Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 4
Augustine — Against the Manichaeans and Donatists
SECTION 201
[1299] Rom. v. 5.
[1299] Rom. v. 5. [1300] 1 Cor. xiii. 1-3. [1301] 1 Cor. xii. 11. [1302] Acts viii. 13. [1303] 1 Sam. x. 6, 10. [1304] 1 Tim. i. 5. [1305] He refers to laying on of hands such as he mentions below, Book V. c. xxiii.: "If the laying on of hands were not applied to one coming from heresy, he would be, as it were, judged to b…
3,198 wordsSECTION 202Book IV.
28. From these considerations, and such as these, our forefathers, not only before the time of Cyprian and Agrippinus, but even afterwards, maintained a most wholesome custom, that whenever they found anything divine and lawful remaining in its integrity even in the midst of any heresy or schism, they approved rather than repudi…
2,211 wordsSECTION 203[1351] Ib., lxiii. 12, quando a nobis baptisma eorum in acceptum refertur.
[1351] Ib., lxiii. 12, quando a nobis baptisma eorum in acceptum refertur. [1352] Cypr. Ep. lxxvii. 12. [1353] 1 Cor. vi. 10. [1354] Eph. v. 5. [1355] Cypr. Ep. lv. 26. [1356] 2 Cor. vi. 16. [1357] Cypr. Ep. lxxvii. 12. Chapter 5.--8. "Further," Cyprian goes on to say, "in vain do some, who are overcome by reason, oppose …
2,264 wordsSECTION 204[1369] Phil. i. 18. Hieron. "annuntietur."
[1369] Phil. i. 18. Hieron. "annuntietur." [1370] Cypr. Ep. lxxiii. 14. [1371] Luke ii. 14. "Hominibus bonæ voluntatis;" and so the Vulgate, following the reading en anthropois eudokias. Chapter 8.--12. In short, we may see how great an evil in itself is envy, which cannot be other than malicious. Let us not look for other te…
2,598 wordsSECTION 205[1388] Matt. xiii. 23; Luke viii. 15.
[1388] Matt. xiii. 23; Luke viii. 15. [1389] Rev. ii. 6. [1390] Acts viii. 9-24. [1391] Phil. ii. 21. [1392] 1 Cor. xiii. 5. [1393] Eph. v. 27; Retract. ii. 18. [1394] Song of Sol. vi. 9. [1395] Cypr. Ep. xi. i. [1396] Cypr. Ep. lxxiii. 14. [1397] Luke ix. 49, 50. [1398] Matt. xii. 30. Chapter 11.--18. What shall we s…
2,381 wordsSECTION 206[1423] Rom. ii. 4.
[1423] Rom. ii. 4. [1424] Ps. lxxxix. 32, 33. [1425] Ecclus. xxx. 23. The words, "placentes Deo" are derived from the Latin version only. [1426] Matt. xxiv. 13. [1427] From a letter of Pope Stephen's, quoted Cypr. Ep. lxxiii. 16. [1428] Mark xiii. 21. [1429] 2 Tim. ii. 21. [1430] 2 Tim. ii. 19. [1431] Matt. vii. 23. [14…
2,467 wordsSECTION 207[1450] 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10.
[1450] 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10. [1451] Matt. xi. 24. [1452] Matt. xxv. 41. Chapter 20.--28. But on the question whether we ought to prefer a Catholic of the most abandoned character to a heretic in whose life, except that he is a heretic, men can find nothing to blame, I do not venture to give a hasty judgment. But if any one says, …
2,673 wordsSECTION 208Book V.
[1464] Rom. iv. 11, 3. [1465] Gen. xvii. 9-14. [1466] Ex. iv. 24-26. [1467] John ix. 21. Chapter 25.--33. By all these considerations it is proved that the sacrament of baptism is one thing, the conversion of the heart another; but that man's salvation is made complete through the two together. Nor are we to suppose that, if…
2,478 wordsSECTION 209Chapter 5.--5. Wherefore, even if heretics should be truly anxious to correct their error and come to the Church, for the very reason that t
Chapter 5.--5. Wherefore, even if heretics should be truly anxious to correct their error and come to the Church, for the very reason that they believed that they had no baptism unless they received it in the Church, even under these circumstances we should not be bound to yield to their desire for the repetition of baptism; but…
2,335 wordsSECTION 210[1480] Cypr. Ep. lxxiii. 24; Acts xix. 3-5.
