To Jordan came our Lord the Christ,
To do God�s pleasure willing,
And there was by Saint John baptized,
All righteousness fulfilling;
There did He consecrate a bath
To wash away transgression,
And quench the bitterness of death
By His own blood and passion;
He would a new life give us.
So hear ye all, and well perceive
What God doth call baptism,
And what a Christian should believe
Who error shuns and schism:
That we should water use, the Lord
Declareth it His pleasure;
Not simple water, but the Word
And Spirit without measure;
He is the true Baptizer.
To show us this, He hath His Word
With signs and symbols given;
On Jordan�s banks was plainly heard
The Father�s voice from Heaven:
�This is My well-beloved Son,
In whom My soul delighteth;
Hear Him.� Yea, hear Him every one
Whom He Himself inviteth,
Hear and obey His teaching.
In tender manhood Jesus straight
To holy Jordan wendeth;
The Holy Ghost from Heaven�s gate
In dovelike shape descendeth;
That thus the truth be not denied,
Nor should our faith e�er waver,
That the Three Persons all preside,
At baptism�s holy laver,
And dwell with the believer.
Thus Jesus His disciples sent:
Go teach ye every nation,
That lost in sin they must repent;
And flee from condemnation:
He that believes and is baptized,
Obtains a mighty blessing;
A new-born man, no more he dies,
Eternal life possessing,
A joyful heir of Heaven.
Who in this mercy hath not faith,
Nor aught therein discerneth,
Is yet in sin, condemned to death,
And fire that ever burneth;
His holiness avails him not,
Nor aught which he is doing;
His inborn sin brings all to naught,
And maketh sure his ruin;
Himself he cannot succor.
The eye of sense alone is dim,
And nothing sees but water;
Faith sees Christ Jesus, and in Him
The Lamb ordained for slaughter;
She sees the cleansing fountain red
With the dear blood of Jesus,
Which from the sins inherited
From fallen Adam frees us,
And from our own misdoings.