first.' For baptism burieth in the water and completely blotteth
out the hand-writing of all former sins, and is to us for the
future a sure fortress and tower of defence, and a strong weapon
against the marshalled host of the enemy; but it taketh not away
free will, nor alloweth the forgiving of sins after baptism, or
immersion in the font a second time. For it is one baptism that
we confess, and need is that we keep ourselves with all
watchfulness that so we fall not into defilement a second time,
but hold fast to the commandments of the Lord. For when he said
to the Apostles, `Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost,' he did not stop there, but added, `teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.'

"Now he commanded men to be poor in spirit, and such he calleth
blessed and worthy of the kingdom of heaven. Again he chargeth
us to mourn in the present life, that we may obtain comfort
hereafter, and to be meek, and to be ever hungering and thirsting
after righteousness: to be merciful, and ready to distribute,
pitiful and compassionate, pure in heart, abstaining from all
defilement of flesh and spirit, peacemakers with our neighbours
and with our own souls, by bringing the worse into subjection to
the better, and thus by a just decision making peace in that
continual warfare betwixt the twain; also to endure all
persecution and tribulation and reviling, inflicted upon us for
righteousness' sake in defence of his name, that we may obtain
everlasting felicity in the glorious distribution of his rewards.
Ay, and in this world he exhorteth us to let our `light so shine
before men, that they may see,' he saith, `your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.'