Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues.
Thomas HobbesRead
Baptism is the sacrament of allegiance of them that are to be received into the Kingdom of God, that is to say, into Eternal life, that is to say, to Remission of Sin. For as Eternal life was lost by the committing, so it is recovered by the remitting of men's sins.
Interpretation
Baptism symbolizes commitment to God and the forgiveness of sins, leading to eternal life.
In this quote, Thomas Hobbes presents baptism as a sacred pledge for individuals entering the Kingdom of God, which he equates with the promise of eternal life. The quote emphasizes that just as humanity lost eternal life through sin, it can be regained through the act of repentance and the cleansing of sins, highlighting the transformative power of faith and forgiveness.
In practice
In a sermon on the significance of baptism, this quote can be used to illustrate the deeper meaning behind the ritual.
Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues.
For it is not the shape, but their use, that makes them angels.
For to accuse requires less eloquence, such is man's nature, than to excuse; and condemnation, than absolution, more resembles justice.
Scientia potentia est, sed parva; quia scientia egregia rara est, nec proinde apparens nisi paucissimis, et in paucis rebus. Scientiae enim ea natura est, ut esse intelligi non possit, nisi ab illis qui sunt scientia praediti.
The end of knowledge is power ... the scope of all speculation is the performing of some action or thing to be done.
They that approve a private opinion, call it opinion; but they that dislike it, heresy; and yet heresy signifies no more than private opinion.
We need to learn how to capture and kill wild fish humanely - or, if that is not possible, to find less cruel and more sustainable alternatives to eating them.
The sickness of the individual is ultimately caused by and sustained by the sickness of his civilization
When a man takes an oath... he's holding his own self in his own hands. Like water.
Glory paid to our ashes comes too late.
There are no unique postures and times and limitations that restrict our access to God. My relationship with God is intimate and personal. The Christian does not go to the temple to worship. The Christian takes the temple with him or her. Jesus lifts us beyond the building and pays the human body the highest compliment by making it His dwelling place, the place where He meets with us. Even today He would overturn the tables of those who make it a marketplace for their own lust, greed and wealth.
A thought may arise: 'It's okay now, but it's going to be different when I step out the door'. Already you are anticipating your downfall. Recognise these as just thoughts. You can just watch them, feel their pull yet observe them as a movement in consciousness. Stay put as formless awareness.
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