54 THE TREATISES OF CYPRIAN. strengthenedto allendurance of suffering.Let us only who, by the Lord's permission,have given the firstbaptism to believers,alsoprepare each one for the second; urging and teachingthat thisisa baptism greaterin grace,more lofty in power,more preciousin honour— a baptismwhereinangels baptize— a baptism in which God and His Christ exult— a baptism afterwhich no one sinsany more— a baptism which completes the increaseof our faith— a baptism which, as we withdraw from the world,immediatelyassociatesus with God. In the baptism of water is receivedthe remission of sins,in the baptismof blood the crown of virtues. This thing isto be embraced and desired,and to be asked forin all the entreaties,of our petitions,that we who are God's servantsshouldbe alsoHis friends. HEADS OF THE FOLLOWING BOOK. 1. Therefore,in exhorting and preparing our brethren, and in arming them with firmnessof virtueand faithfor the heraldingforthof the confessionof the Lord, and for the battleof persecutionand suffering,we must declare,in the firstplace,that the idolswhich man makes for himself are not gods. For thingswhich are made are not greater than theirmaker and fashioner;nor can thosethingsprotect and preserveanybody, which themselvesperishout of their temples,unlessthey are preservedby man. But neitherare thoseelementsto be worshipped1 which serveman according to the dispositionand ordinanceof God. 2. The idolsbeing destroyed,and the truth concerning the elements being manifested,we must show thatGod only isto be worshipped. 3. Then we must add,what is God's threateningagainst thosewho sacrificeto idols. 4. Besides,we must teachthatGod doesnot easilypardon idolaters. 5. And that God isso angry with idolatry,that He has even commanded those to be slainwho persuade others to sacrificeand serveidols. 1 The Oxfordeditionhereadds," intheplaceofgods."