3. The holiness of his life —
[" He was filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's wombV And so holily did he demean himself, that Herod could not but reverence and stand in awe of him, and, in many instances, comply with his admonitions1. In the whole of his ministrations his attention was particularly turned to the advancement of practical religion ; enforcing upon all
e Luke i. 76, 77. f Luke vii. 26—28. s Matt. iii. 4.
h Matt. iii. 7 — 10. » Mark vi. 17, IS. k Luke i. 15.
1 Mark vi. 20.
those peculiar duties which their situation called for, or which their peculiar circumstances tempted them to neglect. Those who were under good impressions from his ministry, consulted him, as might be expected, what they should do in order to evince the efficacy of the principles they had imbibed from him. "When some asked him, What shall we do? He answered, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none : and he that hath meat, let him do likewise." When publicans (i. e. tax-gatherers) made the same inquiry, to them he said, " Exact no more than that which is appointed you." And when soldiers requested the same information, he said, " Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely ; and be content with your wages"1." Thus he shewed how anxious he was that all should bring religion into their daily practice ; not suffering it to evaporate in mere sentiments and profes- sions, but carrying it into effect, in the whole of their life and conversation.]
Having thus set before you the character of this blessed man, I will,
II. Commend it to your imitation —
Far, very far, in general, are men from admiring such a character as this —
[By many, even of this holy man it was said, " He hath a devil." The Rulers and Pharisees rejected his counsel alto- gether, and would not submit to his baptism"." And though many were well affected towards him, and " rejoiced in his light, they rejoiced in it only for a season :" and at last he fell a sacrifice to his fidelity. Thus, at this time, if a man were to resemble him, he would find but little acceptance with an ungodly world. In fact, he would by many be thought to be more under the influence of demoniacal delusion than of sound reason and solid piety. His deadness to the world would be regarded as most contemptible fanaticism, and his faithfulness in reproving sin would be condemned as most insufferable presumption.]
Nevertheless, I cannot but earnestly commend his character to the imitation of you all —
[From ministers in particular his example demands the most respectful attention. Certainly the same degree of austerity that he practised is not necessary now. Our Lord has shewn, that under this new dispensation a greater measure of liberty is allowed, provided we be duly careful that in no instance it degenerate into licentiousness. But with respect to an entire
111 Luke iii. 10 — 14. » Luke vii. 30.
1630.] Christ's appeal to the scriptures. 3i<3
devotion of the soul to God, and a faithful discharge of our ministry, there is to be no difference between us and John: we must be as faithful in our ministrations, and as holy in our
lives, as he But to Christians of every class is this
bright example applicable. Every follower of Christ is called to be a " light in the world0," yea, " a burning and a shining light." His soul, inflamed with fire from heaven, should burn with holy love ; nor should the fire, once kindled on the altar of his heart, ever be suffered to go outp. To all around him he should " hold forth the word of lifeq;" and so " cause his light to shine before men, that all who behold it may be con- strained to glorify their Father who is in heaven r" ]