Read the work of Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons,[604] entitled the
_Refutation and Subversion of Knowledge falsely so called_ or
_Against Heresies_, in five books. The first, in which Valentinus
and his impious heresy are discussed, begins as far back as Simon
Magus[605] and goes down to Tatian,[606] who, at first a disciple
of Justin Martyr,[607] afterwards fell headlong into heresy. It
also deals with those who are properly called Gnostics and the
Cainites,[608] setting forth their abominable doctrines. Such is the
contents of the first book. In the second the impious dogmas of the
heretics are refuted. The third quotes all kinds of testimony from
the Scriptures against them. The fourth answers certain difficulties
put forward by the heretics. The fifth shows that all that was said
and done by the Lord in the form of parables, derived both from His
saving doctrine and from the apostolic epistles, is suited for the
refutation of the claptrap of the heretics.
St. Irenaeus is said to have been the author of many other works
of various kinds including letters, in some of which it should be
observed that the exact truth of the doctrines of the Church appears
to be falsified by spurious arguments.
It is said that he was a pupil of the holy martyr Polycarp,[609]
bishop of Smyrna, and was presbyter to Pothinus, whom he succeeded
in the bishopric of Lyons. At that time Victor was pope of Rome,
whom Irenaeus frequently exhorted by letter not to excommunicate any
members of the Church on account of a disagreement about Easter.