and of the spirit, and be restored to his first dignity, to wit,
by supplication and by calling on the Saving Name, the Holy
Spirit brooding on the water. We are baptized, then, according
to the word of the Lord, in the Name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and thus the grace of the Holy Ghost
dwelleth in the soul of the baptized, illuminating and making it
God-like and renewing that which was made after his own image and
likeness. And for the time to come we cast away all the old
works of wickedness, and we make covenant with God of a second
life and begin a purer conversation, that we may also become
fellow-heirs with them that are born again to incorruption and
lay hold of everlasting salvation. But without Baptism it is
impossible to attain to that good hope, even though a man be more
pious than piety itself. For thus spake God, the Word, who was
incarnate for the salvation of our race, `Verily I say unto you,
except ye be born of water and of the Spirit, ye shall in no wise
enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.' Wherefore before all things I
require thee to receive faith within thy soul, and to draw near
to Baptism anon with hearty desire, and on no account to delay
herein, for delay is parlous, because of the uncertainty of the
appointed day of death."

Ioasaph said unto him, "And what is this good hope whereto thou
sayest it is impossible without baptism to attain? And what this
kingdom which thou callest the kingdom of Heaven? And how cometh
it that thou hast heard the words of God incarnate? And what is
the uncertain day of death? For on this account much anxiety
hath fallen on my heart, and consumeth my flesh in pain and
grief, and fasteneth on my very bones. And shall we men,
appointed to die, return to nothing, or is there some other life