til after
the contest, nor the reward until after the combat.

--_True Christian Religion, nn._ 667, 721

I. BAPTISM

Baptism was instituted for a sign that a man is of the Church and for
a memorial that he is to be regenerated. For the washing of baptism is
no other than spiritual washing, which is regeneration. All
regeneration is effected by the Lord through truths of faith and a
life according to them. Baptism, therefore, testifies that a man is of
the Church and that he can be regenerated; for it is in the Church
that the Lord is acknowledged, Who regenerates man, and there the Word
is, where are truths of faith, by which is regeneration.

--_Heavenly Doctrine, nn._ 202, 203

The sign of the cross which a child receives on the forehead and
breast at baptism is a sign of inauguration into the acknowledgment
and worship of the Lord.

--_True Christian Religion, n._ 682

II. THE HOLY SUPPER

The Holy Supper was instituted that by means of it there might be
conjunction of the Church with heaven, and thus with the Lord. When
one takes the bread, which is the Body, one is conjoined with the Lord
by the good of love to Him, from Him; and when one takes the wine,
which is the Blood, one is conjoined to the Lord by the good of faith
in Him, from Him.

--_Heavenly Doctrine, nn._ 210, 213

In the Holy Supper the Lord is fully present, both as to His glorified
Humanity, and as to the Divine. And because He is fully present,
therefore the whole of His redemption is; for where the Lord the
Redeemer is, there redemption is. Therefore all who observe the Holy
Communion worthily, become His redeemed, and receives the fruits of
redemption, namely, liberation from hell, union with the Lord, and
salvation.

--_True Christian Religion, nn._ 716, 717

THE RESPONSIBLE LIFE IN THE WORLD

"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me."

--_Matthew_, XI, 29

There are those who believe that it is difficult to live the life
which leads to heaven, which is called the spiritual life, because
they have heard that one must renounce the world, must divest himself
of the lusts called the lusts of the body and the flesh, and must live
spiritually. They take this to mean that they must cast away worldly
things, which are especially riches and honors; that they must go
continually in pious meditation on God, salvation, and eternal life;
and must spend their life in prayers and in reading the Word and