St. Irenaeus: "The primitive succession"

“THEREFORE it is necessary to obey the presbyters who are in the Church,—those who, together with the succession of the episcopate, have received the certain gift of truth, according to the good pleasure of the Father. But [it is also necessary] to hold in suspicion others who depart from the primitive succession, and assemble themselves together in any place whatsoever.”

~St. Irenaeus of Lyons (2nd cent. – c. AD 202):  Against Heresies, Bk. 4, Chap. 26.