O John, Who Saw The Spirit
Hymn 9
Resp., Blessed is He Who came down, and sanctified water for the remission of the sins of the children of Adam!
1. O John, who saw the Spirit—that abode on the head of the Son—to show how
the Head of the Highest— went down and was baptized— and came up to be Head on
earth!— Children of the Spirit you have thus become—and Christ has become for
you the Head:— you also have become His members.
2. Consider and see how exalted you are—how instead of the river Jordan— you
have glorious Baptism, wherein is peace—spreading her wings to shade your
bodies.— In the wilderness John baptized:— in Her pure flood of Baptism,— purely
are you baptized therein.
3. Infants think when they see its glory—that by its pomp its might is
enhanced.— But it is the same, and within itself— is not divided.— But the might
which never waxes less or greater— in us is little or again great—and he in whom
is great understanding—great in him is Baptism.
4. A man's knowledge, if it be exalted—exalted also is his degree above his
brethren;— and he whose faith is great— so also is his promise—and as is his
wisdom, so also his crowning.— As is the light, which though it be all goodly—
and equal all of it with itself— yet goodlier is one eye than another.
5. Jesus mingled His might in the water:— put Him on my brethren as discerning
men!— For there are that in the water merely— perceive that they are washed.
With our body be our soul washed!— The manifest water let the body perceive—and
the soul the secret might—that both to the manifest and to the secret you may be
made like!
6. How beautiful is Baptism— in the eye of the heart; come, let us gaze on it!—
Like as by a seal you have been moulded;— receive its image—that nought may be
lacking to us of our image!— For the sheep that are white of heart— gaze on the
glory that is in the water:— in your souls reflect it!
7. Water is by nature as a mirror—for one who in it examines himself.— Stir up
your soul, you that discern — and be like it!— For it in its midst reflects your
image—from it, on it, find an example—gaze in it on Baptism—and put on the
beauty that is hidden therein!
8. What profits it him that hears— a voice and knows not its significance?—
Whoso hears a voice and is devoid— of the understanding thereof—his ear is
filled but his soul is empty.— Lo! since the gift is abundant—with discernment
receive it.
9. Baptism that is with understanding— is the conjunction of two lights—and rich
are the fountains of its rays.— ......— And the darkness that is on the mind
departs—and the soul beholds Him in beauty—the hidden Christ of glory—and
grieves when the glory fails.
10. Baptism without understanding— is a treasure full yet empty—since he that
receives it is poor in it—for he understands not— how great are its riches into
which he enters and dwells.— For great is the gift within it—though the mean man
perceives not— that he is exalted even as it.
11. Open wide your minds and see, my brethren,— the secret column in the air,
whose base is fixed from the midst of the water— unto the door of the Highest
Place, like the ladder that Jacob saw.— Lo! By it came down the light unto
Baptism,— and by it the soul goes up to Heaven—that in one love we may be
mingled.
12. Our Lord when he was baptized by John— sent forth twelve fountains—and they
issued forth and cleansed by their streams— the defilement of the peoples.— His
worshippers are made white like His garments—the garments in Tabor and the body
in the water.— Instead of the garments the peoples are made white—and have
become for Him a clothing of glory.
13. From your garments learn, my brethren,— how your members should be kept.—
For if the garment, which ever so many times— may be made clean—is duly kept for
the sake of its comeliness—the body which has but one baptism— manifold more
exceeding is the care of its keeping—for manifold are its dangers.
14. Again the sun in a house that is strait—is straitened therein though he be
great:— but in a house that is goodly and large—when he rises thereon— far and
wide in it he spreads his rays—and though the sun is one and the same in his
nature,— in various houses he undergoes changes:— Even so our Lord in various
men.
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