Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies 4.26.2

It is necessary to obey the presbyters who are in the Church, those who possess succession from the Apostles, just as we have shown; for they, together with the succession of the episcopate, have received a certain charisma of truth according to the will of the Father (Leviticus 10:1-2). But those others who stand apart from the principal succession, and who gather in whatever place, must be regarded with suspicion, whether as heretics and men of bad judgment, or as those who divide, are puffed up, and please themselves, or again as hypocrites who act for the sake of gain and vain glory (Numbers 16:31-33). All these, however, are far from the truth (1 Kings 12:26-33). The heretics, bringing foreign fire to the altar of God — that is, foreign doctrines — will be consumed by heavenly fire, just as Nadab and Abihu were. Those who rise up against the truth and urge others against the Church of God remain in the underworld, swallowed by the abyss of the earth, just as Dathan and Abiram were at the cleft. But those who tear apart and separate the unity of the Church receive from God the same penalty as Jeroboam.