them captive, [I have felt constrained, my
dear friend, to compose the following treatise in order to expose and
counteract their machinations.] These men falsify the oracles of God, and
prove themselves evil interpreters of the good word of revelation. They
also overthrow the faith of many, by drawing them away, under a pretence
of [superior] knowledge, from Him who rounded and adorned the universe;
as if, forsooth, they had something more excellent and sublime to reveal,
than that God who created the heaven and the earth, and all things that
are therein. By means of specious and plausible words, they cunningly
allure the simple-minded to inquire into their system; but they
nevertheless clumsily destroy them, while they initiate them into their
blasphemous and impious opinions respecting the Demiurge;2657
| 2657 As will be seen by and by, this
fancied being was, in the Valentinian system, the creator of the material
universe, but far inferior to the supreme ruler Bythus. | and
these simple ones are unable, even in such a matter, to distinguish
falsehood from truth.
2. Error,
indeed, is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus
exposed, it should at once be detected. But it is craftily decked out in
an attractive dress, so as, by its outward form, to make it appear to the
inexperienced (ridiculous as the expression may seem) more true than the
truth itself. One2658
| 2658 There
are frequent references to Irenæus to some venerable men who had
preceded him in the Church. It is supposed that Pothinus, whom he
succeeded at Lyons, is generally meant; but the reference may sometimes
be to Polycarp, with whom in early life he had been acquainted. [On this
matter of quotations from anonymous authors of the apostolic times, not
infrequently made by Irenæus, consult the important tractate of Dr.
Routh, in his Reliquiæ Sacræ, vol. i. 45–68.] |
far superior to me has well said, in reference to this point, “A
clever imitation in glass casts contempt, as it were, on that precious
jewel the emerald (which is most highly esteemed by some), unless it come
under the eye of one able to test and expose the counterfeit. Or, again,
what inexperienced person can with ease detect the presence of brass when
it has been mixed up with silver?” Lest, therefore, through my
neglect, some should be carried off, even as sheep are by wolves, while
they perceive not the true character of these men,—because they
outwardly are covered with sheep’s clothing (against whom the Lord
has enjoined2659
us to be on our guard),
and because their language resembles ours, while their sentiments are
very different,—I have deemed it my duty (after reading some of
the Commentaries, as they call them, of the disciples of
Valentinus, and after making myself acquainted with their tenets through
personal intercourse with some of them) to unfold to thee, my friend,
these portentous and profound mysteries, which do not fall within the
range of every intellect, because all have not sufficiently purged2660
| 2660 The original is ἐγκέφαλον
ἐξεπτύκασιν,
which the Latin translator renders simply, “have not sufficient
brains.” He probably followed a somewhat different reading. Various
emendations have been proposed, but the author may be understood by the
ordinary text to be referring ironically to the boasted subtlety and
sublimity of the Gnostics. | their brains. I do this, in order
that thou, obtaining an acquaintance with these things, mayest in turn
explain them to all those with whom thou art connected, and exhort them
to avoid such an abyss of madness and of blasphemy against Christ. I
intend, then, to the best of my ability, with brevity and clearness to
set forth the opinions of those who are now
promulgating
heresy. I refer especially to the disciples of Ptolemæus, whose school
may be described as a bud from that of Valentinus. I shall also
endeavour, according to my moderate ability, to furnish the means of
overthrowing them, by showing how absurd and inconsistent with the truth
are their statements. Not that I am practised either in composition or
eloquence; but my feeling of affection prompts me to make known to thee
and all thy companions those doctrines which have been kept in
concealment until now, but which are at last, through the goodness of
God, brought to light. “For there is nothing hidden which shall not
be revealed, nor secret that shall not be made known.”2661
3. Thou wilt not expect
from me, who am resident among the Keltæ,2662
| 2662 As Cæsar informs us (Comm., i. 1), Gaul was
divided into three parts, one of which was called Celtic Gaul, lying
between the Seine and the Garonne. Of this division Lyons is the
principal city. | and am accustomed for the most part to use a
barbarous dialect, any display of rhetoric, which I have never learned,
or any excellence of composition, which I have never practised, or any
beauty and persuasiveness of style, to which I make no pretensions. But
thou wilt accept in a kindly spirit what I in a like spirit write to thee
simply, truthfully, and in my own homely way; whilst thou thyself (as
being more capable than I am) wilt expand those ideas of which I send
thee, as it were, only the seminal principles; and in the
comprehensiveness of thy understanding, wilt develop to their full extent
the points on which I briefly touch, so as to set with power before thy
companions those things which I have uttered in weakness. In fine, as I
(to gratify thy long-cherished desire for information regarding the
tenets of these persons) have spared no pains, not only to make these
doctrines known to thee, but also to furnish the means of showing their
falsity; so shalt thou, according to the grace given to thee by the Lord,
prove an earnest and efficient minister to others, that men may no longer
be drawn away by the plausible system of these heretics, which I now
proceed to describe.2663
| 2663 [The
reader will find a logical and easy introduction to the crabbed details
which follow, by turning to chap. xxiii., and reading through succeeding
chapters down to chap. xxix.] | E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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