- α. Demonstration, and is acquired by reason.
- β. Experience.
Raulin investigates the knowledge of John, and resolves the question by stating that at first he had no certain knowledge, but that after the manifestations accompanying the baptism, he obtained it by experience.
A second question is asked: Why St. John Baptist did not venture to touch Christ?
Answer:—
- Because he had an instinctive fear of God present in the flesh.
- Because he was conscious of his own sinfulness.
The Father was manifest by the voice.
In holy baptism all men are made in like manner children of God. We are made children,
- By adoption—to the Father.
- By ingrafting—to the Church.
- By spiritual generation to the priest who baptizes.
From this arises the question:—Did St. John the Baptist become spiritual father of our Lord by baptizing Him?
This Raulin answers in the negative; for,
- Christ received not grace through the ministration of John; for He was full of grace from the moment of His conception.
- The rite was imperfect.
- 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.
