CHAPTER VII.
BASILIDES AND VALENTINUS.
Still following the order of 'Supernatural Religion,' we pass with the critic to another group of heretical writers in the earlier part of the second century.

In Basilides the Gnostic we have the first of a chain of writers who, though not holding the orthodox tradition of doctrine, yet called themselves Christians (except under the stress of persecution) and used the Christian books--whether or to what extent the extant documents of Christianity we must now endeavour to determine.
Basilides carries us back to an early date in point of time.

He taught at Alexandria in the reign of Hadrian (117-137 A.D.).
Hippolytus expounds at some length, and very much in their own words, the doctrines of Basilides and his school.

There is a somewhat similar account by Epiphanius, and more incidental allusions in Clement of Alexandria and Origen.
The notices that have come down to us of the writings of Basilides are confusing.

Origen says that 'he had the effrontery to compose a Gospel and call it by his own name' [Endnote 188:1].