A Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian by an Anonymous Bishop.

 1. While I was meditating and impatiently tossing in my mind what I ought to do concerning those pitiable brethren who, wounded, not of their own will

 2. Why, therefore, shouldst thou be lifted up with vain things? Thou wilt gain loss rather than profit. Why, from the very fact that thou art become p

 3. And I, beloved brethren,—as I not heedlessly meditate these things, and not in harmony with human wisdom, but as it is permitted to our minds by th

 4. Let us now take the second character also of the dove sent forth from the ark, that is to say, in the time of the deluge, when all the abysses brok

 5. That ark bore the figure of the Church, as we have said above, which was stricken hither and thither to such a degree by the tumultuous waters. The

 6. Moreover, that that dove could not find rest for her feet, as we have said above, this signified the footsteps of those who deny that is, those, w

 7. Behold how glorious, how dear to the Lord, are the people whom these schismatics do not shrink from calling “wood, hay, stubble ” the equals of who

 8. We will answer them as to that utterance of the Lord, which they ill understand, and ill explain to themselves. For that He says, “Whosoever shall

 9. What sort of folly is thine, Novatian, only to read what tends to the destruction of salvation, and to pass by what tends to mercy, when Scripture

 10. Thus we have heard that the Lord is of great compassion. Let us hear what the Holy Spirit testifies by David: “If his children forsake my law, and

 11. Moreover, this is proved in the Gospel, where is described that woman who was a sinner, who came to the house of a certain Pharisee whither the Lo

 12. And now blush if thou canst, Novatian cease to deceive the unwary with thy impious arguments cease to frighten them with the subtlety of one par

 13. I beseech thee, hast thou not read, “Boast not, and speak not loftily, and let not arrogancy proceed out of your mouth: for the Lord lifteth the p

 14. O impious and wicked as thou art, thou heretic Novatian! who after so many and great crimes which in past times thou hadst known to be voluntarily

 15. Who is it that says these things?  Certainly He who, having left the ninety and nine sheep, went to seek that one which had wandered from His floc

 16. Let us then arouse ourselves as much as we can, beloved brethren and breaking away from the slumber of indolence and security, let us be watchful

 17. Like things to these also says Daniel:  “I beheld a throne placed, and the Ancient of days sat upon it, and His clothing was as it were snow, and

 18. Let us, then, with the whole strength of our faith, give praise to God let us give our full confession, since the powers of heaven rejoice over o

11. Moreover, this is proved in the Gospel, where is described that woman who was a sinner, who came to the house of a certain Pharisee whither the Lord had been bidden with His disciples, and she brought a vessel of ointment, and stood at the Lord’s feet, and washed His feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair, and pressed kisses upon them; so that that Pharisee was provoked, and said, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of a woman this is who touches him; for she is a sinner.”36    Luke vii. 39 et seq.  Whence immediately the Lord, the remitter of sins and the receiver of the penitent, says, “Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he answered, saying, Master, say on. And the Lord, There was a certain creditor which had two debtors; one who had37    “Habebat,” but probably “debebat”—owed. five hundred pence, and the other fifty. When they had nothing to pay, he forgave both. And He asked, Which of these loved most?  And Simon answered, Assuredly he to whom he forgave most. And He added, saying, Seest thou that woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no kiss; but she hath not ceased to kiss my feet; thou washedst not my feet, but she has washed them with her tears, and wiped them with her hair; thou didst not anoint my feet with oil, but she hath anointed them. Wherefore I say unto thee, Simon, that her sins are forgiven her.” Behold, the Lord grants the debt with His liberal kindness to both debtors; behold Him who pardons sins; behold the woman who was a sinner, penitent, weeping, praying, and receiving remission of her sins!

XI. Denique hoc in Evangelio comprobatur, ubi (Luc. VII) illa mulier peccatrix describitur, quae venit 1212D ad domum cujusdam Pharisaei, ubi erat Dominus vocatus cum discipulis, portans vas unguenti; quae stetit ad pedes Domini, et lacrymis suis lavit pedes ejus, et capillis extersit, et oscula infixit, ut excitaretur ille Pharisaeus et diceret: Hic si esset Propheta, 1213Asciret quae et qualis esset ista mulier quae eum tangit, quia peccatrix est (Luc. VII, 39-47). Unde incontinenti Dominus peccatorum remissor et poenitentium receptor, ait: Simon, habeo tibi aliquid dicere. At ille respondit dicens: Magister, dic. Et Dominus: Duo debitores erant cuidam foeneratori, unus qui habebat denarios quingentos, et alius quinquaginta: cum non haberent unde solverent, ambobus donavit. Et interrogavit: Quis illorum plus diligit? Et respondit Simon: Utique ille cui plus donavit. Et adjecit dicens: Vides istam mulierem? Intravi in domum tuam, osculum mihi non dedisti; haec autem non cessavit osculando pedes meos: pedes meos non lavasti; haec autem lacrymis suis lavit, et capillis extersit: oleo pedes meos non unxisti; haec autem unxit. Propter quod dico tibi, Simon, quia remittuntur 1213Billi peccata ejus. Ecce Dominus utrisque debitoribus larga sua pietate debitum concedit. Ecce delicta donantem. Ecce mulierem peccatricem poenitentem, flentem, deprecantem, et remissam peccatorum accipientem.