King of his Church and people In this they are as
superior to John, as John was to the least enlightened of all the ancient prophets.]
2. A richer experience of his love —
[They can tell, not merely what he is to do, but what he has done : yea, they can say, " He has loved me, and given himself for me." They have felt the virtue of his blood in purging their consciences from guilt, and the efficacy of his grace in subduing their most inveterate corruptions. They know what it is to receive out of his fulness the blessings which they need, and to maintain sweet fellowship with him from day to day. They have within themselves the evidence that he is a living, a gracious, and an almighty Saviour, who fulfils to them all his promises, guides them by his Spirit, up- holds them by his arm, sanctifies them by his grace, comforts them with his presence, and renders them meet for the enjoy- ment of his heavenly kingdom In this their superiority
to the Baptist is as the meridian sun to the early dawn.]
The ministry of John was as remarkable as his endowments. As he had clearer views than all who preceded him, so was the success of his labours in- comparably greater : for almost the whole of Judaea, and even of the people beyond Jordan, came and were baptized of him''. Even those who were the most remote from the kingdom of heaven, according to human apprehensions, were the foremost to seek admission into it, and to take it, as it were, from those, who, from their education and professions, seemed most hkely to become the subjects of it^ In this conduct of theirs we may see a lively image of the followers of Christ, and may read,
II. Their universal character —
Whilst they approve themselves the Lord's people by their views of his salvation, they manifest in rela- tion to it,
1. A fixed purpose —
[They regard the care of the soul as the one thing need- ful : other things may be good and useful ; but this is neces- sary : it cannot be dispensed with for a single day : nor will any
■1 Matt. iii. 5, 6. Luke xvi. 16.
'' This is the sense in which many understand tlie latter verse of our text. Compare Luke vii. 28—30. Matt. xxi. 31, 32.
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thing be tolerated that would interfere with it. Allurements or menaces are alike disregarded by them : no menace is ter- rible to them in comparison of God's displeasure ; no pleasure is desirable in comparison of his favour. Hence, if tempted, they reply. What shall it profit me to gain the whole world and lose my own soul? And, if threatened, they answer, " Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." In a word, they readily part with all to ob- tain the pearl of great price ; and having " bought the truth," nothing under heaven can induce them to sell it. As in a race the persons contending for the prize may easily be distinguished from the spectators by the earnestness with which they pursue their object, so may these be known amidst a supine and thoughtless generation : they are lights shining in the midst of a dark, benighted world."]
2. A persevering endeavour —
[Having put their hand to the plough, they will not look back again. They know that they must " endure unto the end, if ever they would be saved;" and they wait upon God in prayer, and beg him to perfect that which concerneth them. They now desire, not merely to be saved from death and hell, but to have Christ dwelling and reigning in them: nor will they ever be satisfied till " every thought of their hearts is brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." Hence their diligence in reading the word, and in every ordinance of religion, whether public or private. They find enemies both without and within : but they will not yield to discouragement. They know that their Redeemer is mighty, and able to save them to the uttermost; and therefore they go forth in his strength, and, though defeated, rally ; though wounded, fight ; though fkint, pursue ; and never put off their armour till they are made more than conquerors.]