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

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 flock; as David says, “I have gone astray like a sheep which was lost,”58    Ps. cxix. 176. which being found Christ brings back, bearing on His shoulder the tender sinful one; and He, rejoicing and exulting, having called His friends and domestics, says, “Rejoice with me; for my sheep which was lost is found. I say,” says He, “unto you, that there will be such joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.”59    Luke xv. 6–10. And in continuation, He says: “Or what woman, having ten denarii, if she should lose one of the denarii, does not light a lamp, and all the day long clean out her house, seeking till she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the denarius that I had lost. I say unto you, that such joy shall be in the sight of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”60    Luke xv. 6–10. But, on the other hand, they who do not repent of their wickedness, let them know from the answer of the Lord Himself what remaineth for them; for we read in the Gospel, that “certain men came from the Galileans to the Lord, telling Him of those whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices; to whom the Lord answered, saying, Think ye that those Galileans had been sinners above other Galileans, because they suffered such things? No; for I say unto you, unless ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, think ye that they were debtors to death above all men who dwell in Jerusalem?  No; I say unto you,” said He, “that unless ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”61    Luke xiii. 1–5.

XV. Quis ista loquitur? Utique ille qui relictis nonaginta novem ovibus, quaesivit illam quae de suo erraverat grege, sicut David dicit: Erravi velut ovis quae periit (Psal. CXVIII, 176); quam inventam Christus redit, humero suo portans peccatricem delicatam; qui gaudens et exultans, vocatis amicis et domesticis, ait: Congratulamini mihi, quoniam inventa est ovis mea quae perierat. Dico, inquit, vobis, quia tale gaudium 1216Aerit in coelo super uno peccatore poenitentiam agente (Luc. XV, 6-10). Et subjungens ait: Aut quae mulier habens denarios decem, et cum perdiderit ex denariis, unum nonne accendit lucernam, et tota die domum suam emundat, quaerens donec inveniat? Et cum invenerit, convocat amicas et vicinas, dicens: Congratulamini mihi, quoniam inveni denarium quem perdideram. Dico vobis, quia tale gaudium erit in conspectu Angelorum Dei super uno peccatore poenitentiam agente. E contrario autem non agentes facinorum suorum poenitentiam; quae eos maneant, ex ipsius Domini responso cognoscant. Legimus enim in Evangelio: quod quidam venerunt de Galilaeis ad Dominum, annuntiantes 1216Bei de eis quorum sanguinem miscuit Pilatus cum sacrificiis ipsorum: quibus respondit Dominus dicens: Putatis quia illi Galilaei super caeteros Galilaeos peccatores fuerant, quia passi sunt talia? Non. Dico enim vobis: nisi poenitentiam egeritis, omnes similiter perietis. Aut illi decem et octo, super quos cecidit turris in Siloa, putatis quia debitores fuerunt morti super omnes homines qui habitabant in Hierusalem? Non. Dico vobis, inquit, quia nisi poenitentiam egeritis, omnes similiter perietis. (Luc. XIII, 1-5).