Chapter XXVIII.--The Demiurge Cured of His Ignorance by the Saviour's Advent, from Whom He Hears of the Great Future in Store for Himself.
Meanwhile the Demiurge, being still ignorant of everything, although he will actually have to make some announcement himself by the prophets, but is quite incapable of even this part of his duty (because they divide authority over the prophets [6864] between Achamoth, the Seed, and the Demiurge), no sooner heard of the advent of Soter (Saviour) than he runs to him with haste and joy, with all his might, like the centurion in the Gospel. [6865] And being enlightened by him on all points, he learns from him also of his own prospect how that he is to succeed to his mother's place. Being thenceforth free from all care, he carries on the administration of this world, mainly under the plea of protecting the church, for as long a time as may be necessary and proper.
[6864] Prophetiale patrocinium.
[6865] Matt. viii. 5, 6.
Chapter XXIX.--The Three Natures Again Adverted to. They are All Exemplified Amongst Men. For Instance, by Cain, and Abel, and Seth.
I will now collect from different sources, by way of conclusion, what they affirm concerning the dispensation [6866] of the whole human race. Having at first stated their views as to man's threefold nature--which was, however, united in one [6867] in the case of Adam--they then proceed after him to divide it (into three) with their especial characteristics, finding opportunity for such distinction in the posterity of Adam himself, in which occurs a threefold division as to moral differences. Cain and Abel, and Seth, who were in a certain sense the sources of the human race, become the fountain-heads of just as many qualities [6868] of nature and essential character. [6869] The material nature, [6870] which had become reprobate for salvation, they assign to Cain; the animal nature, which was poised between divergent hopes, they find [6871] in Abel; the spiritual, preordained for certain salvation, they store up [6872] in Seth. In this way also they make a twofold distinction among souls, as to their property of good and evil--according to the material condition derived from Cain, or the animal from Abel. Men's spiritual state they derive over and above the other conditions, [6873] from Seth adventitiously, [6874] not in the way of nature, but of grace, [6875] in such wise that Achamoth infuses it [6876] among superior beings like rain [6877] into good souls, that is, those who are enrolled in the animal class. Whereas the material class--in other words, those which are bad souls--they say, never receive the blessings of salvation; [6878] for that nature they have pronounced to be incapable of any change or reform in its natural condition. [6879] This grain, then, of spiritual seed is modest and very small when cast from her hand, but under her instruction [6880] increases and advances into full conviction, as we have already said; [6881] and the souls, on this very account, so much excelled all others, that the Demiurge, even then in his ignorance, held them in great esteem. For it was from their list that he had been accustomed to select men for kings and for priests; and these even now, if they have once attained to a full and complete knowledge of these foolish conceits of theirs, [6882] since they are already naturalized in the fraternal bond of the spiritual state, will obtain a sure salvation, nay, one which is on all accounts their due.
[6866] De dispositione.
[6867] Inunitam.
[6868] Argumenta.
[6869] Essentiæ.
[6870] Choicum: "the clayey." Having the doubtful issues, which arise from freedom of the will (Oehler).
[6871] Recondunt: or, "discover."
[6872] Recondunt: or, "discover."
[6873] Superducunt.
[6874] De obvenientia.
[6875] Indulgentiam.
[6876] The "quos" here relates to "spiritalem statum," but expressing the sense rather than the grammatical propriety, refers to the plural idea of "good souls" (Oehler).
[6877] Depluat.
[6878] Salutaria.
[6879] We have tried to retain the emphatic repetition, "inreformabilem naturæ naturam."
[6880] Eruditu hujus.
[6881] Above, in ch. xxv. p. 515.
[6882] Istarum næniarum.
Chapter XXX.--The Lax and Dangerous Views of This Sect Respecting Good Works. That These are Unnecessary to the Spiritual Man.
For this reason it is that they neither regard works [6883] as necessary for themselves, nor do they observe any of the calls of duty, eluding even the necessity of martyrdom on any pretence which may suit their pleasure. For this rule, (they say), is enjoined upon the animal seed, in order that the salvation, which we do not possess by any privilege of our state, [6884] we may work out by right [6885] of our conduct. Upon us, who are of an imperfect nature, [6886] is imprinted the mark of this (animal) seed, because we are reckoned as sprung from the loves of Theletus, [6887] and consequently as an abortion, just as their mother was. But woe to us indeed, should we in any point transgress the yoke of discipline, should we grow dull in the works of holiness and justice, should we desire to make our confession anywhere else, I know not where, and not before the powers of this world at the tribunals of the chief magistrates! [6888] As for them, however, they may prove their nobility by the dissoluteness [6889] of their life and their diligence [6890] in sin, since Achamoth fawns on them as her own; for she, too, found sin no unprofitable pursuit. Now it is held amongst them, that, for the purpose of honouring the celestial marriages, [6891] it is necessary to contemplate and celebrate the mystery always by cleaving to a companion, that, is to a woman; otherwise (they account any man) degenerate, and a bastard [6892] to the truth, who spends his life in the world without loving a woman or uniting himself to her. Then what is to become of the eunuchs whom we see amongst them?
[6883] Operationes: the doing of (good) works."
[6884] As, forsooth, we should in the spiritual state.
[6885] Suffragio.
[6886] Being animal, not spiritual.
[6887] See above. ch. ix. x. p. 508.
[6888] See Scorpiace, ch. x. infra.
[6889] Passivitate.
[6890] "Diligentia" may mean "proclivity" (Rigalt.).
[6891] Of the Æons.
[6892] Nec legitimum: "not a lawful son."