13. When the teaching of this [Callistus] had been dispersed [Sidenote: p. 447.] over the whole world, a certain man called Alcibiades dwelling at Apamea in Syria, who was crafty and full of impudence, and having looked into the matter, deemed himself more forcible and expert in tricks than Callistus, arrived in Rome bringing with him a book.[83] He pretended that a righteous man (called) Elchasai, had received the same from the Seres[84] of Parthia and gave it to one called Sobiae,[85] as having been revealed by an angel. The height of which angel was 24 schoeni,[86] which is 96 miles; but the girth was 4 schoeni, and from shoulder to shoulder 6 schoeni; and his footprints were 3½ schoeni in length, which is 14 miles,[87] their width 1½ schoeni, and their depth half a schoenus. And that there was with him also a female whose measure, he says, accorded with those aforesaid. And that the male is the Son of God, and that the female is called the Holy Spirit. Describing these portents, he is wont to distract the foolish by this address: “A new remission of sins was brought as good news to men in the third year of the reign of Trajan.” And he prescribes (therefore) a baptism which I will explain (later). He affirms that of those wrapped in all licentiousness and pollution and breaches of the Law, if any such be a believer and turns again and hearkens to and believes on the book, he determines [Sidenote: p. 448.] that he shall receive by baptism remission of sins. These tricks he audaciously elaborated, starting from the doctrine before described which Callistus had brought forward. For he, having understood that many rejoiced at such an announcement,[88] thought that his enterprise would be timely.[89] Yet we withstood him also, and did not permit very many to go astray, refuting them[90] [with the argument] that this was the work of a spurious[91] spirit and of a puffed-up heart; and that the man like a wolf had risen up among the many stray sheep which the false guide Callistus had scattered abroad. But, since we have begun, we shall not be silent regarding the doctrines of this man also; and we shall bring to light the (mode of) life (he advocates),[92] and shall then prove that his supposed discipline is a make-believe. And then again I will explain the chief of his sayings, so that the reader who has studied [Sidenote: p. 449.] his writings may know thoroughly what and of what quality is the heresy on which he has ventured.