Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/473

 And the  people  asked  him:  “What  then  shall  we  do?” He answered: “He  that  hath  two  coats,  let  him  give  to  him  that hath none;  and  he  that  hath  meat,  let  him  do  in  like  manner.” The soldiers  also  asked  what  they  should  do,  and  John  said  to them:  “Do  violence  to  no  man,  neither  calumniate  any  man;  and be content  with  your  pay.”  The  Publicans  too  asked  what  they were to  do,  and  he  answered: “Do  nothing  more  than  that  which is appointed  you.”

Now the  austere  appearance  of  the  Baptist  and  his  startling exhortation led  the  people  to  believe  that  he  was  the  Messias. John, perceiving  this,  told  them  that  he  was  not  the  Messias,  but that there  was  One  coming,  mightier  than  he,  the  latchet  of  whose shoes he  was  not  worthy  to  loose.

He told  them,  moreover,  that  he,  indeed,  baptized  with  water , but that  the  Saviour  who  was  to  come  after  him,  would  baptize with the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire. “Whose fan  is  in  His  hand,