22 After these tliiDgs came Je- sus and his disciples into the land of Judsea; and there he tarried -with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in ^non near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive notnmg, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me wit- ness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom : but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and
On oue account, this passage deserves the special atten- tion of all devout readers of the Bible. It contains the last testimony of John the Baptist concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. That faithful man of God was the same at the end of his ministry that he was at the beginning — the same in his views of self, — the same in his views of Christ. Happy is that church whose ministers are as steady, bold, and constant to one thing, as John the Baptist !
We have, firstly, in these verses, a humhUng example of the petty jealousies and party -spirit which may exist among professors of religion. We are told, that the disciples of John tbe Baptist were offended, because the ministry of
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heareth him, rejoiceth greatly be- cause of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I mvM decrease.
31 He that cometh from above i& above all : he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth : he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his tes- timony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given aU things into his hand.
36 He that beheveth on the Son hath everlasting life : and he that beheveth not the Son shall not see life ; but the wrath of God abideth on him.