Edition
ausblenden
Contra Faustum Manichaeum libri triginta tres
12.
Verumtamen quia visibilia sacramenta pietatis inesse possunt etiam impiis, sicut habuisse sanctum baptismum etiam magum Simoneum legimus, fiunt tales, quales apostolus ait: Habentes formam pietatis, virtutem autem eius abnegantes. Virtus autem pietatis est finis praecepti, id est caritas de corde puro et conscientia bona et fide non ficta. Unde apostolus Petrus, cum de sacramento arcae, in qua Noe domus a diluvio liberata est, loqueretur, sic et vos inquit simili forma baptisma salvos facit. p. 510,16 Et ne sibi sufficere putarent visibile sacramentum, per quod habebant formam pietatis, et per malos mores perdite vivendo virtutem eius abnegarent, continuo subiecit: Non carnis depositio sordium, sed conscientiae bonae interrogatio.
Übersetzung
ausblenden
Reply to Faustus the Manichaean
12.
It is true, the ungodly may partake in the visible sacraments of godliness, as we read that Simon Magus received holy baptism. Such are they of whom the apostle says that "they have the form of godliness, but deny the power of it." 1 The power of godliness is the end of the commandment, that is, love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. 2 So the Apostle Peter, speaking of the sacrament of the ark, in which the family of Noah was saved from the deluge, says, "So by a similar figure baptism also saves you." And lest they should rest content with the visible sacrament, by which they had the form of godliness, and should deny its power in their lives by profligate conduct, he immediately adds, "Not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience." 3