71 Chapter XI.—Avoid the deadly errors of the Docetæ. Flee, therefore, those evil offshoots [of Satan], which produce death-bearing fruit, whereof if any one tastes, he instantly dies. For these men are not the planting of the Father. For if they were, they would appear as branches of the cross, and their fruit would be incor- ruptible. By it326 He calls you through His passion, as being His members. The head, therefore, cannot be born by itself, without its members; God, who is [the Saviour] Himself, having promised their union.327 Do ye also avoid those wicked offshoots of his,328 Simon his firstborn son, and Menander, and Basilides, and all his wicked mob of followers,329 the worshippers of a man, whom also the prophet Jeremiah pronounces accursed.330 Flee also the impure Nicolaitanes, falsely so called,331 who are lovers of pleasure, and given to calumnious speeches. Avoid also the children of the evil one, Theodotus and Cleobulus, who produce death-bearing fruit, whereof if any one tastes, he instantly dies, and that not a mere temporary death, but one that shall endure for ever. These men are not the planting of the Father, but are an accursed brood. And says the Lord, “Let every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted be rooted up.”332 For if they had been branches of the Father, they would not have been “en- emies of the cross of Christ,”333 but rather of those who “killed the Lord of glory.”334 But now, by denying the cross, and being ashamed of the passion, they cover the transgression of the Jews, those fighters against God, those murderers of the Lord; for it were too little to style them merely murderers of the prophets. But Christ invites you to [share in] His immor- tality, by His passion and resurrection, inasmuch as ye are His members. 326 i.e., the cross. 327 Both text and meaning here are doubtful. 328 i.e., Satan’s. 329 Literally, “loud, confused noise.” 330 The Ebionites, who denied the divine nature of our Lord, are here referred to. 331 It seems to be here denied that Nicolas was the founder of this school of heretics. 332 Matt. xv. 13. 333 Phil. iii. 18. 334 1 Cor. ii. 8. Chapter XI.—Avoid the deadly errors of the Docetæ. 195 Chapter XI.—Avoid the deadly errors of the Docetæ.