As their works are
accessible to comparatively few of our readers, we will annex a
quotation from several of them, at the same time abbreviating them as
much as is consistent with perspicuity. Thus, Dr. Hunnius, professor at
Wittenberg, and subsequently Superintendent at Luebeck, [Note 6] in his
Epitome Credendorum, says:--"The sacrament of baptism is a spiritual
action, instituted and ordained by Christ, by the performance of which a
man is baptised with water, in the name of the Father, and the Son and
the Holy Ghost; and by means of which he receives _forgiveness of sins_,
is received into God's covenant of mercy, and is made partaker of the
merits of Christ, of _adoption_ and of _eternal salvation_." [Note 7]
Again, "Baptism is not a sign of regeneration, that is to take place
some time after baptism had been administered to him. For as _baptism
causes regeneration_, it cannot be said to signify the same," &c. [Note
8] And again, "Nevertheless, we have seen it to be the will of God, that
they (children) should enter the kingdom of heaven, and it therefore
becomes indispensably necessary for them to be regenerated. But this
_regeneration is brought about by no other means than by baptism_, which
we know to be the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy
Ghost," &c. [Note 9] The celebrated _Dr. Gerhard_ says, "The holy
Trinity is present with his grace (in baptism).
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