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HIS fifth epistle was written to Xystus, bishop of Rome. In
this, after saying much against the heretics, he relates a certain
occurrence of his time as follows:
"For truly, brother, I am in need of counsel, and I ask thy
judgment concerning a certain matter which has come to me, fearing that
I may be in error. For one of the brethren that assemble, who has
long been considered a believer, and who, before my ordination, and
I think before the appointment of the blessed Heraclas, was a member
of the congregation, was present with those who were recently
baptized. And when he heard the questions and answers, he came to me
weeping, and bewailing himself; and falling at my feet he acknowledged
and protested that the baptism with which he had been baptized among the
heretics was not of this character, nor in any respect like this,
because it was full of impiety and blasphemy. And he said that his
soul was now pierced with sorrow, and that he had not confidence to
lift his eyes to
God, because he had set out from those impious words and deeds. And
on this account he besought that he might receive this most perfect
purification, and reception and grace.
But I did not dare to do this; and said that his long communion was
sufficient for this. For I should not dare to renew from the
beginning one who had heard the giving of thanks and joined in repeating
the Amen; who had stood by the table and had stretched forth his hands
to receive the blessed food; and who had received it, and partaken for
a long while of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But I exhorted him to be of good courage, and to approach the
partaking of the saints with firm faith and good hope. But he does not
cease lamenting, and he shudders to approach the table, and scarcely,
though entreated, does he dare to be present at the prayers."
Besides these there is also extant another epistle of the same man on
baptism, addressed by him and his parish to Xystus and the church at
Rome. In this he considers the question then agitated with extended
argument. And there is extant yet another after these, addressed to
Dionysius of Rome, concerning Lucian. So much with reference to
these.
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