an ecclesiastic, who flourished in the second century at Ptolemais in Pentapolis, was the author of the heretical system of Sabellianism. According to that creed, there existed in the ages of eternity one God, in one person, absolute, solitary, and inactive. At the beginning of time it occurred to him to create beings who should delight and glorify him. In order to do this, he found it necessary to assume, in addition to his own innate character, other two characters, impersonations, or persons. According to the Logos, he created men after his own image; and as the Holy Spirit, he endowed them with wisdom. These two impersonations continued to act in a limited manner during the whole period before the Christian era. At the end of that period, they took a wider range. The Logos appropriating a human body, and by that appropriation creating the person of Christ, removed the guilt of men, and became their permanent intercessor. The Holy Spirit, in virtue of that removal and intercession began to act with greater facility upon sinful souls. Their influence is still exerted, and will be exerted until men be redeemed, and be rendered capable of glorifying their Maker. Then will the Father put off the two impersonations, and appear again in his own eternal character as the one absolute God. (See Neander's Church History.)