sinners,” even as those who profess to fear the Lord, but go astray like swine; “and hath not sat in the seat of the scorners,”[598] even as those birds that lie in wait for prey. Take a full and firm grasp of this spiritual[599] knowledge. But Moses says still further, “Ye shall eat every animal that is cloven-footed and ruminant.” What does he mean? [The ruminant animal denotes him] who, on receiving food, recognises Him that nourishes him, and being satisfied by Him,[600] is visibly made glad. Well spake [Moses], having respect to the commandment. What, then, does he mean? That we ought to join ourselves to those that fear the Lord, those who meditate in their heart on the commandment which they have received, those who both utter the judgments of the Lord and observe them, those who know that meditation is a work of gladness, and who ruminate[601] upon the word of the Lord. But what means the cloven-footed? That the righteous man also walks in this world, yet looks forward to the holy state[602] [to come]. Behold how well Moses legislated. But how was it possible for them to understand or comprehend these things? We then, rightly understanding his commandments,[603] explain them as the Lord intended. For this purpose He circumcised our ears and our hearts, that we might understand these things. CHAP. XI.—_Baptism and the cross prefigured in the Old Testament._ Let us further inquire whether the Lord took any care to foreshadow the water [of baptism] and the cross. Concerning the water, indeed, it is written, in reference to the Israelites, that they should not receive that baptism which leads to the remission of sins, but should procure[604] another for themselves. The prophet therefore declares, “Be astonished, O heaven, and let the earth tremble[605] at this, because this people hath committed two great evils: they have forsaken me, a living fountain, and have hewn out for themselves broken cisterns.[606] Is my holy hill Zion a desolate rock? For ye shall be as the fledglings of a bird, which fly away when the nest is removed.”[607] And again saith the prophet, “I will go before thee and make level the mountains, and will break the brazen gates, and bruise in pieces the iron bars; and I will give thee the secret,[608] hidden, invisible treasures, that they may know that I am the Lord God.”[609] And “He shall dwell in a lofty cave of the strong rock.”[610] Furthermore, what saith He in reference to the Son? “His water is sure;[611] ye shall see the King in His glory, and your soul shall meditate on the fear of the Lord.”[612] And again He saith in another prophet, “The man who doeth these things shall be like a tree planted by the courses of waters, which shall yield its fruit in due season; and his leaf shall not fade, and all that he doeth shall prosper. Not so are the ungodly, not so, but even as chaff, which the wind sweeps away from the face of the earth. Therefore the ungodly shall