FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   790   791   792   793   794   795   796   797   798   799   800   801   802   803   804   805   806   807   808   809   810   811   812   813   814  
815   816   817   818   819   820   821   822   823   824   825   826   827   828   829   830   831   832   833   834   835   836   837   838   839   >>   >|  
Christ, are baptized in Christ. Therefore they all put on Christ: and this is to receive the effect of Baptism. Consequently insincerity does not hinder the effect of Baptism. Obj. 2: Further, the Divine power which can change man's will to that which is better, works in Baptism. But the effect of the efficient cause cannot be hindered by that which can be removed by that cause. Therefore insincerity cannot hinder the effect of Baptism. Obj. 3: Further, the effect of Baptism is grace, to which sin is in opposition. But many other sins are more grievous than insincerity, which are not said to hinder the effect of Baptism. Therefore neither does insincerity. _On the contrary,_ It is written (Wis. 1:5): "The Holy Spirit of discipline will flee from the deceitful." But the effect of Baptism is from the Holy Ghost. Therefore insincerity hinders the effect of Baptism. _I answer that,_ As Damascene says (De Fide Orth. ii), "God does not compel man to be righteous." Consequently in order that a man be justified by Baptism, his will must needs embrace both Baptism and the baptismal effect. Now, a man is said to be insincere by reason of his will being in contradiction with either Baptism or its effect. For, according to Augustine (De Bapt. cont. Donat. vii), a man is said to be insincere, in four ways: first, because he does not believe, whereas Baptism is the sacrament of Faith; secondly, through scorning the sacrament itself; thirdly, through observing a rite which differs from that prescribed by the Church in conferring the sacrament; fourthly, through approaching the sacrament without devotion. Wherefore it is manifest that insincerity hinders the effect of Baptism. Reply Obj. 1: "To be baptized in Christ," may be taken in two ways. First, "in Christ," i.e. "in conformity with Christ." And thus whoever is baptized in Christ so as to be conformed to Him by Faith and Charity, puts on Christ by grace. Secondly, a man is said to be baptized in Christ, in so far as he receives Christ's sacrament. And thus all put on Christ, through being configured to Him by the character, but not through being conformed to Him by grace. Reply Obj. 2: When God changes man's will from evil to good, man does not approach with insincerity. But God does not always do this. Nor is this the purpose of the sacrament, that an insincere man be made sincere; but that he who comes in sincerity, be justified. Reply Obj. 3: A man is said to be
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   790   791   792   793   794   795   796   797   798   799   800   801   802   803   804   805   806   807   808   809   810   811   812   813   814  
815   816   817   818   819   820   821   822   823   824   825   826   827   828   829   830   831   832   833   834   835   836   837   838   839   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

Baptism

 

effect

 
Christ
 

insincerity

 

sacrament

 

baptized

 

Therefore

 
insincere
 

hinder

 

hinders


conformed

 

justified

 

Consequently

 

Further

 
sincerity
 

Wherefore

 

devotion

 

manifest

 

Divine

 

approaching


fourthly

 

scorning

 
thirdly
 
observing
 
Church
 

conferring

 
prescribed
 

differs

 
character
 
configured

receives
 

approach

 
Secondly
 
change
 

conformity

 

sincere

 
Charity
 
purpose
 

receive

 
answer

opposition

 

deceitful

 

Damascene

 

compel

 

discipline

 

contrary

 
written
 

Spirit

 
righteous
 

Augustine