Tractates on the Gospel of John (continued)
142 ST. AUGUSTINE (2) Pay attention, my beloved people, and understand what I am saying; for often by that chicanery they mislead those of our brothers who are lazy and frigid. Let us be simpler and more zealous.
(3) "Look," they say, "did I receive or didn't I?" I answer, "You received." "Therefore if I received, you have nothing to give me; I am secure, even by your testimony. For I say that I have received and you admit that I have received; we both assert that I am secure. What then are you promising me? Why do you want to make me a Catholic when you are not going to give me anything more and you admit that I have already received what you say you have? But when I say, 'Come to me,' I declare that you do, who admit that I do have, do not have.
Why do you say, 'Come to me'?"
14. The dove teaches us. For he answers from above the Lord's head and says, "You have baptism, but the love with which I moan you do not have." "What does this mean," he says, "I have baptism but I do not have love? Do I have the sacraments and not love?" Do not shout. Show me how he has love who divides unity. "I," he says, "have baptism." You do, but that baptism without love profits you nothing, because without love you are nothing."^*^ For that baptism, even in him who is nothing, is not nothing; for that baptism is something, and something great on account of him about whom it was said, "He it is who baptizes."
(2) But that you might not think that that which is great could somehow benefit you if you are not in unity, the dove descended upon him baptized, as if saying, "If you have baptism, be in the dove lest what you have may not benefit you." (3) Come therefore to the dove, we say, not that you may begin to have what you did not have, but that what you had he agrees with the Donatists and with Cyprian that there is no salvation outside the Church in that effectiveness of baptism (and the other sacraments) depends upon communion with the Church. See Augustine, De Baptismo, 1 and 3 (PL 43.107-126 and 139-154; and CSEL 51.145-173 and 196-222); Berrouard, Homelies I-XVI, 877-880; and F. Dillistone, "The Anti-Donatist Writings," A Companion to the Study of St. Augustine, ed. R. Battenhouse (New York, 1955), 194-197, 199-201.
40. Cf. 1 Cor 13.2 and sections 22 and 23 of this Tractate.