Translations. - A Spiritual Song, Concerning Our Holy Baptism, Wherein Is Briefly Contained What It Is, Who Has Instituted It, Whereto It Serves, &C. (Luther's Song-Book.)

To Jordan when our Lord had gone,     His Father's pleasure willing,     He took his baptism of St. John,     His work and charge fulfilling;     Therein he did appoint a bath     To wash us from defilement,     And there to drown that cruel Death     In his blood of assoilment:     'Twas no less than a new life.     Let all then hear and right receive     The baptism of the Father;     And learn what Christians must believe,     Shunning where heretics gather.     Water indeed, not water mere     Therein can work his pleasure:     His holy Word is also there     With Spirit rich, unmeasured:     He is the one baptizer.     This clearly showed He by his word     Of open recognition;     The Father's voice men plainly heard     At Jordan claim his mission.     God said, This is my own dear Son     In whom I am well contented;     To you I send him, every one--     That all may hear I have sent him,     And follow what he teaches.     Also God's Son himself here stands     In human presentation;     On him the Holy Ghost descends     In dove-like shape and fashion,     That not a doubt should ever rise     That, when we are baptized,     All the three Persons do baptize;     And they be recognized     Themselves come to dwell with us.     Christ to his scholars says: Go forth,     Give to all men acquaintance     That lost in sin lies the whole earth,     And must turn to repentance.     Believe, and be baptized, and then     Each man is blest for ever;     From that hour he's a new-born man,     And thenceforth, dying never,     The kingdom shall inherit.     But who in this grace puts no faith     Abides in sin, life misses;     He is condemned to endless death     Deep down in hell's abysses.     Nothing avails his righteousness,     And lost are all his merits;     Sin original holds its place--     The sin which he inherits;     And help himself he cannot.     The eye but water doth behold     As from man's hand it floweth;     But inward faith the power untold     Of Jesus Christ's blood knoweth:     Faith sees therein a red flood roll,     With Christ's blood dyed and blended,     Which hurt of every kind makes whole,     Whether from Adam heired     Or by ourselves committed.