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| The Montanists; Priscilla and Maximilla Their Prophetesses; Some of Them Noetians.
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Chapter XII.—The
Montanists; Priscilla and Maximilla Their Prophetesses; Some of Them
Noetians.
But there are others who themselves are even more
heretical in nature (than the foregoing), and are Phrygians948
| 948 These
heretics had several denominations: (1) Phrygians and
Cataphrygians, from Phrygia; (2) Pepuzians, from a village in Phrygia
of this name; (3) Priscillianists; (4) Quintillists. See
Eusebius, Hist. Ecclesiast., iv. 27, v. 16, 18; Epiphanius,
Hær., xlviii.; Theodoret, Hær. Fab., iii. 2;
Philastrius, xlix.; and St. Augustine, Hær.,
xxvi. [The “Tertullianists” were a class by
themselves, which is a fact going far to encourage the idea that they
did not share the worst of these delusions.] | by birth. These have been rendered
victims of error from being previously captivated by (two) wretched
women, called a certain Priscilla and Maximilla, whom they supposed (to
be) prophetesses. And they assert that into these the Paraclete
Spirit had departed; and antecedently to them, they in like manner
consider Montanus as a prophet. And being in possession of an
infinite number of their books, (the Phrygians) are overrun with
delusion; and they do not judge whatever statements are made by them,
according to (the criterion of) reason; nor do they give heed unto
those who are competent to decide; but they are heedlessly swept
onwards, by the reliance which they place on these (impostors).
And they allege that they have learned something more through these,
than from law, and prophets, and the Gospels. But they magnify
these wretched women above the Apostles and every gift of Grace, so
that some of them presume to assert that there is in them a something
superior to Christ. These acknowledge God to be the Father of the
universe, and Creator of all things, similarly with the Church, and
(receive) as many things as the Gospel testifies concerning
Christ. They introduce, however, the novelties of fasts,949
| 949
Bunsen thinks that Hippolytus is rather meagre in his details of
the heresy of the Phrygians or Montanists, but considers this, with
other instances, a proof that parts of The Refutation are only
abstracts of more extended accounts. | and feasts, and meals of parched food, and
repasts of radishes, alleging that they have been instructed by
women. And some of these assent to the heresy of the Noetians,
and affirm that the Father himself is the Son, and that this (one) came under
generation, and suffering, and death. Concerning these I shall
again offer an explanation, after a more minute manner; for the heresy
of these has been an occasion of evils to many. We therefore are
of opinion, that the statements made concerning these (heretics) are
sufficient, when we shall have briefly proved to all that the majority
of their books are silly, and their attempts (at reasoning) weak, and
worthy of no consideration. But it is not necessary for those who
possess a sound mind to pay attention (either to their volumes or their
arguments).E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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