iii. 23.) So it had been written: "He shall grow up as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground." (Isaiah liii. 2.)

The Baptist was aware who it was that now approached him; and he forbade him with these striking words: I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? As much as to say, I am performing an office which assumes superiority in character and authority;-GOD has made me "great in his sight,"—has given me such authority over my sinful brethren. But comest thou to me, who are not one of these, and hast no sins to confess and repent of? Again: comest thou to me who have need to be baptized of thee? I have need to be baptized of thee, for thou art "the Lamb of GOD which takest away the sins of the world ;" and I am one of that world of sinners.

"Among them that are born of woman there had not risen a greater than John the Baptist:" yet such was his humility. We had an example of it before, in his declaring to the people, He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He claims nothing: he even represses the homage paid to him.

And from that time to this it has been found, that those who possess the fullest measure of the Spirit of GOD, have been the first to see their need of more; that the best and holiest of men have had the deepest sense of their unworthiness; and have most cordially assented to the Scripture, "which has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of JESUS CHRIST might be given to them that believe." (Gal. iii. 22.)

Imprint, O LORD, this truth upon our hearts!-not only when we have transgressed against thee, but in the best works by which we strive to serve thee: I have need to be baptized of thee.

15 And JESUS answering, said unto him, Suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Our blessed LORD here, while he insists on what became him in his own peculiar character, leaves a record of the duty of mankind in general: that they

He uses the plural, huas; in which form, it is observed, he never speaks of himself.

Various purposes were served by the baptism of our LORD. 1. A testimony was

comply with all the commandments and ordinances of GOD. Whatever God ordains, is part of the righteousness which man is to fulfil. The baptism of John was an ordinance of GOD. In many respects it was not applicable to our LORD; for it was the "baptism of repentance," and accompanied by confession of sin. But it was a divine appointment at that time in force; therefore CHRIST Complied with it, as he complied with the rite of circumcision.

Learn, from this example, to reverence God's ordinances, and to seek in them further communications of his grace. Do not neglect them, and pretend that they are not profitable. Though the benefit of baptism may not always be perceived immediately; though an increase of grace may not always be experienced from attendance at the LORD's table; though you may fancy that the liveliness of your devotion is not heightened by "assembling yourselves together;" still they are divine ordinances, and it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. The most advanced Christian will be the first to value them, and the most constant to attend them; otherwise he is not entitled to the character of an advanced Christian, but is wanting both in faith and humility.

16 And JESUS, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the SPIRIT of GOD descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

He

GOD gave this public testimony to JESUS, as he was now first entering upon the office for which he came into the world. This is my beloved Son. He is the Son of God, because "he is of the Father alone; and because such as the Father is, such is the Son." is the Son of GOD, for he had no human father. he is the Son of God, because he is his "elect, in whom his soul delighteth." (Isa. xlii. 1.) This may satisfy us without inquiring curiously into the inexplicable nature of the union of the Father with the Son.

And

What really concerns us, is the importance here

given to him from heaven, in a place of general concourse. 2. He added authority to the ministry and baptism of John. 3. He sanctified the rite of baptism by his example. 4. He bore himself the symbol by which others were to be initiated into his religion. See POOLE in loco.

b Athanasian Creed.

ascribed to the work of redemption, in which all the three persons of the TRINITY are interested and engaged. The FATHER sends "his only-begotten Son, that all that believe in him might not perish, but have everlasting life." The SON consents; and has just set the first example to mankind, that "it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." The HOLY GHOST descends visibly upon him, and intimates in what power he came, and what virtue might be expected to attend his ministry, and to establish his religion. And all this "for us men and for our salvation!" How great must be the value of the soul, in behalf of which so much was done!

We, who read the narrative, are the objects of this gracious interposition. Do we feel it as we ought? Strive daily to improve your sense of it, and exalt your gratitude by meditation and prayer. Contemplate the mercy of GoD, till his Spirit descends more and more upon you, and leaves his dove-like image upon your hearts: the emblem and characteristic of the religion of CHRIST, which is peace with GoD, and meekness toward man.

1

LECTURE VI.

TEMPTATION OF CHRIST.

MATT. IV. 1-11.

[MARK i. 12.-LUKE iv. 1.]

Then was JESUS led up of the SPIRIT into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil.

IT is taken for granted by St. Matthew, in this narrative, that those who read it should know who is designated as THE DEVIL. And Scripture instructs us that the devil is an evil spirit, who is the great enemy of mankind, and is permitted to try their hearts by tempt ing them to disobey GoD, and "seek the pleasures of sin for a season." At the beginning, he succeeded in beguiling Eve through his "subtlety," and so brought the world under condemnation. He still endeavors to keep every individual in thraldom: to prevent their recovery to GOD, or to pervert them from the steadfastness of their obedience.

It formed a part of that mysterious plan of mercy now devised for the restoration of the world, that the REDEEMER should be tried by the enmity of that evil spirit, whose works he came to destroy. Therefore he was led up of the SPIRIT into the wilderness.

3

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him he said, If thou be the SON of GOD, command that these stones be made 4 bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD.b

The mode of temptation employed here, is not unlike that used toward Eve, (Gen. iii. 1,) "Yea, hath Gop said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" If thou be the Son of GOD, his beloved SoN, let a proof be seen of his favor. To shake our faith in God, is the first object of the spiritual enemy. How beautiful is the reply! Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD. There is something more needful to man, than the supply of his temporal wants. The worst famine, is "not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD." (Amos viii. 11.)

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5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the SON of GOD, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. JESUS said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the LORD thy GOD.4

It is true, that this was written concerning the CHRIST; and it is true, that many similar promises are written for the comfort of God's people: but to presume upon such protection, and expose ourselves to unnecessary dangers, either threatening the body or perilous to the soul, would be to sport with the divine promises: to abuse mercy to venture into sin, that grace might abound. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the 9 glory of them and saith unto him, All these things will I give 10 thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith JESUS

a With regard to the manner in which this temptation was carried on, many inquiries might be raised, and nothing certain can be replied. It is among the things not clearly explained, and left to our faith.

b Deut. viii. 3..

c Ps. xci. 11, 12.

d Deut. vi. 16.

unto him, Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the LORD thy GOD, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

99

I was observing, that by the way in which he introduces the history of the temptation, the Evangelist implies that it formed a necessary part of the scheme of man's redemption. It was forseen: it was appointed. "Then was JESUS led up of the SPIRIT into the wilderness. That SPIRIT which attended him always, now prompted him to retire from the company and the abodes of man, and to devote himself to prayer and fasting. And the purpose of this preparation was equally decreed. He was led up into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil."

g

We naturally ask, what made this trial necessary?Our LORD was now entering upon his ministry; that ministry which should fulfil the original prophecy, and "bruise the serpent's head." The dominion of Satan had too long prevailed; he had earned the title of "God of this world," "prince of this world;" men were led captive by him at his will. "The Son of GOD was manifested," "that he might break this sway; "might destroy the works of the devil." But Satan, we must believe, was aware of this great purpose. Without doubt he would endeavor to counteract it. He knew that "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among" men, “in form and fashion as a man.” And as he had heretofore prevailed over flesh and blood, even though made "in the likeness of God, after his image ;" so he might hope to prevail again, and retain the world in his own power. Blessed be God, greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world! JESUS showed himself incapable of sin, and invincible by Satan and so began his ministry as the SAVIOUR of mankind, by proving his superiority over the destroyer of mankind.

Another reason made this temptation necessary. JESUS had taken our nature upon him, not only that he

e This Hebrew word signifies the opposer, the adversary. Both the Hebrew name, and the Greek Acaßoλos are taken from the malevolent nature of the evil spirit. Satan, the adversary;-the devil, the accuser of mankind, (Rev. xii. 10,) the accuser of the "brethren, who accused them before God night and day."-See Job i. 6, Zech. iii. 1.

f Deut. vi. 13, and x. 20.

Luke iv. 2.