temperate in all things! was St. Paul's admonition, which is applicable to all Classes and ages in Society.

How Powerful was the Word of GOD, though Uttered in the Wilderness, to draw to Itself Multitudes of the Inhabitants of the City and Regions of Judea! The Baptist thus proved himself a becoming Forerunner of That LORD and MASTER, Whose Word was with Power, and Who Spoke as never Man Spoke. The injunction to confess sin, as a necessary act introductory to effectual Baptism, was essential in the highest degree, as an earnest of that Faith, which worketh by repentance and amendment of Life: for a change of heart and of habits, through a sorrow for and condemnation of the past, must have been the expected fruits of the Baptist's preaching, ere he could pledge himself for the efficacy of that Baptism to Cleanse the Soul from the Pollutions of sin, and to Fit and Prepare it for The KINGDOM of GOD. Confession of sins, particular as well as general, is the first office of a Christian Believer. A sense of unworthiness of DIVINE Regard must be strong upon the conscience of every seriously reflecting Mind; of every One, who, justly weighing the Purity and Holiness and Goodness of GOD, and the Wonder of His Mercy in the Offer of Redemption through the Expiatory Sacrifice of His SON, looks back with an honest and true heart upon the weaknesses, the follies, the negligencies, the outrages, and the ingratitude of his own past Life. And amidst the shame and inward confusion, to which unfeigned repentance gives rise, the Soul is led onward to the resolution to depart from the error of those ways, and to begin and faithfully pursue a course of amendment of Life; looking for Pardon and DIVINĚ Reconciliation to the Merits and Mediation of A SAVIOUR, and seeking the Sustaining and Directing Influence of The HOLY SPIRIT thenceforth to keep the narrow Way, That Leadeth unto Life Eternal.

St. Mark's description is thus: John did baptize in the Wilderness, and preach the Baptism of repentance for the Remission of sins: and there went out unto him all the Land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were All baptized of him in the River of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey.-Chap. i, 4 to 6.

St. Paul, when in communication with Some of John's Disciples, who had been baptized only unto his baptism, said unto them, John verily baptized with the Baptism of repentance, saying unto the People, that they should believe on Him, Which should Come after him, that is, on CHRIST JESUS.—Acts xix, 3, 4.

St. Paul thus asserts the Ministry and Doctrine of the Baptist, adding as a proof of the efficacy of the same Doctrine, when delivered by John, And Many, that believed, came and confessed, and shewed their deeds.-Verse 18.

But when he saw Many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, "O Generation of Vipers, Who hath warned you to flee from the Wrath to Come? Bring forth, therefore, fruits meet for repentance! and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our Father:' for I say unto you, that GOD is Able of these Stones to Raise up Children unto Abraham."-7 to 9.

The discriminating Power of The SPIRIT is Manifested in the Distinguishing between hypocritical Professors, and real and penitent Converts. St. Matthew confines the accusation by the Baptist, of hypocrisy to the Pharisees and Sadducees, the two leading and rival Sects of the Jews. How wretchedly and wilfully blind are Those, who think by deceiving Man they can also deceive GOD, unto Whom all the secrets of the heart are open? Is it not surprising that Men, with even a spark of reason or common understanding, can suffer themselves to be so miserably misled? Repentance by word, and not in deed

and in truth, is a mockery; and must be as hateful to Him, as open rebellion. How can it be expected by any One, that GOD, Who is The GOD of Truth, will Give him Happiness Infinite and Vast beyond conception in his Immortal State, when he inwardly denies The DIVINE Authority, and sets at nought both the Omniscience and Omnipotence of The DEITY; systematically neglecting His Commandments, though, at the same time, professing before Fellow-Mortals a faith in His Word and an obedience to His Will.

In the contemplation of the Wrath to Come we must bear in mind, that the Spirit of Man dieth not with his body,—it is Immortal; and after its separation from its earthly tabernacle, it enters, in a degree at least, upon its Eternal condition, this is either of Joy in the conscious Favour of GOD, or of misery unutterable in being driven from the Glory of The DIVINE Presence, and becoming the prey of that horror of feeling, which remorse and Self-condemnation cannot but occasion, and which all absence of hope must dreadfully deepen. The state of the Maniac affords, perhaps, a feeble image of this wretchedness, as far as a separation from the Influence of DIVINE Grace operates; and the frantic agony of the Self meditating Murderer, in the hesitation whether or not to rush unbidden on Eternity, may give some idea of the wounds which conscience will then inflict.

