Opening the library…
On Baptism
Tertullian
An early Latin treatise defending Christian baptism, interpreting its biblical patterns, discussing preparation and administration, and warning against a teacher who rejected water baptism in the church.
But they whose office it is, know that baptism
Luke vi. 30. [See note 4, p. 676.]
1 Tim. v. 22; μηδενὶ omitted, ταχέως rendered by “facile,” and μηδἔ by “ne.”
“Exertam,” as in c. xii.: “probatio exerta,” “a conspicuous proof.”
Comp. Acts viii. 26–40.
Acts viii. 28, 30, 32, 33, and Isa. liii. 7, 8, especially in LXX. The quotation, as given in Acts, agrees nearly verbatim with the Cod. Alex. there.
Tertullian seems to have confused the “Judas” with whom Saul stayed (Acts ix. 11) with the “Simon” with whom St. Peter stayed (Acts ix. 43); and it was Ananias, not Judas, to whom he was pointed out as “an appointed vessel,” and by whom he was baptized. [So above, he seems to have confounded Philip, the deacon, with Philip the apostle.]
See note 24, [where Luke vi. 30 is shown to be abused].
Tertullian has already allowed (in c. xvi) that baptism is not indispensably necessary to salvation.
Or, “whither they are coming.”
i.e. in baptism.
Sæcularibus.
See beginning of chapter, [where Luke vi. 30, is shown to be abused].
Virginibus; but he is speaking about men as well as women. Comp. de Orat. c. xxii. [I need not point out the bearings of the above chapter, nor do I desire to interpose any comments. The Editor’s interpolations, where purely gratuitous, I have even stricken out, though I agree with them. See that work of genius, the Liberty of Prophesying, by Jer. Taylor, sect. xviii. and its candid admissions.]