the rites which these rival innovators were intro- ducing. The disciples of John, fearing that their Master's credit would suffer, and his influence be sub- verted, come to him to complain of Jesus for usurping an authority that did not belong to him, and for un- dermining the authority of John, from whom, in fact, he had, as they thought, derived his influence. In answer to this complaint, John reminds them, that the very testimony which he had borne to Jesus, was sufficient to shew them their error : for he had from the beginning represented his own office as a short and temporary one, which was to cease, as soon as the attention of men should be turned to Him, whose forerunner he was : and consequently, that the accom- plishment of this great object should be to them a source, not of pain and grief, but of gratitude and thanksgiving. This idea he illustrates by the similitude of a bridegroom delighting in his bride, and thereby exciting in his friends, not an envious repining, but a sympathetic joy. As for the diminution of his own influence, this, he tells them, was agreeable to the very design of his coming ; and, like a star which had served its purpose in the night, he was contented to be eclipsed, now that the Sun of Pughteousness had risen to illumine the world.
From this general view of our text, we observe, I. That the conversion of souls to Christ is a ground of joy—
The success of a bridegroom who has obtained pos- session of his bride, is usually deemed a ground of joyful congratulation. Now the conversion of a soul to Christ is fitly represented under this similitude. The Scripture often speaks of him as the Husband of his people0, and of the Church as his bride d. To mark this correspondence, is needless : indeed, it is better to take it in a general view, than to attempt to trace it in particulars6. Suffice it to say, that the
c Isai. liv. 5. Hos. ii. 19, 20. . d Eph. v. 23, 25—27, 31, 32.
e The greatest delicacy should studiously be observed on all such subjects as these.