The Spirit Came Down From On High
Hymn 6
Resp.— Blessed be He Who was baptized that He might baptize you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.
1. The Spirit came down from on high—and hallowed the waters by His brooding.—
In the baptism of John,— He passed by the rest and abode on One:— but now He has
descended and abode—on all that are born of the water.
2. Out of all that John baptized—on One it was that the Spirit dwelt:— but now
He has flown and come down—that He may dwell on the many—and as each after each
comes up—He loves him and abides on him.
3. A marvel it is that surpasses all!— To the water He went down and was
baptized.— The seas declared it blessed,— that river wherein You were baptized:—
even the waters that were in heaven envied,— because they were not worthy to be
Your bath.
4. A marvel it is, O my Lord, now also—that while the fountains are full of
water—it is the water of baptism—that alone is able to atone.— Mighty is the
water in the seas—yet is it too weak for atonement.
5. Your might, O my Lord, if it abides—within the humble it exalts him—like as
royalty if it abide— within the desert gives it peace.— Water by Your might has
triumphed— over sin, for Life has encompassed it.
6. The sheep exulted when they saw— the hand draw near to baptize them.—
Receive, O you sheep, your sealing; enter and be mingled in the flock!— for more
than over all the flock—over you rejoice the Watchers today.
7. The Angels and the Watchers rejoice— over that which is born of the Spirit
and of water:— they rejoice that by fire and by the Spirit—the corporeal have
become spiritual.— The Seraphins who sing Holy rejoice—that they who are made
holy have been increased.
8. For lo! The Angels rejoice— over one sinner if he repent:— how much more do
they now rejoice— that in all churches and congregations,— lo! Baptism is
bringing forth— the heavenly from the earthly!
9. The baptized when they come up are sanctified;— the sealed when they go down
are pardoned.— They who come up have put on glory—they who go down have cast off
sin.— Adam put off his glory in a moment—you have been clothed with glory in a
moment.
10. A house that is of dust when it has fallen—by means of water can be
renewed:— the body of Adam that was of dust—which had fallen by water has been
renewed.— Lo! The priests as builders— afresh renew your bodies.
11. A great marvel is this of the wool—that it can take every dye,— as the mind
takes every discourse.— By the name of its dye it is called—as you who were—
baptized when Hearers,— have gained the name of Recipients.
12. The common waters he sanctified— even Elisha through the Name that is
secret.— In them washed the leper openly—and was cleansed by the Power that is
secret:— the leprosy was done away in the water, as transgressions in Baptism.
13. Today, lo! Your offenses are blotted out—and your names are written down.—
The priest blots out in the water—and Christ writes down in Heaven.— By the
blotting out and the writing down— lo! Doubled is your rejoicing.
14. Lo! Mercy has dawned today—and from bound to bound it stretches:— the sun
has sunk and mercy has dawned.— Justice has drawn in her wrath; Grace has spread
forth her love—lo! she pardons and quickens freely.
15. The sheep that beforetime were in the fold— lo! They hasten forth to greet—
the new lambs that have been added to it.— They are white and are clad in
white—within and without white are your bodies as your vestments.
16. From every mouth Blessed are you,— on every side Blessed are you.— Sin from
you is driven out—and the Holy Spirit on you is dwelling.— The Evil One has
become sad of countenance;— the Good God makes glad your countenance.
17. The gift that you have received freely—cease not from watching over it:—
this pearl if it shall be lost— cannot again be sought out—for it is like to
virginity— which if it be lost is not to be found.
18. May you from all defilement— be kept by the power of your white robes!— and
he whose freedom has defiled itself— may it be able to wash itself clean by his
weeping!— For me who am servant of the community— may the supplication of the
community win pardon!
19. To the author who has toiled in words—be reconciliation in rest!— to the
teacher who has toiled with voice—be forgiveness through grace!— to the priest
who has toiled in baptizing—let there come the crown of righteousness!
20. From every mouth with one consent,— of those beneath and those
above—Watchers, Cherubin, and Seraphin,— the baptized, the sealed, and the
hearers—let each of us cry aloud and say—Glory to the Lord of our feasts!
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