Writings in Connection with the Manichaean Heresy

It may, however, be desirable to give some account of the original sources of information regarding it.

We study the systems of heresiarchs heresiarchs (leaders of a heresy) at a disadvantage when our only means of ascertaining their opinions is from the fragmentary quotations and hostile criticism that occur in the writings of their adversaries. Such, however, is our only source of information regarding the teaching of Manichaeus. Originally, indeed, this heresy was specially active in a literary direction, assailing the Christian Scriptures with an ingenuity of unbelief worthy of a later age, and apparently ambitious of promulgating a rival canon. Certainly the writings of its early supporters were numerous;¹ and from the care and elegance with which they were transcribed, the sumptuous character of the manuscripts, and the mysterious emblems with which they were adorned, we should fancy it was intended to inspire the people with respect for an authoritative though as yet undefined code. It is, indeed, nowhere said or implied that the sacred books of the Manichaeans were reserved for the eye only of the initiated or elect; and their reception of the New Testament Scriptures (subject to their own revision and emendation) would make it difficult for them to establish any secret code apart from these writings. There were certainly, however, doctrines of an esoteric esoteric (intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge) kind, which were not divulged to the catechumens catechumens (those receiving instruction in the basics of the faith) or hearers; and many of their books, being written in Persian, Syriac, or Greek, were practically unavailable for the instruction of the Latin-speaking population. It was not always easy, therefore, to obtain an accurate knowledge of their opinions. Commentaries on the whole of the Old and New Testaments were written by Hierax;² a Theosophy by Aristocritus; a book of memoirs, or rather Memorabilia Memorabilia (things worthy of remembrance), of Manichaeus, and other works, by

original: "Dualismus mit seiner Naturtheologie, der in Mani's Systeme seine letzten Kräfte sammelt und unter der gleissenden Hülle christlicher Worte und Formen an den reinen Monotheismus des Christenthums und dessen reine Ethik sich heranwagt." (Dualism with its natural theology, which gathers its final forces in Mani's system and, under the glistening veil of Christian words and forms, ventures to approach the pure monotheism of Christianity and its pure ethics.)

¹ Aug. c. Faustum, xiii. 6 and 18.
² Lardner, however, seems to prove that Hierax was not a Manichaean, though some of his opinions approximated to this heresy. The whole subject of the Manichaean literature is treated by Lardner (Works, iii. p. 374) with the learning of Beausobre, and more than Beausobre's impartiality.