NOTE.--It is recorded that in the time of Honorius A. D. 436, even those of Carthage passed this resolution: “Those who wish to receive baptism, shall previously be tried and examined for a long time.” _Seb. Fr., Chron. Rom. Conc., fol. 71, col. 4._
_A. D. 438._--Eucherius (in _lib. 3, Reg._), says: “We are all baptized upon confession of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” _Bapt. Hist., page 403._
Again (in _lib. 3, Com. in lib. Reg._), Eucherius, in speaking of the imposition of hands, says: “The sacrifice is washed, when the water of baptism is poured upon a believer.”
In _lib. 4_, he says: “In descending to baptism, he that believes on Christ, dies unto original sin and all iniquity.” _Bapt. Hist., page 428._
Truly, these are excellent testimonies, which very closely approach the form of the holy Scriptures; for here mention is made of a certain confession of the candidates; as also, that the water of baptism is poured upon the believer; and that he who descends to baptism, dies unto original sin and all iniquity; which matters are so frequently mentioned in the holy Scriptures of the New Testament, that it is unnecessary to adduce any proof concerning them, since they are sufficiently known. Compare, among others, Matt. 3:6; Mark 16:16, with Rom. 6:3,4.
_A. D. 446._--Notwithstanding those of Carthage swayed to and fro, like a shaking reed, in the matter of baptism, as may be seen by their many councils, there were, nevertheless, as it appears, many pious people there, who kept to the institution of Christ, and the practice of his apostles, inasmuch as they baptized upon faith, of which, among others, Augustine makes mention in the _22d book, 8th chapter_, of the _City of God_, saying, “That when Easter was at hand, and the women (that is, those who had made application for baptism), were waiting for baptism.”
But that which he relates in the same place, of the very pious woman Innocentia, namely, that, being afflicted with an incurable cancer, she went to the first woman that was baptized, to be marked by her with the sign of Christ, in order that she might have her health restored, this we leave as it is, it being sufficient for us, that even in Carthage, where infant baptism had already been adopted, there were people who administered baptism to adults, or, at least, to believers; and that this was done at a stated time, namely, on Easter. This is also mentioned in _Bapt. Hist., page 433_.
_A. D. 450._--It appears that about the middle of the fifth century, a departure began to manifest itself even in the Roman church, among those who did not favor infant baptism; inasmuch as many were found, who had not been baptized in their youth. But as to whether these were known, or whether they kept it secret, we have no information; however, it is apparent that, in the course of time, they became manifest, since, with reference to the matter, the Council of Arausica[114] established certain canons or rules in regard to the manner in which such persons should be treated. _Bapt. Hist., p. 440_, from _Centuriæ Magdeburgenses, fol. 510, ex Concil. Arausic_.
[114] This council, also called _Concilium Arausione_, is stated to have taken place, A. D. 441. In the same it was decreed, by command of Antichrist, that the Gospel should not be read to the catechumens, and that they should not be admitted to the place of baptism. See _P. J. Twisck, Chron., 5th book, page 155, col. 1_.
_Canon 12._ “A person who has suddenly become dumb, shall have baptism, or repentance, administered to him, if it be proved by his own testimony, or by that of some one else, that he has previously wished it; or if he indicate it by signs.”