which are sanctified by the invocation of Thy Holy Spirit, whereby we receive that cleansing which was given us by the Baptism of Thy Christ."

Apostolic by Severus, ii. 291.

Invocation of Holy Spirit.

"How awful is this hour, how fearful this time, beloved, wherein the living and Holy Spirit moveth, and descendeth, and broodeth, and abideth upon the waters, and sanctifieth them, as the streams of Jordan were sanctified."

Ib. ii. 295.

"Thou, Who upon Thy Only-Begotten Son, God the Word, Who made on earth the ordinance of Baptism, sentest Thy Holy Spirit," &c.

Ib. ii. 302.

"O good God, lover of mankind, merciful Lord, abundant in mercy and compassion, Who sanctifiedst by Thy descent the waters of Jordan, and by the coming of Thy Holy Spirit."

Maronite, James of Sarug. ii. 314.

"Thou, Who didst dawn from the Father, and openedst to us Baptism, Thou Most High, Who camest down, and consecratedst water by Thy Baptism.

"In the heaven Thy glory thundereth from the angels, sons of fire; and the sons of men on earth rejoice in the day of Thy Baptism."

Ib. ii. 316.

"What is that which of water beareth servants, who descend therein old men, and become again little children; which remitteth debts, and forgiveth sins; which maketh men sons of God? It is the Baptism of truth; which John preached, and Christ went down and was baptized therein for the forgiveness of the world. Halleluia. Forgive us, O Lord."

Ib. ii. 328, 9.

"Glory to Thee, our Lord, Who becamest our Shepherd, and gatheredst us, wert baptized and cleansedst us. Thy mercies, O our Lord, inclined Thee, Thy goodness constrained Thee, to be clad in our flesh, and baptized by John in Jordan, and sanctify to us this holy Baptism by Thy holy Baptism. Pray we the Lord, Who came from the highest heavens, that He might remit the debt of the sons of Adam by the holy Baptism of the Glorious Deity."

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Ib. ii. 338.

Wholly He abode with Thee, and wholly He came to us. And having no need, and no deficiency, He was baptized in the river Jordan, and sanctified to us this womb of Baptism."

Malabar.
i. 178.

"But the holy first fruits, which he took of our race, He brought to Baptism in the river Jordan by John the preacher; and as in an image, He depicted and showed to us in His holy Baptism, the true Resurrection and renewal which shall in deed be given to us at the end of this world."

i. 188.

"The Friend of the Bridegroom, seeing amid the crowds the Living Lamb coming to

be baptized, exclaimed with awe, 'I have need to be baptized of Thee.' And the crowds with fear gazed on the living mystery of Baptism.”

i. 192.

"Thy Baptism in water sanctified our souls, and announced our resurrection. The spiritual with John stood with great astonishment. He who sanctifies the people with His Baptism, Himself received Baptism from His servant that He might redeem the

human race."

Antioch revised, i. 226. Apostolic by Severus, ii. 286.
Hymn.

"John mingled the waters of Baptism, and Christ sanctified them, and descended, and was baptized in them. When He ascended out of the waters, heaven and earth paid Him reverence. The sun bowed his rays, and worshipped before Him, Who hallowed all streams and fountains. Hallel. Hallel."

Apostolic by James of Edessa, i. 241. 3.
Part of Hymn.

"Then the Bridegroom revealed Himself, and descended to John to the river; the herald feared, and said to the bride, This is He in Whom I bid thee trust.' 'Son of the Father, why should I baptize Thee, Who art in Thy Father, and Thy Father in Thee? Thou givest to priests holy things, and why askest Thou for mere water?'— The sons of Adam look to Me, that by Me they may become new sons. O son of the barren, baptize me; therefore came I into the world.' High Priests are sanctified by Thee, and Priests by Thee obtain pardon; Thou makest Christs and kings; and what should Baptism profit 'Thee? The bride, whom I have betrothed, awaiteth Me, that I should descend, be baptized and sanctify her. Friend of the Bridegroom, excuse not thyself from the appointed bath.' 'I, a poor man, cannot hold fire in my hands. Behold Thy legions are flames of fire; bid one of the watchers that they baptize Thee."

Ib. i. 246.
Part of Hymn.

"I heard the voice of John saying to the Jordan, Cleanse thyself, and wash away the defilement which is in thee, for the Lord of heaven and earth is come to be baptized. Halleluia. And to sanctify all.' Lamb of God, who camest to John, and by Thy Baptism sanctifiedst waters, make Thy peace and Thy repose to dwell in the four quarters of the world, and keep thy Church and her sons, Halleluia, from ill."

"Thou Who by Thy Baptism sanctifiedst Baptism to us, which cleanseth us from all filth of sin, God have mercy on us.

"Thou Who by Thy Baptism rejoicedst heaven and earth, gladden Thy Church, and keep her sons by Thy Cross. God, &c.

"Thou Who by Thy Baptism sanctifiedst Baptism, the mother which beareth new sons for the kingdom. God, &c.

