NOV A TIANS

The followers of Nov at i an, a presbyter of Rome, who was stigmatized as a schismatic and heretic, and founded a sect of this name in the 3d century, which continued to flourish to the end of the 5th. The aim of Nov at i an was to deny readmi ion into the church to all persons who, in time of persecution, or on other accounts, had once lapsed from the faith. In this extreme severity of sentiment he was opposed by the greater numher of the clergy of Rome, and especially by one Cornel i us, upon whose election to the see, Nov at i an, who was a disappointed candidate, withdrew from the communion of the majority, and established a society of which he became himself the first bishop. This sect was also known by the title of Cathari, or Puritans, which they a umed to expre the high sense they entertained of the excellence attainable by, and nece ary to, all profe ors of Christianity. [s. 850]