George Hutcheson
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea, and there he tarried with them and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there; and they came and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
Followeth in the second part of the chapter, Johns last testimony given to Christ before his imprisonment, three occasions wherof we have, to v 27. The first & more remote occasion, is, that Christ leaving the City Jerusalem, came to the territory of Judea, and baptized there by the Ministry of his disciples, and that John (being yet at liberty) was busie, baptizing also at the same time, and having left Bethabara on the other side of Jordan, was come to Aenon, (supposed to be in Manasseh or Galilee, where Herod, who beheaded him, had power,) and baptizing there. Their baptizing both at one time occasioned that emulation, ver. 25, 26. which drew out the testimony. Doct. 1. Christ was pleased to submit unto a tossed life, and went from place to place according as he had to do, or sinners to convert; for, after these things Jesus came (from Jerusalem, where he was ordinarily ill-welcomed) into the land of Judea. where he got work, and had occasion to do good. 2. It is the duty of Christs disciples to follow him, whithersoever he goeth, and however Christ may get many sleeces of followers, yet it is only disciples that follow him in well and wo; for, therefore, (and not only because it was their particular calling) is it marked, that Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. 3. Christs own bodily presence, being filled with the Spirit without measure for his peoples good, did not take away the use of external Ordinances of Word and Sacraments, as being the means in and by which he conveighs himself, and his grace and fulnesse to his people; for, he tarried with them and baptized, to wit, by the Ministry of his disciples, John 4.2. he used the same means that he appointed John to use, that he might binde all to Ordinances. 4. The Ordinances of Christ are as truly his Ordinances in the hands of weak men, appointed thereunto, as if he did administrate the same himself; for, so is here said of baptisme in particular, He tarried and baptized, when his disciples did administrate it: The vertue of Ordinances doth not depend on the excellencie of the instruments. 5. It is the duty of Ministers to continue their diligence, whatever other means Christ use to further his own work; and Gods raising up of clearer lights should not discourage faithful Ministers to go on in their duty: for albeit Christ was now getting the name, yet John was also baptizing. 6. Whatever circumstantial difference there was betwixt Christs and Johns baptisme, yet in substance they were the same, pointing out and sealing up the same thing; therefore they baptize together at one time, and people go to both of them as to the same Ordinance. 7. Under the Gospel the administration of Ordinances are not confined to any one place; for, John baptizeth in Aenon, as well as in Bethabara, with other water as well as Jordan, and Christ is baptizing in another place. 8. Ministers who are free, ought to choose such places for to exercise their calling in, where in wisdome they finde mainest circumstances concurre for furtherance of the work of God; for, he baptized in Aenon, because there was much water there, to baptize withal. This doth not by any consequence give us to inferre that John did not sprinkle, or poure water on these he baptized, but that he dipped them: for, in these hot countreyes, water being so scarce, that oft-times it occasioned contention, to get it for necessary uses, as appeareth, Gen. 26. Exod. 2. and elsewhere; it needeth not seem strange that John was not permitted to make use of wells, even for sprinkling the multitudes that came to him, but behoved to go to rivers and brooks where the water was copious and common. 9. Where God employeth his servants, he will give them successe in some measure; and albeit God raise up more shining lights, yet the work of God in the hands of any faithful Ministers, will not wear out of request among believers; for, when Christ is baptizing, yet they came and were baptized by John. 10. The most faithful of Gods servants may expect hard measure from the world for their pains, and that they will do what they can to impede them in their work; for, it is here supposed that John was cast in prison, though not yet. 11. The servants of God are not, upon feare of danger, to lie by of their own accord, but while they have liberty and opportunity of doing good, they ought to use it well, that it may further their account in a day of trial: for it is a reason why John still baptized: for, he was not yet cast into prison
