Baptism And Penitence

Nam et poenitentia est baptsimus, non quod in ea sit baptismi iteratio; sed quia sepulturam criminum facit, et nos humilitati Christi consepeliens, complantans morti ejus in spem vitae aeternae nos regenerat, ut simus quasi modo geniti infantes. Unde et caro Naaman, cujus ablutio nobis posita est in signum sapientia, in aetatis puerilis munditiam reparata est. Quidam poenitentialibus aquis semel immersi, statim putant ab omnibus iniquitatibus esse mundi: sed non sufficit, nisi cum Naaman septies in Jordane laventur. Jejuna usque ad oris fetorem, flagella, contunde, ure corpus ita ut ardeat, nihil agis, nisi poenitentiae spiritus septiformis assistat. Divites hujus saeculi, quia ducunt in bonis et deliciis dies suos, qui poenitentiam vilipendunt, nonne videntur dicere quia meliores sunt fluvii Damasci Abana et Pharphar omnibus aquis Israel, ut laventur in eis? Haec est medicina unica post baptismum. Medicinam, dicit Salomon, creavit Deus hominibus, et stulti despiciunt eam. Haec est secunda tabula post naufragium. Christus nec indigebat poenitentia, nec baptismo: tantum ut mundaremur baptizari voluit; et ut peccata nostra tolleret, more poenitentium jejunavit et flevit, post jejunium venit ad Jordanem ad Joannem, ut baptizaretur ab eo. Petrus Blenensis, Sermo X, Dominica Intra Ephianiam Source: Migne PL 207.591c-592a

For even penitence is a baptism, not that there is a repetition of baptism but it makes a tomb of our offences, and we are buried with the humility of Christ, and being planted together in His death 1 in the hope of eternal life it regenerates us, that we become like new born infants. Whence even the flesh of Naaman, whose washing is given to us as a sign of wisdom, was restored to a childlike cleanness. 2 Some, once immersed in the waters of penitence, immediately think they are cleansed from every wickedness, but it is not enough, unless with Naaman we are washed seven times in the Jordan. Fast even to the distress of the mouth, suffer the whip, be bruised, scorch the body even to burning, but it is nothing, unless the seven-fold spirit assists. 3 The rich of this world, because they spend their days with their goods and delights, those who revile penitence, do they not seem to say that the water of the rivers of Damascus, Abana and Pharpar, are better than all the waters of Israel, and they wash in them? 4 Penitence is the one medicine after baptism. Solomon says 'God created medicine for men and fools despise it.' 5 It is a lucky plank after shipwreck. Christ had no need of penitence, nor baptism, only that we might be clean did He wish to be baptised, as He bore our sins, and in the way of penitence fasted and wept, and after fasting came to John at the Jordan, that He be baptised by him. Peter of Blois, from Sermon 10, On The Sunday within the Epiphany 1 Rom 6.5 2 4 Kings 5.1-15 3 Isaiah 11.2-3 4 4 Kings 5.12 5 Sirach 38.4