Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Books I–X

Chapter XVIII.—The Manner in which Apollonius refuted the Phrygians, and the Persons ^{Edition note 1} whom he Mentions.

1. As the so-called Phrygian heresy ^{Edition note 2} was still flourishing in Phrygia in his time, Apollonius ^{Edition note 3} also, an ecclesiastical writer, undertook its refutation, and wrote a special work against it, correcting in detail the false prophecies current among them and reproving the life of the founders of the heresy. But hear his own words respecting Montanus:

2.

3. He writes thus concerning Montanus; and a little farther on he writes as follows concerning his prophetesses:

4. Afterwards he says:

5. And again a little farther on he speaks thus concerning one of their confessors:

6. And again concerning others of those honored among them as martyrs, he writes as follows:

“Not to speak of many, let the prophetess herself tell us of Alexander, ^{Edition note 13} who called himself a martyr, with whom she is in the habit of banqueting, and who is worshiped ^{Edition note 14} by many. We need not mention his robberies and other daring deeds for which he was punished, but the archives ^{Edition note 15} contain them.

7. Which of these forgives the sins of the other? Does the prophet the robberies of the martyr, or the martyr the covetousness of the prophet? For although the Lord said, ‘Provide neither gold, nor silver, neither two coats,’ ^{Edition note 16} these men, in complete opposition, transgress in respect to the possession of the forbidden things. For we will show that those whom they call prophets and martyrs gather their gain not only from rich men, but also from the poor, and orphans, and widows.

8. But if they are confident, let them stand up and discuss these matters, that if convicted they may hereafter cease transgressing. For the fruits of the prophet must be tried; ‘for the tree is known by its fruit.’ ^{Edition note 17}

9. But that those who wish may know concerning Alexander, he was tried by Æmilius Frontinus, ^{Edition note 18} proconsul at Ephesus; not on account of the Name, ^{Edition note 19} but for the robberies which he had committed, being already an apostate. ^{Edition note 20} Afterwards, having falsely declared for the name of the Lord, he was released, having deceived the faithful that were there. ^{Edition note 21} And his own parish, from which he came, did not receive him, because he was a robber. ^{Edition note 22} Those who wish to learn about him have the public records ^{Edition note 23} of Asia. And yet the prophet with whom he spent many years knows nothing about him! ^{Edition note 24}

10. Exposing him, through him we expose also the pretense ^{Edition note 25} of the prophet. We could show the same thing of many others. But if they are confident, let them endure the test.”

11. Again, in another part of his work he speaks as follows of the prophets of whom they boast:

12. This same Apollonius states in the same work that, at the time of his writing, it was the fortieth year since Montanus had begun his pretended prophecy. ^{Edition note 29}

13. And he says also that Zoticus, who was mentioned by the former writer, ^{Edition note 30} when Maximilla was pretending to prophesy in Pepuza, resisted her and endeavored to refute the spirit that was working in her; but was prevented by those who agreed with her. He mentions also a certain Thraseas ^{Edition note 31} among the martyrs of that time.

He speaks, moreover, of a tradition that the Saviour commanded his apostles not to depart from Jerusalem for twelve years. ^{Edition note 32} He uses testimonies also from the Revelation of John, ^{Edition note 33} and he relates that a dead man had, through the Divine power, been raised by John himself in Ephesus. ^{Edition note 34} He also adds other things by which he fully and abundantly exposes the error of the heresy of which we have been speaking. These are the matters recorded by Apollonius.