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St. Luke thus, in almost the same words, penned this address of John, though he describes it as made to the Multitude generally, meaning, probably, the Majority of them, Then said he (John) to the Multitude, that came forth to be baptized of him, "O Generation of Vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the Wrath to Come? Bring forth, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance! and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our Father! for I say unto you, that GOD is Able of these Stones to Raise up Children unto Abraham.”Chap. iii, 7, 8.

St. Paul's testimony to the Truth, that Salvation from the Wrath to Come is of JESUS, is given in his 1st Epistle to the Thessalonian Converts, of whom he triumphantly thus wrote, Our Gospel Came not unto you in Word only, but also in Power, and in The HOLY GHOST, and in much Assurance. And ye became Followers of us and of The LORD, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of The HOLY GHOST; and ye turned to GOD from idols to serve The Living and True GOD; and to wait for His SON from Heaven, Whom He Raised from the Dead, even JESUS, Which Delivered us from the Wrath to Come. Chap. i, 5, 6. 9, and 10. In his Epistle also to the Romans, St. Paul writes, GOD Commendeth His Love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, CHRIST Died for us: much more then, being now Justified by His Blood, we shall be Saved from Wrath through Him.-Chap. v, 8, 9.

Faith without works is dead. If, therefore, we profess repentance, we should bring forth fruits meet for repentance; but works without faith are unprofitable. Of works done in the spirit of a pure Faith, though of them we are only the Instruments, through the Silent but Effectual Influence of DIVINE Grace, GOD has Vouchsafed to Declare His Acceptance.

The Jews' reliance on their descent from Abraham, and as the Seed of him, in whom all the Families of the Earth were to be Blessed, was vain indeed, as manifesting a total want of that Faith, which worketh by obedience, and which was so truly exemplified in Abraham himself: their boasting, therefore, of such a Connection, was properly exposed by the honest remonstrance of the Baptist. Our SAVIOUR Himself Said to the Jews, who boasted to Him, that they had Abraham to their Father, If ye were Abraham's Children, ye would do the works of Abraham.-John viii, 38, 39.

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St. Paul describes Abraham as the Father of all them, that believe.— Romans iv, 11. Adding that the Promise, that he should be the Heir of the World, was not to Abraham, or to his Seed, through the Law, but through the Righteousness of Faith: for if they, which are of the Law, be Heirs, Faith is made void, and the Promise made of none effect: because the Law worketh Wrath.

13 to 15.

The Mighty Power of GOD both in Nature and Grace, whether outwardly or inwardly Manifested, and the Ordinary Course of That Power by fixed or general Rules, is in Itself a Miracle, though heedlessly and ungratefully disregarded by Mankind: to doubt that GOD could, to any extent, Depart from These Rules would be the act of an Atheist. Man, in his animal nature, is but of the Earth, and to dust he returns, when this Life has passed away. Of stones, therefore, The ALMIGHTY, Who Created him, and Breathed into him the Breath of Life, might assuredly, had He Chosen, have Raised Children unto Abraham, and Blessed them with His Promised Blessing.

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees; therefore every tree, which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire.-10.

Truth is probed to the bottom-the heart is laid open-the unprofitable, as well as the rebellious Soul shall be cut off-the neck of sin must be broke; a partial lopping of its extremities will not suffice. We must be found fruitful in faith and purity and good works; or must cease to exist in Spiritual Blessedness or Hope; and exist only in the apprehension or influence of the Wrath to Come, in never-ending flames of Self-accusation.