[1480] Cypr. Ep. lxxiii. 24; Acts xix. 3-5. [1481] John iii. 27. [1482] John i. 16. [1483] John xiii. 4, 5. [1484] Matt. iii. 13. [1485] Matt. xi. 11. [1486] John i. 27. [1487] Rom. x. 4. Chapter 10.--12. I ask, therefore, if sins were remitted by the baptism of John, what more could the baptism of Christ confer on those…
2,213 wordsSECTION 21119. It is not therefore true that "by baptizing first, the heretic obtains the right of baptism;" [1507] but because he did not baptize with
19. It is not therefore true that "by baptizing first, the heretic obtains the right of baptism;" [1507] but because he did not baptize with his own baptism, and though he did not possess the right of baptizing, yet that which he gave is Christ's, and he who received it is Christ's. For many things are given wrongfully and yet t…
2,347 wordsSECTION 21226. But I cannot see what show of reason there is in this, that the name of "erring sheep" [1519] should be denied to one whose lot it has b
26. But I cannot see what show of reason there is in this, that the name of "erring sheep" [1519] should be denied to one whose lot it has been that, while seeking the salvation which is in Christ, he has fallen into the error of heretics, and been baptized in their body; while he is held to have become a sheep already within th…
2,305 wordsSECTION 21333. Wherefore I will do no more than run shortly through the other sentiments founded on the same rules, which are in the aforesaid letter w
33. Wherefore I will do no more than run shortly through the other sentiments founded on the same rules, which are in the aforesaid letter written to Pompeius. By what authority of holy Scripture is it shown that "it is against the commandment of God that persons coming from the society of heretics, if they have already there re…
2,305 wordsSECTION 214Book VI.
[1569] Cant. iv. 12, 13. [1570] Eph. v. 27. [1571] Cant. ii. 2. [1572] Rom. ii. 29. [1573] Ps. xlv. 13. [1574] Ps. xl. 5. [1575] Rom. viii. 28. [1576] 2 Tim. ii. 19. [1577] Gal. vi. 1. [1578] Ps. cxix. 28. [1579] Phil. iii. 15. Chapter 28.--39. Hence, therefore, we have now set before us an easier and more simple cons…
2,332 wordsSECTION 215[1588] Cant. vi. 8, 9.
[1588] Cant. vi. 8, 9. [1589] Eph. v. 27; Cp. Aug. Retract. ii. 18. [1590] Cant. iv. 12, 13. [1591] John xx. 23. Chapter 4.--6. And so it is clear that no good ground is shown herein why the bad man, who has baptism, may not also confer it; and as he has it to destruction, so he may also confer it to destruction,--not becaus…
2,499 wordsSECTION 216[1601] Bilta (Biltha, Vilta) was in Africa Proconsularis. This Cæcilius is probably the same as the one addressed by Cyprian in Ep. lxiii.,
[1601] Bilta (Biltha, Vilta) was in Africa Proconsularis. This Cæcilius is probably the same as the one addressed by Cyprian in Ep. lxiii., and who unites with Cyprian and other bishops in letters addressed to others. Epp. iv. (to Pomponius), lvii., lxvii., lxx. [1602] Eph. iv. 4, 5. [1603] Conc. Carth. sec. 1. [1604] 1 John …
2,329 wordsSECTION 217[1617] Gal. v. 19-21.
[1617] Gal. v. 19-21. [1618] Cypr. Ep. xi. 1. [1619] Prov. ix. 12, cp. LXX. [1620] John iii. 5. [1621] Acts viii. 13. [1622] Wisd. i. 5. [1623] John iii. 6. [1624] Gal. v. 19-21. Chapter 13.--20. Januarius of Lambæse [1625] said: "Following the authority of the holy Scriptures, I pronounce that all heretics should be bap…
2,285 wordsSECTION 218Chapter 20.--34. Polianus of Mileum [1658] said: "It is right that a heretic should be baptized in the holy Church." [1659]
[1648] Cedias (Cedia) has been identified, but without sufficient reason, with Quidias, or Quiza, in Mauritania Cæsariensis for both places have bishops at the Collation of 411. A Bp. Secundinus is mentioned in Cypr. Epp. lvii., lxvii., but whether these refer to him of Cedias or him of Carpos (ch. 31) cannot be decided. [1649]…
2,378 wordsSECTION 219[1670] Thuccabori, Tucca or Terebrinthina, in ecclesiastical province of Africa Proconsularis or Zeugitana. For Bp. Fortunatus, see Cypr. Ep
[1670] Thuccabori, Tucca or Terebrinthina, in ecclesiastical province of Africa Proconsularis or Zeugitana. For Bp. Fortunatus, see Cypr. Epp. xlviii., lvi., lvii. (the first), lxvii., lxx. [1671] Conc. Carth. sec. 17. [1672] Matt. vii. 24. [1673] Cypr. Serm. de Laps. [1674] Matt. vii. 24, 26. [1675] It is pointed out by th…
1,334 wordsSECTION 220Chapter 27.--51. Privatus of Sufes [1689] said: "What can be said of the man who approves the baptism of heretics, save that he communicates with heretics?" [1690]
Chapter 27.--51. Privatus of Sufes [1689] said: "What can be said of the man who approves the baptism of heretics, save that he communicates with heretics?" [1690] 52. To this we answer: It is not the baptism of heretics which we approve in heretics, as it is not the baptism of the covetous, or the treacherous, or deceitful, or…
1,858 wordsSECTION 221Chapter 32.--61. Victoricus of Thabraca [1708] said: "If heretics may baptize, and give remission of sins, why do we destroy their credit, and call them heretics?" [1709]
Chapter 32.--61. Victoricus of Thabraca [1708] said: "If heretics may baptize, and give remission of sins, why do we destroy their credit, and call them heretics?" [1709] 62. What if another were to say: If the unrighteous may baptize, and give remission of sins, why do we destroy their credit, and call them unrighteous? The an…
2,097 wordsSECTION 222Chapter 39.--75. Eugenius of Ammedera [1733] said: "I too pronounce this same judgment, that heretics should be baptized." [1734]
Chapter 39.--75. Eugenius of Ammedera [1733] said: "I too pronounce this same judgment, that heretics should be baptized." [1734] 76. To him we answer: But this is not the judgment which the Church pronounces, to which also God has now revealed in a plenary Council the point in which ye were then still otherwise minded, [1735] …
2,093 wordsSECTION 223Book VII.
