VII.

Now, regeneration is by water and spirit, as was all creation: "For the Spirit of God moved on the abyss." ¹ And for this reason the Saviour was baptized, though not Himself needing ² to be so, in order that He might consecrate the whole water for those who were being regenerated. Thus it is not the body only, but the soul, that we cleanse. It is accordingly a sign of the sanctifying of our invisible part, and of the straining off from the new and spiritual creation of the unclean spirits that have got mixed up with the soul.