water is a great privilege. But let us see to it that we have also the haptism of the Holy Grhost.
John the Baptist spoke plainly ahout the aioful danger of the impenitent and unbelieving. He told his hearers that there was a " wrath to come." He preached of an " unquenchable fire/' in which the chaff would one day be burned.
This again is a teaching which is deeply important. We need to be straitly warned, that it is no light matter v/hether we repent or not. We need to be reminded, that there is a hell as well as a heaven, and an everlasting punishment for the wicked, as well as everlasting life for the godly. We are fearfully apt to forget this. We talk of the love and mercy of God, and we do not remember sufficiently His justness and holiness. Let us be very careful on this point. It is no real kindness to keep back the terrors of the Lord. It is good for us all to be taught that it is possible to be lost for ever, and that all unconverted people are hanging over the brink of the pit.
In the last place, John the Ba]3tist spoke plainly ahout the safety of true believers. He taught, that there was "a garner" for all who are Christ's wheat, and that they would be gathered together there in the day of his appearing.
This again is a teaching which human nature greatly requires. The best of believers need much encourage- ment. They are yet in the body. They live in a wicked world. They are often tempted by the devil. They ought to be often reminded, that Jesus will never leave them nor forsake them. He will guide them safely through this life, and at length give them eternal glory.
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They shall be hid in the day of wrath. They shall be safe as Noah in the ark.
Let these things sink down deeply into our hearts. We live in a day of much false teaching. Let us never forget the leading features of a faithful ministry. Happy would it have been for the Church of Christ, if all its ministers had been more like John the Baptist !