14. Lo! mercy has dawned to-day;-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 ye,"-on every side "Blessed are ye."-Sin from you is driven out,-and the Holy Spirit on you is dwelling.-The Evil One is become sad of countenance;-the Good God makes glad your countenance.
17. The gift that ye 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 ye 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!"
VII.
(Resp.- Blessed is He Who atoned your sins, that ye might receive His Body worthily! )
1. The flock of Jacob came down-and stood round the well of water.-In the water they put on the similitude of the wood that was covered by it .-Mysteries these and types of the Cross,-wherein the parables are interpreted.
2. There are shown in these rods similitudes,-and in the sheep, parables.-The Cross in the rods is figured, and in the sheep the souls of men .-His wood was a mystery of our Wood;-likewise his sheep a mystery of our flock.
3. The sheep of Christ rejoice,-and stand round the layer of baptism;-in the water they put on the likeness-of the living and goodly Cross-whereon gaze all things created,-and all of it is stamped on them all.
4. At the well Rebecca received-in her ears and hands the jewels.-The Spouse of Christ has put on-precious things that are from the water:-on her hand the living Body,-and in her ears the promises.
5. Moses drew water and watered the sheep-of Jethro the priest of sin.-But our Shepherd has baptized His sheep-Who is the high priest of truth.-At the well the flocks were dumb,-but here the sheep have speech.
6. The People passed through the water and were baptized:-the People came up on dry land and became as heathen.-The Commandment was savourless in their ears;-the manna corrupted in their vessels.-Eat ye the living Body,-the medicine of life that gives life to all!
7. To the sons of Lot Moses said,-" Give us water for money,-let us only pass by through your border."-They refused the way, and the temporal water.-Lo! the living water freely given ,-and the path that leads to Eden!
8. From the water Gideon chose for himself-the men who were victorious in the battle.-Ye have gone down to the victorious waters:-come ye up and triumph in the fight!-receive from the water atonement,-and from the fight the crowning!
9. Ye baptized, receive your lamps,-like the lamps of the house of Gideon;-conquer the darkness by your lamps,-and the silence by your hosannas!-Gideon likewise in the battle-triumphed by the shout and the flame.
10. David the King longed after-the water of the well, and they brought it him;-but he drank it not, for he saw that with blood of men it was bought.-In the midst of the water ye have revelled-that was bought with the blood of God.
11. Out of Edom the prophet saw-God coming as one that presses the grapes .-He made ready the winepress of wrath,-He trod down the peoples and delivered the People.-He has turned and ordained Baptism;-the peoples live, the People is come to nought.
12. In the river Jeremiah buried-the linen girdle that was marred;-and [the People] waxed old and decayed.-...-The peoples that were decayed and marred,-by the waters have been clad in newness.
13. In Siloam, the blessed stream-the priests anointed Solomon.-His youth was had in honour;-his old age was despised.-Through the pure waters ye have been clad-in the purity of Heaven.
14. The fleece that was dry from the dew,-Jerusalem was figured in it:-the bason that was filled with water,-Baptism was figured in it.-That was dry after the manner of its type;-this was full after the manner of its symbol.
15. The wearied body in water-washes and is refreshed from its toil.-Lo! the layer in which are hidden-refreshing and life and delights.-In it wearied Adam had rest-who brought labour into the creation.
16. The fountain of sweat in the body-is set to protect against fever:-the fountain of Baptism-is set to protect against the Flame.-This is the water that avails-for the quenching of Gehenna.