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On Baptism, against the Donatists

Blessed Augustine, NPNF I.4

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In the treatise which we wrote against the published epistle of Parmenianus to Tichonius,…
And so the Donatists in some matters are with us; in some matters have gone out from us. …
There are two propositions, moreover, which we affirm,—that baptism exists in the …
Further, if any one fails to understand how it can be that we assert that the sacrament …
I prefer, he says, to receive Christ’s baptism where both parties agree that it exists. …
Between us, then, and what we may call the genuine Donatists, whose bishop is Primianus …
For, in the next place, that I may not seem to rest on mere human arguments,—since there …
Nor indeed were the prayers of the Gentile Cornelius unheard, nor did his alms lack …
Let them see how many things, and what important things, are of no avail, if a certain …
But they think within themselves that they show very great subtlety in asking whether the…
They ask also, “Whether sins are remitted in baptism in the party of Donatus:” so that, …
What if he approached baptism itself in deceit? were his sins remitted, or were they not?…
For it often happens that a man has an enemy whom he hates most unjustly; although we are…
It is to no purpose, then, that they say to us, “If you acknowledge our baptism, what do …
For it is the Church that gives birth to all, either within her pale, of her own womb; or…
But the same mother which brought forth Abel, and Enoch, and Noah, and Abraham, brought …
Therefore, whether they seem to abide within, or are openly outside, whatsoever is flesh …
On the question of baptism, then, I think that I have argued at sufficient length; and …
But that I may not seem to be uttering these praises of the blessed martyr (which, …
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How much the arguments make for us, that is, for catholic peace, which the party of …
“When, on the calends of September, very many bishops from the provinces of Africa, …
Now let the proud and swelling necks of the heretics raise themselves, if they dare, …
Wherefore the holy Cyprian, whose dignity is only increased by his humility, who so loved…
And so it is that often something is imperfectly revealed to the more learned, that their…
What then, ye Donatists, what have ye to say to this? If our opinion about baptism is …
Wherefore, then, have ye severed yourselves? If there is any sense left in you, you must …
Nor do I think that the blessed Cyprian had any other motive in the free expression and …
“This, moreover,” says he, “Agrippinus, a man of excellent memory, with the rest, bishops…
But what attitude do they assume, when it is shown that the holy Cyprian, though he did …
For this reason, then, we hold them to be enemies, because we speak the truth, because we…
What answer they can give about the followers of Maximianus whom they have received, they…
But who can fail to understand what they may be saying in their hearts? “What then are we…
But which is the worse, not to be baptized at all, or to be twice baptized, it is …
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I think that it may now be considered clear to every one, that the authority of the …
Nevertheless, I see what may still be required of me, viz., that I should answer those …
Let us therefore, seeing that we adhere to the example of Cyprian, go on now to consider …
Next his colleagues proceed to deliver their several opinions. But first they listened to…
But if any one should ask what I hold in the meantime, while discussing this question, I …
Libosus also of Vaga says: “The Lord says in the gospel, ‘I am the Truth.’ He does not …
Zosimus also of Tharassa said: “When a revelation of the truth has been made, error must …
Likewise Felix of Buslacene said: “In admitting heretics without the baptism of the …
Likewise Honoratus of Tucca said: “Since Christ is the Truth, we ought to follow truth …
Therefore Cyprian writes to Jubaianus as follows, “concerning the baptism of heretics, …
But Cyprian was right in not being moved by what Jubaianus wrote, that “the followers of …
But the blessed Cyprian shows that it was no new or sudden thing that he decided, because…
But as regards the remission of sins, whether it is granted through baptism at the hands …
Nor is it material, when we are considering the question of the genuineness and holiness …
Accordingly, if Marcion consecrated the sacrament of baptism with the words of the …
But when it is said that “the Holy Spirit is given by the imposition of hands in the …
