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
CHAP. XXXIV.--66. Verulus of Rusiccada[588] said: "A man that is a
heretic cannot give that which he has not; much more is this the case
with a schismatic, who has lost what he had."
67. We have already shown that they still have it, because they do not
lose it when they separate themselves. For they do not receive it again
when they return: wherefore, if it was thought that they could not give
it because they were supposed not to have it, let it now be understood
that they can give it, because it is understood that they also have it.
* * * * *
CHAP. XXXV.--68. Pudentianus of Cuiculi[589] said: "My recent
ordination to the episcopate induced me, brethren, to wait and hear
what my elders would decide. For it is plain that heresies have and
can have nothing; and so, if any come from them, it is determined
righteously that they should be baptized."
69. As, therefore, we have already answered those who went before, for
whose judgment this man was waiting, so be it understood that we have
answered himself.
* * * * *
CHAP. XXXVI.--70. Peter of Hippo Diarrhytus[590] said: "Since there is
one baptism in the Catholic Church, it is clear that a man cannot be
baptized outside the Church; and therefore I give my judgment, that
those who have been bathed in heresy or in schism ought to be baptized
on coming to the Church."
71. There is one baptism in the Catholic Church, in such a sense that,
when any have gone out from it, it does not become two in those who go
out, but remains one and the same. What, therefore, is recognised in
those who return, should also be recognised in those who received it
from men who have separated themselves, since they did not lose it when
they went apart into heresy.
* * * * *
CHAP. XXXVII.--72. Likewise another Lucius of Ausafa[591] said:
"According to the motion of my mind and of the Holy Spirit, since
there is one God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one Christ,
and one hope, one Spirit, one Church, there ought also to be only one
baptism. And therefore I say, both that if anything has been set on
foot or done among the heretics, that it ought to be rescinded; and
also, that they who come out from among the heretics should be baptized
in the Church."
73. Let it therefore be pronounced of no effect that they baptize,
who hear the words of God and do them not, when they shall begin to
pass from unrighteousness to righteousness, that is, from the sand to
the rock. And if this is not done, because what there was in them of
Christ was not violated by their unrighteousness, then let this also be
understood in the case of heretics: for neither is there the same hope
in the unrighteous, so long as they are on the sand, as there is in
those who are upon the rock; and yet there is in both the same baptism,
although as it is said that there is one hope, so also is it said that
there is one baptism.
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