2. First ye entered into the
vestibule τὁν
προαύλιον, called
below in § 11 “the outer chamber.” Cf. Procat.
§ 1, note 3. It appears from Tertullian, De Corona,
§ 3, that the renunciation was made first in the Church, and
afterwards in the Baptistery: “When we are going to enter
the water, at that moment as well as just before in the Church under
the hand of the President, we solemnly profess that we disown the
devil, and his pomp, and his angels.” of the Baptistery,
and there facing towards the West ye listened to the command to stretch
forth your hand, and as in the presence of Satan ye renounced
him. Now ye must know that this figure is found in ancient
history. For when Pharaoh, that most bitter and cruel tyrant, was
oppressing the free and high-born people of the Hebrews, God sent Moses
to bring them out of the evil bondage of the Egyptians. Then the
door posts were anointed with the blood of a lamb, that the destroyer
might flee from the houses which had the sign of the blood; and the
Hebrew people was marvellously delivered. The enemy, however,
after their rescue, pursued after them Ex. xiv. 9, 23.,
and saw the sea wondrously parted for them; nevertheless he went on,
following close in their footsteps, and was all at once overwhelmed and
engulphed in the Red Sea.