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On the Sacraments
St Ambrose of Milan, tr. Thompson, 1919
Book 4, The Symbolism of the Tabernacle Applied to Christian Baptism
Under the old covenant the priests used to enter continually into the first tabernacle; into the second tabernacle the high priest entered once in the year. Which the Apostle Paul1 clearly recalling in the Epistle to the Hebrews, explains the tenor of the Old Testament. Now there was in the second tabernacle the manna; there was also the rod of Aaron which withered and afterwards blossomed again; there was likewise the censer.2
What is the purpose of this? It is that you may understand what is the second tabernacle, into which the priest introduced you, into which the high priest was accustomed to enter once in the year, that is, to the baptistery,3 where the rod of Aaron blossomed; it was withered before, afterwards it blossomed again. Thou too wast withered, and dost begin to blossom again in the streaming font. Thou hadst withered through sins, thou hadst withered through faults and trespasses; but now thou beginnest to bear fruit, planted by the rivers of water.4
But perhaps thou sayest, “What has this to do with the people, if the priest’s rod had withered and blossomed again?” What is the people itself but priestly? To whom it was said, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,5 as saith the Apostle Peter. Every one is anointed to the priesthood, is anointed to the kingdom also; but it is a spiritual kingdom and a spiritual priesthood.
In the second tabernacle is the censer also, which is wont to diffuse a sweet savour. So you also are now a sweet savour of Christ;6 no longer is there in you any share of sins,7 any savour of ranker error.
Notes
- For the ascription of the Ep. to the Hebrews to St. Paul see de Myst. viii. 45 (note).
- In the above passage the author has in mind Heb. ix. 4-7. The word thymiaterium (rendered “censer”) is a transliteration of the Greek, which has been variously rendered “censer” or “altar of incense.” The Vulgate has turibulum. That the writer means “censer” is shown by iv. 1. 4.
- On the baptistery as “the holy of holies” see de Myst. ii. 3. The parallel to “once in the year,” in the author’s mind, is to be found in the fact that Easter was the normal time for baptism.
- Ps. i. 3.
- 1 Pet. ii. 9.
- 2 Cor. ii. 15.
- sors delictorum. Some MSS. read sordes, “defilement.”