CHAPTER XXIX

THE HERESY OF TATIANUS

HE is the same whose words we adduced before in reference to the excellent Justin, mentioning that he was also the disciple of that martyr. This is shown by Irenæus, in the first book against heresies, where he writes both respecting the man and against his heresy: “Those,” says he, “that sprung from Saturninus and Marcion, called the Encratites, taught abstinence from marriage, setting aside the original design of God, and tacitly censuring him that made male and female for the propagation of the human race. They also introduced abstinence from animal food, displaying ingratitude to God, who made all things. They also deny the salvation of our first parents. And this has been but lately discovered by them, a certain Tatian being the first that taught the horrible doctrine. This man, who had been a hearer of Justin, as long as he was in company with him, exhibited nothing like this; but after the death of that martyr, having apostatised from the church, and being elated with the conceit of a teacher, and vainly puffed up as if he surpassed all others, he established a peculiar characteristic of his own doctrine, by inventing certain invisible Æons, similar to those of Valentinus. Marriage, also, he asserted, with Marcion and Saturninus, was only corruption and fornication. And he also devised arguments of his own against the salvation of Adam.” Thus far Irenæus then. A little after, however, a certain man by the name of Severus, having strengthened the above-mentioned heresy, became the cause of another sect, called after himself, the Severians. These, indeed, make use of the law and prophets and gospels, giving a peculiar interpretation to the passages of the sacred writings, but abuse Paul the apostle, and set aside his epistles; neither do they receive the Acts of the Apostles. But their chief and founder Tatianus, having formed a certain body and collection of gospels, I know not how, has given this the title Diatessaron, that is the gospel by the four, or the gospel formed of the four; which is in the possession of some even now. It is also said that he dared to alter certain expressions of the apostles, in order to correct the composition. He has also left a great multitude of writings, of which the most noted among all, is that work against the Greeks, in which, as he records ancient times, he proves Moses and the prophets are more ancient than all the celebrated writers among the Greeks. This book, indeed, appears to be the most elegant and profitable of all his works. And so much for these.