32. And now, brethren beloved, the word of
instruction exhorts you all, to prepare your souls for the reception of
the heavenly gifts. As regards the Holy and Apostolic Faith
delivered to you to profess, we have spoken through the grace of the
Lord as many Lectures, as was possible, in these past days of Lent; not
that this is all we ought to have said, for many are the points
omitted; and these perchance are thought out better by more excellent
teachers. But now the holy day of the Passover is at hand, and
ye, beloved τῆς
ὑμετέρας ἐν
Χριστῷ
ἀγάπης. Cf. Cat. xvii. 1,
note 1. Athan. Epist. ad Epict. § 2:
παρὰ τῇ
σῇ
θεοσεβείά. ad
Serap. iv. 1: παρὰ τῆς σῆς
εὐλαβείας. in Christ, are to
be enlightened by the Laver of regeneration. Ye shall
therefore again be taught what is requisite, if God so will; with how great devotion
and order you must enter in when summoned, for what purpose each of the
holy mysteries of Baptism is performed, and with what reverence and
order you must go from Baptism to the Holy Altar of God, and enjoy its
spiritual and heavenly mysteries; that your souls being previously
enlightened by the word of doctrine, ye may discover in each particular
the greatness of the gifts bestowed on you by God.