Matthew 3

John the Baptist preacheth repantance, 1 . His office, raiment, and food, 3. Hath may followers 5. Baptist, 6. Reproves the Pharisees and Sadduces, 7. Shew the dignity of the Person and Baptism of Christ, 11. Bpatizeth Christ, who is witnessed from Heaven to the well - beloved son of God, 13

1. And in those days [Namley, in the fifteenth year of the Emperour Tiberius, when Christ was about thirty years old, Luke 3:1, 23] came John the Baptist, [concerning John, of his parents, birth and office, see Luke 1 and John 1. hhe is called Baptist; because he was the first that hhe command of God administred Baptist in the New Testament. See Matth 21. verse 25. John 1 verse 33.] preaching in the wilderness of Judea, [Not such a wilderness, where none inhhabited, but aq waste Countrey of Woods and Mountains, where Zacharias the father of John dwelt, Luke 1:39.] in which are number fic Cities, Joshua 15:61, 62. which therefire had also their Villages, or Hamlets.]

2. And saying, Repent yee; for the Kingdom of the Heavens [That is to say, the setting up, and enlarging of the Churh of God, by the preachingg of the Gospel, at the time of the coming of the Messiah] is come nigh.

3. For this is he, of whom is spoken by the Prophet Esay, saying. The voice of one crying in the wilderness; Prepare the way of the Lord; [A similitude taken from a Prince or King, against whose coming the ways are prepared, and made plain.] make his paths straight.

4. And the same John had his clothing of Camels hair, [such kind of tough garment the prophets wore before – time in the Old Testament. See Zach 13.4.Hebrews 11:37. as is witnessed of Elias in particular, 2 Kings 1:8. in whose spirit and power John the Baptist was come, Malach 4.5. Luke 1:17] and leathern girdle about lions; and his foos was locusts [The locust in those Countreys are great and many; and are eaten there amongst the mean people; like as they also reckoned amongst the clean meats, Levis 11.22.] and wild honey

5. Then went out ti him Jerusalem and all Judea; and the whole Countrey round about the Jordan.

6. And were baptised of him in the Jordan , consessing their sins. [This consession of sins, was no auricular consession; forasmuch as it was made before Baptism, in general, and in publique.]

7. Then he seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadduces [The Pharisees and Sadduces wete two Sect among the Jews; like as there was yet a third of the Esseans. See concerning them thhe Historian Josephus, Antiq like 18. cap. 2. de bello lib.2. cap. 7.] come to his Baptism, spake unto them, yee brood of vipers, who hath shewed you to slee from the wrath is coming?

8. Bring forth fruits therefore, worthy of repentance [That is to say, becoming, or agreeable unto true repentance.]

9. And think not to say with your selves, We have Abraham fro father. For i say unto you thhat even od these stones, God can raise up children to Abraham

10. And also already the ax is laid to the root of the Trees, [That is to say, the judgment of God draws near, notwithstanding that boast that ye are descended from Abraham; except ye do the works of Abraham, John 8 verse 39.] therefore every Tree, which brings forth no good fruit, is hebew down, and cast into the fire.

11. I indeed baptize you with water [Gr. in the water] unto repentance; but he that cometh after me [or, behind me See John 1:15] is stronger then i, whose shoes i am not worthy to carry [after him] : [that is, to do him the least or meanest serbice] He shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. [John here distinguisheth hios outward Baptism from the inward Baptism of Christ, whereby the perisieth of our hearts by his spirits, as the fire doth the metal from all drosse and impurity. See the like phrase, John 3:5. and Acts 1:5. and chap 2.4.]

12. Whose fan [Gr, winnowing shovel; wherewith they cast up the corn, to cleanse it from the chaff, which with us is done by the san.] is in his hand, and will thouroughly – purge his threshing – floor, and gather together his wheat [or corn, as often afterwards] into his garner, [otherwise corn – lost, or place where any thing is laid away to be kept.] and will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

13. Then come Jesus from Galilee towards the Jordan unto John, to be baptised of him.

14. But John much refused (it) him, [that is, hindred him very much; or set himself very muchh against it aswel by words as otherwise] saying, it is needful for me to be baptised of thee, and comest thou to me?

15. But Jesus answering, said unto to him, surcease now :[Namely, to hinder me in this.] For thus it becometh us, to fulfill all righteousness.[that is to say whatsoever God hath instructed and commanded, to shew him perfect obedience in] Then be let him alone.

16. And Jesus being baptised, ascended straight way out of the water. And behold, the hHeavens were opened unto him; and be saw the spirit of God descend like a dove, [that is to say, in body shape like a dove, Luke 3:22. in which kinde of shape the Holy Gost who is every where present would here manifest himself upon Christ, to give to understand his innocency, meekness kindeness, and uprightness.] and come upon him.

17. And behold, a voice out of the Heavens, [Here is a clear testimony of the three distinct Perso in one divine Essence: the Father who speaks out of Heaven; the Son whom he speaks; and the Holy Ghost who descends] saying, This is my Son, my beloved, in whom i am well- pleased.