Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series I/Volume IV/Donatist Controversy/On Baptism/Book VI/Chapter 19

32.&#160; Felix of Bagai said:&#160; "As when the blind leads the blind, both fall into the ditch, so when a heretic baptizes a heretic, both fall together into death."

33.&#160; This is true, but it does not follow that what he adds is true.&#160; "And therefore," he says, "the heretic must be baptized and brought to life, lest we who are alive should hold communion with the dead." &#160; Were they not dead who said, "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die?" for they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.&#160; Those then who were corrupted by their evil communications, and followed them, were not they likewise falling with them into the pit?&#160; And yet among them there were men to whom the apostle was writing as being already baptized; nor would they, therefore, if they were corrected, be baptized afresh.&#160; Does not the same apostle say, "To be carnally-minded is death?" and certainly the covetous, the deceivers, the robbers, in the midst of whom Cyprian himself was groaning, were carnally-minded.&#160; What then?&#160; Did the dead hurt him who was living in unity?&#160; Or who would say, that because such men had or gave the baptism of Christ, that it was therefore violated by their iniquities?