12. Why did John learn, my brothers, through the sim-
TRACTATE 5 117 dove, let the dove know what John learned through the dove. The Holy Spirit descended in the appearance of a dove. But why did John learn in the dove that which he learned in the dove? For he needed to learn; but perhaps he did not need this [viz., to learn] but to learn through the dove.
(2) What am I to say about the dove, my brothers? Or when do I have suf ficient power either of heart or tongue to speak the way I wish? And perhaps the way I wish to speak is unworthy of the way it ought to be spoken. And yet even if I can speak the way I wish, how much less can I speak the way it ought to be spoken? I would like to hear about this from someone better than I and not to speak of it to you.
1 1. John becomes acquainted with him whom he knew; but he becomes acquainted with an aspect in him which he did not know in him. In regard to what he knew he does not learn. And what did John know? The Lord. What did he not know? That the power of the Lord's baptism would pass from the Lord to no man, but that the ministry clearly would pass; that the power would pass from the Lord to no one, [but] the ministry [would pass] to both the good and the wicked. Let the dove not shudder at the ministry of wicked men, let it regard the Lord's power. What does a wicked minister do to you where the Lord is good? How does a malicious bailiff shackle you if the judge is benevolent? John learned this through the dove. What is it that he learned? Let him repeat it himself. He says, "He said to me, 'He upon whom you will see the Spirit descending, as a dove, and remaining upon him, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'"
(2) Therefore, let not the seducers, O dove, deceive you, who say, "We baptize." Dove, acknowledge what the dove taught. "This is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." Through the dove it is learned that this is he; and do you think that you are baptized by his power by whose ministry you are baptized? If you think this, you are not yet in the body of the dove; and if you are not in the body of the dove, no one need wonder that you do not have simplicity. For simplicity is particularly represented by the dove.
12. Why did John learn, my brothers, through the sim-