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 works273    Operationes: the doing of (good) works.” 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,274    As, forsooth, we should in the spiritual state. we may work out by right275    Suffragio. of our conduct. Upon us, who are of an imperfect nature,276    Being animal, not spiritual. is imprinted the mark of this (animal) seed, because we are reckoned as sprung from the loves of Theletus,277    See above. ch. ix. x. p. 508. 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!278    See Scorpiace, ch. x. infra. As for them, however, they may prove their nobility by the dissoluteness279    Passivitate. of their life and their diligence280    “Diligentia” may mean “proclivity” (Rigalt.). 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,281    Of the Æons. 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 bastard282    Nec legitimum: “not a lawful son.” 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?

CAPUT XXX.

0585A

Ideoque nec operationes necessarias sibi existimant, nec ulla disciplinae munia observant; martyrii quoque eludentes necessitatem qua volunt interpretatione. Hanc enim regulam animali semini praestitutam, ut salutem quam non de privilegio status possidemus, de suffragio actus elaboremus. Nobis enim inscriptura hujus seminis , qui imperfectae essentiae sumus, quia amoribus Phileti, et utique abortui deputamur, quod mater illorum. Sed nobis quidem vae, si excesserimus in aliquo disciplinae jugum: si obtorpuerimus in operibus sanctitatis atque justitiae: si confitendum alibi, nescio ubi, et non sub potestatibus istius saeculi, apud tribunalia praesidum optaverimus. Illi vero et de passivitate vitae, 0585B et diligentia delictorum, generositatem suam vindicent, blandiente suis Achamoth, quoniam et ipsa delinquendo profecit. Nam et honorandorum conjugiorum supernorum gratia dicitur apud illos, meditandum atque celebrandum semper sacramentum, 0586A comiti, id est foeminae adhaerendo; alioquin degenerem, nec legitimum veritatis, qui diversatus in mundo non amaverit foeminam, nec se ei junxerit. Et quid facient spadones, quos videmus apud illos?