"Thou Whom the Church saw, as Thou wert baptized and ascendest out of the waters, and adored and said, 'Blessed be He who sent Thee.' God, &c.

"Thou Who wert baptized and ascendedst out of the waters, Creator of all creatures,

and the Father spake aloud, 'This is My Beloved Son.' God, &c.

"Thou Who humblest Thyself through Thy love, and wert baptized by the hands of Thy servant, and redeemedst our race from the slavery of sin. God, &c.

"O Church, sing glory this day to the Son of the Kings, Who went down and was baptized of John in Jordan. God, &c.”

Ib. i. 264.

Part of Hymn.

"The Church saw Christ in the river Jordan, and fell down and worshipped Him, and said unto Him, 'Blessed be He Who sent Thee, Heavenly Bridegroom, Who hast clothed us with the robe of glory, which the Spirit wove in Baptism." "

lb. i. 265.
Psalm.

"Glory to Him Who liveth, Who was baptized in Jordan, and clothed us with His glory and sanctified us with His Baptism.

The voice of the Lord, Who was baptized in Jordan; the Lord is on many waters, Who sanctified us by His Baptism.

"Blessed be He, who gave us waters for atonement, through Baptism, sanctifying the penitent."

Hymn.

Antioch and Jerus. ii. 215.

"Good was our Saviour's word which He spake to John, Place thy right hand on My head and baptize Me.' John feared and shrunk back, seeing the river burning with a flame of fire abiding in it, and held back his hand trembling, and cried aloud, 'I have need, O Lord, to be baptized of Thee;' and He said to him, 'Suffer now, and fulfil all righteousness.' Come, place thy hand, and I am baptized. And with the voice of the Father from above, the Holy Spirit descended from on high, Halleluia, and rested on His head.

"Good was the word of John which he spake to Christ, I fear, Lord, to approach to Thee. I am chaff, I dare not hold flame in my hands. If I approach, Lord, I burn. Lo! the waters are still and hushed.' 'Place thy hand upon My head and be still,' Halleluia, ' and I am baptized.'

Jerus. ii. 244, 5.

"The watchers above feared and were amazed, what time the Lord aproached to be baptized of His servant. God have mercy upon us.

The servant said to his Lord: I have need, O our Saviour, to be baptized of Thee, for Thou art He who atonest for sinners. God, &c.

"The Lord said to His servant, Suffer now, O John, for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. God, &c.

"The Creator of all creatures was baptized, and ascended out of the waters, and the Father spake, This is My Son, This is My Beloved. God, &c.

"The Holy Spirit, in the likeness of a dove, flew, lighted upon His head, and the crowds knew the Only-begotten, Whose Son He was. God, &c.

"Blessed be He, Who for His love humbled Himself, and was baptized by the hands of His servant, and redeemed our race, and took it up with Himself to heaven. God, &c. "The highest heavens gave a sound, when our Lord was baptized, and the Seraphim flapped their wings. God, &c.

"Who would not be amazed, seeing vile dust touch fire, and baptize It in the waters of the stream? God, &c.

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Glory to Thee, our Lord, Who wert baptized, and by Thy Baptism redeemedst the Church, and her sons, and freedst it from error. God, &c."

Jerusalem, ii. 247.

"Relate to us, O John, that awful sight, which thou sawest over the waters of Jordan." "I saw the Holy Spirit standing above His head, and the Father proclaiming, This is My Son,' Halleluia." Blessed be He, who consecrated expiating Baptism for the sons of men!

“The awful hosts of the seraphim, who cry Holy to Thy Godhead, wondered at Thy

Baptism, Lord of all, Who for Thy love humblest Thyself to Baptism, and sanctifiedst water to the remission of debts, Halleluia. Glory to Thee, and to Him who sent Thee, Jesus, Saviour of the world!

"The lofty watchers called John blessed, Who so sufficed [to this office.] For the awful lightning was baptized by him. and he put his hand upon the flame, and feared not Its might. Glory be to the Might Which strengthened Him! Halleluia. Blessed be He Who sanctified us by His Baptism, Jesus, Saviour of the world!

"Blessed be He, Who bowed His Majesty, and was baptized by the hands of His servant, and typified to us in His Baptism the mystery of His Death and Resurrection, and made us meet for Baptism, and to be sons of the Father! Halleluia. Blessed be He Who cleansed us by His Baptism, Jesus, Saviour of the world!"

ii. 256.

"The voice of the Lord on the waters, Halleluia. Our Lord approached to John to be baptized of him, and sanctify Baptism for repentant sinners. John saw Him, and thus spake, 'I have need to be baptized of Thee, and Thou the great High Priest, how comest Thou to Baptism?' And He said, 'suffer now, that righteousness may be fulfilled.' Halleluia, Sanctify the baptized.

"Thou gavest gifts to men, Halleluia. The Son of God was washed, and ascended from the waters, and the heavens and heaven of heavens opened to honor Him. The Father spake aloud, This is My Beloved Son, and the Spirit descended, and abode upon His head; and the holy angels, clothed in light, cried aloud, Holy, Holy, Holy, art Thou Lord, receive our supplication.

