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
81. This man, too, is a witness to the custom, in which he gives us the
greatest assistance, whatever else he may appear to say against us. But
this is not the reason why heretics come over to us, because they have
received nothing outside, but that what they did receive may begin to
be of use to them: for this it could not be outside in any wise.
* * * * *
CHAP. XLII.--82. Victor of Octavus[598] said: "As ye yourselves also
know, I have not been long appointed a bishop, and therefore I waited
for the counsel of my seniors. This therefore I express as my opinion,
that whosoever comes from heresy should undoubtedly be baptized."
83. What, therefore, has been answered to those for whom he waited, may
be taken as the answer also to himself.
* * * * *
CHAP. XLIII.--84. Clarus of Mascula[598] said: "The sentence of our
Lord Jesus Christ is manifest, when He sent forth His apostles, and
gave the power which had been given Him of His Father to them alone,
whose successors we are, governing the Church of the Lord with the
same power, and baptizing those who believe the faith. And therefore
heretics, who, being without, have neither power nor the Church of
Christ, cannot baptize any one with His baptism."
85. Are, then, ill-affectioned murderers successors of the apostles?
Why, then, do they baptize? Is it because they are not outside? But
they are outside the rock, to which the Lord gave the keys, and on
which He said that He would build His Church.[599]
* * * * *
CHAP. XLIV.--86. Secundianus of Thambei[600] said: "We ought not to
deceive heretics by our too great forwardness, that not having been
baptized in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, and having therefore
not received remission of their sins, they may not impute to us, when
the day of judgment comes, that we have been the cause of their not
being baptized, and not having obtained the indulgence of the grace of
God. On which account, since there is one Church and one baptism, when
they are converted to us, let them receive together with the Church the
baptism also of the Church."
87. Nay, when they are transferred to the rock, and joined to the
society of the Dove, let them receive the remission of their sins,
which they could not have outside the rock and outside the Dove,
whether they were openly without, like the heretics, or apparently
within, like the abandoned Catholics; of whom, however, it is clear
that they both have and confer baptism without remission of sins, when
even from themselves it is received by men, who, being not changed for
the better, honour God with their lips, while their heart is far from
Him.[601] Yet it is true that there is one baptism, just as there is
one Dove, though those who are not in the one communion of the Dove may
yet have baptism in common.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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