Chapter I.
According to the old law of the Tabernacle and the customs that were observed there, the baptismal font and the effects of baptism are adapted.
In the old Testament, the priests used to enter frequently into the first tabernacle: the high priest entered the second tabernacle once a year (Lev. XVI, 2 et seq.). The apostle Paul explains this clearly, recalling the series of the old Testament to the Hebrews (Heb. IX, 1 et seq.). In the second tabernacle, there was manna, there was also Aaron's rod that blossomed, and there was incense.
To what does this refer? So that you may understand what is according to the tabernacle, into which the priest has led you, into which the high priest used to enter once a year, that is, to the baptistery, where Aaron's rod blossomed (Num. XVII, 8). Before it was dry, afterwards it blossomed again: and you were dry, and you began to flourish in the irrigating fountain. You had withered by sins, you had withered by errors and offenses: but you have now begun to bear fruit, planted beside the streams of waters.
But perhaps you would say: What does this have to do with the people, if the rod of the priest had blossomed and flourished? The people themselves are none other than the priestly. To whom it was said: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, as the apostle Peter says (1 Peter 2:9). Each one is anointed into the priesthood, and is also anointed into the kingdom: but it is a spiritual kingdom, and a spiritual priesthood.
In the second tabernacle also there is a thurible (Heb. IX, 4), which is accustomed to emit a good fragrance; so too you now are a good odor of Christ, now no longer is there in you the lot of sins, no longer the scent of weighty error.