The Deceiver as Teacher of Heresies

Against the heretics: they do not think heavenly things, nor do they possess a human mindset; they do not dare to come into the light, to be discussed with a wise man, or to attack a city of Christians, like the leaders of the other heresies, who attempt to lead some astray through philosophy and empty deception. For because of the danger approaching them and the Scriptures, they attempt to draw people toward their own wills and thereby deceive the simpler ones; for the Scriptures are like medical aids, which, when prepared well, heal, but when given poorly or unskillfully, kill; therefore it is reasonable that small foxes are called.

As for the other heresies, it is to be found that they possess both reason and probability, and they surround some of the simpler ones with syllogisms and sophisms; for I think the prophet also prays concerning these things, saying, 'Deliver me from my mighty enemies' (Ps 143:12). But the small foxes, that is, these heresies, what do they possess capable of deceiving? Not wisdom, not strength, not boldness of their doctrine, nor the ability to deceive those divided in faith by the justice of cities; they have only one thing, the harm of these beasts. For when they enter into a vineyard, that is, into the people, they do not enter openly, but secretly like thieves, like these beasts, the foxes. When they see the vine-dresser busy in another part, they enter ungratefully into the labors of others, which they also destroy.

And it is possible to understand the scriptural word thus: not only calling them small foxes, but also small ones destroying vineyards. For no man among them, being strong and firm in faith and established upon the rock, that is, Christ (Matt 7:24), is deceived, but if anyone is led astray by a windless place and is tossed by every wind (Eph 4:14), he is cast away from the church. Concerning such things also the Lord in the Gospels...

He says: Whoever causes one of the little ones believing in me to stumble, it is expedient that a millstone be hung from his neck. And the following, clearly, of a great one, strengthened in faith and holding the head of the church, Christ, being unable to be stumbled. Concerning these things also the apostle Paul clearly touched upon, saying: 'These are they who enter into houses and capture little women piled up with sins, led by various incantations, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth' (1 Tim 5:5). He showed through the word 'those entering' the den of the serpent that deceived the first woman (Gen 3:1); and he also revealed the harmful and cowardly nature of their ways and of their preaching, the weakness and the shallowness of those being deceived; for he does not remember a man, except only little women easy for deception. Because of this also their preaching is that kind of deception, and one might say it is womanish; and it is possible to see in their synagogues more little women being deceived, subsequently following strange men and living with them without distinction; and the things following these are shameful even to speak of.

Who is the teacher of these heresies? The teacher of all heresies is the devil. For just as Christ is the teacher of the catholic church and gave himself for it, so that he might sanctify it and present to himself the church not having a blemish or wrinkle or anything of this kind (Eph 5:27), so also the devil, being ready to deceive and scatter, has become a teacher of all heresies. For only the race of humans was taught to worship God, but the devil made many false gods; and what do I say 'many', he made all creation into gods, so that he might lead the wretched man astray from the truly God. For it was possible to see likenesses of animals and beasts and creeping things and birds being worshiped, and yet...