St. Luke uses the exact words, Chap. iii, 9, adding, And the People asked him (John), saying, "What shall we do then?" He answereth and saith unto them, "He, that hath two coats, let him impart to him, that hath none; and he, that hath meat, let him do likewise!" Then came also the Publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, "Master! What shall we do?" And he said unto them, "Exact no more than that, which is appointed you!" And the Soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, "And what shall we do?" And he said unto them, Do violence to no Man, neither accuse Any falsely; and be content with your wages!"—10 to 14. Thus Men, in the different stations and occupations of Society, were called to an attention and disposedness to liberality, justice, contentedness, moderation, and charity, as Graces of the Coming Gospel, and fruits of true repentance and amendment.

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I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He, That Cometh after me, is Mightier than I, Whose Shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall Baptize you with The HOLY GHOST, and with Fire; Whose Fan is in His Hand; and He will throughly Purge His Floor; and Gather His Wheat into the Garner: But He will Burn up the Chaff with unquenchable Fire.—11, 12.

How just, yet how praiseworthy and exemplary was this trait of John's humility; who, though the Appointed Messenger, and willing Servant of CHRIST, yet declared himself unworthy even to do Him the most menial Personal service! The Baptism of the heart should be by the supplicated Ablutions of The HOLY SPIRIT, and by the Penetrating and Refining Influence of Its Hallowed Flame of Grace.

As The JUDGE of all the Earth, The GOD-Man, CHRIST JESUS, hath both the Means and the Will to Discriminate between the Evil and the Good, and to Deal with them accordingly; the Latter, having faith to be Saved, will Graciously experience His Promised and never-Failing Care and Favour;

whilst the Former may as assuredly expect His Abandonment of them to neverending Woe, in the fire of condemning conscience unquenchable.

St. Mark's Narrative is thus, Ad John preached, saying, "There Cometh ONE, Mightier than I, after me; the latchet of Whose Shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose: I indeed have baptized you with water; but He shall Baptize you with The HOLY GHOST."-Chap. i, 6 to 8. St. Luke's is almost in the same words as St. Matthew's: And as the People were in expectation, and all Men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were The CHRIST or not; John answered, saying unto them all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but ONE, Mightier than I, Cometh, the latchet of Whose Shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall Baptize you with The HOLY GHOST and with Fire; Whose Fan is in His Hand; and He will throughly Purge His Floor; and will Gather the Wheat into His Garner; but the Chaff IIe will Burn with Fire unquenchable."-Chap. iii, 15 to 17. Adding, And many other things, in his exhortation, preached he unto the People.-18.

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St. John, in his opening of The Gospel, proclaims that The WORD, (meaning CHRIST) was Made Flesh, and Dwelt among us, and we beheld His Glory, the Glory as of The Only BEGOTTEN of The FATHER, Full of Grace and Truth: and then goes on to say, that John bare witness of Him, and cried, saying, This was He of Whom I spake, HE, That Cometh after me, is Preferred before me; for He was before me.-Chap. i, 14, 15. And the Apostle then continues, The Law was given by Moses, but Grace and Truth Came by JESUS CHRIST. And this is the Record of John, when the Jews sent Priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who art thou?" And he confessed and denied not, but confessed, "I am not The CHRIST?” And they asked him, "What then? art thou Elias?" And he saith, "I am not." Art thou that Prophet?" And he answered, No." Then said they unto him, "Who art thou? that we may give an answer unto them, that sent us! What sayest thou of thyself?" He said, "I am the Voice of One crying in the Wilderness, " Make straight the Way of The LORD! as said the Prophet Esaias." And they, which were sent, were of the Pharisees: and they asked him, and said unto him, "Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not That CHRIST, nor Elias, neither that Prophet?" John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water; but there Standeth ONE among you, Whom ye know not, HE it is, Who, Coming after me, is Preferred before me; Whose Shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John seeth JESUS Coming unto him, and said, "Behold The LAMB of GOD, Which Taketh away the sin of the World! This is He, of Whom I said, 'After me Cometh a MAN, Which is Preferred before me; for He was before me.' And I knew Him not; but that He should be Made Manifest to Israel; therefore am I come baptizing with water." And John bare record, saying, “I saw The SPIRIT Descending from Heaven, like a Dove, and It Abode upon Him: and I knew Him not: but He, That Sent me to baptize with water, The Same Said unto me,' Upon Whom thou shalt see The SPIRIT Descending, and Remaining on Him, The Same is He, Which Baptizeth with The HOLY GHOST:' and I saw and bare record that This is The SON of GOD.”—John i, 17. 19 to 34.

