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Objection 1: It seems that insincerity does not hinder the effect of
Baptism. For the Apostle says (Gal. 3:27): "As many of
you as have been baptized in Christ Jesus, have put on Christ."
But all that receive the Baptism of Christ, are baptized in
Christ. Therefore they all put on Christ: and this is to receive
the effect of Baptism. Consequently insincerity does not hinder the
effect of Baptism.
Objection 2: Further, the Divine power which can change man's
will to that which is better, works in Baptism. But the effect of
the efficient cause cannot be hindered by that which can be removed by
that cause. Therefore insincerity cannot hinder the effect of
Baptism.
Objection 3: Further, the effect of Baptism is grace, to which
sin is in opposition. But many other sins are more grievous than
insincerity, which are not said to hinder the effect of Baptism.
Therefore neither does insincerity.
On the contrary, It is written (Wis. 1:5): "The Holy
Spirit of discipline will flee from the deceitful." But the effect
of Baptism is from the Holy Ghost. Therefore insincerity hinders
the effect of Baptism.
I answer that, As Damascene says (De Fide Orth. ii), "God
does not compel man to be righteous." Consequently in order that a
man be justified by Baptism, his will must needs embrace both Baptism
and the baptismal effect. Now, a man is said to be insincere by
reason of his will being in contradiction with either Baptism or its
effect. For, according to Augustine (De Bapt. cont. Donat.
vii), a man is said to be insincere, in four ways: first, because
he does not believe, whereas Baptism is the sacrament of Faith;
secondly, through scorning the sacrament itself; thirdly, through
observing a rite which differs from that prescribed by the Church in
conferring the sacrament; fourthly, through approaching the sacrament
without devotion. Wherefore it is manifest that insincerity hinders
the effect of Baptism.
Reply to Objection 1: "To be baptized in Christ," may be taken
in two ways. First, "in Christ," i.e. "in conformity with
Christ." And thus whoever is baptized in Christ so as to be
conformed to Him by Faith and Charity, puts on Christ by grace.
Secondly, a man is said to be baptized in Christ, in so far as he
receives Christ's sacrament. And thus all put on Christ, through
being configured to Him by the character, but not through being
conformed to Him by grace.
Reply to Objection 2: When God changes man's will from evil to
good, man does not approach with insincerity. But God does not
always do this. Nor is this the purpose of the sacrament, that an
insincere man be made sincere; but that he who comes in sincerity, be
justified.
Reply to Objection 3: A man is said to be insincere who makes a
show of willing what he wills not. Now whoever approaches Baptism,
by that very fact makes a show of having right faith in Christ, of
veneration for this sacrament, and of wishing to conform to the
Church, and to renounce sin. Consequently, to whatever sin a man
wishes to cleave, if he approach Baptism, he approaches insincerely,
which is the same as to approach without devotion. But this must be
understood of mortal sin, which is in opposition to grace: but not of
venial sin. Consequently, here insincerity includes, in a way,
every sin.
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