Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

3. Wherein was the Glory or excellency of Christs Baptism? The Ancients give many Encomiums to it, and in some respects prefer it to the Birth of Christ;¹ thus Augustine; Many great Miracles were at Christ's Birth, but they were far greater at his Baptism; the Holy Ghost overshadowed him in the Womb, but he brightly shone on him in the River; then was the Father silent, not a word from him, but now a loud voice is heard from Heaven, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; then was the Mother under suspicion, because she was found with Child without a Father; but now is the Mother greatly honoured, in that the Holy Child is Fathered by God himself: then was Christ hid to the world; and this made John the Baptist say, there stands one amongst you whom ye know not: He was before his Baptism as the Sun in a Cloud, or a Pearl in a shell, or a Gold mine in a Field: but now he appears in public; and to manifest his Glory, the Heavens open, and from the Heavens the Holy Ghost descends, and alights upon his sacred head; and God the Father gives a voice from Heaven, declaring his Divinity to the world. If the Jews require a sign, here is not one, but many signs at once; which as Beams do discover a Sun, so they discover this Sun of Righteousness to be risen amongst them; and herein was the Glory of Christ's Baptism.

3. Wherein was the Glory or excellency of Christs Baptism? The Ancients give many Encomiums to it, and in some respects prefer it to the Birth of Christ;¹ thus Augustine; Many great Miracles were at Christ's Birth, but they were far greater at his Baptism; the Holy Ghost overshadowed him in the Womb, but he brightly shone on him in the River; then was the Father silent, not a word from him, but now a loud voice is heard from Heaven, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; then was the Mother under suspition, because she was found with Child without a Father; but now is the Mother greatly honoured, in that the Holy Child is Fathered by God himself: then was Christ hid to the world; and this made John the Baptist say, there stands one amongst you whom ye know not: He was before his Baptism as the Sun in a Cloud, or a Pearl in a shell, or a Goldmine in a Field: but now he appears in publick; and to manifest his Glory, the Heavens open, and from the Heavens the Holy Ghost descends, and alights upon his sacred head; and God the Father gives a voice from Heaven, declaring his Divinity to the world. If the Jews require a sign, here is not one, but many signs at once; which as Beams do discover a Sun, so they discover this Sun of Righteousness to be risen amongst them; and herein was the Glory of Christ's Baptism.