Isaiah, who looked deeply, under DIVINE Illumination, into the Future Times, thus held out encouragement to Those, who in faith and patience possessed their Souls, Thus Saith The LORD, That Made thee, and Formed thee from the womb, Which will Help thee, "Fear not, O Jacob, My Servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have Chosen! for I will Pour Water upon him, that is thirsty, and Floods upon the Dry Ground: I will Pour My SPIRIT upon thy Seed; and My Blessing upon thine Offspring."-Chap. xliv, 2, 3.

The Last of the Prophets too, foretelling the Same Gracious Advent, so Glorious in Holiness, thus expressly portrays The SAVIOUR and His Forerunner, "Behold, (Saith The LORD,) I will Send My Messenger; and he shall prepare the Way before Me; and The LORD, Whom ye seek, shall suddenly Come to His Temple, even The MESSENGER of the Covenant; Whom ye delight in: Behold, He shall Come!" Saith The LORD of Hosts. But who may abide the Day of His Coming? and who shall stand when He Appeareth? For He is like a Refiner's fire, and like Fuller's soap: and He shall Sit as a Refiner and Purifier of Silver and He shall Purify the Sons of Levi, and Purge them as gold and silver; that they may offer unto The LORD an offering in Righteousness.Malachi iii, 1 to 3.

St. Paul expressly points to this Spiritual Baptism, when in his 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, he writes, For by One SPIRIT are we all Baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be Bond or Free; and have been all made to drink into One SPIRIT.—Chap. xii, 13.

Then Cometh JESUS from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be Baptized of him. But John forbad Him, saying, "I have need to be Baptized of Thee; and Comest Thou to me?" And JESUS, Answering, Said unto him, "Suffer it to be so now: for Thus it Becometh Us to Fulfil all Righteousness!" Then he suffered Him. And JESUS, when He was Baptized, Went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the Heavens were Opened unto Him, and he Saw The SPIRIT of GOD Descending like a Dove, and Lighting upon Him: and lo, A Voice from Heaven, Saying, "THIS is My Beloved SON; in Whom I am Well Pleased."-13 to 17.

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The diffidence of John was highly becoming, and consistent with his fession; and the Compliance of CHRIST with the established forms of His Country's Religion, by Submitting to the Baptism with water, though Needing no repentance, and though Foreknowing that He should be Baptized with The HOLY GHOST, Shews the propriety of a similar submission in us to the Ordinances of our Church, outwardly and inwardly.

Amidst all the DIVINE Åssistances he had received, and notwithstanding the purity of his Life, and the zeal he had displayed in propagating true Religion, John felt and acknowledged himself to be poor and destitute of the perfection of Holiness, and therefore promptly said to JESUS, “I have need to be Baptized of Thee!"

St. Mark observes, And it came to pass in those days, that JESUS Came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was Baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway Coming up out of the water, He Saw the Heavens Opened, and The SPIRIT, like a Dove, Descending upon Him: and there Came A VOICE from Heaven, Saying, "THOU art My Beloved SON, in Whom I am Well Pleased."-Chap. i, 9 to 11.

St. Luke's Narrative is thus: Many other things (besides the Advent and Purifying Power of CHRIST), John the Baptist, in his exhortation, preached unto the People. But Herod, the Tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his Brother Philip's Wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. Now when all the People were baptized, it came to pass, that JESUS also being Baptized, and Praying, the Heaven was Opened, and The HOLY GHOST Descended in a Bodily Shape like a Dove upon Him, and a VOICE Came from Heaven, Which Said, THOU art My Beloved SON: in Thee I am Well Pleased!"-Chap. iii, 18 to 22.

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It is probable that the mind of this Evangelist, being full of the Higher Office of our SAVIOUR, and impressed with the infinitely more Important Baptism by The HOLY GHOST, on mentioning the Baptist John, drew quickly to the conclusion of his history, that he might go on uninterruptedly with That of JESUS: and therefore, in this place, mentioned the Former's imprisonment only;