_Same year as above._--Basilla, an honorable and discreet maiden, at Rome, in the reign of Emperor Galien, learned the Christian faith from the eunuch Protus, and Hiacynthus, and was also baptized by the abovementioned bishop Cornelius. _Grond. Bew. van den Doop_, printed 1581, _letter B., ij_.
_A. D. 257._--Pontus, the son of Marcus, a Christian, was orally instructed in the Christian religion, by the bishop, or teacher, Pontian, and then baptized. _P. J. Twisck, Chron. 3d book, p. 73, col. 1_, from _Grond. Bew., letter B. Chron. Mich., fol. 163_. Also, _Loop der Werelt, by F. H. H._, printed 1611, _page 47_.
Here notice again that the aforementioned Pontus was not of Jewish or heathenish, but of Christian descent; for he is called the son of Marcus, a Christian; from which, as in the case of Pancratius, it appears that the Christians suffered their children to grow up unbaptized, till they attained to the years of understanding.
_A. D. 264._--At Rome, under the Emperors Valerian and Galien, Nemesius and some others catechised; and, according to the custom of the church, when they had held a fast, he baptized all who believed. _P. J. Twisck, Chron. 3d book, p. 57, col. 1_; word for word.
NOTE.--In the tract, _Grondig Bewijs, en onder-rechting van den Doop_, printed A. D. 1581, _letter B., ij.; ex Codice Mariano_, the name Nemesius is not put in the nominative, but in the accusative (objective) case; so that in this place it seems that Nemesius was not the one who baptized, but one of those who were baptized.
_About A. D. 290._--The above cited examples of those who were baptized on their faith, after having been instructed, are confirmed by various teachings of Cyril of Jerusalem, who then showed how those who were baptized should conduct themselves before as well as after baptism. Jacob Mehrning introduces him about the end of this century, or about A. D. 290, and adduces from his writings various passages which apply in no wise to infant baptism, but very appropriately to the baptism which is administered upon faith and repentance.
In _Baptism Hist., pages 317_ and _318_, he has this annotation (_cap. 8, ibid._): “Cyril himself exhorts some catechumens who before had spent several years in sensuality and lewdness, that they should not think it grievous to do penance for forty days, saying: ‘Beloved, forsake that which is present, and believe in the things to come. So many years you have spent, and served the world in vain; will you not, then, begin, and for the sake of your souls, abstain for forty days?”’
“In _Baptism Hist., page 318_, we read (_Cyril in Catech. 2, Mijstag._): ‘Repent, O man, and the grace of baptism shall not be with held from thee.’”
“Again: Cyril strenuously exhorts such newly planted ones unto godliness, so that when they go to receive baptism, they will not be rejected, like the guest spoken of in the gospel, who did not have on a wedding garment. Therefore he says: ‘Far be it, that any of those who have given in their names for baptism, and have been entered on the lists, should hear: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?’” From _Vicecom., lib. 2, cap. 12, on Cyril_.
“Again he says (_Cyril in Catech. 3, Mijstag_): ‘Begin to wash your garments by repentance, that, being called to the marriage of the Lamb, you may be found worthy.’”
“Again (_Baptism. Hist., page 319, Cyril Catech. 1, Mijstag_): ‘Say to those who are to be baptized: Hear the voice of the prophet that saith: Wash ye, make you clean; put away from your souls the evils of your doings before mine eyes; that the assembly of the angels may call unto you: Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.’”
“Again _cap. 6_ (_Vicec._), Cyril admonishes the newly baptized: ‘As you have put off the old garments, and put on those that are according to the Spirit, you shall henceforth always walk in white garments.’ By this we do not mean to say that it is necessary for you always to have on white garments, but that you are to clothe yourselves in such garments as are white, bright, and spiritual before God. And in _cap. 10_, he says: ‘Would to God, that we could all of a truth say: My soul is joyful in the Lord; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, and with the robe of gladness.’”