Writings in Connection with the Donatist ControversyAugustine, of Hippo, Saint
ReligionChristian
Writings in Connection with the Donatist Controversy
Augustine, of Hippo, Saint
Donatists; Donatists -- Controversial literature
39. The answer to this is: If your reason for wishing him to be
baptized is that he has not received remission of sins, supposing you
find a man within the Church who has been baptized, though entertaining
hatred towards his brother, since the Lord cannot lie, who says, "If
ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive
your trespasses,"[461] will you bid such an one, when corrected, to be
baptized afresh? Assuredly not; so neither should you bid the heretic.
It is clear that we must not pass unnoticed why he did not briefly
say, "We do not communicate with a heretic," but added, "so far as
lies within our power." For he saw that a greater number agreed with
this view, from whose communion, however, he and his friends could not
separate themselves, lest unity should be impaired, and so he added,
"so far as lies within our power,"--showing beyond all doubt that he
did not willingly communicate with those whom he held to be without
baptism, but that yet all things were to be endured for the sake of
peace and unity; just as was done also by those who thought that
Dativus and his party were in the wrong, and who held what afterwards
was taught by a fuller declaration of the truth, and urged by ancient
custom, which received the stronger confirmation of a later Council;
yet in turn, with anxious piety, they showed toleration towards each
other, though without violation of Christian charity they entertained
different opinions, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in
the bond of peace,[462] till God should reveal to one of them, were
he otherwise minded, even this error of his ways.[463] And to this I
would have those give heed, by whom unity is attacked on the authority
of this very Council by which it is declared how much unity should be
loved.
* * * * *
CHAP. XXIII.--40. Successus of Abbir Germaniciana[464] said: "Heretics
may either do everything or nothing. If they can baptize, they can
also give the Holy Spirit; but if they cannot give the Holy Spirit,
because they do not possess the Holy Spirit, then can they not either
spiritually baptize. Therefore we give our judgment that heretics
should be baptized."
41. To this we may answer almost word for word: Murderers may either do
everything or nothing. If they can baptize, they can also give the Holy
Spirit; but if they cannot give the Holy Spirit, because they do not
possess the Holy Spirit, then can they not either spiritually baptize.
Therefore we give our judgment that persons baptized by murderers, or
murderers themselves who have been baptized without being converted,
should, when they have corrected themselves, be baptized. Yet this
is not true. For "whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer;"[465]
and Cyprian knew such men within the Church, who certainly baptized.
Therefore it is to no purpose that words of this sort are used
concerning heretics.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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