CONCERNING THE BAPTISM OF HERETICS. 205
undoubtedlyenemies of Christ— any such as are calledAnti
christscannot ministerthe grace of saving baptism. And
thereforeI thinkthatthosewho fleefrom the snaresof the
hereticsto the church must be baptizedby us,who are called
friendsof God, of His condescension.
Felix of Bagai 1 said: As, when the blindleadsthe blind,
they falltogetherintotheditch; so,when the hereticbaptizes
a heretic,they falltogetherinto death. And thereforea
hereticmust be baptizedand made alive,lestwe who are
aliveshouldhold communion with the dead.
Polianus of Mileum2 said: It is rightthat a hereticbe
baptizedin theholy church.
Theogenes of Hippo Regiuss said: According to the
sacrament of God's heavenlygrace which we have received,
we believeone baptismwhich isin the holy church.
Dativus of Badis 4 said: We, as far as in us lies,do not
hold communion withheretics,unlesstheyhave been baptized
in the church,and have receivedremissionof theirsins.
Successus of Abbir Germaniciana 5 said: Heretics can
either do nothing,or they can do all. If they can baptize,
they can alsobestow the Holy Spirit. But if they cannot
give the Holy Spirit,becausethey have not the Holy Spirit,
neither can they spirituallybaptize. Therefore we judge
that hereticsmust be baptized.
Fortunatus of Tuccaboris6 said: Jesus Christour Lord
and God, Son of God the Father and Creator,builtHis
church upon a rock,not upon heresy; and gave the power
of baptizingto bishops,not to heretics.Wherefore they who
are withoutthe church,and,standingin oppositionto Christ,
disperseHis sheep and flock,cannotbaptize,being without.
Sedatus of Tuburbo 7 said: In the degreein which water
1 In Numidia.Herewas heldtheDonatist" ConciliumBagaiense"
of 310 bishops(Oxforded.).
* In Numidia.
* The Seeof St.AugustineinNumidia,218milesfromCarthage,and
ICO milesfromHippoDiarrhytus; quodvidep.215.
4 Badea,orBadel,inNumidia. 5InZeugitana
6 Tucca-terebinthinainZeugitana.
7 Thuburbo,orThuburbis,inZeugitana.