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| The Heresy of Carpocrates; Wicked Doctrines Concerning Jesus Christ; Practise Magical Arts; Adopt a Metempsychosis.
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Chapter XX.—The
Heresy of Carpocrates; Wicked Doctrines Concerning Jesus Christ;
Practise Magical Arts; Adopt a Metempsychosis.
Carpocrates880
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See [vol. i. p. 350] Irenæus, i. 25; [vol. iii. p. 203]
Tertullian, De Anima, c. xxiii.–xxv., and
Præscript., c. xlviii.; Eusebius, Hist. Ecclesiast.,
iv. 7, Epiphanius, Hær., xxvii. sec. 2; Theodoret,
Hær. Fab., i. 5; and St. Augustine,
Hær., c. vii. The entire of this article is taken
from Irenæus, and equally coincides with the account given of
Carpocrates by Epiphanius. | affirms that the world and the things in
it were made by angels, far inferior to the unbegotten Father; and that
Jesus was generated of Joseph, and that, having been born similar to
(other) men, He was more just than the rest (of the human race).
And (Carpocrates asserts) that the soul (of Jesus), inasmuch as it was
made vigorous and undefiled, remembered the things seen by it in its
converse with the unbegotten God. And (Carpocrates maintains)
that on this account there was sent down upon (Jesus) by that (God) a
power, in order that through it He might be enabled to escape the
world-making (angels). And (he says) that this power, having
passed through all, and having obtained liberty in all, again
ascended881
to God
(Himself). And (he alleges) that in the same condition with (the
soul of Jesus are all the souls) that embrace similar objects of desire
with the (power just alluded to). And they assert that the soul
of Jesus, (though,) according to law, it was disciplined in Jewish
customs, (in reality) despised them. And (he says) that on this
account (Jesus) received powers whereby He rendered null and void the
passions incidental to men for their punishment. And (he argues),
therefore, that the (soul), which, similarly with that soul of Christ,
is able to despise the world-making Archons, receives in like manner
power for the performance of similar acts. Wherefore, also,
(according to Carpocrates, there are persons who) have attained unto
such a degree of pride as to affirm some of themselves to be equal to
Jesus Himself, whereas others among them to be even still more
powerful. But (they also contend) that some enjoy an excellence
above the disciples of that (Redeemer), for instance Peter and Paul,
and the rest of the Apostles, and that these are in no respect inferior
to Jesus. And (Carpocrates asserts) that the souls of these have
originated from that supernal power, and that consequently they, as
equally despising the world-making (angels), have been deemed worthy of
the same power, and (of the privilege) to ascend to the same
(place). If, however, any one would despise earthly concerns more
than did that (Saviour, Carpocrates says) that such a one would be able
to become superior to (Jesus. The followers of this heretic)
practise their magical arts and incantations, and spells and
voluptuous feasts. And
(they are in the habit of invoking the aid of) subordinate demons and
dream-senders, and (of resorting to) the rest of the tricks (of
sorcery), alleging that they possess power for now acquiring sway over
the Archons and makers of this world, nay, even over all the works that
are in it.
(Now these heretics) have themselves been sent
forth by Satan, for the purpose of slandering before the Gentiles the
divine name of the Church. (And the devil’s object is,)
that men hearing, now after one fashion and now after another, the
doctrines of those (heretics), and thinking that all of us are people
of the same stamp, may turn away their ears from the preaching of the
truth, or that they also, looking, (without abjuring,) upon all the
tenets of those (heretics), may speak hurtfully of us. (The
followers of Carpocrates) allege that the souls are transferred from
body to body, so far as that they may fill up (the measure of) all
their sins. When, however, not one (of these sins) is left, (the
Carpocratians affirm that the soul) is then emancipated, and departs
unto that God above of the world-making angels, and that in this way
all souls will be saved. If, however, some (souls), during the
presence of the soul in the body for one life, may by anticipation
become involved in the full measure of transgressions, they, (according
to these heretics,) no longer undergo metempsychosis. (Souls of
this sort,) however, on paying off at once all trespasses, will, (the
Carpocratians say,) be emancipated from dwelling any more in a
body. Certain, likewise, of these (heretics) brand882
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Literally, “cauterize.” | their own disciples in the back parts
of the lobe of the right ear. And they make counterfeit images of
Christ, alleging that these were in existence at the time (during which
our Lord was on earth, and that they were fashioned) by
Pilate.883
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Epiphanius alludes in the same manner to these images. | E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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