that when thou deservedst perdition, but obtainedst salvation and honour, as if thou hadst done excellently,—how couldst thou be baptized again? In two ways then he shows the thing to be impossible, and places the strongest last. First, that one upon whom so great things had been bestowed, and who treacherously abandoned what had been given him, is unworthy of being again renewed: secondly, that it is not possible that He should again be crucified: for this would be to put Him to an open shame. There is then no second Baptism, none. But if there is, there is a third also, and a fourth; and the former Baptism is annulled by each successive one, and so on to infinity. And when he says, 'and having tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,' he does not conceal this, (that there is no second Baptism) but almost expressly says it. For to live as Angels,—to stand in need of none of these earthly things,—to know that our adoption guaranteeth to us the enjoyment of future ages—to look to enter into that unapproachable sanctuary—this we learn (then) from the Spirit. But what are 'the powers of the world to come'? Life eternal, or an existence like the Angels: of these things we received the earnest through faith from the Spirit. Tell me then, hadst thou been brought into the royal palace, entrusted with all things therein, and then betrayed all, wouldst thou again be entrusted with them?"
"What then?" he asks, "is there according to the Apostle, no repentance? There is repentance, but there is no second Baptism." And he then describes the repentance whereby Christ might again be formed in us, a repentance,—far different from the easy notions of many in modern times,—through condemnation of sin, confession, deep and abiding and abased humility, intense prayer, many tears by night and day, much almsgiving, abandonment of all anger, universal forgiveness, bearing all things meekly"—so that, beyond the ordinary Christian graces, he seems to think that one who after falling from Baptismal grace, should ever be restored, should not look upon himself as in the rank of those who had kept the white robe of Baptism undefiled, but should live continually the life of
