Chapter IV.—Docetic Doctrine Derived from the Greek
Sophists.
These (statements), therefore, I consider sufficient to
properly-constituted minds for the purpose of attaining unto a
knowledge of the complicated and unstable heresy of the
Docetæ. (But) those who have propounded attempted arguments
about inaccessible and incomprehensible Matter, have styled themselves
Docetæ. Now, we consider that some of these are acting
foolishly, we will not say in appearance, but in reality. At all
events, we have proved that a beam from such matter is carried in the
eye, if by any means they may be enabled to perceive it. If,
however, they do not (discern it, our object is) that they should not
make others blind. But the fact is, that the sophists of the
Greeks in ancient times have previously devised, in many particulars,
the doctrines of these (Docetæ), as it is possible for my readers
(who take the trouble) to ascertain. These, then, are the
opinions propounded by the Docetæ. As to what likewise,
however, are the tenets of Monoïmus, we shall not be
silent.