tween the real Christian and the lukewarm or careless one: the former, by choice and principle a Chriftian, glories in that title more than in any which the world could bestow on him; the latter is perfectly content with the name and appearance only: let not fuch, however, be too fecure; he who feeth the most inward thoughts of the heart, hath said, “ Not every one that faith "unto me, Lord, Lord, fhall enter into "the kingdom of Heaven, but he that "doeth the will of my father which is in "Heaven." Ignorance might afford fome plea, if unavoidable; but to know the truth, and be indifferent to it, must increase their condemnation.

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22. After thefe. things came Jefus " and his difciples into Judea, and there "he tarried with them and baptized."

To do, or cause to be done by others, is frequently mentioned under the same terms, not only in fcripture but in common conversation: an inftance of this occurs

in the verse above recited. Jefus did not himself baptize, but commanded his dif ciples to baptize.

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23. And John alfo was baptizing in Enon, near to Salim, because there was "much water there: and they came and were baptized;

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"24. For John was not yet caft into prifon.

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25. Then there arose a queftion be"tween some of John's disciples and the Jews, about purifying."

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Water being very scarce in that part of the world, John always chose his situation where there was the greatest plenty, that he might with the more ease baptize the multitudes that reforted to him.

The Jews were commanded by their law to purify themselves, at fet times; they had alfo, by their traditions, introduced many more: this ceremony was held in the utmost veneration: when, therefore, they faw John baptizing fuch

numbers,

numbers, they were led to inquire whether it was John's intention to fubstitute baptism in the room of some of their purifications, or if it were intended as a mere type, or shadow, to cease when the Meffiah fhould come.

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26. And they came unto John, and faid unto him, Rabbi, he that was with * thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest "witness, behold, the fame baptizeth, and "all men come to him."

The difciples of John the Baptift thought it an affront to their mafter that any one fhould prefume to baptize and draw fuch numbers after him, particularly one who had himself come and received baptifm from him: they thought all the merit he had, was derived from their mafter; for whom their regard was fo great that they confidered his honor and credit at ftake, and were consequently extremely jealous of one whom they looked upon as an intruder.

"27. John

"27. John answered and faid, a man can receive nothing except it be given "him from Heaven.

"28. Ye yourselves bear me witness, "that I faid I am not the Chrift, but that "I am fent before him.

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29. He that hath the bride, is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bride

groom's voice. This my joy, therefore, " is fulfilled.”

John always told his followers, that, so far from his being the Chrift, he was only one of his attendants, fent forward to prepare his way; ; that his master was the good shepherd, who would appoint such persons to guard and watch over his flock as he fhould think proper; that he himself had received his commiffion from him: how then could they wish him to endeavor to filence or oppofe the Lord of Life! Such was the conftant language held by John the Baptift.

Our

Our blessed Saviour styles himself the bridegroom to the church, and John glories in the honor of being one of the friends of the bridegroom; for whom, he, by his preaching, was to prepare the people: this office was to John the Baptist the subject of the greatest joy which he could receive in his earthly tabernacle.

"30. He must increase, but I muft decrease."

Our Lord was as the rifing fun: John the Baptift as the morning ftar, which having fulfilled its office in announcing its near approach, is loft in the blaze of that glorious luminary. From this period John's followers decreased, and he himself was shortly after caft into prifon; but our bleffed Saviour fhone more and more every day.

"31. He that cometh from above, is "above all: he that is of the earth, is "earthly,

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