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Sermon XVI.
[LXVI. Ben.]
On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 2, “Now when John heard in the prison the works
of the Christ, he sent by his disciples, and said unto him, art thou He that cometh, or look we
for another?” etc.
1. The lesson of the Holy Gospel has set before us a question touching John the Baptist.
May the Lord assist me to resolve it to you, as He hath resolved it to us. John was commended,
as ye have heard, by the testimony of Christ, and in such terms commended, as that there
had not risen a greater among those who were born of women. But a greater than he had
been born of a Virgin. How much greater? Let the herald himself declare, how great the
difference is between himself and his Judge, whose herald he is. For John went before Christ
both in his birth and preaching; but it was in obedience that he went before Him; not in
preferring himself before Him. For so the whole train2236 of attendants walks before the
judge; yet they who walk before, are really after him. How signal a testimony then did John
give to Christ? Even to saying that he “was not worthy to loose the latchet of His shoes.”2237
And what more? “Of His fulness,” saith he, “have all we received.”2238 He confessed that
he was but a lamp lighted at His Light, and so he took refuge at His feet, lest venturing on
high, he should be extinguished by the wind of pride. So great indeed was he, that he was
taken for Christ; and if he had not himself testified that he was not He, the mistake would
have continued, and he would have been reputed to be the Christ. What striking humility!
Honour was proffered him by the people, and he himself refused it. Men were at fault in his
greatness, and he humbled himself. He had no wish to increase by the words of men, seeing
he had comprehended the Word of God.
2. This then did John say concerning Christ. And what said Christ of John? We have
just now heard. “He began to say to the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into
the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?”2239 Surely not; for John was not “blown
about by every wind of doctrine.”2240 “But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in
soft raiment?”2241 No, for John was clothed in rough apparel; he had his raiment of camel’s
hair, not of down. “But what went ye out for to see? A Prophet? yea, and more than a
Prophet.”2242 Why “more than a Prophet”? The Prophets foretold that the Lord would
2236 Officium.
2237 John i. 27.
2238 John i. 16.
2239 Matt. xi. 7.
2240 Eph. iv. 14.
2241 Matt. xi. 8.
2242 Matt. xi. 9.
On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 2, ‘Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples, and said unto him, art thou He that cometh, or look we for another?’ etc.
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On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 2, ‘Now when John heard in the prison…