Let us inquire, therefore, if the Lord cared to show us beforehand concerning the water and concerning the cross. Concerning the water it is written, with respect to Israel, how that they will not receive the baptism that bringeth remission of sins, but will establish one for themselves.
The prophet therefore speaketh in this wise, Be astonished, O heaven! and let the earth be afraid still more at this, because this people hath done two great and evil things: they have abandoned me who am the fountain of life, and have dug for themselves broken cisterns.
Is my holy mountain of Zion a deserted rock? ye shall be as the young of a bird which have flown when the nest has been taken away.
And again the prophet saith, I will go before thee and will lay low the mountains. And I will break the doors of brass and burst the bars of iron; and I will give unto thee the treasures of darkness hidden and unseen, that they may know that I am the Lord God; and, He shall dwell in the lofty cave of the strong rock.
Then what saith he of the Son? His water is sure. Ye shall behold the king in his glory, and your soul shall practise the fear of the Lord.
And again, in another prophet, he saith, He that doeth these things shall be as a tree that groweth beside a water-course, which giveth his fruit in his season; and his leaf shall not fall off, and whatever he doeth shall prosper.
Not so are the ungodly, not so; they are like the dust which the wind carrieth away from the face of the earth, wherefore the ungodly shall not rise up in judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the just: for the Lord knoweth the way of the just, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Ye perceive how he hath put together the water and the cross. For what he meaneth is this, Blessed are they who having hoped on the cross have gone down into the water. For he speaketh of a reward to be given at the due season; then, saith he, I will render what is due unto you. But now in that he saith, Their leaves shall not fall off, he meaneth this, That every word that goeth out from your mouth in faith and love shall be for a refuge and a hope unto many.
And again another prophet saith, And the land of Jacob was praised beyond the whole earth. By so saying he meaneth this, He shall glorify the vessel that containeth his Spirit.
And what sayeth he afterwards? There was a river flowing on the right, and there grew up on its banks fair trees, and whosoever eateth of them shall live for ever.
By this he meaneth that we go down into the water full of sin and pollution, and go up bearing fruit in the heart, having in the spirit fear and hope toward Jesus. And whoever shall eat of them shall live for ever. He meaneth this, Whoever, he saith, shall hear these words spoken and believe them shall live for ever.