Didascalia Apostolorum

Historical source scan page 130

102 DIDASCALIA. CHAPTER XXIII. About heresies and schisms ; that those are condemned to the Gehenna of fire who split the Churches, like Korali and Dathan and Abiram, those who wished to split Israel. Teacheth that the Church of God is one, and that the Churches of heresies are not Churches of God. 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,