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    • The Lax and Dangerous Views of This Sect Respecting Good Works. That These are Unnecessary to the Spiritual Man.
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    Chapter XXX.—The Lax and Dangerous Views of This Sect Respecting Good Works. That These are Unnecessary to the Spiritual Man.

    For this reason it is that they neither regard works6883

    6883 Operationes: the doing of (good) works.”

    as necessary for themselves, nor do they observe any of the calls of duty, eluding even the necessity of martyrdom on any pretence which may suit their pleasure. For this rule, (they say), is enjoined upon the animal seed, in order that the salvation, which we do not possess by any privilege of our state,6884

    6884 As, forsooth, we should in the spiritual state.

    we may work out by right6885

    6885 Suffragio.

    of our conduct. Upon us, who are of an imperfect nature,6886

    6886 Being animal, not spiritual.

    is imprinted the mark of this (animal) seed, because we are reckoned as sprung from the loves of Theletus,6887

    6887 See above. ch. ix. x. p. 508.

    and consequently as an abortion, just as their mother was. But woe to us indeed, should we in any point transgress the yoke of discipline, should we grow dull in the works of holiness and justice, should we desire to make our confession anywhere else, I know not where, and not before the powers of this world at the tribunals of the chief magistrates!6888

    6888 See Scorpiace, ch. x. infra.

    As for them, however, they may prove their nobility by the dissoluteness6889

    6889 Passivitate.

    of their life and their diligence6890

    6890 “Diligentia” may mean “proclivity” (Rigalt.).

    in sin, since Achamoth fawns on them as her own; for she, too, found sin no unprofitable pursuit. Now it is held amongst them, that, for the purpose of honouring the celestial marriages,6891

    6891 Of the Æons.

    it is necessary to contemplate and celebrate the mystery always by cleaving to a companion, that, is to a woman; otherwise (they account any man) degenerate, and a bastard6892

    6892 Nec legitimum: “not a lawful son.”

    to the truth, who spends his life in the world without loving a woman or uniting himself to her. Then what is to become of the eunuchs whom we see amongst them?

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