On Baptism, Against the Donatists.
Chapter 19.—32. Felix of Bagai said: As when the blind leads the blind, both fall into the ditch,
Chapter 37.—71. Libosus of Vaga said: The Lord says in the gospel, ‘I am the truth ’
Chapter 10.—18. Likewise another Felix of Marazana said: There is one faith, one baptism,
Chapter 14.—26. Aymnius of Ausuaga
Chapter 26.—50. Also another Lucius of Membresa said: It is written, ‘God heareth not sinners.’
Chapter 23.—40. Successus of Abbir Germaniciana523 Abbir Germaniciana was in ecclesiastical province of Zeugitana, or Africa Proconsularis. Successus probably identical with one mentioned in Cypr. Epp. lvii., lxvii., lxx., lxxx. said: "Heretics may either do nothing or everything. If they can baptize, they can also give the Holy Spirit; but if they cannot give the Holy Spirit, because they do not possess the Holy Spirit, then can they not either spiritually baptize. Therefore we give our judgment that heretics should be baptized."524 Conc. Carth. sec. 16.
41. To this we may answer almost word for word: Murderers may either do nothing or everything. If they can baptize, they can also give the Holy Spirit; but if they cannot give the Holy Spirit, because they do not possess the Holy Spirit, then can they not either spiritually baptize. Therefore we give our judgment that persons baptized by murderers, or murderers themselves who have been baptized without being converted, should, when they have corrected themselves, be baptized. Yet this is not true. For "whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer;"525 1 John iii. 15. and Cyprian knew such men within the Church, who certainly baptized. Therefore it is to no purpose that words of this sort are used concerning heretics.