15. Make ready then the vessel of thy soul,
that thou mayest become a son of God, and an heir of God, and
joint-heir with Christ Rom. viii. 17.; if, indeed, thou art
preparing thyself that thou mayest receive; if thou art drawing nigh in
faith that thou mayest be made faithful; if of set purpose thou art
putting off the old man. For all things whatsoever thou hast done
shall be forgiven thee, whether it be fornication, or adultery, or any
other such form of licentiousness. What can be a greater sin than
to crucify Christ? Yet even of this Baptism can purify. For
so spake Peter to the three thousand who came to him, to those who had
crucified the Lord, when they asked him, saying, Men and brethren,
what shall we do Acts ii. 37.? For the wound
is great. Thou hast made us think of our fall, O Peter, by
saying, Ye killed the Prince of Life Ib. iii.
15.. What salve is there for so great a
wound? What cleansing for such foulness? What is the
salvation for such perdition? Repent, saith he, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost Ib. ii.
58.. O unspeakable
loving-kindness of God! They have no hope of being saved, and yet
they are thought worthy of the Holy Ghost. Thou seest the power
of Baptism! If any of you has crucified the Christ by blasphemous
words; if any of you in ignorance has denied Him before men; if any by
wicked works has caused the doctrine to be blasphemed; let him repent
and be of good hope, for the same grace is present even now.