225. sole intrante. This is a Hebraism. The Jews spoke of the setting sun as entering (into the heavens), and of the rising sun as coming forth (from the East).
226. in die retributionis.
227. nobiscum de mercede contendere.
228. Maiestatis dominium. Cf. iv. 9: 'in Deo perennis Maiestas exundat.'
229. pro humanitate exhibita.
230. Matt. xxv, 34.
231. totum convivii dominium.
232. 1 Cor. iii, 4, 5.
233. in universis servientibus non dominium sed ministerium.
234. The reference is to v, 4: 'In hoc Sacramento baptismatis celebrando tres esse species constat.'
235. ex tribus speciebus illam primo tripartitam esse, sc. the Trinity.
236. Having discussed the part played by the Trinity and the minister (operarius) in Baptism, something must be said of the remaining species, the Faith of the adult recipient.
237. de virtute sua.
238. pro matris credulitate.
239. feriata cessaret.
240. se vacasse.
241. Luke viii, 48. St. Optatus was evidently quoting by heart, and in consequence got strangely mixed. It is hardly necessary to point out that no such incident as that here described is to be found in any of the Gospels. Optatus seems to have been confusing his recollections of Luke viii, 42-48 with Matt. viii, 5 and Luke vii, 2 seq.
242. dantis est, non accipientis was, as we have learned already, a saying of the Donatists. By 'the giver' they meant the Minister of the Sacrament, one of themselves, one of the holy. St. Optatus has already shown, in answer to their argument Nemo dat quod non habet, that the real giver is God. He now proves that God does not ' work' (vacat), but is always ready to give, and lets the recipient receive according to his faith. Unless he who is to be baptised possesses faith, God will not give the grace of Baptism, even as our Lord on earth would not work miracles excepting on behalf of those who believed----their faith He put before His own power.
243. totus = corporeally.
244. Matt. viii, 13.
245. This is evidently sarcasm.
246. vel tria complenda sunt fidei testimonia. Optatus often uses vel in the sense of at least.
247. Luke viii, 43-46; Matt. ix, 20-22; Mark v, 25-34.
248. tantas celebrari virtutes (cf. iv, 9).
249. dolor.