clearly that the mutilation was not a self-infliction, but was done by certain others (either barbarians, or masters) daring to effect it, the decree specified, that, if they had come in most worthy persons in other respects, the rule should be to receive them into the clerical order.[1]
2. Forbidding the hasty ordination of new converts to Christianity:
Admission and Promotion of Gentiles.
"Whereas, very many, either compelled by necessity or otherwise, had acted against the welfare of the church by following the former rule, namely, that persons having only recently acceded to the church from the life of a Gentile, might, after being instructed a little while, be led to the spiritual bath, and at the same time that they were baptized, might be advanced to the episcopate or presbytery," therefore the Council declared it would be most agreeable to their wishes that this rule should be dispensed with, and not be followed in respect to any others. For they thought "there was need of time, both for one who was to be catechised, and, after baptism, as much more time, for his probation.
"For it is a wise saying of the apostle, as follows:
" 'Not a novice, lest through pride he fall into condemnation, and into the snare of the devil.' If hereafter a cleric is guilty of a grave offence, proved by two or three witnesses, he must resign his spiritual office. Any one who acts against this ordinance,
- ↑ See Matt. xix. 12. Many, in those early times, and among them even the great Origen, construing this passage literally, emasculated themselves in order to avoid temptation.
