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his paths straight, Mark i. 3. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God, Luke iii. 3–6. He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias, John i. 23.

And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye❘ up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones, Isa. Ivii. 14, 15. Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of Hosts, Mal. iii. 1. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord, Luke i. 17. And thou, child, shalt be called, The prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare ways, 76.

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answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite, 2 Kings i. 8. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied ; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive, Zech. xiii.4. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD, Mal. iv. 5. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey, Mark i. 6.

b For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil, Matt. xi. 18. Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind, Lev. xi. 22.

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He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock, Deut. xxxii. 13. And all they of the land came to a wood and there was honey upon the ground. And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped: but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honey-comb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened, 1 Sam. xiv. 25-27. VER. 5.

καὶ πᾶσα ἡ Ἰουδαία, καὶ πᾶσα ἡ περίχωρες Τότε ἐξεπορεύετο πρὸς αὐτὸν Ἱεροσόλυμα, τοῦ Ἰορδάνου·

Then a went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judas, and all the region round about Jordan,

a And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judæa, and from beyond Jordan, Matt. iv. 25. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? xi. 7. And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem,

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and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins, Mark i. 5.

VER. 6.

Καὶ ἐβαπτίζοντο ἐν τῷ Ἰορδάνῃ ὑπ ̓ αὐτοῦ, ἐξομολογούμενοι τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὑτῶν. And a were baptized of him in Jordan, bconfessing their sins.

a I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire, Matt. iii. 11. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 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. 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, 13-16. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness, and from all your idols will I cleanse you, Ezek. xxxvi. 25. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan, Mark i. 8, 9. John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire, Luke iii. 16. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing, Johni. 25-28. And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record,

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saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost, 31-33. And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there; and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying, iii. 23-25. For John truly baptized with water: but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence, Acts i. 5. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls, ii. 38-41. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him, x. 36— 38. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, xi. 16. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, xix. 4, 5. And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 1 Cor. x. 2. Buried with him in bap

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tism, wherein also ye are risen with him, through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead, Col. ii. 12. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, Tit. iii. 5, 6. Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment, Heb. vi. 2. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. iii. 21.

bAnd Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness, Lev. xvi. 21. If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me, xxvi. 40. Then they shall confess their sin which they have done; and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed, Num. v.7. And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD GOD of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me, Josh. vii. 19. He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light, Job xxxiii. 27, 28. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin, Ps. xxxii. 5. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy, Prov. xxviii. 13. And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O

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LORD, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments, Dan. ix. 4. And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins, Mark i. 5. I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son, Luke xv. 18-21. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds, Acts xix. 18. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed, Jam. v. 16. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, 1 John i. 9.

VER. 7.

δουκαίων ἐρχομένους ἐπὶ τὸ βάπτισμα απ Ἰδὼν δὲ πολλοὺς τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σα8τοῦ, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν, τίς υπεδείξεν ὑμῖν φυγεῖν ἀπὸ τῆς μελλούσης ὀργῆς ;

But when he saw many of a the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, bo generation of vipers, who hath warned you to a flee from the wrath to come?

a For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven, Matt. v. 20. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees, xvi. 6. How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees, 11, 12. Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel

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how they might entangle him in his talk, xxii. 15. The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 23. But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together, 34. Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation, xxiii. 14. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, Mark vii. 3-5. And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words, xii. 13. Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection, 18. And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter: but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them, Luke xi. 3944. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him, xvi. 14. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men ure, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of

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all that I possess, xviii. 11, 12. And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead, Acts iv. 1, 2. But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resur rection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God, xxiii. 6-9. Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee, xxvi. 5.

b Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves, Matt. vii. 15. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves, x. 16. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, xii. 34. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell, xxiii. 33. Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, they gnaw not the bones till the morrow, Zeph. iii. 3: Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come. Luke iii. 7. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves, x. 3. The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, get thee out, and depart hence; for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected, xiii. 31, ́

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32. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock, Acts xx. 29. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision, Phil. iii. 2. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear clouds they are without water, carried about of winds: trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever, Jude 12, 13. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, Rev. xxii. 14, 15.

To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it, Jer. vi. 10. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness,and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul, Ezek. iii. 18-21. If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come,

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and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel, therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me, xxxiii. 3-7. Therefore watch, and remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears, Acts xx. 31. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith, Heb. xi. 7.

d Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him, Rom. v. 9. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come, 1 Thess. i. 10. That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us, Heb. vi. 18. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Rev. vi. 16, 17.

VER. 8.

Ποιήσατε οὖν καρποὺς ἀξίους τῆς μεταvotaç

Bring a forth therefore fruits * meet for repentance:

*Or, answerable to amendment of life. a But what think ye? A certain man had two sons: and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second

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