Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series I/Volume IV/Donatist Controversy/On Baptism/Book VII/Chapter 11

20.&#160; Paul of Bobba said:&#160; "I for my part am not moved if some fail to uphold the faith and truth of the Church, seeing that the apostle says &#8216;For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?&#160; God forbid:&#160; yea let God be true, but every man a liar.&#8217; &#160; But if God be true, how can the truth of baptism be in the company of heretics, where God is not?"

21.&#160; To him we answer:&#160; What is God among the covetous?&#160; And yet baptism exists among them; and so also it exists among heretics.&#160; For they among whom God is, are the temple of God.&#160; "But what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?" &#160; Further, Paul considers, and Cyprian agrees with him, that covetousness is idolatry; and Cyprian himself again associates with his colleagues, who were robbers, but yet baptized, with great reward of toleration.