NPNF (V1-04)

Philip Schaff

outside the rock on which the Church is built are not washed, but defiled. But all are without the
said rock who hear the words of Christ and do them not. Or if it be the case that they are washed
indeed in baptism, but yet continue in the defilement of their unrighteousness, from which they
were unwilling to be changed for the better, the same is true also of the heretics.

Chapter 7.—12. Lucianus of Rucuma1773 said: "It is written, ‘And God saw the light that it was
good, and God divided the light from the darkness.’1774 If light and darkness can agree, then can
there be something in common between us and heretics. Therefore I give my judgment that heretics
should be baptized."1775
13. To him the answer is: If light and darkness can agree, then can there be something common
between the righteous and unrighteous. Let him therefore declare his judgment that those unrighteous
should be baptized afresh whom Cyprian confuted within the Church itself; or let him who can say
if those are not unrighteous "who renounce the world in words and not in deeds."

Chapter 8.—14. Pelagianus of Luperciana1776 said: "It is written, ‘Either the Lord is God, or
Baal is God.’1777 So now either the Church is the Church, or heresy is the Church. Further, if heresy
be not the Church, how can the baptism of the Church exist among heretics?"1778
15. To him we may answer as follows: Either Paradise is Paradise, or Egypt is Paradise.
Further, if Egypt be not Paradise, how can the water of Paradise be in Egypt? But it will be said
to us that it extends even thither by flowing forth from Paradise. In like manner, therefore, baptism
extends to heretics. Also we say: Either the rock is the Church, or the sand is the Church. Further,
since the sand is not the Church, how can baptism exist with those who build upon the sand by
hearing the words of Christ and doing them not?1779 And yet it does exist with them; and in like
manner also it exists among the heretics.

1773

Rucuma was in ecclesiastical province of Zeugitana. This Lucianus is probably the same with the one mentioned in Cypr.
Epp. lvii., lxx.

1774

Gen. i. 4.

1775

Conc. Carth. sec. 43.

1776

The position of Luperciana in unknown.

1777

See 1 Kings xviii. 21.

1778

Con. Carth. sec. 44.

1779

Matt. vii. 24-27.

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