ution, or shipwreck, should be baptized
at any time." Yet if a man is forestalled by death, so as to have no
time to receive the sacrament, while he awaits the season appointed
by the Church, he is saved, yet "so as by fire," as stated above (A.
2, ad 2). Nevertheless he sins if he defer being baptized beyond the
time appointed by the Church, except this be for an unavoidable cause
and with the permission of the authorities of the Church. But even
this sin, with his other sins, can be washed away by his subsequent
contrition, which takes the place of Baptism, as stated above (Q. 66,
A. 11).

Reply Obj. 1: This decree of Pope Leo, concerning the celebration of
Baptism at two seasons, is to be understood "with the exception of
the danger of death" (which is always to be feared in children) as
stated above.

Reply Obj. 2: This decree concerning the Jews was for a safeguard to
the Church, lest they corrupt the faith of simple people, if they be
not fully converted. Nevertheless, as the same passage reads further
on, "if within the appointed time they are threatened with danger of
sickness, they should be baptized."

Reply Obj. 3: Baptism, by the grace which it bestows, removes not
only past sins, but hinders the commission of future sins. Now this
is the point to be considered--that men may not sin: it is a
secondary consideration that their sins be less grievous, or that
their sins be washed away, according to 1 John 2:1, 2: "My little
children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. But if
any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
just; and He is the propitiation for our sins."
_______________________

FOURTH ARTICLE [III, Q. 68, Art. 4]

Whether Sinners Should Be Baptized?

Objection 1: It seems that sinners should be baptized. For it is
written (Zech. 13:1): "In that day there shall be a fountain open to
the House of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: for the
washing of the sinner and of the unclean woman": and this is to be
understood of the fountain of Baptism. Therefore it seems that the
sacrament of Baptism should be offered even to sinners.

Obj. 2: Further, our Lord said (Matt. 9:12): "They that are in health
need not a physician, but they that are ill." But they that are ill
are sinners. Therefore since Baptism is the remedy of Christ the
physician of our souls, it seems that this sacrament should be
offered to sinners.

Obj. 3: Further, no assistance shou