were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and
Lord of the universe, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy
Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said,
"Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of
heaven." Now, that it is impossible for those who have once been
born to enter into their mothers' wombs, is manifest to all. And how
those who have sinned and repent shall escape their sins, is declared
by Esaias the prophet, as I wrote above; he thus speaks: "Wash you,
make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from your souls;
learn to do well; judge the fatherless, and plead for the widow: and
come and let us reason together, saith the Lord. And though your sins
be as scarlet, I will make them white like wool; and though they be as
crimson, I will make them white as snow. But if ye refuse and rebel,
the sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken
it."