Two texts more remain to be considered in relation to our subject. The first is found in that passage in the iiird Chapter of St. Paul’s Epistle to Titus, from the 4th to the 7th verse. “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” The word here translated “washing” signifies also _a laver_, or vessel for washing: but the translation is undoubtedly correct, and _ablution_ or _the act of washing_, is intended. This word only occurs here and in Ephes. v. 26., which we have already considered; where it must be translated (as it is) “_washing_:”—“the washing of water by the word.” That regeneration washes or cleanses the soul from the filthiness of sin, is all that can be proved by this passage. The washing is by the regeneration, and not the regeneration by the washing. There _may be_ an allusion to the Christian Sacrament of baptism; but it is not at all necessary to the understanding of the Apostle’s words. _St. Paul is here describing what God does when He saves any_. He sheds on them abundantly the Holy Ghost through Jesus Christ the Saviour, and this Holy Ghost regenerates, and washes and renews; and, in connection with this, God justifies the subjects of this change by His grace, and so makes them heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The regeneration and the renewal are not two distinct things; but the latter is the declaration of the former;—the transforming of the soul into the divine image, consequent upon and in necessary connection with its regeneration. But does this text prove, that all who are washed by the water of baptism partake of regeneration? Then it also proves, that all baptized persons are saved, and that they are renewed by the Holy Ghost, and that the Holy Ghost is shed on them abundantly, and that they are justified by God’s grace, and that they are heirs of eternal life! It is impossible, without doing violence to God’s word, to rend the blessings, here spoken of, asunder. They are links in one and the same golden chain, both the ends of which are in Heaven;—beginning with “the love of God” and terminating with “eternal life.” And are these things true in the case of _all who are baptized_? If this were taught in the Scripture, what then might the infidel say of it? He might then say, that Scripture and matter of fact directly contradict each other. Or it would follow, that regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost and justification and salvation, are terms which mean nothing, because the things they profess to represent have no practical influence upon the lives of men! We must, then, take the passage altogether, or not touch it at all.