In order to distinguish themselves from Catholics the Novatians assumed the name καθαροί “pure.”
Editorial footnote · Concerning Repentance, Chapter I., editorial note cite_note-4 · Original source
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Concerning Repentance — Historical footnotes
Chapter I.
Complete historical editorial footnotes. These notes retain the original edition’s wording; individual note authors are unspecified.
English translation and editorial credits: Augustus Henry Eugene de Romestin, Eugene de Romestin (assistant), Henry Thomas Forbes Duckworth (assistant).
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3. Therefore had the Lord Jesus compassion upon us in order to call us to Himself, not frighten us away. He came in meekness, He came in humility, and so He said: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.” So, then, the Lord Jesus refreshes, and does not shut out nor cast off, and fitly chose such disciples as should be interpreters of the Lord’s will, as should gather together and not drive away the people of God. Whence it is clear that they are not to be counted amongst the disciples of Christ, who think that harsh and proud opinions should be followed rather than such as are gentle and meek; persons who, while they themselves seek God’s mercy, deny it to others, such as are the teachers of the Novatians, who call themselves pure.
Job xiv. 4 [LXX loosely].
Editorial footnote · Concerning Repentance, Chapter I., editorial note cite_note-5 · Original source
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4. What can show more pride than this, since the Scripture says: “No one is free from sin, not even an infant of a day old;” and David cries out: “Cleanse me from my sin.” Are they more holy than David, of whose family Christ vouchsafed to be born in the mystery of the Incarnation, whose descendant is that heavenly Hall which received the world’s Redeemer in her virgin womb? For what is more harsh than to inflict a penance which they do not relax, and by refusing pardon to take away the incentive to penance and repentance? Now no one can repent to good purpose unless he hopes for mercy.
It is necessary to vary the translation of the word pœnitentia in this place, as it bears the meaning both of “penance,” the temporal punishment inflicted on the sinner, and also of “repentance.”
Editorial footnote · Concerning Repentance, Chapter I., editorial note cite_note-7 · Original source
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4. What can show more pride than this, since the Scripture says: “No one is free from sin, not even an infant of a day old;” and David cries out: “Cleanse me from my sin.” Are they more holy than David, of whose family Christ vouchsafed to be born in the mystery of the Incarnation, whose descendant is that heavenly Hall which received the world’s Redeemer in her virgin womb? For what is more harsh than to inflict a penance which they do not relax, and by refusing pardon to take away the incentive to penance and repentance? Now no one can repent to good purpose unless he hopes for mercy.