There was a man sent from God
John the Baptist: he was not the Logos, or word; nor was he an
angel, but a man; yet an extraordinary one, in his conception of
a barren woman, and in being born when both parents were stricken
in years; and whilst he was in the womb, he leaped for joy at the
salutation of Mary; and as soon as born was filled with the Holy
Ghost; and when he was grown up, and appeared in public, it was
in an uncommon manner: his dress and his diet were both out of
the common way; and his temper and spirit were that of Elias the
prophet; and as for his work and office, it was very peculiar; he
was the forerunner of Christ, and the first administrator of the
new ordinance of baptism, and the greatest of all the prophets:
this person had his mission from God, both to preach and baptize:
whose name was John;
the name given him by the angel before his conception, and by his
mother Elisabeth, after her neighbours and cousins had given him
another; and which was confirmed by his father Zacharias, when
deaf and dumb: it signifies grace, or gracious; and a gracious
man he was; he was very acceptable to his parents; a man that had
the grace of God in him, and great gifts of grace bestowed on
him; he was a preacher of the doctrines of grace; and his
ministry was very grateful to many.