Exposition of John, Chapter 1 · Verse 16
Ver. 22. Then ſaid they unto him, Who art thou, that we may give an anſwer to them that ſent us? What ſayeſt thou of thy ſelf?
23. He ſaid; I am the voice of one crying in the Wilderneſs: Make ſtreight the way of the Lord, as ſaid the Prophet Eſaias.
John being further poſed concerning his perſon and calling, declareth that he had authority and commiſſion to be Chriſts forerunner, and to prepare his way; as was fore-propheſied by Iſaiah. Whence learn, 1. The reaſon which theſe Commiſſioners give for their ſo earneſt queſtioning of him, may teach every man to be faithful in what is committed to his truſt, eſpecially in matters of publick concernment, relating to the Church of God; for, ſay they, Who art thou, that we may give an anſwer to them that ſent us? What ſayeſt thou of thy ſelf? 2. As faithful Miniſters ought not to encroach upon their Maſters honour; ſo they ought not to paſſe from that authority that is due to them, but aſſert it as need requireth; for, ſo doth John here, declare what his Commiſſion and place was. 3. Every one who undertakes the work of the Miniſtry, ought to be clear of his calling, and have a warrant for it, either ordinary, or extraordinary, according as the calling he claimes to, is; As being that whereon a Miniſters courage, comfort and ſucceſſe doth much depend; Therefore, John ſheweth his warrant for his extraordinary calling out of the Prophet.—As ſaid the Prophet Iſaiah, to wit, chap. 40.3. For whatever uſe theſe words had to comfort the captives in Babylon with the hope of a ſpeedy return, and of Heralds to publiſh it, and Uſhers to prepare their way, and of removing of all impediments; Yet in the ſubſtance, it pointed at the manifeſtation of Chriſt, and his forerunner, as this text maketh clear. 4. Chriſts coming into the world was ſtately, and Kingly, however in appearance it ſeemed baſe; And wherever he is received, he will be received as a King. Therefore came he with an Uſher and forerunner, crying to prepare his way when he manifeſted himſelf; which is the prerogative of Kings, whereas private perſons will come in with leſſe noiſe, and at narrower paſſages. I am, ſaith he, the voice of one crying, make ſtreight, &c. 5. Men have hears naturally unp…epared for Chriſt to come into, which muſt be cured before he come; They are naturally averſe from the purity of true Religion; full of mountains of vanity, pride and ambition; valleys of dejection, diſcouragement, unbelief, and hollow-hearted hypocriſie; crookedneſſe and deceitfulneſſe in their hearts and wayes, whereby men deceive themſelves and others, and hide the need of Chriſt from themſelves; roughneſſe of their paſſions, humours and luſts, ready to reject all warnings and offers: And all theſe make mens hearts an unſtreight way for Chriſts Chariot to march in; Therefore, cried John, make ſtreight the way of the Lord, under this including the making low of mountains, the exalting of valleys, &c. of which Luke 3.5. from Iſaiah 40.4. and turning the heart of the children to the fathers, &c. of which Luke 1.16, 17. from Mal. 4.5, 6. 6. As all men in all places are naturally unfit for receiving of Chriſt, ſo ordinarily the offer of him is worſe entertained in places of eminency then in more obſcure corners; Therefore, is this proclamation made, not in Jeruſalem, but in the Wilderneſſe; (or hill-countrey of Judea, where the inhabitants and Cities were fewer, Joſh. 15.61.) a place where he would more readily be received then in Jeruſalem. 7. Albeit that. Chriſt commands us to prepare his way, that he may ſhew us our duty, and make uſe of exhortations, as a meane whereby he works upon his own; Yet this work of preparation is not in our power, but muſt be his work, whole reward is with him, and his work before him. And unto ſuch as he convinceth of their own inability, he will firſt come with a work of converſion unto faith and repentance, that this may make way for his coming with conſolation and ſenſible manifeſtation; Therefore, is this command ſweetned with a promiſe, Iſa. 40.3, 4, &c. Luke 3.4, 5.