Book VII. In which the remaining judgments of the Council of Carthage are examined. Chapter 1.--1. Let us not be considered troublesome to our readers, if we discuss the same question often and from different points of view. For although the Holy Catholic Church throughout all nations be fortified by the authority of primitive…
2,491 wordsSECTION 224[1765] Gor (Gorduba) is variously supposed to be Garra in ecclesiastical province of Mauritania Cæsariensis, or Garriana in ecclesiastical p
[1765] Gor (Gorduba) is variously supposed to be Garra in ecclesiastical province of Mauritania Cæsariensis, or Garriana in ecclesiastical province of Byzacium. The name of a bishop Victor occurs in Cypr. Epp. iv., lvii., lxii., lxvii. In Ep. lxx. the names of three. [1766] Conc. Carth. sec. 40. Chapter 5.--8. Aurelius of Utic…
2,375 wordsSECTION 225Chapter 17.--32. Marcellus of Zama [1809] said: "Since sins are remitted only in the baptism of the Church, he who does not baptize a heretic holds communion with a sinner." [1810]
[1802] Victoriana was in ecclesiastical province of Byzacium. [The name Saturninus is found in Cypr. Epp. xxi. 4, xxii. 3, xxvii. 1, 11, lvii. ter. lxvii. bis, lxx. quinquies. [1803] Conc. Carth. sec. 51. [1804] Ps. l. 16, 18. [1805] Matt. vii. 23. Chapter 16.--30. Another Saturninus of Tucca [1806] said: "The Gentiles, alth…
1,477 wordsSECTION 226Chapter 24.--46. Rogatianus of Nova [1825] said: "Christ established the Church, the devil heresy: how can the synagogue of Satan have the baptism of Christ?" [1826]
Chapter 24.--46. Rogatianus of Nova [1825] said: "Christ established the Church, the devil heresy: how can the synagogue of Satan have the baptism of Christ?" [1826] 47. To him our answer is: Is it true that because Christ established the well-affectioned, and the devil the envious, therefore the party of the devil, which is pr…
750 wordsSECTION 227Chapter 26.--50. Also another Lucius of Membresa [1830] said: "It is written, God heareth not sinners.' [1831] How can he who is a sinner be heard in baptism?" [1832]
Chapter 26.--50. Also another Lucius of Membresa [1830] said: "It is written, God heareth not sinners.' [1831] How can he who is a sinner be heard in baptism?" [1832] 51. We answer: How is the covetous man heard, or the robber, and usurer, and murderer? Are they not sinners? And yet Cyprian, while he finds fault with them in th…
2,202 wordsSECTION 22883. What, therefore, has been answered to those for whom he waited, may be taken as the answer also to himself.
