Chapter VI.
The figure of baptism is shown to have preceded the individual parts by the arrangement of the Red Sea. The same is also shown in the flood, with fewer words: after the completion of the first speech, the following is promised.
But the Apostle says that the figure of this baptism appeared in the Red Sea, saying: Because our fathers were all baptized in the cloud and in the sea (I Cor. X, 1, 2). And he added: But all these things happened in figure to them (Ibid., 6): to them in figure, but to us in reality. At that time, Moses held his rod, the people of the Jews were enclosed; the Egyptians were approaching with weapons on one side, and on the other side the Hebrews were closed off by the sea; they could neither cross the sea, nor turn back against the enemy: they began to murmur (Exod. XIV, 21 et seq.).
See, do not let yourself be provoked because they have been heard. Even though the Lord has heard, nevertheless those who complained are not without blame. It is up to you where you are confined, to believe that you will escape, not to complain; to invoke, to pray, not to express complaint.
Moses held a staff and led the people of the Hebrews at night with a pillar of light and during the day with a pillar of cloud. What is light but truth; for it pours forth clear and full illumination? What is the pillar of light but Christ the Lord, who dispelled the darkness of unbelief and infused the light of truth and spiritual grace into human hearts? But the pillar of cloud is indeed the Holy Spirit. The people were in the sea, and the pillar of light went before them; then the pillar of cloud followed, like the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. You see that he demonstrated through the Holy Spirit and through water the symbol of baptism.
In the flood also there was already the figure of baptism, and certainly at that time there were not yet the mysteries of the Jews. Therefore, if the form of this baptism preceded, you see the higher mysteries of the Christians, how much more so the Jews were.
But for now, according to the weakness of our voice and the measure of time, it is enough today to have even tasted the sacred fountain of mysteries. Tomorrow, if the Lord grants me the ability or opportunity to speak, I will disclose more fully. It is necessary that your holiness have attentive ears, a ready mind, so that you may be able to retain what we are able to gather from the series of Scriptures and communicate to you, so that you may have the grace of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. To whom belongs the eternal kingdom, now and forever, and unto all ages of ages.
Book Two