§ 1.
The proofs therefore being so abundant, we ought no more to look for the Truth elsewhere, which it is easy to obtain from the Church,1 the Apostles having therein most abundantly deposited, as in a rich storehouse, whatsoever appertains to the truth. So that Whosoever will, may take from her the draught of life.2 For this is the entrance into life, but all the rest are thieves and robbers.3 Wherefore we ought, shunning them, with all diligence to love what belongs to the Church, and to lay hold of the Tradition of the truth. For why? though the dispute were but of some ordinary question, would it not be meet to recur to the most ancient Churches, where the Apostles went in and out, and from them to receive, on any present question, that which is certain and clear indeed? And what if not even the Apostles themselves had left us any Scriptures? ought we not to follow the course of that Tradition, which they delivered to those whom they entrusted with the Churches?
§ 2.
And to this rule consent many nations of the Barbarians, those I mean who believe in Christ,4 having salvation written by the Spirit in their hearts, without paper and ink, and diligently keeping the old Tradition: who believe in one God the Framer of Heaven and Earth and of all things that are in them, by Christ Jesus the Son of God. Who for His surpassing Love’s sake towards His creature, submitted to the birth which was to be of the Virgin, Himself by Himself uniting Man to God; Who suffered also under Pontius Pilate and rises again, and being received in brightness, will come in glory as the Saviour of them who are saved, and the Judge of them that are judged, and to send into eternal fire them that counterfeit the Truth, and despise His Father and His coming. This faith such as have believed without letters, in our discourse indeed are Barbarians; but as to their view, their custom and behaviour, because of their faith they are extremely wise, and please God, walking in all justice and chastity, and wisdom. And if any one should tell them of the inventions of the Heretics, conversing in their language, presently they would shut their ears, and think they could not fly far enough, not enduring so much as to hear the blasphemous talk. Thus by that old Tradition apostolic, they admit not even to a passing glance of the mind any of their monstrous sayings. For as yet there was no congregation among them, nor any doctrine taught.
§ 3.
For the Valentinians were not before Valentinus, neither were the Marcionites before Marcion;5 neither were the other malignant notions before enumerated by us, until these began to be introducers and inventors of their perversity. For as for Valentinus, he came to Rome under Hyginus, but flourished under Pius and continued even to Anicetus.6 And as for Cerdon who was before Marcion, he too under Hyginus, who was ninth Bishop, came to the Church, made his confession, and so continued, sometimes teaching privily, sometimes again doing penance, and sometimes under censure for the evil he was teaching, and separated from the assembly of the brethren. And Marcion succeeding him flourished under Anicetus,7 who occupied the tenth place in the Episcopate. But for the rest who are called Gnostics,8 they have their beginnings, as we have shewn, from Menander Simon’s disciple, and with what opinion soever each one of them hath taken his part, of that the father and first promoter hath been evident. And all these made their move towards Apostasy much later, when now the times of the Church were verging towards middle age.