§. I indeed baptize you, &c.
All the Evangelists have this answer of the Baptist, in regard of the substance, but in some circumstances there is difference among them. As first, whereas Luke saith, that these words were occasioned from him by the thoughts of the people, Matthew, that hitherto hath joyned with him in this story, even to the very words, that hath no such thing as about the questions aforementioned, nor about this supposal, but joyneth this as a con∣tinued speech to the Pharisees and Sadduces: but this needeth to breed no scruple, seeing that it is not only usual, but also necessary among the four, one to relate what another hath omitted, and one to declare at large, what another hath done in brief.
Secondly, Whereas both Luke and Matthew have set this testimony of the Baptist after other speeches of his made before; Mark, as was mentioned before, hath set it the first of all his Preaching, and indeed hath mentioned no speech else: But this he hath done, partly because he would hasten to the Baptism, Preaching, and Miracles of Christ, partly because Matthew had set out the matter at large before; but chiefly to give us to know that this witness went along with John in all his Sermons, and to all companies that came to be baptized.
Thirdly, Whereas Luke hath alledged this speech as an answer to the peoples thoughts, John hath brought it as an answer to an open question, Joh. 1. 25, 26, 27. And here it may be questioned indeed, whether these two speak of one and the same thing, and of the same time: But the resolution is easie, that they do not. For as it is plain by Luke, that these words mentioned by him, proceeded from John before the Baptism of Christ, so is it as plain by John, that those in him came from him after: for in ver. 26. he intimateth that Christ himself had already stood among them, but they knew him not; No nor he him∣self, but by the Holy Ghost, which he saw descend upon him, ver. 33. By which is con∣fimed what was said even now, that John made sure to bear this witness to Christ, at all times, and before all companies. Now because the eyes of the people upon himself, look∣ed at the strangeness of his Baptism, and the sanctity of his person, therefore doth he ap∣ply this his testimony accordingly, by comparing Christ and himself, and his baptism and his together, and proclaiming his own inferiority in both, as far as baptism with water only, is below baptizing with the Holy Ghost, and further then the servant that unties his Masters shoos, below him that wears them.