“For as regards the fact that to preserve the figure of unity the Lord gave the power to …
“As my Father hath sent me,” says our Lord, “even so send I you. And what He had said …
They indeed who say that baptism is not to be repeated, because only hands were laid on …
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The comparison of the Church with Paradise shows us that men may indeed receive her …
All the more, then, because “we are fighting for the honor and unity” of the Church, let …
And if they would have obeyed him, and begun to live rightly, not as false but as true …
We do not, therefore, “acknowledge the baptism of heretics,” when we refuse to baptize …
“Further,” Cyprian goes on to say, “in vain do some, who are overcome by reason, oppose …
But as regards his saying, “Nor let any one affirm that what they have received from the …
For in fact, as to what some opposed to the reasoning of Cyprian, that the apostle says, …
In short, we may see how great an evil in itself is envy, which cannot be other than …
By this patience of Christian love he not only endured the difference of opinion …
But some one may say that the tares within may more easily be converted into wheat. I …
What shall we say of what is also wonderful, that he who carefully observes may find that…
But he urges that “we find that the apostles, in all their epistles, execrated and …
There is therefore “no fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness,” not only …
But we must not despair of the conversion of any man, whether situated within or without,…
To go on to the point which he pursues at great length, that “they who blaspheme the …
Some one says, Does it then make no difference, if two men, rooted in like error and …
“Can the power of baptism,” says Cyprian, “be greater or better than confession? than …
Nor indeed, is it of heresies alone that the apostle says “that they which do such things…
Let us therefore not flatter the Catholic who is hemmed in with all these vices, nor …
But on the question whether we ought to prefer a Catholic of the most abandoned character…
With regard to the objection brought against Cyprian, that the catechumens who were …
That the place of baptism is sometimes supplied by martyrdom is supported by an argument …
But what is the precise value of the sanctification of the sacrament (which that thief …
And if any one seek for divine authority in this matter, though what is held by the whole…
By all these considerations it is proved that the sacrament of baptism is one thing, the …
A few things still remain to be noticed in the epistle to Jubaianus; but since these will…
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We have the testimony of the blessed Cyprian, that the custom of the Catholic Church is …
But now that we have begun a disputation with a man of peace like Cyprian, let us go on. …
But in what Cyprian adds, saying, “Nor yet because men once have erred must there be …
But since now, as I said before, we have begun a disputation with the epistles of …
Wherefore, even if heretics should be truly anxious to correct their error and come to …
For when this is done occasionally in the case of individuals, at great intervals of time…
Truly, when I look at the actual words of Cyprian, I am warned to say some things which …
Wherefore, as the apostle said of the law, “The law is good, if a man use it lawfully,” …
Now we must see what is said of the baptism of John. For “we read in the Acts of the …
I ask, therefore, if sins were remitted by the baptism of John, what more could the …
For we must look at the point which especially concerns the matter before us (whatever be…
Accordingly, I too might use the words of the blessed Cyprian to turn the hearts of those…
For the Lord Jesus might, if He had so thought fit, have given the power of His baptism …
Accordingly we find the apostles using the expressions, “My glorying,” though it was …
That therefore the baptism of John was not the same as the baptism of Christ, has, I …
Wherefore, since it is manifest that the baptism remains in the baptized person when he …
But, having considered and handled all these points, we have now come to that peaceful …
Whence Cyprian himself again admonishes us with the greatest fullness, that many who were…
Wherefore, as regards those who received the persons who came from heresy in the same …
How does a murderer cleanse and sanctify the water? How can darkness bless the oil? But …
But as to what he says, that “he who comes to the Church is to be baptized and renewed, …
Accordingly we agree with Cyprian that “heretics cannot give remission of sins;” but we …
