These things does Irenaeus relate. And in agreement with the histories already gone through by us, in the work which he entitled—there being five in number—Refutation and Overthrow of Knowledge Falsely So-called, in the second book of the same treatise, he indicates, in the following words, that even down to his own time examples of the divine and marvellous power had been left remaining in certain churches, saying:
「So far are they from being able to raise the dead, as the Lord raised them and the apostles did through prayer—and often in the brotherhood, when there was need, the whole local church having asked it with fasting and much supplication, the spirit of the dead man returned, and the man was granted to the prayers of the saints.」
And again, after other things, he says: 「But if they shall say that even the Lord did such things in mere appearance, we will bring them up to the prophetic writings, and from these will show that all things were thus both foretold concerning him and surely came to pass, and that he alone is the Son of God. Wherefore also in his name those who are truly his disciples, having received the grace from him, perform works for the benefit of the rest of mankind, even as each one has received the gift from him.」
「For some surely and truly drive out demons, so that often those very persons who have been cleansed from the wicked spirits both believe and are in the Church; and some have foreknowledge of things to come, and visions, and prophetic utterances; while others heal the sick by the laying on of hands and restore them to health. And already, as we have said, even the dead have been raised, and remained with us for many years.」
「And what more? It is not possible to tell the number of the gifts which throughout the whole world the Church, having received from God in the name of Jesus Christ who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, accomplishes day by day for the benefit of the nations, neither deceiving any nor exacting money; for as freely as she has received from God, so freely also she ministers.」
And in another place the same man writes: 「Even as we hear of many brethren in the Church who have prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak in all kinds of tongues, and bring to light the hidden things of men for their benefit, and expound the mysteries of God.」 And let this much suffice concerning the diversity of gifts having continued among the worthy down even to the times indicated.