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The inconsistency of the heretics' opinion is obvious from the Holy Scriptures. Scriptures and Holy Legends 43. But, arguing against those who, being exposed everywhere, try to convince that God punishes for sins that have not yet been committed, we must be wary of thinking that we attributed this to them, and they themselves can in no way be so stupid as to think so or try to convince someone of this. However, if I had not heard them say this, I would not have considered it necessary to refute it. For they are surrounded by the authority of Divine Scripture, and ancient Tradition, and the firmly established custom of the Church at the baptism of infants, in which it is clearly shown that infants, both when [the evil spirit] is expelled from them through exorcisms, 135 and when through those who bring them they answer that they renounce it, are freed from the dominion of the devil. So [our opponents], having no way out, will perish in their reckless stupidity if they do not want to change their minds. Why are those born of baptized people baptized? 44. Now, it seems to them that they are quite accurately saying: “How is sin transferred to the children of believers, if we have no doubt that it was remitted from their parents in baptism?” As if, because of this, carnal birth could lack something that can only be eliminated by spiritual rebirth! Or as if in baptism the infirmity of carnal lust is immediately healed, just as the guilt of this lust is immediately removed, but by the grace of regeneration, and not by the conditions of birth. So, everyone who is born through this desire, even from one who has already been regenerated, still has an obstacle in it, unless he himself is also regenerated. But whatever the complexity of this issue, it also does not prevent those who work in the field of Christ from baptizing infants for the remission of sins, infants born from both believers and unbelievers, just as it does not prevent farmers from having wild olives turn into olives thanks to grafting, regardless of whether they come from olives or from olives 136. After all, the peasant may be asked to answer the question for what reason, if the olive is one thing and the wild olive is another, only wild olives will be born from the seeds of both. But he will not abandon the practice of grafting, even if he cannot resolve this issue, otherwise, while he hopes that the sprouts arising from the olive seed are nothing more than olives, vain inaction will lead to the fact that this entire field will be overgrown with forest due to bitter sterility. The words of the sacrament of baptism actually accomplish what they mean 45. After all, what they invented when the weight of truth crushed them - for the Lord is faithful in His words 137, and therefore His Church does not falsely baptize infants for the remission of sins, but [baptizes] in such a way that by faith what is done [during baptism] happens and what is said is undoubtedly accomplished - so, what they invented when the mentioned most obvious burden of truth crushed them - who among the Christians will not laugh at this, seeing all the deceit of their words? After all, they say this: “Although babies truly answer through the mouths of those who bring them that they believe in the remission of sins, [they say so] not because their sins themselves are forgiven, but because they believe that in the Church or in baptism sins are forgiven to those in whom they are found, and not to those in whom they are not at all.” And therefore they do not want to admit that those whom they consider to have no sin, [i.e. e. infants] are thus baptized for the remission of sins, that this remission is accomplished in themselves; but [in their opinion, it is said this way] since infants, being themselves without sin, are baptized with that baptism in which the remission of sins is accomplished for some sinners. Baptism actually casts out the devil 46. And although, perhaps, at their leisure, someone will be able to more subtly and sharply refute this changeable craftiness, yet, due to this cunning, they will not find anything to say about how [the evil spirit] is expelled and plucked from infants through exorcisms. After all, this, without a doubt, is done falsely, if the devil does not dominate over them, and if he dominates, and therefore they do not falsely drive out and uproot him, then by what means does he dominate, if not through sin, being the prince of sinners? Therefore, if they are ashamed here and do not dare to say that this is being done feignably in the Church, then let them admit that what is lost is sought for in infants as well. After all, it was through sin that what could be recovered and found only by grace was lost. But thank God that when they oppose the absolution of sins, not believing that it is performed in relation to infants, at least they already recognize that infants believe, albeit with the help of the lips and hearts of their elders. Therefore, just as they hear the Lord saying: If anyone is not reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God 138, and on the basis of these words they recognize that infants need to be baptized, so let them hear the same Lord saying: Whoever does not believe will be condemned 139. Let them acknowledge that just as infants are regenerated through the ministry of those who baptize, so they believe through the lips and hearts of those who profess [the faith]. So, let them then dare to say that the just God condemns the innocent if [they consider] that [someone] is not bound by any bonds of original sin. Scripture must be searched more thoroughly for the defense of the faith 47. If this word seems to you too lengthy and burdensome in view of your responsibilities, forgive me; after all, in order to write this to you and talk with you about it, prompted by your letter, showing your favor towards us, I forcibly overcame my duties that prevented this. If you find out that they have invented something new against the Catholic faith, or if you invent something against them yourself out of your faithful and clear pastoral love, so that they do not devastate the weak from the flock of the Lord, then report it to us. Indeed, as a result of anxiety from heretics, our zeal, as it were, awakens from the sleep of inaction, so that we begin to more carefully study the Scripture, thanks to which it may turn out that they will not be able to damage the sheepfold 140 of Christ; and thus, by the abundant grace of the Savior, what the enemy devises for destruction, God turns into help; for all things work together for good to those who love God 141. Always live [safely] in God and remember us [in your prayers], beloved brother. J.-P. Migne. Paris, 1845. T. 33. Col. 874–891. Places with discrepancies were verified with the publication: Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum. Vindobonae, 1911. Vo1. 57. R. 176–214. Eum exorcizantur – lit., “when they conjure” (from the Greek έξορκίζεν to conjure). This refers to exorcisms performed in baptism - a ritual of expelling evil spirits. – Approx. ed. You might be interested in: