to join the doctrine of the Sadducees with that of the Pharisees? To teach us, that self-sufficient moralists, and devout cheats, are cri minals alike: that prayerless honest men, and hymn-singing villains, are much more nearly related, than either will choose to believe. For which cause, the same perdition is reserved for hypocrites and unbelievers.

Whenever, therefore, you observe a man despising the house and day of God; speaking in terms dishonourable to true devotion and holiness of life, priding himself at the same time in his own favourite sentiment, that an honest man is the noblest work of God, pity and pray for him. Be not dazzled by the amiableness of his natural temper, strict adherence to justice, tender humanity, and uncommon benevolence. Esteem not a profane moralist, on account of these striking qualities, either worthy or innocent, a good member of society, much less a Christian. Because these qualities (charming indeed as they are) only enable him to do the more mischief, like vast abilities, and boundless generosity in some mover of sedition. In him such virtues are a grievous misfortune to the public for they put it in his power to spread the baneful infection of profaneness. They make him appear to undiscerning eyes,

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a noble friend to his fellow-creatures, whilst his principles and maxims undermine the welfare of society, and continually militate against the present, against the eternal interest of every individual, against God, and his Christ.

CHAP. XXVI.

ON JOHN THE BAPTIST.

WE have contemplated the grand idea which Zacharias, full of the Holy Ghost, hath taught us to conceive of Christ. He is the Horn of Salvation, the principal subject of all prophecy; the only hope of the fathers and the faithful before his incarnation; the Deliverer of them, and all his people, out of the hands of their enemies, through the vir tue of his life, death, and mediation, according to the promise, covenant, and oath of Jehovah.

After so complete a display of the adorable plan of salvation, Zacharias, still under the same unerring direction, turns his eyes upon his own son, a new-born infant. Faith, adoration of the divine goodness, and holy joy lighted up his aged, venerable counte

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nance, whilst he fixes the attention of the church upon his illustrious offspring as the immediate forerunner of the Messiah, and the first preacher of the glories of his name, after his manifestation in the flesh.

"And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways:

"To give kowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins:

"Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us; to give, light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace."

The conclusion of this prophecy naturally leads us to consider the character and mission of the Baptist; the doctrine he preached, his address, and the effect of the whole upon his hearers.

The Lord testifies of him, that " among them that are born of women, there had not risen a greater than John the Baptist." Mar. vellous are the things related concerning him. Like Isaac, he derived his existence from a miracle. His appearance, office, and spirit, were delineated many ages previous to his birth. An angel was sent down from heaven, immediately before Elizabeth conceived him, to notify this event was at hand, to declare

his sanctification from the womb, and the great success which should attend his ministry. No person, excepting the Saviour himself, was ever so greatly distinguished. Yet the glory thrown round the Baptist, by these things, was designed to draw upon him the eyes of all the inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem, that the record he gave of Christ might spread the wider, and sink the deeper into the minds of men.

After having lived under the tuition of the best of parents; after employing himself as we must conclude, in meditation and prayer; and in the contemplation of God, and intimate communion with him, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his birth; after this fit preparation for his future high employment, when he was near thirty years of age, the Word of God, probably an audible voice, such as Samuel and the prophets used to hear, came to John. For this he waited, not presuming to enter upon the ministry at the impulse of his own inclination or zeal. This was his authentic appointment, and the seal of his mission, which was to declare the promised Messiah now stood in the midst of them, was come immediately to erect a spiritual, everlasting kingdom; and to prepare them for admission into it, was the business on which he himself was sent.

The Baptist's habit was quite rustic, resembling that of the ancient prophets, made of camel's hair, bound round him with a leathern girdle. His fare was coarse, such as the poorest of the. people ate, locusts and wild honey. So seldom did he join in social meetings, so great a lover was he of retirement, and engaged with such ardour in his sacred employ, that the pleasure-loving world said he had a devil; that is, was a mope, mad with religion. Yet far from assuming at all, upon the sanctity of his life, he was clothed with humility, comparing himself to a voice, which, after it conveys the speaker's mind, has no being. Herod, though a prince; a prince enslaved to lewdness; a prince hardened in villany; could not resist the impres sion of the Baptist's life. He was forced for a time to fear John, whom all men knew to be a prophet, and himself to be a holy man, and a just. Even the Searcher of hearts declared, that whilst his doctrine imparted divine knowledge, his life was a flame of affection to God and men. He was a burning and a shining light.

Thus furnished in the richest manner, for his office, by the grace and gifts of the Holy Ghost, the child of Zacharias, "the prophet of the Highest, goes before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways."

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