Fifteen Hymns For the Feast of the Epiphany 6Hymn VI.

(Resp.--Blessed be He Who was baptized that He might baptize you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.)

1. The Spirit came down from on high,--and hallowed the waters by His brooding.--In the baptism of John,--He passed by the rest and abode on One:--but now He has descended and abode,--on all that are born of the water.

2. Out of all that John baptized,--on One it was that the Spirit dwelt:--but now He has flown and come down,--that He may dwell on the many;--and as each after each comes up,--He loves him and abides on him.

3. A marvel it is that surpasses all!--To the water He went down and was baptized.--The seas declared it blessed,--that river wherein Thou wast baptized:--even the waters that were in heaven envied,--because they were not worthy to be Thy bath.

4. A marvel it is, O my Lord, now also,--that while the fountains are full of water,--it is the water of baptism,--that alone is able to atone.--Mighty is the water in the seas,--yet is it too weak for atonement.

5. Thy might, O my Lord, if it abides,--within the humble it exalts him;--like as royalty if it abide--within the desert gives it peace.--Water by Thy might has triumphed--over sin, for Life has encompassed it.

6. The sheep exulted when they saw--the hand draw nigh to baptize them.--Receive, O ye sheep, your sealing; enter and be mingled in the flock!--for more than over all the flock,--over you rejoice the Watchers to-day.

7. The Angels and the Watchers rejoice--over that which is born of the Spirit and of water:--they rejoice that by fire and by the Spirit,--the corporeal have become spiritual.--The Seraphins who sing "Holy" rejoice,--that they who are made holy have been increased.

8. For lo! the Angels rejoice--over one sinner if he repent:--how much more do they now rejoice--that in all churches and congregations,--lo! Baptism is bringing forth--the heavenly from the earthly!

9. The baptized when they come up are sanctified;--the sealed when they go down are pardoned.--They who come up have put on glory;--they who go down have cast off sin.--Adam put off his glory in a moment;--ye have been clothed with glory in a moment.

10. A house that is of dust when it has fallen,--by means of water can be renewed:--the body of Adam that was of dust,--which had fallen by water has been renewed.--Lo! the priests as builders--afresh renew your bodies.

11. A great marvel is this of the wool,--that it can take every dye,--as the mind takes every discourse.--By the name of its dye it is called;--as ye who were--baptized when "Hearers,"--have gained the name of "Recipients."

12. The common waters he sanctified--even Elisha through the Name that is secret.--In them washed the leper openly,--and was cleansed by the Power that is secret:--the leprosy was done away in the water, as transgressions in Baptism.

13. To-day, lo! your offences are blotted out,--and your names are written down.--The priest blots out in the water;--and Christ writes down in Heaven.--By the blotting out and the writing down--lo! doubled is your rejoicing.

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!"