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).