Note 633 — Chapter X · THE SYSTEM OF THE PISTIS SOPHIA AND ITS RELATED TEXTS[459]

Thus the Μ. τ. σ. says (p. 355, Copt.) “For this I despoiled myself (i.e. laid aside my heavenly nature) to bring the mysteries into the Cosmos, for all are under [the yoke of] sin, and all lack the gifts of the mysteries.... Verily, verily I say unto you: until I came into the Cosmos, no soul entered into the light.” Contrast this with the words of the Pistis Sophia proper (p. 250, Copt.): “Those who are of the light have no need of the mysteries, because they are pure light,” which are made the “interpretation” of the text: “They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick.” See also the Pistis Sophia, p. 246, Copt., where it is said of the mysteries promised by Jesus that “they lead every race of men inwards into the highest places according to the χωρημα of the inheritance, so that ye have no need of the rest of the lower mysteries, but you will find them in the two books of Jeû which Enoch wrote etc.”