83. What, therefore, has been answered to those for whom he waited, may be taken as the answer also to himself. [1867] Octavus was in ecclesiastical province of Numidia. For Victor, cp. cc. 4, 32. [1868] Conc. Carth. sec. 78. Chapter 43.--84. Clarus of Mascula [1869] said: "The sentence of our Lord Jesus Christ is manifest, w…
1,350 wordsSECTION 229Chapter 48.--94. Junius of Neapolis [1890] said: "I do not depart from the judgment which we once pronounced, that we should baptize heretics on their coming to the Church." [1891]
Chapter 48.--94. Junius of Neapolis [1890] said: "I do not depart from the judgment which we once pronounced, that we should baptize heretics on their coming to the Church." [1891] 95. Since this man has adduced no argument nor proof from the Scriptures, he need not detain us long. [1890] Neapolis was in ecclesiastical provinc…
2,551 wordsSECTION 230102. But the safe course for us is, not to advance with any rashness of judgment in setting forth a view which has neither been started in a
102. But the safe course for us is, not to advance with any rashness of judgment in setting forth a view which has neither been started in any regionary Council of the Catholic Church nor established in a plenary one; but to assert, with all the confidence of a voice that cannot be gainsaid, what has been confirmed by the consen…
845 wordsSECTION 231BISHOP OF HIPPO,
BISHOP OF HIPPO, in answer to the letters of petilian, the donatist [contra litteras petiliani donatistÆ cortensis, episcopi.] CIRCA A.D. 400. translated by the rev. j. r. king, m.a., vicar of st. peter's in the east, oxford; and late fellow and tutor of mERTON COLLEGE, OXFORD The Three Books of Augustin, Bishop of Hi…
2,207 wordsSECTION 232[1927] Rom. iv. 5.
[1927] Rom. iv. 5. [1928] 1 Cor. iii. 6, 7. [1929] John xv. 5. [1930] Rom. xii. 5. Chapter 6.--7. Wherefore, whether a man receive the sacrament of baptism from a faithful or a faithless minister, his whole hope is in Christ, that he fall not under the condemnation that "cursed is he that placeth his hope in man." Otherwise,…
2,335 wordsSECTION 233Chapter 13.--14. If, in the interests of the unity of the party of Donatus, no one rebaptizes those who were baptized in a wicked schism, an
Chapter 13.--14. If, in the interests of the unity of the party of Donatus, no one rebaptizes those who were baptized in a wicked schism, and men, who are guilty of a crime of such enormity as to be compared by them in their Council to those ancient authors of schism whom the earth swallowed up alive, [1944] are either unpunishe…
2,229 wordsSECTION 234[1951] Matt. xxiii. 34.
[1951] Matt. xxiii. 34. [1952] Isa. lviii. 1. [1953] Ps. lxiii. 11. [1954] Ps. xiv. 5-7, LXX. and Hieron., and probably N. Af. version. Chapter 20.--22. Wherefore all this about the generation of vipers, and the poison of asps under their lips, and all the other things which they have said against those which have not known …
2,284 wordsSECTION 235Book II. [1967]
[1965] Ps. xiv. 6, LXX. Hieron., N. Af. version. Chapter 28.--Finally, they think that the question of baptism is hidden, with which they deceive wretched souls. But whilst they say that none have baptism who were baptized outside the communion of the one Church, they received with undiminished honors the followers of Maximianu…
950 wordsSECTION 236Chapter 3.--6. Petilianus said: "For what we look to is the conscience of the giver, to cleanse that of the recipient."
Chapter 3.--6. Petilianus said: "For what we look to is the conscience of the giver, to cleanse that of the recipient." 7. Augustin answered: We therefore need have no anxiety about the conscience of Christ. But if you assert any man to be the giver, be he who he may, there will be no certainty about the cleansing of the recipi…
2,328 wordsSECTION 23718. Augustin answered: See what a difference there is between your calumnious words and our truthful assertions. Listen for a little while.
18. Augustin answered: See what a difference there is between your calumnious words and our truthful assertions. Listen for a little while. See how you have exaggerated the sin of delivering up the sacred books, comparing us in most odious terms, like some sophistical inventor of charges, with the traitor Judas. But when I shall…
1,415 wordsSECTION 238Chapter 9.--21. Petilianus said: "Hemmed in, therefore, by these offenses, you cannot be a true bishop."
Chapter 9.--21. Petilianus said: "Hemmed in, therefore, by these offenses, you cannot be a true bishop." 22. Augustin answered: By what offenses? What have you shown? What have you proved? And if you have proved charges on the part of I know not whom, what has that to do with the seed of Abraham, in which all the nations of the…
892 wordsSECTION 239Chapter 12.--27. Petilianus said: "The Lord Jesus said to the Jews concerning Himself, If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.'" [1998]
Chapter 12.--27. Petilianus said: "The Lord Jesus said to the Jews concerning Himself, If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.'" [1998] 28. Augustin answered: I have already answered above, This is both true, and makes for us against you. [1998] John x. 37. Chapter 13.--29. Petilianus said: Over and over again He …
2,393 wordsSECTION 240[2012] Ps. xiv. 5-8, cp. LXX. and Hieron., the last verse only being in the Hebrew.
[2012] Ps. xiv. 5-8, cp. LXX. and Hieron., the last verse only being in the Hebrew. [2013] Wisd. i. 11. [2014] Rom. iv. 5. [2015] Rom. iii. 26. [2016] John xx. 19, 21. Chapter 16.--36. Petilianus said: "The Lord Christ also warns us, saying, Beware of false prophets, which come unto you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly the…
2,612 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.