Cyprian writes also to Pompeius about this selfsame matter, and clearly shows in that …
I remember that I have already discussed at sufficient length the question of “the temple…
I am unwilling to go on to handle again what Cyprian poured forth with signs of …
To go on to what he says, “that a bishop should be ‘teachable,’” adding, “But he is …
And in that the Church is thus described in the Song of Songs, “A garden enclosed is my …
Hence, therefore, we have now set before us an easier and more simple consideration of …
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It might perhaps have been sufficient, that after the reasons have been so often …
Again, if any one not having charity, and walking in the abandoned paths of a most wicked…
But I think that we have sufficiently shown, both from the canon of Scripture, and from …
And so it is clear that no good ground is shown herein why the bad man, who has baptism, …
Wherefore all bad men are separated in the spirit from the good; but if they are …
First, then, let us record for further consideration the case proposed for decision by …
I have already, I think, argued to the best of my power, in the preceding books, in the …
Caecilius of Bilta said: “I know of one baptism in the one Church and of none outside the…
The elder Felix of Migirpa said: “I think that every one coming from heresy should be …
To the declaration of Polycarp of Adrumetum, that “those who declare the baptism of …
Novatus of Thamugadis said: “Though we know that all Scripture gives its testimony …
Nemesianus of Tubunae said: “That the baptism which is given by heretics and schismatics …
Januarius of Lambaese said: “Following the authority of the holy Scriptures, I pronounce …
Lucius of Castra Galbae said: “Since the Lord hath said in His gospel, ‘Ye are the salt …
Crescens of Cirta said: “The letters of our most beloved Cyprian to Jubaianus, and also …
Nicomedes of Segermi said: “My judgment is that heretics coming to the Church should be …
Monnulus of Girba said: “The truth of our mother, the Catholic Church, hath continued, …
Secundinus of Cedias said: “Since our Lord Christ said, ‘He that is not with me is …
Felix of Bagai said: “As when the blind leads the blind, both fall into the ditch, so …
Polianus of Mileum said: “It is right that a heretic should be baptized in the holy …
Theogenes of Hippo Regius said: “According to the sacrament of the heavenly grace of God …
Dativus of Badiae said “We, so far as lies within our power, refuse to communicate with a…
Successus of Abbir Germaniciana said: “Heretics may either do nothing or everything. If …
Fortunatus of Thuccabori said: “Jesus Christ our Lord and God, the Son of God the Father …
Sedatus of Tuburbo said: “Inasmuch as water, sanctified by the prayer of the priest in …
Privatianus of Sufetula said: “He who says that heretics have the power of baptizing …
Privatus of Sufes said: “What can be said of the man who approves the baptism of …
Hortensianus of Lares said: “How many baptisms there are, let those who uphold or favor …
Cassius of Macomades said: “Since there cannot be two baptisms, he who grants baptism …
Another Januarius of Vicus Caesaris said: “If error does not obey truth, much more does …
Another Secundinus of Carpis said: “Are heretics Christians or not? If they are …
Victoricus of Thabraca said: “If heretics may baptize, and give remission of sins, why do…
Another Felix of Uthina said: “No one can doubt, most holy brethren in the priesthood, …
Quietus of Burug said: “We who live by faith ought with believing observance to obey what…
Castus of Sicca said: He who presumes to follow custom in despite of truth is either …
Eucratius of Theni said: “Our God and Lord Jesus Christ, teaching the apostles with His …
Libosus of Vaga said: “The Lord says in the gospel, ‘I am the truth;’ He did not say, I …
Lucius of Thebaste said: “I declare my judgment that heretics, and blasphemers, and …
Eugenius of Ammedera said: “I too pronounce this same judgment, that heretics should be …
Also another Felix of Ammacura said: “I too, following the authority of the holy …
Also another Januarius of Muzuli said: “I wonder that, while all acknowledge that there …
Adelphius of Thasbalte said: “It is surely without cause that they find fault with the …
Demetrius of the Lesser Leptis said: “We uphold one baptism, because we claim for the …
Vincentius of Thibari said: “We know that heretics are worse than heathens. If they, …
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Let us not be considered troublesome to our readers, if we discuss the same question …
