-- 34. I remember that I have already discussed at sufficient length the question of "the temple of God," and how this saying is to be taken, "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." [1554] For neither are the covetous the 35. If therefore heresy is rendered "unable to engender sons to God through Christ, because it is not the bride of Christ," [1558] neither can that crowd of evil men established within the Church, since it is also not the bride of Christ; for the bride of Christ is described as being without spot or wrinkle. [1559] Therefore either not all baptized persons are the sons of God, or even that which is not the bride can engender the sons of God. But as it is asked whether "he is spiritually born who has received the baptism of Christ in the midst of heretics," [1560] so it may be asked whether he is spiritually born who has received the baptism of Christ in the Catholic Church, without being turned to God in a true heart, of whom it cannot be said that he has not received baptism.

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Footnotes:

[1554] Galatians 3:27.

[1555] 2 Corinthians 6:16.

[1556] 1 Samuel 19:23.

[1557] Mark 9:38.

[1558] Cypr. Ep. 74. 6.

[1559] Ephesians 5:27. Cp. Aug. Retract. ii. 18, quoted above, I. 17, 26.

[1560] Cypr. Ep. 74. 7.