Before everything beware of all odious heresies, and flee from them as
f. 66 a from a burning fire, and from- those who adhere to them ; for if a man in
making a schism, condemneth himself to the fire with those who err after
him ; what shall it be if a man go to steep himself in heresies ? for know
this, that if any of you love preeminence or venture to make a schism, he
will inherit the place of Korah and Dathan and Abiram, he and those who
are with him, and also with them he will be condemned in the fire. They
also of the house of Korah were Levites, and they served in the Tabernacle
of witness. They loved preeminence, and coveted the high-priesthood,
and began to speak evil things against that great Moses, as that he
had espoused a heathen woman, because he had an Ethiopian wife,
and he was defiled by her. Many others of the house of Zambri were
with him who committed fornication with Midianitish women, and
that the people were defiled along with 'him. His brother Aaron was
the leader in the worship of idols, who made images and sculptures for
his people ; and they spoke wicked things against Moses, him who did
all these signs and wonders from God to the nation, him who had done
these glorious and perfect works for their help ; him who had brought
upon Egypt ten plagues, him who had divided the Red Sea, and raised the
waters like a wall on either side, and made the people pass over as in
the dry wilderness ; and had drowned their enemies (S. + and evildoers and
all who were with them) ; him who had sweetened for them the fountain
of waters ; and from the flinty stone had brought them out streams, and
they had drunk (S. + and been satisfied) ; him who had brought down to
them manna from heaven, and with the manna had given them flesh ;
him who had given them a pillar of light (S. + for light and guidance)
by night, and a cloud for a shade by day; and in the desert had stretched
f. 66 b out a hand to them for the dispensation of the Law, and had given them
also the Ten Commandments of God. They spoke evil things against the
friend and servant of the Lord, as if to be glorified in righteousness
and to boast in holiness and to exhibit purity, and in hypocrisy they
showed religion. They also said thus as sober and sedate in holiness,