to come over to the Catholic Church, they might be re-ordained, and so remain among the clergy. "But, before all this, they shall make a confession (which ought to be set forth in writing), that they ought to commune with, both those who have entered upon a second marriage, and those, who, in time of persecution, have lapsed from the faith, to whom yet, although fallen, there is a time fixed, and a season appointed, for repentance; that, in all things, they may observe the decrees of the Catholic Church. And wherever any one of them may be found, whether in village or city, ordained by Catholics, so shall he remain among the clergy, yet every one, in his own order. But, if any of them come to a place where there is a bishop or presbyter, of the Catholic Church, it is evident that the bishop of the Catholic Church shall have his own proper episcopal dignity. So, likewise, the presbyter and deacon shall each have the same. But whoever may come from among them
Sozomen says, "It is related that the emperor, under the impulse of an ardent desire to see harmony re-established among Christians, summoned Acesius, bishop of the Novatians, to the Council, placed before him the exposition of the faith and of the feast [Passover], which had received the signature of the bishops, and asked whether he could agree thereto. Acesius answered, that their exposition involved no new doctrine, and that he accorded in opinion with the Synod, and that he had, from the beginning, held these sentiments with respect both to the faith and the feast. 'Why, then,' asked the emperor, 'do you keep aloof from communion with others, if you are of one mind with them?' He replied, that the dissension first broke out under Decius, between Novatus and Cornelius, and that he considered such persons unworthy of communion, who, after baptism, had fallen into those sins, which the Scriptures declare to be unto death; for, that the remission of those sins, bethought, depended on the will of God, and not on the priests. The emperor replied by saying, 'O Acesius, take a ladder, and ascend alone to heaven!' "
Sozomen elsewhere remarks, that Acesius was much esteemed by the emperor on account of his virtuous life.
