Introductory Essay on the Manichæan Heresy, By Albert H. Newman, D.D., LL.D · Book IV. In Which He Treats of What Follows in the Same Epistle of Cyprian to Jubaianus · Chapter 26
50. Also another Lucius of Membresa said: "It is written, God heareth not sinners.' How can he who is a sinner be heard in baptism?"
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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 the Catholic Church, yet tolerates them.
Chapter 27.—52. Also another Felix of Buslaceni1833 said: "In admitting heretics to the Church without baptism, let no one place custom before reason and truth; for reason and truth always exclude custom."1834
53. To him our answer is: You do not show the truth; you confess the existence of the custom. We should therefore do right in maintaining the custom which has since been confirmed by a plenary Council, even if the truth were still concealed, which we believe to have been already made manifest.
Notes
- 1830
Membresa was in ecclesiastical province of Zeugitana. For Lucius, see Bk. VI. c. 38.
- 1831
.
- 1832
Conc. Carth. sec. 62.
- 1833
Buslaceni (Cussaceni) is probably Byzacium, the capital of province of Byzacium, since we know that it was also called Bizica Lucana; others place it in Africa Proconsularis. For Felix, cp. Bk. VI. cc. 19 and 23.
- 1834
Conc. Carth. sec. 63.