It is remarkable however that whatever mortifications John practised himself, it does not appear that he prescribed any thing to others beyond the ordinary duties of a good life. His disciples indeed fasted often, and so did many of the Jews besides; probably therefore the former as well as the latter by their own choice. His general injunction was only*, “ bring forth fruits meet for repentance." When more particular directions were desired, he commanded all sorts of men to avoid more especially the sins, to which their condition most exposed them. Thus when the people asked him (the common people of that hard-hearted nation) What shall we do?-John answered, " He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise." That is, let every one of you, according to his abilities, exercise those duties of charity and kindness to his neighbour, which you are all

of

*Matt. iii. 8.

+ Luke, iii. 10, 11.

of you but too apt to neglect. The publicans or farmers of the revenue came to him, and said, "* Master, what shall we do?" and he said, "Exact no more than that which is appointed you." Keep clear from that rapine and extortion of which you are so often guilty in the collection of the revenue. The soldiers too demanded of him, "What shall we do?" his answer was, " Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages." That is, abstain from those acts of injustice, violence, and oppression, to which your profession too often leads you. Lewd and debauched people also applied to him, to whom no doubt he gave advice suited to their case. And therefore what he taught was, not ceremonial observances, but moral conduct on religious principle; and without this he pronounced (however disgusting the doctrine must be to a proud and superstitious people) the highest outward

* Luke, iii. 12, 13.

+ Ibid. iii. 14.

outward privileges to be of no value at all.

"*Think not," said he to the Jews, "to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father, and are therefore sure of God's favour, be our conduct what it may:' for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham;" is able to make the most stupid and ignorant of these heathens, whom you so utterly despise, converts to true religion, and heirs of the promises.

Such were the doctrines which John preached to his disciples, and the success which attended him was equal to their magnitude and importance.

This was plainly foretold by the angel that announced his birth to his father Zacharias. "Many of the children of Israel (said he) shall he turn to the Lord their God." Which in fact he did. For the evangelists tell us that "there went out unto him into the wilderness Jerusalem

and

*Matt. iii. 9.

+ Luke, i. 16.

and all Judea, and all the region about Jordan, and were baptized of him*” The truth of this is amply confirmed by Josephus, who informs us, that multitudes flocked to him, for they were greatly delighted with his discourses."

It might naturally be expected that such extraordinary popularity and applause as this would fill him with conceit and vanity, and inspire him with a most exalted opinion of his own abilities, and a sovereign contempt for any rival teacher of religion. But so far from this, the most prominent feature of his character was an unexampled modesty and humility. Though he had been styled by Malachi the messenger of the Lord, and even Elias (the chief prophet of the Jews next to Moses) he never assumed any higher title than that very humble one given him by Isaiah; the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Far from desiring or attempting to fix the admiration of the multitude

*Matt. iii. 5, 6.

+ Joseph. Antiq. Jud. xviii. 2. Edit. Huds.

multitude on his own person, he gave notice from his first appearance of another immediately to follow him, for whom he was unworthy to perform the most servile offices. He made a scruple, till expressly commanded, of baptising one so infinitely purer than himself, as he knew the holy Jesus to be. And when his disciples complained that all men deserted him to follow Christ (a most mortifying circumstance, had worldly applause, or interest or power, been his point) nothing could be more ingenuously self-denying than his answer; "Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but am sent before him. He that hath the bride, is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly. This my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He that is of the earth is earthy; he that cometh from heaven is above all*"

Of

* John, iii. 28-31.