As to those who assembled in unlawful
congregations, their decision was to join them again to the Church,
after they had been brought to a better state by proper repentance and
rebuke, and so, in many cases, when men in orders τους ἐν
βαθμῷ. cf. note
on p. 218. had rebelled with the disorderly, to receive
them on their repentance, into the same rank. Now the Pepuzeni
are plainly heretical, for, by unlawfully and shamefully applying to
Montanus and Priscilla the title of the Paraclete, they have blasphemed
against the Holy Ghost. They are, therefore, to be condemned for
ascribing divinity to men; and for outraging the Holy Ghost by
comparing Him to men. They are thus also liable to eternal
damnation, inasmuch as blasphemy against the Holy Ghost admits of no
forgiveness. What ground is there, then, for the acceptance of
the baptism of men who baptize into the Father and the Son and Montanus
or Priscilla? For those who have not been baptized into the names
delivered to us have not been baptized at all. So that, although
this escaped the vigilance of the great Dionysius, we must by no means
imitate his error. The absurdity of the position is obvious in a
moment, and evident to all who are gifted with even a small share of
reasoning capacity.