{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/213/2130253.htm","path":"chr/ecf/213/2130253.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/213/2130253.htm","text":"(Resp.\u2014Blessed be He Who was baptized that He might baptize you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.)\n1. The Spirit came down from on high,\u2014and hallowed the waters by His brooding.\u2014In the baptism of John,\u2014He passed by the rest and abode on One:\u2014but now He has descended and abode,\u2014on all that are born of the water.\n2. Out of all that John baptized,\u2014on One it was that the Spirit dwelt:\u2014but now He has flown and come down,\u2014that He may dwell on the many;\u2014and as each after each comes up,\u2014He loves him and abides on him.\n3. A marvel it is that surpasses all!\u2014To the water He went down and was baptized.\u2014The seas declared it blessed,\u2014that river wherein Thou wast baptized:\u2014even the waters that were in heaven envied,\u2014because they were not worthy to be Thy bath.\n4. A marvel it is, O my Lord, now also,\u2014that while the fountains are full of water,\u2014it is the water of baptism,\u2014that alone is able to atone.\u2014Mighty is the water in the seas,\u2014yet is it too weak for atonement.\n5. Thy might, O my Lord, if it abides,\u2014within the humble it exalts him;\u2014like as royalty if it abide\u2014within the desert gives it peace.\u2014Water by Thy might has triumphed\u2014over sin, for Life has encompassed it.\n6. The sheep exulted when they saw\u2014the hand draw nigh to baptize them.\u2014Receive, O ye sheep, your sealing; enter and be mingled in the flock!\u2014for more than over all the flock,\u2014over you rejoice the Watchers to-day.\n7. The Angels and the Watchers rejoice\u2014over that which is born of the Spirit and of water:\u2014they rejoice that by fire and by the Spirit,\u2014the corporeal have become spiritual.\u2014The Seraphins who sing \u201cHoly\u201d rejoice,\u2014that they who are made holy have been increased.\n8. For lo! the Angels rejoice\u2014over one sinner if he repent:\u2014how much more do they now rejoice\u2014that in all churches and congregations,\u2014lo! Baptism is bringing forth\u2014the heavenly from the earthly!\n9. The baptized when they come up are sanctified;\u2014the sealed when they go down are pardoned.\u2014They who come up have put on glory;\u2014they who go down p. 274 have cast off sin.\u2014Adam put off his glory in a moment;\u2014ye have been clothed with glory in a moment.\n10. A house that is of dust when it has fallen,\u2014by means of water can be renewed:\u2014the body of Adam that was of dust,\u2014which had fallen by water has been renewed.\u2014Lo! the priests as builders\u2014afresh renew your bodies.\n11. A great marvel is this of the wool,\u2014that it can take every dye,\u2014as the mind takes every discourse.\u2014By the name of its dye it is called;\u2014as ye who were\u2014baptized when \u201cHearers,\u201d\u2014have gained the name of \u201cRecipients.\u201d\n12. The common waters he sanctified\u2014even Elisha through the Name that is secret.\u2014In them washed the leper openly,\u2014and was cleansed by the Power that is secret:\u2014the leprosy was done away in the water, as transgressions in Baptism.\n13. To-day, lo! your offences are blotted out,\u2014and your names are written down.\u2014The priest blots out in the water;\u2014and Christ writes down in Heaven.\u2014By the blotting out and the writing down\u2014lo! doubled is your rejoicing.\n14. Lo! mercy has dawned to-day;\u2014and from bound to bound it stretches:\u2014the sun has sunk and mercy has dawned.\u2014Justice has drawn in her wrath; Grace has spread forth her love,\u2014lo! she pardons and quickens freely.\n15. The sheep that beforetime were in the fold\u2014lo! they hasten forth to greet\u2014the new lambs that have been added to it.\u2014They are white and are clad in white;\u2014within and without white are your bodies as your vestments.\n16. From every mouth \u201cBlessed are ye,\u201d\u2014on every side \u201cBlessed are ye.\u201d\u2014Sin from you is driven out,\u2014and the Holy Spirit on you is dwelling.\u2014The Evil One is become sad of countenance;\u2014the Good God makes glad your countenance.\n17. The gift that ye have received freely,\u2014cease not from watching over it:\u2014this pearl if it shall be lost\u2014cannot again be sought out,\u2014for it is like to virginity\u2014which if it be lost is not to be found.\n18. May ye from all defilement\u2014be kept by the power of your white robes!\u2014and he whose freedom has defiled itself\u2014may it be able to wash itself clean by his weeping!\u2014For me who am servant of the community\u2014may the supplication of the community win pardon!\n19. To the author who has toiled in words,\u2014be reconciliation in rest!\u2014to the teacher who has toiled with voice,\u2014be forgiveness through grace!\u2014to the priest who has toiled in baptizing,\u2014let there come the crown of righteousness!\n20. From every mouth with one consent,\u2014of those beneath and those above,\u2014Watchers, Cherubin, and Seraphin,\u2014the baptized, the sealed, and the hearers,\u2014let each of us cry aloud and say,\u2014\u201cGlory to the Lord of our feasts!\u201d","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Ser. II, Vol. XIII: Selections from the Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian and from the Demonstrations of Aphrahat the Persian Sage.: Hymn VI.","type":"page"}