"The holy Church was invited by John, and adorned with repentance, and stood by Jordan. She heard the Father proclaim, 'This is My Son,' and she saw the Son Baptized by His servant, and the Holy Ghost in the likeness of a dove rest upon His head, and she believed in the Triune mystery, whereby the world stands. Halleluia, forgive us our trespasses."

Apostolic by Severus, ii. 263, 5,

"He, who by His Baptism, sanctified to us Baptism, which cleanseth us from defilement of sins. God have mercy upon us.

"By Thy holy Baptism, by Thy descent into the waters thou turnedst the people from the error of idols. God, &c.

"The Father above spake aloud, and John on the earth proclaims, 'This is the Lamb, this is the living Son of God.' God, &c.

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Thou, Who in the river Jordan wert baptized by John, wash us from the filth of our sins. God, &c.

"To Thee, Lord, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit in the likeness of a dove, flew, lighted, dwelt, abode on Thy head. God, &c.

"Thou art Christ our Lord, Who in the form of one in need, wert baptized for us. Free us, Lord, from the error of idols. God, &c.

"Adam, who was corrupted, He formed anew in the streams of Jordan. (Broken was the head of the cunning dragon, who lay wait in the waters.) He, Who took flesh of the virgin; for glorious is He."

ii. 269-71.

"I heard the voice of John, saying to the Jordan, purify thyself, and wash away the defilement in thee, for the Lord of earth and heaven cometh to be baptized, Halleluia, and to sanctify all.

"The Church laid hold on John amid the crowds, and said to him, 'Thou art the Bridegroom.' And he said to her, 'After me cometh He, and before me is He, and I prepare the way before Him.

"Lamb of God, who camest to John, and sanctifiedst waters by Thy Baptism, make Thy peace and quiet to rest upon the holy Church, and keep her sons by Thy Cross, Halleluia, from harm."

Water and Blood from the Redeemer's side.

The other solemn event, the issuing of water and blood from His sacred side, has more obscurity, as neither being explained in Holy Scripture, nor being visibly connected with any other act. Moderns have contented themselves with finding in it, against the unbeliever, a proof of His actual death. This is very doubtful.* The ancients alleged it as a proof of the reality of His human flesh, against the unbelievers, who denied the truth of His Incarnation.† This is indeed proved by the issuing of the Blood, but does not account for the mention of the water, upon which the beloved disciple dwells, with equal solemnity in his threefold affirmation of its truth, and to which he recurs in his first epistle. The place also which it occupies, at the awful moment, when man's redemption was just accomplished, the very fact that water as well as Blood did issue from His sacred side, (which was probably something preternatural,§) and the solemnity of Scripture in speaking of it, seem to claim further meaning for it; and imply that there was a treasure laid up for the affections of the Church to dwell upon, not simply an evidence against a short-lived race of heretics. One should think that what then took place must be of perpetual importance, a bequest to the Church during her whole existence. And herein the Ancient Church was agreed, however, in the absence of any certain commnet, there may have been variations as to the details. Nor again

*See Dr. Burton, Bampton Lectures, Lect. 6. p. 172, and note 70 and 71, and Ritter de aqua ex Christi Latere profluente. Thes. Theol. Phil. in Critici S.

† Iren. 3. 2. 2. p. 219. 4. 33. (al. 37.) 2. p. 371. Novatian. c. 10. Orig. in Ep. ad Gal. T. iv. p. 691. Athanas. c. Apoll. 1. 18. p. 937. ap. Waterland's Importance of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, Works, 5. p. 191, or Dr. Burton, 1. c. p. 471. Leo Ep. quoted by Ritter, § 56. Testim. de Adv. dom. ap. Greg. Nyss. T. 2. p. 161.

Accordingly Dr. Burton, who supposes this to be the sole object of the narrative, omits, in his application, all notice of it. Ib. p. 173.

Such was the opinion of Hippolytus de 2. latronibus, vol. i. p. 181. Orig. c. Cels. ii. 36. p. 416. Auct. de dupl. Martyr. ap. Cypr. Op. p. cclvii. quoted by Dr. Burton, I. c. note 70, p. 469, 70. add also Ambrose, L. x. in Luc. 135. quoted by Quenstedt de vuln. Christi, ib. iv. 1; see below. Prudentius ap. Basnage, Euthymius, and Theophylact, ad loc. Photii Amphiloch. ad calc. Wolf. Curæ ad Epp. Cath. Auct. Toù Xρiaròs táoxwv ap. Greg. Naz. Elias Cretens. in Comm. Orat. Naz. de Sp. S. quoted by Ritter. The first who questioned the received belief appears here again to have been Calvin, see Ritter, 30. Quenstedt, iv. 1. The Lutherans retained the belief of the ancient Church. Ib. and some even of the Reformed, as Basnage, Annal. A. D. 33. § 126.

S. Chrys. ad loc., I observe, so unites these objects. "The Evangelist, closing the mouths of heretics, and announcing beforehand the future mysteries, and contemplating the treasure laid up therein, relates minutely what took place.":