Chapter IV.
The Author presents two figures of baptism; one in the iron that floated at the prayer of Elisha, and the other in the fountain which, with wood thrown in, became sweet.
Therefore, our Lord Jesus Christ says in his Gospel to the Apostles: Go, baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). This is the sermon of the Savior.
Tell me, O man! Elijah called down fire from heaven, and fire came down from heaven (1 Kings 18:38). Elisha called upon the name of the Lord, and the iron axe head that had sunk into the water came up (2 Kings 6:6). Behold another kind of baptism. Why? Because every person, before baptism, is pressed down and submerged like iron; but once baptized, they are not like iron, but rather like the lighter form of fruitful wood that is lifted up. Therefore, here is another representation. There was an axe with which the wood was being chopped. The head of the axe fell off, that is, the iron was immersed. The son of the prophet did not know what to do: but he only knew to ask the prophet Elisha and request a remedy. Then he sent the wood, and the iron was lifted up. Do you see, therefore, that on the cross of Christ the weakness of all humanity is lifted up?
Another thing, although we do not maintain the order; for who can comprehend all the works of Christ? Just as the apostles said (John 21:25). When Moses came into the desert and the people sat down, and they came to the fountain of Merrha, and desired to drink water, because when he first drank, he sensed bitterness and could not drink; therefore Moses put wood into the fountain, and the water which was bitter before began to sweeten (Exodus 15:23 et seq.).
What does it mean, if not that every creature is subject to corruption, bitter water is for everyone. Although it is sweet for a time, although it is pleasant for a time; however, it is bitter, as it cannot take away sin. Where you drink, you will be thirsty: where you start to drink, you will feel sweetness, but again bitterness. Therefore, the water is bitter: but where is the cross of Christ, where you receive the heavenly sacrament, it begins to be sweet and pleasant: and rightfully sweet, in which guilt is revoked. Therefore, if the sacraments had such power in their outward form, how much more power does the sacrament have in its truth?