Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/464



, Bishop of Alexandria, in noticing certain facts concerning the Revelation of St. John, derived from ancient tradition, makes mention of this Cerinthus, and affirms that the doctrine which he taught was, that the reign of Christ would be upon earth, and that it would consist, for so he wickedly dreamt in the pleasures, which he himself desired, being a lover of the body, and altogether carnal, in the gratification, that is, of the fleshly lusts, in meats namely, and drinks and marriages, or as he thought in fairer words, to reach the same meaning, in feastings, and in sacrifices, and in the slaughter of victims.

Thus far Dionysius; moreover certain of his more secret and false opinions are added by Irenæus, who has also handed down to us in writing a story, which ought never to be forgotten, and which he gives us on the authority of Polycarp, [the disciple of St. John himself, and whom Irenæus had known in his youth.] "John the Apostle," he says, "entering for the purpose of bathing into some public baths, and learning that Cerinthus was within them, recoiled from the spot, and rushed out of doors, not even enduring to be under the same roof with him; and exhorting them also that were with him to adopt the same conduct, in these words; 'Let us flee, lest the very building should fall in, within which Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is abiding.'"

Hence we learn to avoid false teachers, after the pattern of the Blessed Apostle, even though it inconvenience us to do so.