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Translated by Ch. Browne and J. Swallow.
Gregory Theologian Bilingual Anthology, Resources Online and in Print
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15 Pages
Page 13
XVII. Now, since our Festival is of Baptism, and we must endure a little hardness with Him Who for our sake took form, and was baptized, and was crucified; let us speak about the different kinds of Baptism, that we may come out thence purified. Moses baptized [3988] but it was in water, and before that in the cloud and in the sea. [3989] This was typical as Paul saith; the Sea of the water, and the Cloud of the Spirit; the Manna, of the Bread of Life; the Drink, of the Divine Drink. John also baptized; but this was not like the baptism of the Jews, for it was not only in water, but also "unto repentance." Still it was not wholly spiritual, for he does not add "And in the Spirit." Jesus also baptized, but in the Spirit. This is the perfect Baptism. And how is He not God, if I may digress a little, by whom you too are made God? I know also a Fourth Baptism—that by Martyrdom and blood, which also Christ himself underwent:—and this one is far more august than all the others, inasmuch as it cannot be defiled by after-stains. Yes, and I know of a Fifth also, which is that of tears, and is much more laborious, received by him who washes his bed every night and his couch with tears; [3990] whose bruises stink through his wickedness; [3991] and who goeth mourning and of a sad countenance; who imitates the repentance of Manasseh [3992] and the humiliation of the Ninevites [3993] upon which God had mercy; who utters the words of the Publican in the Temple, and is justified rather than the stiff-necked Pharisee; [3994] who like the Canaanite woman bends down and asks for mercy and crumbs, the food of a dog that is very hungry. [3995]
[3988] Lev. xi.
[3989] 1 Cor. x. 2.
[3990] Ps. vi. 6.
[3991] Ib. xxxviii. 5.
[3992] 2 Chron. xxxviii. 12.
[3993] Jon. iii. 7-10.
[3994] Luke xviii. 13.
[3995] Matt. xv. 27.
Reference address : https://www.elpenor.org/gregory-nazianzen/holy-lights.asp?pg=13
