cit._] Baptism with John was only a sign destined to make an impression, and to prepare the minds of the people for some great movement.

No doubt he was possessed in the highest degree with the Messianic hope, and that his principal action was in accordance with it.

"Repent," said he, "for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."[1] He announced a "great wrath," that is to say, terrible calamities which should come to pass,[2] and declared that the axe was already laid at the root of the tree, and that the tree would soon be cast into the fire.

He represented the Messiah with a fan in his hand, collecting the good wheat and burning the chaff.

Repentance, of which baptism was the type, the giving of alms, the reformation of habits,[3] were in John's view the great means of preparation for the coming events, though we do not know exactly in what light he conceived them.