By Water & Blood

On the Barbeliotes

From the seeds of Valentinus there sprouted the pollution of those called Barbeliotes, or Borborians, or Naassenes, or Stratiotics, or Phemiomites. For they supposed a certain imperishable Aeon dwelling in a virginal spirit, whom they name Barbeloth; and that Barbeloth asked Foreknowledge from him. And when this one had come forth, then again asking, Incorruptibility came forth, then eternal Life. And Barbeloth, rejoicing, became pregnant and brought forth the Light. This, they say, anointed with the perfection of the Spirit, was named Christ. This Christ again asked for Mind and received it. The Father also added Word. Then Thought and Word were yoked, Incorruptibility and Christ, eternal Life and Will, Mind and Foreknowledge. Then again from Thought and Word, they say, the Self-generated was projected, and with him Truth, and there came to be again another syzygy of Self-generated and Truth. And why must one speak also of the other projections from the Light and Incorruptibility? For the myth is long, and besides being impious has also what is unpleasant. Upon these they have also set Hebrew names, attempting to astonish the simpler. The Self-generated, they say, projected a perfect and true human being, whom they also call Adamas; and with him there was also projected as yoke-fellow Perfect Knowledge. From here again Mother, Father, and Son were shown forth. From the Human Being and Knowledge Tree sprouted; and this too they name Knowledge. From the first angel, they say, Holy Spirit was projected, whom they styled Wisdom and Prunicus. This one, they say, desiring a yoke-fellow, brought forth Work, in which were Ignorance and Audacity. This Work they call First-Ruler, and say that he himself is the maker of the creation. And this one, joined to Audacity, generated Evil and its parts. We have gone through these things in summary, passing over the length of the fiction. But as for their mystical rites, who is so thrice-wretched as to bring forth through the tongue the things performed? For everything wicked in reasoning and every foul thought is surpassed by the things practiced among those as divine. And the surname itself suffices to hint at their all-defiled daring. For they were named Borborians for this reason.