[De communione et conversatione Iudaeorum et Christianorum]

is dangerously sought in the venerable sacrament. Nor for the sake of the response concerning the renunciation of Satan and his pomps and illusions, similarly concerning the articles of faith and the name of the one to be baptized, all of which the godfathers or godmothers respond in the soul and person of the child; but that act he ought to say by himself, and also know what he says. But more are given as witnesses of the faith, lest he relapse, as exhorters and informers, not of the Symbol—with this he is held to know before baptism—but of other virtues, as the text says: humility and chastity regarding himself, charity regarding his neighbor, and justice regarding God, himself, and his neighbor. Also, if there is a need and necessity requires, that they be fathers and sustainers of their spiritual offspring in corporal sustenance through their alms in the recommendation of the orthodox faith and the honor of the holy mother church. And that pecuniary subvention, if it is to be done, would be more sound and reasonable if it were done long after baptism was received, while better information could be had concerning the conversation of the baptized, lest, as has alas been seen often, money—not grace—drives the recipient to baptism, and pomp—not alms, freely large and pure—seduces the giver, to be silent about that which is often heard of the spiritual commerce of sacraments. Hence, also, a bad outcome often judges the preceding sinister actions. These things, in part, are from the mind of Augustine in De baptismo parvulorum On the baptism of infants. And he assumes the canon in De consecratione, distinction 4, chapter "Cum pro parvulis" When for infants. Others respond so that the celebration of the sacrament may be fulfilled toward them; it is valid indeed for their consecration, because they themselves cannot respond for themselves. Or if another responds for one who can respond, it is not equally valid, and he adduces that from the Gospel of John 9, where the parents said before the blind man: "He has age, hear him, or let him speak for himself."