I find that not only do the Gospels, written after the Crucifixion, proclaim the grace of Baptism, but, even before the Incarnation of our Lord, the ancient Scripture everywhere prefigured the likeness of our regeneration; not clearly manifesting its form, but fore-showing, in dark sayings, the love of God to man. And as the Lamb was proclaimed by anticipation, and the Cross was foretold by anticipation, so, too, was Baptism shown forth by action and by word. Let us recall its types to those who love good thoughts—for the festival season of necessity demands their recollection.

εὑρίσκω γὰρ ὅτι τὴν τοῦ βαπτίσματος χάριν οὐ τὰ μετὰ τὸν σταυρὸν ἐκήρυξεν εὐαγγέλια, ἀλλὰ καὶ πρὸ τῆς ἐνανθρωπήσεως τοῦ κυρίου πανταχοῦ ἡ παλαιὰ γραφὴ τῆς παλιγγενεσίας ἡμῶν προετύπωσε τὴν εἰκόνα οὐ τηλαυγῶς τὴν μοφφὴν ἐμφανίζουσα, αἰνίγμασι δὲ τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν φιλανθρωπίαν προϋποφαίνουσα. καὶ ὡς ὁ ἀμνὸς προεκηρύττετο καὶ ὁ σταυρὸς προεφητεύετο, οὕτω καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα πρακτικῶς καὶ λογικῶς ἐμηνύετο, ἀναμνήσωμεν δὲ τοὺς φιλοκάλους τῶν τύπων: ἀπαιτεῖ γὰρ ὁ τῆς ἑορτῆς καιρὸς ὡς ἀναγκαίαν τὴν μνήμην.