128. nam quis dubitet vos illud legitimum in sacramentorum mysterio praeterire non posse? The word legitimum is a reference to the prescribed words of the Liturgy. St. Optatus tells us (iv, 6) that the Donatists used the Baptismal Exorcism 'Maledicte, exi foras.' So St. Augustine (De pecc. origin. ii, 40; cf. con. Iul. Pelag. iii, 5) observes that in the Baptism of children the Pelagians replied to the question, ' abrenuntias Satanae?', though they denied that these children were subject to original sin. Similarly, St. Cyprian (Ep. ad Magnum 7) tells us that the Novatians did not venture to pass over in Baptism the solemn words, ' credis remissionem peccatorum?', and continued thus, ' et vitam aeternam per Sanctam Ecclesiam?'; yet they believed not in the Forgiveness of Sins and did not belong to the Holy Church. Throughout history we find heretics employing venerable creeds and solemn prayers, the sense of which they have, often long since, abjured. Thus St. Augustine (De dono Persev. xiii, 33) turned their use of the Preface in the Mass against the Pelagians in these words: 'Quod ergo in Sacramentis Fidelium dicitur, ut sursum habeamus corda ad Dominum, munus est Domini; de quo munere ipsi Domino Deo nostro gratias agere a sacerdote post hanc vocem, quibus hoc dicitur, admonentur, et dignum ac iustum esse respondent.'
129. With whom you are out of communion, just as much as you are out of communion with us.
130. Ecclesiam nostram. Cf. 'Cathedra per Petrum nostra' (ii, 6); 'Cathedra Petri, quae nostra est' (ii, 9).
131. quamvis ab ea sis alienus (cf. ii, 6: 'quicquid foris est, alienum est').
132. unica Sponsa.
133. de alieno locutus es.
134. Optatus complains that Parmenian was content with contrasting the rival churches in Africa, ignoring in his argument the rest of the Catholic world, as though the controversy could be settled solely by reference to what had happened in Africa.
135. Cant. vi, 8.
136. ministros. This word includes all Minor Orders.
137. turbam fidelium.
138. in Ecclesia nostra. Cf. note 2, p. 91.
139. Cf. ii, 4 supra.
140. ut dixisti. RBvbd have ut dixi. But for the words of Parmenian, cf. ii, 14; ii, 18.
141. From Julian the Apostate.
142. rationem rerum.
143. The contrast is between the Christian and the heathen ruler.
144. All the MSS. have Constantinus. But at the beginning of the next chapter we shall read that, 'as was known to all men,' this Emperor was succeeded by Julian. Therefore, either we must read Constans against the MSS., or it was a slip of the pen on the part of Optatus.
145. Ps. cxxxii, 1.
146. Pax una.
147. Africanos populos et orientates et ceteros transmarinos (Africa, Asia, Europe).
148. ipsa unitas.
149. ut reverti possetis.
150. ire. We should probably read redire, the word found in the next chapter.
151. ad disturbandam Pacem.
152. Cf. S. August. Ep. cxlviii; clxvi; and con. Petil. ii, 92.