versed the wilderness-their probationary pilgrimage -in faithful obedience to the laws and ordinances of God, they had no more enemies to follow them. The kingdom of darkness had been overcome in their Baptism into the Church. Pharaoh and his hosts had fallen-as did the rebellious ones of the old world, beneath the waters, which nevertheless "bare up the Ark," and made a way for the people of God to pass through. Their arrival at the land "flowing with milk and honey"-that "good land" which the Lord their God had given them, after this second death unto sin, is peaceful, powerful, and safe, as under the overshadowing wings of their Almighty Redeemer; leaving behind them, in the planting of twelve stones, the insignia of their conquest,-the faith and obedience of the Patriarchs, the faith and obedience of the Apostles ;—the foundation stones of that spiritual Temple, of which Jesus Christ is the 66 Head," and " Chief Corner Stone."

The types which have thus far been spoken of, were figures of the rite of Baptism, of which we have a remarkable illustration--or what we may perhaps be permitted to call a doctrinal type-in the history of Naaman the Syrian. Captain over a mighty people, and the favoured companion of kings, he nevertheless bore that about with him, which no splendour could conceal, and no power mitigate; he was a leper. Led by the Providence of God, through the instrumentality of a Jewish

maiden, he seeks a remedy for his plague at the hands of God's own prophet, who instructs him to wash seven times in the waters of Jordan. But without faith, what were the waters of Jordan to him? Were not the rivers of Damascus, Abana and Pharpar, better than all the waters of Israel? Was no outward display of ministerial power to be made in his behalf? No great deed of valour, or heroic achievement to be performed by him? Nothing?—Nothing but wash-simply wash, and that too, in the despised waters of the Jewish nation? See here the genuine workings of the sinful heart-of human pride! Alas! even the type of human perverseness is not wanting to complete our theory. We ask for signs-we must see, or we will not believe. And yet when the pleadings of the untutored attendants induced the Syrian Noble to stifle his reluctance-to subdue his pride, see the wondrous effects-the rich fruits of simple obedience! Behold, he is washed-he is clean

-the loathsome plague of his existence is removed— his flesh comes like the flesh of a little child-renewed as one just born from the womb of his mother! The Holy Scriptures are given for instruction to eternal life. Can the contemner of the Catholic doctrine of Baptismal regeneration, see nothing in this touching instance of God's Providential teaching, "for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness?"

The last type of Baptism to which I shall refer is

that of the Pool of Bethesda.

In this, as in the case

of Naaman, the type approaches more closely to the complete effects of Baptism, inasmuch as in these a healing as well as cleansing power is imparted. For, as St. Chrysostom observes, "Types are of various ranks, just as in a court, some officers are nearer to the prince, others farther off. The water, however, did not heal by virtue of its own natural properties, (for if so, the effect would have followed uniformly), but by the descent of an Angel." "For an Angel went down at a certain season into the Pool, and troubled the water." Thus imparting a healing virtue to it "in order to prefigure to the Jews," as the same Father continues, "that far greater power of the LORD of Angels, of healing the diseases of the soul. But then their infirmities prevented their applying the cure; for it follows, Whosoever then first after the troubling of the waters, stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.' But now every one may attain this blessing, for it is not an Angel which troubleth the water, but the Lord of Angels, which worketh everywhere. Though the whole world come, grace fails not, but remaineth as full as ever; like the sun's rays that give light all day, and yet are not spent. The sun's light is not diminished by his bountiful expenditure; no more is the influence of the Holy Spirit by the largeness of its outpourings. Not more than one could be cured at the Pool; God's

design being to put before men's minds, and oblige them to dwell upon, the healing power of water; that from the effect of water on the body, they might believe more readily its powers on the soul."

Having briefly glanced at the typical representations of Baptism, I now beg to turn the attention of the Christian reader, to the thing typified - the Baptism unto life, as it was ordained by our Blessed Lord. Of this I shall give, first, the simple and specific institution; and secondly, some remarkable instances of its application.

Our Saviour, when about to ascend to the Father, from the appointed mountain of Galilee, gave this parting command to the eleven Apostles, saying, "All power is given to Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach❞—or, according to the more correct rendering of the word, disciple—“ all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."2

The first instance to be adduced of its application, as it will probably occur to the thoughtful student of Scripture, is that in the remarkable case of St. Paul. He had been converted to the faith of Christ three days; and converted, let us humbly bear in mind,

St. Chrys. Hom. XXXVI-I Catena Aurea.

2 Matt. xxviii. 18-20.

by a miraculous interposition of God; a light from heaven appearing to him, "above the brightness of the sun," and a voice speaking to him, saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" But still, as by a figure, he was blind and helpless, when Ananias was specially sent by the Lord, to instruct him in the means by which he was to become a veritable member of that Body which he had hitherto so strenuously persecuted, and through which holy community, his "conversation," or rather "citizenship" was henceforth to be "in heaven." "And Ananias-putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes, as it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was Baptized." This is yet more fully and significantly recorded in the 22nd chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, when Paul was bearing testimony before all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to the truth of his miraculous conversion. After dwelling on the mission of Ananias, he proceeds thus: "And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth." "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be

1 Acts ix. 17, 18.