A Commentary on the Gospel According to St. Matthew (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: the same Scriptures; to learn diligently still more about Christ and His kingdom. CHAPTER III. 1. In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judcea, 2. And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. It does not appear that John appeared, at all times or in all companies, singularly dressed, nor singular in his diet. He might have conformed to the customs of the desert population whilst he was among them, just as an arctic traveller conformed to snow huts, with repulsive dress and diet, out of a wish to show himself a friend to simple native Esquimaux. John the Baptist's example here does notbind Christian ministers nor their disciples; but nevertheless it may edify, by due meditation thereon. 5. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judcea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6. And were baptized of him confessing their sins. What brought Jerusalem and all Judaea out around the unpretending Baptist, where he was, in the wilderness ? He did not advertise or placard about his intentions. Perhaps he called meetings of natives and passengers through the country, and energetically set about delivering his message of reformation; and so the crowds increased to the proportions of a nation in search of its Prophet that should come. Are Christians in search of their Lord's second coming, and eager enough, on the theme of His appearing to give the church triumph over all ? John's baptism may be presumed to have had...