Such literature, of the generations immediately following that of the Apostles, as has survived is filled with evidence of this fact. The tendency is to abolish the distinction between precept and counsel, and to impose both alike, as of obligation, on all Christians. In nothing was the new rigorism more rigorous than in what related to sex. Not only, for such extremists, is virginity preferable to marriage, but marriage itself is considered a bar to sanctity. True Christianity implies perpetual virginity.
Baptism is equivalent to a vow of chastity.
Their views on the Church's policy in the matter of forgiving post-baptismal sin were, naturally, extremely rigid. The Encratite view of things was not, however, the only view to find expression in the second century. There was another school of thought which kept nearer to the spirit of the Gospel. Nor is there any mention of sins so great that they are beyond pardon. The sinner repents and God receives him back.