Against Julian 5.7.26

The Paternian heretics, also called Venustians, are like the Manichaeans. They say the devil made the human body from the loins to the feet, while God placed the upper parts upon it as though upon a base. They add that human effort requires only keeping the soul clean, which they say lives in the stomach and head. If the pubic region is smeared with the filth of every shameful act, they say this is no concern of theirs. Thus, to serve lust disgracefully themselves, they always assign it a title of independent power.