Tractates on the Gospel of John (continued)
TRACTATE 6 141 no usurers, no defrauders, no perjurers, no wine guzzlers. Let them say it; for I do not pay attention to their tongues, but I touch their hearts. But since they are known to us and to you and to themselves, as you are also known both to yourselves in the Catholic church and to them, neither let us reprehend them, nor let them flatter themselves. We admit there are good and evil in the Church, but as grain and chaff. Sometimes he who is baptized by grain is chaff, and he who is baptized by chaff is grain. Otherwise, if he who is baptized by grain, has a valid baptism, but he who is baptized by chaff does not, "He it is who baptizes" is a false statement. If, however, it is true, "He it is who baptizes," both what is given by the chaff has validity and he baptizes as the dove does. For that evil man is not a dove nor does he belong to the members of the dove. Nor can he be said to be in the Catholic church nor among them, if they say that the dove is in their own church.
(5) What then do we understand, brothers? Because it is clear and known to all, and because even if they do not wish it, they are convicted, [we understand] that even there when evil men give baptism, another baptism is not given after them; and here when evil men give baptism, another baptism is not given after them. The dove does not baptize after the raven; why does the raven want to baptize after the dove?
13. Pay attention, my beloved people! Why also was something designated through a dove, so that the dove, that is, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, came to the Lord after his baptism and was hovering over him, in consequence of which in the coming of the dove John should understand that [there was] a certain exclusive power in the Lord for baptizing? For through this exclusive power, as I have said,^*^ the peace of the Church was confirmed. And it is possible that someone may have baptism outside the dove; but that baptism outside the dove benefits him is impossible.
38. In section 6. 39. Augustine distinguishes between the validity of baptism and its effectiveness. He disagrees with the Donatists in the matter of va Hdity which he sees as coming from Christ himself and not from the minister or the Church;