II. John the Baptist, who was the fore-runner of Christ's appearance in the flesh, did by his own abstinence sufficiently declare what sort of person it was he came to prepare and bespeak people to receive. For, though sanctified from his birth and declared by Christ to be the greatest of all prophets; yet his clothing was but a coarse garment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle; and his food, only locusts and wild honey: a life very natural, and of great simplicity. This was all the pomp and retinue, which the greatest ambassador that ever came to the world was attended with; about the best of messages, to wit, Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand: and, there is one coming after me, whose shoes-latchet I am not worthy to unloose, who shall baptize you with fire, and with the Holy Ghost; and is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. (Mat. iii. 11; John, i. 29.) Did the fore-runner of the coming of God, for Immanuel is God with men, appear without the state, grandeur, and luxury of the world; and shall those who pretend to receive the message, and that for glad tidings too, and confess the Immanuel, Jesus Christ, to be the Lord, live in the vanity and excess of the world, and care more for their fine clothes, delicate dishes, rich furniture, stately attendance, and pleasant diversion, than for the holy cross of Christ, and blessed narrow way that leadeth to salvation. Be ashamed, and repent! III. PETER, ANDREW, PHILIP, and the rest of the holy apostles, were, by calling as well as doctrine, not a luxurious people; for they were made up of poor fishermen and mechanics; for Christ called not his disciples out of the higher ranks of men, nor had they ability any more than will to use the excesses herein reproved. You may conceive what their lives were, by what their Master's doctrine was; for they were the true scholars of his heavenly discipline. Peter thus speaks, and exhorteth the Christians of his time, "Let not your adorning be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and the wearing of gold, and of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price; for after this manner, in the old time, the holy women, who also trusted in God, adorned themselves." (1 Pet. iii. 3, 4.) Wherefore gird up the loins of your minds, be sober and hope to the end, as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts, in your ignorance, but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation: (1 Pet. i. 13-15:) and giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly-kindness; and to brotherly-kindness, charity; for if these things be in you and abound, they make you, that you shall