on this account baptism is called by the Apostle, a " laver." [1] This ablution takes place as effectually by immersion, which was for a considerable time the practice in the early ages of the Church, as by infusion, which is now the general practice, or by aspersion, which was the manner in which Peter baptized, when he converted and gave baptism to about three thousand souls." [2] It is also matter of indifference to the validity of the Sacrament, whether the ablution is performed once or thrice; we learn from the epistle of St. Gregory the great to Leander, that baptism was formerly and may still be validly administered in the Church in either way. [3] The faithful, however, will follow the practice of the particular Church to which they belong.
The pastor will be particularly careful to observe, that the baptismal ablution is not to be applied indifferently to any part of the body, but principally to the head, which is pre-emiuently the seat of all the internal and external senses; and also that he who baptizes is to pronounce the words which constitute the form of baptism, not before or after, but when performing the ablution.
Baptism When these things have been explained, it will also be expedient to remind the faithful that, in common with the other Sacraments, baptism was instituted by Christ. On this subject, the pastor will frequently point out two different periods of time which relate to baptism the one the period of its institution by the Redeemer the other, the establishment of the law which renders it obligatory. With regard to the former, it is clear that this Sacrament was instituted by our Lord, when, being baptized by John, he gave to the water the power of sanctifying. St. Gregory Nazianzen [4] and St. Augustine testify that to the water was then imparted the power of regenerating to spiritual life. In another place St. Augustine says: " From the moment that Christ is immersed in water, water washes away all sins:" [5] and again the Lord is baptized, not because he had occasion to be cleansed, but by the contact of his pure flesh to purify the waters, and impart to them the power of cleansing." The circumstances which attended the event afford a very strong argument to prove that baptism was then instituted by our Lord. The three persons of the most Holy Trinity, in whose name baptism is conferred, manifest their august presence the voice of the Father is heard the Person of the*Son is present the Holy Ghost descends in form of a dove and the heavens, into which we are enabled to enter by baptism, are thrown open. [6]
Should we, however, ask how our Lord has endowed water with a virtue so great, so divine; this indeed is an inquiry which transcends the power of the human understanding. That when our Lord was baptized, water was consecrated to the salutary use of baptism, deriving, although instituted before the
