Address —
1. Be " willing, then, to rejoice in his light" —
[Surely such a ministry as his, so instructive, so faithful, so convincing, is an unspeakable blessing to every one that enjoys it. And such a ministry we have, not in him only, but the holy Apostles, yea, and in multitudes of the present day. Shew, then, that you duly appreciate the labours of these men; and " be followers of them, as they are of Christ" ]
2. Let your joy in that light be both abiding and progressive —
[Of the myriads who were impressed by the ministry of John, there were very, very few who became steadfast in the faith. All the Disciples of John, and Jesus, and his twelve Apostles, and his seventy Disciples, amounted to no more than five hundred, after the ascension of our Lord. The great mass of those who appeared hopeful, were turned aside by fear, or by the vanities of this sinful world. Be on your guard then, brethren, against every thing that may produce this sad
effect on you and beg of God that your " path may
be like the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day."]
0 Matt. v. 14. p Lev. vi. 12.
i Phil. ii. 15, 16. r Matt. v. 16.
Christ's appeal to the scriptures.
John v. 39. Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life : and they are they which testify of me.
WHEN our Lord professed himself to be the pro- mised Messiah, and claimed an authority equal to