.2. Marcus of Mactaris said: “It is not to be wondered at if heretics, being enemies and …
Satius of Sicilibba said: “If heretics receive forgiveness of their sins in their own …
Victor of Gor said: “Seeing that sins are forgiven only in the baptism of the Church, he …
Aurelius of Utica said: “Since the apostle says that we ought not to be partakers with …
Iambus of Germaniciana said: “Those who approve the baptism of heretics disapprove ours, …
Lucianus of Rucuma said: “It is written, ‘And God saw the light that it was good, and God…
Pelagianus of Luperciana said: “It is written, ‘Either the Lord is God, or Baal is God.’ …
Jader of Midila said: “We know that there is but one baptism in the Catholic Church, and …
Likewise another Felix of Marazana said: “There is one faith, one baptism, but of the …
Paul of Bobba said: “I for my part am not moved if some fail to uphold the faith and …
Pomponius of Dionysiana said: “It is manifest that heretics cannot baptize and give …
Venantius of Tinisa said: “If a husband, going on a journey into foreign countries, had …
Aymnius of Ausuaga said: “We have received one baptism, which same also we administer; …
Saturninus of Victoriana said: “If heretics may baptize, they are excused and defended in…
Another Saturninus of Tucca said: “The Gentiles, although they worship idols, yet …
Marcellus of Zama said: “Since sins are remitted only in the baptism of the Church, he …
Irenaeus of Ululi said “If the Church does not baptize a heretic, because it is said that…
Donatus of Cibaliana said: “I acknowledge one Church, and one baptism that appertains …
Zozimus of Tharassa said: “When a revelation has been made of the truth, error must give …
Julianus of Telepte said: “It is written, ‘A man can receive nothing, except it be given …
Faustus of Timida Regia said: “Let not these persons flatter themselves who favor …
Geminius of Furni said: “Certain of our colleagues may prefer heretics to themselves, …
Rogatianus of Nova said: “Christ established the Church, the devil heresy: how can the …
Therapius of Bulla said “If a man gives up and betrays the baptism of Christ to heretics,…
Also another Lucius of Membresa said: “It is written, ‘God heareth not sinners.’ How can …
Also another Felix of Buslaceni said: “In admitting heretics to the Church without …
Another Saturninus of Abitini said: “If Antichrist can give to any one the grace of …
Quintus of Aggya said: “He who has a thing can give it; but what can the heretics give, …
Another Julianus of Marcelliana said: “If a man can serve two masters, God and mammon, …
Tenax of Horrea Celiae said: “There is one baptism, but of the Church; and where the …
Another Victor of Assuras said: “It is written, that ‘there is one God and one Christ, …
Donatulus of Capse said “I also have always entertained this opinion, that heretics, who …
Verulus of Rusiccade said: “A man that is a heretic cannot give that which he has not; …
Pudentianus of Cuiculi said: “My recent ordination to the episcopate induced me, …
Peter of Hippo Diarrhytus said: “Since there is one baptism in the Catholic Church, it is…
Likewise another Lucius of Ausafa said: “According to the motion of my mind and of the …
Felix of Gurgites said: “I give my judgment, that, according to the precepts of the holy …
Pusillus of Lamasba said: “I believe that baptism is not unto salvation except within the…
Salvianus of Gazaufala said: “It is generally known that heretics have nothing; and …
Honoratus of Tucca said: “Since Christ is the truth, we ought to follow the truth rather …
Victor of Octavus said: “As ye yourselves also know, I have not been long appointed a …
Clarus of Mascula said: “The sentence of our Lord Jesus Christ is manifest, when He sent …
Secundianus of Thambei said: “We ought not to deceive heretics by our too great …
88.—Also another Aurelius of Chullabi said: “The Apostle John has laid down in his …
Litteus of Gemelli said: “‘If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.’ …
Natalis of Oëa said: “It is not only I myself who am present, but also Pompeius of …
Junius of Neapolis said: “I do not depart from the judgment which we once pronounced, …
Cyprian of Carthage said: “My opinion has been set forth with the greatest fullness in …
It is indeed worth while to consider the whole of the passage in the aforesaid letter to …
Taking all these things, therefore, into consideration, I think that I am not rash in …
Of all these several classes, then, no one doubts respecting those first, who are in the …
The question is also commonly raised, whether baptism is to be held valid which is …
But now I think that it is fully time for me to bring to their due termination these …