The Old Man Baptized by Heretics

His fifth letter was written to Xystus, bishop of the Romans. In it, after saying much against the heretics, he sets out something that happened in his time, saying: “Truly, brother, I need advice, and I ask your opinion, since a matter of this kind has come before me and I am afraid I may be in error. [a] One of the brothers who assemble with us, considered a believer of long standing, had shared in the congregation since before my ordination, and, I think, before the appointment of the blessed Heraclas. He happened to be present when some were recently baptized, and heard the questions and the answers. He came to me weeping and lamenting over himself. Falling at my feet, he confessed and swore that the baptism he had received among the heretics was not this one and had nothing at all in common with it, for it was full of impiety and blasphemies. [b] He said that his soul was now utterly pierced, and that he had no confidence even to lift his eyes to God, since he had started out from those unholy words and deeds. For this reason he begged to receive this purest cleansing, reception and grace. I did not dare to do it. I told him that his long communion had been sufficient for this. He had heard the thanksgiving and joined in saying the Amen; he had stood at the table and held out his hands to receive the holy food; he had received it and shared in the body and blood of our Lord for a long time. I would not dare to rebuild such a man from the foundation again. I told him to take courage and to come to the sharing of the holy things with firm faith and good hope. [d] But he does not stop mourning. He shudders to come near the table, and even when urged he can scarcely bring himself to stand with us at the prayers.”

Besides those already mentioned, there is in circulation another letter of his on baptism, addressed from him and the church community he led to Xystus and the church at Rome. In it he draws out the argument on the question under discussion with a long demonstration. And there is in circulation yet another of his after these, to Dionysius of Rome, the one about Lucian. So much for these letters. [f]