Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/525

 said, "Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven;" and that it is impossible that those who are once born should again enter into their mothers' wombs is evident to all. Moreover, it is declared by the prophet Isaiah, in what manner they who have sinned and repent may escape the punishment of their sins. For it is said, "Wash you; make you clean; put away the evil from your souls; learn to do well; do justice to the fatherless, and avenge the widow: and come, and let us reason together, saith the . Even if your sins should be as scarlet, I will make them white as wool: and if they should be as crimson, I will make them white as snow. But if ye will not hearken unto Me, the sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the hath spoken these things."

The Apostles have also taught us for what reason this new birth is necessary. Since at our first birth we were born without our knowledge or consent, by the ordinary natural means, and were brought up in evil habits and evil instructions, in order that we may not longer remain the children of necessity or of ignorance, but may become the children of choice and judgment, and may obtain in the water remission of the sins which we have before committed, the name of the  and  of the Universe is pronounced over him who is willing to be born again, and hath repented of his sins; he who leads him to be washed in the laver of baptism, saying this only over him:—for no one can give a name to the ineffable ; and if any man should dare to assert that there is such a name, he is afflicted with utter madness. And this washing is called illumination, since the minds of those who are thus instructed are illuminated. And he who is so illuminated is baptized also in the name of, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate; and in the name of the , who by the prophets foretold all things concerning.

We, then, after having so washed him who hath expressed his conviction and professes the faith, lead him to the brethren, where they are gathered together, to make common prayers with great earnestness, both for themselves and for him who is now illuminated, and for all others in all places, that having learned the truth, we may be deemed worthy to be found men of godly