Source:Hegesippus:These also, as there were none of the apostles left, henceforth attempted, without shame to preach their false doctrine against the gospel of truth

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Hegesippus: "These also, as there were none of the apostles left, henceforth attempted, without shame to preach their false doctrine against the gospel of truth"

Hegesippus, a historian of the period immediately following apostolic times (A.D. 110-180), is quoted by Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History as saying:

the church continued until then as a pure virgin and uncorrupt virgin: whilst if there were any at all attempted to pervert the sound doctrine of the saving gospel, they were yet skulking in dark retreats; but when the sacred choir of apostles became extinct, and the generation of those that had been privileged to hear their inspired wisdom had passed away, then also the combination of impious errors arose by fraud and delusions of false teachers. These also, as there were none of the apostles left, henceforth attempted, without shame to preach their false doctrine against the gospel of truth.[1]


Notes

  1. Eusebius Pamphilius of Cæsarea, Ecclesiastical History; available in Philip Schaff (editor), Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series 2 (Vol. 1-14) (New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1890–1899), 1:
    volume 3, chapter 32. off-site