BAPTIST, JOHN THE.
Reading edition
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea.—Matthew, iii. 1.
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the Heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him:
And there came a voice from Heaven, saying, Thou art My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.—Mark, i. 9, 10, 11.
I say unto you, among those that are born of women, there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.—Luke, vii. 28.
Now had the great Proclaimer, with a voice More awful than the sound of trumpet, cried Repentance, and Heaven’s kingdom nigh at hand To all baptized: to his great baptism flocked With awe, the regions round, and with them came From Nazareth, the Son of Joseph deemed, To the flood Jordan, came as then obscure, Unmarked, unknown: but him the Baptist soon Descried, divinely warned; and witness bore As to his worthier, and would have resigned To Him this heavenly office, nor was long His witness unconfirmed; on Him baptized Heaven opened, and in likeness of a dove The Spirit descended, while the Father’s voice From heaven pronounced Him His Beloved Son. Milton.
Well mayest thou tremble, Baptist; well thy cheek, Now flushed, now pale, thy labouring soul bespeak! ’Tis He, the Christ, by every bard foretold! Hear Him, ye nations, and ye Heavens behold! The Virgin-born, to bruise the Serpent’s head, The Paschal Lamb, to patient slaughter led, The King of kings, to crush the gates of Hell, Messiah, Shiloh, Jah, Emmanuel! See, o’er His head, soft sinking from above, With hovering radiance hangs the mystic Dove: Dread from the cloud Jehovah’s voice is known, “This is my Son, my own, my well-loved Son!” C. H. Johnson.
Why crowd ye cities forth? some reed to find, Some vain reed trembling to the careless wind? Or throng ye here to view with doting eye, Some chieftain stand in purple pageantry? Some dwell in kingly domes—no silken form Woos the stern wind and braves the mountain storm. What rush ye there to seek? some Prophet-seer? One mightier than the Prophets find ye here— The loftiest bard that waked the sacred lyre, To him in rapture poured his lips of fire; Attuned to him the voice of Sion fell— Thy name, Elias, closed the mystic shell. C. H. Johnson.
In Judah’s rugged wilderness, Where Jordan rolls his flood, In manners strict, and rude of dress, The holy Baptist stood. And while upon the river’s side, The people thronged to hear, “Repent,” the sacred preacher cried, “The heavenly kingdom’s near.” Now Jesus to the stream descends; His feet the waters lave; And o’er his head, that humbly bends, The Baptist pours the wave. When, lo! a heavenly form appears, Descending as a dove; And wondrous sounds the assembly hears, Proclaiming from above.— “This is my well-beloved Son, On him my spirit rests; Now is his reign of grace begun, Attend his high behests.” The sacred voice has reached our ear, And still through distant lands Shall sound, till all His name revere, And honour His commands. T. Fletcher.