Tractatus Prior, Pars Prior, Cap. 16. De baptismate lesu et nostra

Tractatus Prior, Pars Prior, Cap. 16. De baptismate lesu et nostra

I give you thanks, Lord Jesus Christ, fountain of goodness and source of virtues, for the humble reception of the sacred baptism, for the fulfillment of all righteousness, and for the spontaneous submission under the hands of your preordained messenger, by whom you deigned to be baptized, consecrating for us the waters of baptism. In this, you provided an example for all who are to be baptized, both the small and the great, so that they may humbly receive the sacrament of salvation if they wish to enter the dwelling of the heavenly kingdom. We have indeed been cleansed in your baptism, and that sanctification has benefited us, not you, who had no stain of sin. I praise and honor you, the supreme and revered head, even more awesome than the angelic spirits, for your humble descent and the washing in the Jordan to cleanse us from our sins. I bless and glorify you for the revelation of heavenly secrets, for the clear manifestation of the presence of the Holy Trinity, for the opening of the entrance to eternal life, for the wondrous illumination of your blessed precursor, John the Baptist, for his humble response and prompt obedience. O Jesus, most high King, how much you have inclined yourself today for me, a most worthless sinner, and how many gifts of divine grace you have revealed to me now. Look upon me and have mercy on all my sins, which I have committed in various ways, both openly and secretly. I ask you to baptize me in the Spirit and in fire; for in many ways I depend on your mercy. Wash me more and more from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. No one is clean from filth, not even an infant of a single day on the earth, unless you alone are clean and the cleanser, the only holy one and sanctifier, who has the power to forgive people's sins according to the multitude of your mercies. I beg you, Lord, let my soul live by your grace, and don't remember my former iniquities, but renew my youth like the eagle's. Forgive the past, help me to avoid the future, and pour out a new grace upon me for the everlasting glory of your divinity.