Chapter XXV.—The
Elchasaites.
But certain others, introducing as it were some
novel
tenet
, appropriated
parts of their system
from all
heresies, and procured a strange volume, which bore on the title page
the name of one Elchasai. These, in like manner, acknowledge that
the principles of the universe were originated by the Deity. They
do not, however, confess that there is but one Christ, but that there
is one that is superior
to the rest
, and that He is transfused
into many bodies frequently, and was now in Jesus. And, in like
manner,
these heretics maintain
that at one time
Christ
was begotten of God, and at another time became the Spirit, and at
another time
was born
of a virgin, and at another time not
so. And
they affirm
that likewise this Jesus afterwards
was continually being transfused into bodies, and was manifested in
many (different bodies) at
different
times. And they
resort to incantations and baptisms in their confession of
elements. And they occupy themselves with bustling activity in
regard of astrological and mathematical science, and of the arts of
sorcery. But
also
they allege themselves to have powers of
prescience.