Origines Ecclesiasticae Volume 3 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840 Excerpt: ...out, Salvum lotuml salvum Zotum ' Baptized and saved baptized and saved ' This they said only by way of ridicule of the Christian doctrine of martyrdom being esteemed a second baptism, and a means of salvation; but the author of the Acts rightly observes, "that he was saved, indeed, who was so baptized." Nor was this only the doctrine of the more ancient writers who lived in the times of persecution and martyrdom, but of those that followed after, and who are commonly imagined more rigid defenders of the necessity_of baptism: for even St. Austin, and all his contemporaries, who were engaged against Pelagius, made the same allows ance in the case of martyrdom. 'St. Austin declares himself " wholly of Cyprian's opinion, that martyrdom does many times supply the room of baptism; and he thinks Cyprian argued well, from the instance of the thief upon the cross, to whom it was said, though he was not baptized, " To-day thou shalt be with me in Paradise." St. Austin often argues from the same' example of the thief in other places, telling us, " that by the ineffable power and justice of God, baptism was imputed to the thief upon his faith, and it was accounted to him as if he had received it, because he had a good mind and will toward it, though he could not actually receive it in his body by reason of his crucifixion;" therefore he reckons him" among those who are sanctified h Augustin. de Bapt. lib. iv. c. xxii. (tom. vii. p. 43?, edit. Basil. 1569.) Baptismi vicem aliquando implere passionem, de latroue illo, cui non baptizato dictum est, 'lrlodie mecum eris in paradiso;' non leve documentum beatus Cyprianus adsumit. l Ibid. Octogint. quasst. Lib. quaz-st. lxii. (tom. iv. opp. p. 568...