those who have made themselves white in the blood of the Lamb?

The doctrines which this passage of Scripture contains, admit of a various and profitable application.

1. The view here given of the character of John the Baptist, will aid us in correcting a mistake generally committed in relation to a certain part of his history.

While John was imprisoned in the castle of Macherus, by order of Herod the Tetrach of Galilee, hè sent two of his disciples, who had visited him in his confinement, with this question to be proposed to Jesus Christ. Matt. xi. 3. " Art THOU HE that should come, or do we look for another?" This is frequently interpreted to signify that John now had his doubts whether Jesus was indeed the Christ; and the case is considered as parallel with that of pious people filled with doubts and fears respecting the nature of their own religious affections. But if the view which we have given of the character of this great and good man be correct, this interpretation is altogether inadmissible. The case of John, upon the supposition that he doubted whether Jesus was indeed the expected Messiah, has nothing in common with the subject of doubts respecting a personal interest in the covenant of grace, which it is quoted to illustrate. The question of a doubting Christian, turns upon the secret, subtle exercises of his own soul; that of John, upon a matter of fact, supported by an external testimony, with which he had through life been perfectly familiar. We cannot at all admit, that he had himself any doubts respecting the matter of this interrogation. John could not have forgotten the history of his father's vision in the temple; the miracle of his own birth; the prophecy of his mother upon the visit of Mary;

and the prophecy of his father at the time of his own circumcision, which must have been often related to him by his pious parents. There were too many facts in proof of the point in question. The whole of his own life and ministry, as Christ's forerunner, is another proof which he would not have forgotten. The knowledge of Jesus, which he expressed so unequivocally when the Redeemer applied to him for baptism, must have still lived in his recollection. It was John that pointed out Jesus to his disciples, saying, Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. And the testimony of his own senses must have made an indelible impression upon his memory. He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased* It is incredible, then, that John could doubt that Jesus is the Christ, unless his intellects had suffered, by disease or age, complete derangement; unless he was a maniac.

Was it, then, to give his disciples an opportunity of satisfying themselves upon this point, that John sent them with the question to our Saviour? This is more probable. Yet, it is difficult to believe, that he could now have in Judea, any disciples ignorant of the fact which his whole ministry had been employed to prove.

Beyond Judea, there may have been many, such as Apollos, who knew only the early part of the ministry of John, and had no access to information relative to the ministry of Messiah, until several years after Christ's death. But this could scarcely be the case in Palestine. I am inclined to another hypothesis. John was imprisoned for the testimo

* John i. 32-34.

ny of Jesus. It was natural for him to desire deliverance. He knew his Lord could accomplish it. He was probably impatient to see Christ's kingdom in its glory. He would apply too literally the prophetic declaration of Messiah, He hath sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. Therefore the message, delicately expostulatory, and yet betraying a very natural weakness-Art THOU HE, or do we look for another deliverer? Will not this account for the very delicate censure upon John, contained in the testimony of Christ respecting him? Among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist; notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Although the sentence contains the highest eulogy, it also indicates blame. "John the Baptist hath acted beneath himself in this instance. A disciple of inferior attainments, would surpass him in a knowledge of the nature of that ministry which is suited to my state of humiliation. Offences must come. John must suffer patiently. Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me!"

2. The doctrines of this passage of scripture may be applied so as to remind us of the honour which God puts on all his saints. Angels minister unto them, and learn from them. The greatest men on earth are their servants. There are no human talents too respectable to be employed in the service of the Church of God. There is not an angel in heaven, who is not ready to exert himself in her interest.

The separation effected by sin between us and these elder brethren of the intelligent creation, ceases in Christ. The loss of members which the heavenly society sustained by the fall of angels, is made up by the introduction of redeemed men into their holy fellowship. In this they rejoice. They

worship our Redeemer as their Lord, and they learn. from the Church the manifold wisdom of God. In innumerable instances, they serve the purposes of his providence respecting us in life; and when the veil by which the invisible world is concealed from mortal view is withdrawn at death, they shall appear as our exulting companions before the throne of the Lamb. This honour have all the saints. Praise ye the Lord

3. The passage should also remind those who preach the everlasting Gospel, of the high motives which ought to influence their ministry. In John they have an example worthy of imitation. Entirely devoted to the duties of the sacred office, he employed his great talents in the elucidation of the doctrines of redemption. Denied to the pleasures which address the outward senses of man, he combined temperance with piety. In the spirit and power of Elias, the man of God, he stemmed the torrent of corruption with unshaken firmness. He laboured to inform and to save his hearers. And what if he fell a victim of lawless power? Shall we be discouraged? No. He triumphed in his fall. Before the bloody charger, which contained his reeking head, was presented by the cruel daughter to the profligate Herodias, John had entered with everlasting joy into that palace where he shall abide for ever. To die was gain. He lives in a country where sin does not annoy, and where royalty cannot deal its terrors. The people whom he fed, are present with him, and constitute his crown before the throne of God. Shall other teachers meet their hearers before the seat of Jesus? Faithful ministers shall become partakers with the saved in felicity. Let the hope sooth their afflictions, animate their zeal, and strengthen their exertions.

4. The passage teaches those who enjoy the ministry, the end thereof. It is to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Are they, then, who enjoy this ministry, ready?

Behold, he cometh! To you that look for him, shall he appear once more, without sin unto salvation. In a participation of his own righteousness, in the exercise of sincere love to God in him, in the performance of the duties of new obedience, in continual exertions to subdue indwelling sin and grow in grace, shall such be prepared to meet him. They ought also to endeavour to extend to others the mercy in which they themselves hope. Their hearts ought to be turned toward their childrentoward all who are within the sphere of their influence. Are any of them still disobedient and unbelieving? They injure themselves, because they forget God. Why will any forsake a good, a great, a gracious God? Why will ye reject a merciful, a tender-hearted Redeemer? Is it thus ye requite him for his sufferings? Behold him bleeding on Calvary, and say, will ye still disown him?Behold him awakening from the tomb, and will ye refuse a share in the power of his resurrection? Behold him before the throne as an advocate with the Father for the guilty, and will ye still refuse the olive branch which he extends to you in your rebellion? Count the cost. Make your calculations. Embrace in your calculations the whole period of your existence. God has given to you a mind capable of reasoning; and what shall it profit you, if you lose your own souls? Suffer not the deceitfulness of sin to beguile you to your ruin. Suffer not the pleasures of the world to bewitch and destroy you. Death approaches. Look into the grave. Amidst its corruptions you must lie. Draw the curtain which hides from your view the chambers of