Philosophumena; or, The refutation of all heresies, Volume I
David Hume · en
[Sidenote: p. 236.] In the sequel, Elohim chose Heracles as a prophet
out of the uncircumcision and sent him that he might fight against the
twelve angels of the creation of the wicked ones. These are the twelve
contests of Heracles which he fought in their order from the first to
the last against the lion, the bear, the wild boar,[319] and the rest.
For these are the names of the nations which have been changed, they
say, by the action of the angels of the Mother. But when he seemed
to have prevailed, Omphale, who is Babel or Aphrodite[320] becomes
connected with him and leads astray Heracles, strips him of his power
(which is) the commands of Baruch which Elohim commanded, and puts
other clothes on him, her own robe, which is the power of Edem who is
below. And thus the power of prophecy[321] of Heracles and his works
become imperfect.
Last of all in the days of Herod the king, Baruch is again sent below
by Elohim and coming to Nazareth finds Jesus, the son of Joseph and
Mary,[322] a boy of twelve years old, feeding sheep, and teaches Him
all things from the beginning which came about from Edem and Elohim and
the things [Sidenote: p. 237.] which shall be hereafter, and he said:
“All the prophets before thee were led astray. Strive, therefore, O
Jesus, Son of Man, that thou be not led astray, but preach this word
unto men. And proclaim to them the things touching the Father and the
Good One, and go on high to the Good One and sit there with Elohim the
Father of us all.” And Jesus hearkened to the angel, saying: “Lord, I
will do all (these) things,” and He preached. Then Naas wished to lead
astray this one also (but Jesus did not wish to hearken to him)[323]
for He remained faithful to Baruch. Then Naas, angered because he could
not lead Him astray, made Him to be crucified. But He, leaving the body
of Edem on the Cross, went on high to the Good One. But He said to
Edem: “Woman, receive thy Son,”[324] that is the natural and earthly
man, and commending[325] the spirit into the hands of the Father went
on high to the presence of the Good One.