But let us inquire whether the Lord took care to reveal beforehand concerning the water and concerning the cross. Concerning the water it is written with reference to Israel, how they will not receive the baptism that brings forgiveness of sins, but will build for themselves.
For the prophet says: "Be astonished, O heaven, and over this let the earth shudder the more, for this people has done two evil things: they have forsaken me, the fountain of life, and have dug for themselves a pit of death."
And again the prophet says: "I will go before you and level mountains and break in pieces gates of bronze and shatter bars of iron, and I will give you treasures dark, hidden, unseen, that they may know that I am the Lord God."
And: "You shall dwell in a lofty cave of a strong rock." And: "His water is sure; you shall see a king in glory, and your soul shall meditate upon the fear of the Lord."
And again in another prophet He says: "And he who does these things shall be like the tree planted by the streams of waters, which shall yield its fruit in its season, and its leaf shall not fall off, and whatever he does shall prosper."
"Not so the ungodly, not so, but they are like the chaff which the wind drives away from the face of the earth. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the counsel of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish."
Perceive how He appointed the water and the cross together. For this is what He means: blessed are those who, hoping upon the cross, went down into the water; for the reward He speaks of is in its season: then, He says, I will repay. But as for what He now says: "the leaves shall not fall off," this means that every word which shall go forth from you through your mouth in faith and love shall be for conversion and hope to many.
Then what does He say? "And there was a river flowing on the right, and out of it rose up beautiful trees; and whoever eats of them shall live forever."
This means that we go down into the water full of sins and filth, and come up bearing fruit in the heart, having fear and hope toward Jesus in the Spirit. "And whoever eats of these shall live forever"—this means: whoever, He says, hears these things spoken and believes, shall live forever.