Tertullian · a new plain-English translation from the original language
As for the rest, those whose office it is know that baptism is not to be entrusted carelessly. "Give to everyone who asks you" has its own heading, belonging properly to almsgiving. Rather, this ought to be kept in view instead: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, or cast your pearls before swine," and, "Do not lay hands hastily on anyone, and do not share in others' sins." But if it be objected that Philip baptized the eunuch so readily, let us reconsider: a plain and unmistakable act of the Lord's own favor had intervened there. The Spirit had ordered Philip to head down that particular road; and the eunuch himself was found to be not idle either, nor a man who suddenly took a fancy to be baptized on a whim, but one who had set out to the temple to pray, and was engrossed in the divine scripture; that was how it was meant to go for a man to whom God had of his own accord sent an apostle — whom, again, the Spirit ordered to run and fall in alongside the eunuch's chariot. The scripture met his very faith exactly on time; he is urged, and taken up; the Lord is shown to him; faith wastes no time; the water is not waited for; the apostle, business finished, is snatched away. Paul too, for that matter, was genuinely baptized quickly — for his host Simon had quickly recognized that this man had been appointed a chosen vessel. God's favor sends its own special privileges on ahead; whereas an ordinary petition is just as liable to mislead as to be misled. Hence, depending on each individual's circumstances, temperament, and age too, putting off baptism proves more beneficial — especially, though, in the case of little children. For what need is there, if it is not strictly necessary, for the sponsors too to be thrust into danger, seeing that they themselves may fail to keep their promises by dying, or may be let down by a child growing up with a bad character? The Lord does indeed say, "Do not forbid them to come to me" — well then, let them come while they are growing up, while they are learning, while they are being taught where it is they are coming to; let them turn into Christians once they are capable of having knowledge of Christ. Why should guiltless childhood hurry to the forgiveness of sins? People act more cautiously in worldly matters — so that one to whom earthly property is not entrusted should be entrusted with the divine? Let them learn to ask for salvation, so that you may be seen to have given it to one who asked. For no less a reason should the unmarried also be made to wait — those in whom temptation lies in readiness, in virgins through their ripening maturity, and in widows through their wandering freedom — until either they marry or are strengthened for continence. Those who appreciate the weight of baptism will fear its attainment more than its postponement. An unbroken faith is secure about salvation.