Gerhard and Walther

Baptism is that spiritual flood in which our sinful flesh is drowned; the foul raven, the devil departs, not to return, but the dove, the Holy Spirit, returns with the olive leaf, that is, with peace and quietness, to the weary soul. Call to mind, therefore, O faithful soul, this wonderful peace offered to thee in baptism, and for it give due thanks to God.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XVII

Those who perish, then, do so only because they refuse to receive the free gift of salvation.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 823.