John 3:30

A third difference betwixt Christ and John, is, that John shining as the morning-star, before him the Sun of righteousnesse, was to be obscured more and more by Christs appearing, and his extraordinary office of preparing the way to Christ, was to give place to the full manifestation of him and the Gospel, which was to shine more and more brightly. This is not to be understood of any reall decay in John, but of his decreasing in the estimation of men, and appearing to be but what he was, when Christ was seen. Whence learn, 1. When Christ is not known, he will be but little thought of, and not duly acknowledged; and then others may be too much esteemed; for, so John insinuates, that Christ was not fully manifested, nor esteemed of as became, and that himself was but too much esteemed by many; yea, by some to be the Messiah, through ignorance of Christ. 2. Where Christ manifesteth himself, and is truly known, mens estimation of him will be upon the growing hand, as the light shineth more and more unto the perfect day; there being such excellency in him as cannot at once be comprehended, and the more he is seen, the more will he be esteemed and accounted excellent; and his kingdome and glory will still increase; for, he must increase, not in himself, but in manifestation, and estimation. 3. As the shining of Christ in his glory, will obscure the excellency of other things; so particularly of Ministers, not in respect of what they are appointed for of Christ (for so they will come more in request) but in respect of mens over-weaning conceits. Their light and glory will be seene to be borrowed from him, as the day-star doth borrow light from the Sunne; his splendor and light will obscure and swallow up their borrowed light, as the rising Sunne doth the day-star; their light and shining will be looked on as subservient to lead men to Christ, and not to be doated or rested on; for, this (beside what was singular in Johns calling, which therefore was to cease) is imported in this, he must increase, but I must decrease 4. Carnal envie and emulation will be so far from getting satisfaction, that men who give way to it, may expect to finde moe and moe occasions of it, and moe and moe tentations to it, in Gods holy providence; Therefore John tells his envious disciples, that they should see him yet lesse esteemed, and Christ more, he must encrease, but I must decrease. 5. Faithful servants of Christ, whose scope in their Ministry is to commend and set him out, will be content to be abased and obscured, providing he be exalted and come in request, and to see the Master more esteemed, then themselves the servants; therefore, John speaks of this as a dispensation he was content with.