3. It was a baptism of repentance, which could not avail spiritually one who had never sinned.
The Spirit was manifest under the form of a dove.
The dove appeared above water, and here follows a dissertation on the virtues of divers waters.
The question arises:—Why did the Spirit elect the form of a dove?
This Raulin answers in the following manner:
1. A dove is without gall, and is harmless, and therefore represents the character of those born of the Spirit.
2. A dove bore the olive-branch to the ark, in token of God being reconciled. And by baptism we are reconciled to God.
3. A dove has seven qualities, resembling the Spirit’s sevenfold gifts. These are,—
(1) It moans instead of warbling; this represents the spirit of holy Fear.