The Largely Catechized Life

“But if anyone fall away from it, let him again come into it. For just as Christ, the Mercy-seat, does not recede from us or forbid us to come to Him again, even though we sin, so all His [...]

“For if we would be Christians, we must practice the work whereby we are Christians”

We say “I am baptized” because the past action carries forward as a present help.

Therefore our Baptism abides forever; and even though some one should fall from it and sin, nevertheless we always have access thereto, that we may again subdue the old man. But we need not again [...]

And here you see that Baptism, both in its power and signification, comprehends also the third Sacrament, which has been called repentance, as it is really nothing else than Baptism. For what [...]

Baptism unites you with God. Clearly, it isn’t a license to do the things which pull you away from Him.

“Therefore the old man goes unrestrained in his nature if he is not checked and suppressed by the power of Baptism. On the other hand, where men have become Christians, he daily decreases until [...]

“Lastly, we must also know what Baptism signifies, and why God has ordained just such external sign and ceremony for the Sacrament by which we are first received into the Christian Church. [...]

“But these people, the fanatics, are so blinded that they do not see the Word and command of God, and regard Baptism and the magistrates only as they regard water in the brook or in pots, [...]

“The saying is: abuse does not destroy the essence, but confirms it. For gold is not the less gold though a harlot wear it in sin and shame.”