Demonstrations · Part 43

4. They clothed themselves with leaves of necessity;--but the Merciful had pity on their beauty,--and instead of leaves of trees,--He clothed them with glory in the water.--Blessed be He that has mercy on all!

5. Baptism is the well-spring of life,--which the Son of God opened by His Life;--and from His Side it has brought forth streams.--Come, all that thirst, come, rejoice!--Blessed be He that has mercy on all!

6. The Father has sealed Baptism, to exalt it;--and the Son has espoused it to glorify it;--and the Spirit with threefold seal--has stamped it, and it has shone in holiness.--Blessed be He that has mercy on all!

7. The Trinity that is unsearchable--has laid up treasures in baptism.--Descend, ye poor, to its fountain!--and be enriched from it, ye needy!--Blessed be He that has mercy on all!

Hymn XIII.

Hymn of the Baptized.

(Resp.--Brethren, sing praises, to the Son of the Lord of all; Who has bound for you crowns, such as kings long for!)

1. Your garments glisten, my brethren, as snow;--and fair is your shining in the likeness of Angels!

2. In the likeness of Angels, ye have come up, beloved,--from Jordan's river, in the armour of the Holy Ghost.

3. The bridal chamber that fails not, my brethren, ye have received:--and the glory of Adam's house to-day ye have put on.

4. The judgment that came of the fruit, was Adam's condemnation:--but for you victory, has arisen this day.

5. Your vesture is shining, and goodly your crowns:--which the Firstborn has bound for you, by the priest's hand this day.

6. Woe in Paradise, did Adam receive:--but you have received, glory this day.

7. The armour of victory, ye put on, my beloved:--in the hour when the priest, invoked the Holy Ghost.

8. The Angels rejoice, men here below exult:--in your feast, my brethren, wherein is no foulness.

9. The good things of Heaven, my brethren, ye have received:--beware of the Evil One, lest he despoil you.

10. The day when He dawned, the Heavenly King:--opens for you His door, and bids you enter Eden.

11. Crowns that fade not away, are set on your heads:--hymns of praise hourly, let your mouths sing.

12. Adam by means of the fruit, God cast forth in sorrow:--but you He makes glad, in the bride-chamber of joy.

13. Who would not rejoice, in your bridechamber, my brethren?--for the Father with His Son, and the Spirit rejoice in you.

14. Unto you shall the Father, be a wall of strength:--and the Son a Redeemer, and the Spirit a guard.

15. Martyrs by their blood, glorify their crowns:--but you our Redeemer, by His Blood glorifies.

16. Watchers and Angels, joy over the repentant:--they shall joy over you my brethren, that unto them ye are made like.

17. The fruit which Adam, tasted not in Paradise:--this day in your mouths, has been placed with joy.

18. Our Redeemer figured, His Body by the tree:--whereof Adam tasted not, because he had sinned.

19. The Evil One made war, and subdued Adam's house:--through your baptism, my brethren, lo! he is subdued this day.

20. Great is the victory, but to-day you have won:--if so be ye neglect not, you shall not perish, my brethren.

21. Glory to them that are robed, glory to Adam's house!--in the birth that is from the water, let them rejoice and be blessed!

22. Praise to Him Who has robed, His Churches in glory!--glory to Him Who has magnified, the race of Adam's house.

Hymn XIV.

Hymn concerning our Lord and John.

(Resp.--Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Thee--with joy Heaven and earth worship!)

1. My thought bore me to Jordan,--and I saw a marvel when there was revealed--the glorious Bridegroom who to the Bride--shall bring freedom and holiness.

2. I saw John filled with wonder,--and the multitudes standing about him,--and the glorious Bridegroom bowed down--to the Son of the barren that he might baptize Him.

3. At the Word and the Voice my thought marvelled:--for lo! John was the Voice;--our Lord was manifested as the Word, that what was hidden should become revealed.

4. The Bride was espoused but knew not--who was the Bridegroom on whom she gazed:--the guests were assembled, the desert was filled,--and our Lord was hidden among them.

5. Then the Bridegroom revealed Himself;--and to John at the voice He drew near:--and the Forerunner was moved and said of Him--"This is the Bridegroom Whom I proclaimed."

6. He came to baptism Who baptizes all,--and He showed Himself at Jordan.--John saw Him and drew back,--deprecating, and thus he spake:--

7. "How, my Lord, willest Thou to be baptized,--Thou Who in Thy baptism atonest all?--Baptism looks unto Thee;--shed Thou on it holiness and perfection?"

8. Our Lord said "I will it so;--draw near, baptize Me that My Will may be done.--Resist My Will thou canst not:--I shall be baptized of thee, for thus I will it."