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THE USES OF BAPTISM.
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selves to have been elected in preference to all others, because they have been circumcised; and among Christians, because they have been baptized; when yet both circumcision and baptism were given only for a sign and for a memorial that they should be purified from evils and thus become elect. (T. C. R. 676.)

The first use of baptism is, that one may be named a Christian. The second, following from this, is, that he may know and acknowledge the Lord the Redeemer, Regenerator and Saviour. And the third is, that he may be regenerated by Him. And when this is done, he is redeemed and saved.

Since these three uses follow in order, and join themselves together in the last, and thence in the idea of the angels cohere as one, therefore when baptism is performed, read in the Word and named, the angels who are present do not understand baptism but regeneration.

Therefore by these words of the Lord, Whosoever believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but whosoever believeth not shall be condemned (Mark xvi. 16), is understood by the angels in heaven, that he who acknowledges the Lord and is regenerated is saved. Hence also it is that baptism is called by Christian churches on earth the Laver of Regeneration. (T. C. R. 685.)

No one can come into heaven unless he has received spiritual life by regeneration. No one enters by bap-

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