The library · Edition and sources
Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Books I–X
NPNF historical edition · Translated text
Book VII — Chapter XXXI — The Perversive Heresy of the Manicheans which began at this Time.
Chapter XXXI.—The Perversive Heresy of the Manicheans which began at this Time.
1. At this time, the madman, Edition note 1 named from his demoniacal heresy, armed himself in the perversion of his reason, as the devil, Satan, who himself fights against God, put him forward to the destruction of many. He was a barbarian in life, both in word and deed; and in his nature demoniacal and insane. In consequence of this he sought to pose as Christ, and being puffed up in his madness, he proclaimed himself the Paraclete and the very Holy Spirit; Edition note 2 and afterwards, like Christ, he chose twelve disciples as partners of his new doctrine.
2. And he patched together false and godless doctrines collected from a multitude of long-extinct impieties, and swept them, like a deadly poison, from Persia to our part of the world. From him the impious name of the Manicheans is still prevalent among many. Such was the foundation of this “knowledge falsely so-called,” Edition note 3 which sprang up in those times.
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