the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord."[1] That Elijah, or Elias, the messenger sent before to prepare the way of the Lord, was, as we know, John the Baptist. And He who sent the messenger, was Himself to follow; for He says, "I will send my messenger to prepare the way before Me." Now who is here speaking? God Himself. Consequently, He who came after John and was acknowledged by him, could be no other than God Himself, appearing in the form and under the name of Jesus Christ. And therefore John, when he saw Him, reverently humbled himself before Him, saying, "There standeth one among you, whom ye know not: He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me; whose shoes' latchet I am not worthy to unloose."—"He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."[2] Who can baptize with the Holy Spirit but God? Jesus Christ, then, it is plain, was "God manifest in the flesh."
The manner of His coming was also prophesied,—and this, more than 700 years before the event took place. "Behold," says Isaiah, "a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel"[3] In the gospel by Matthew, it is shown that this prophecy was fulfilled: and there the reason is added for the name "Immanuel" being given, because, in the Hebrew language, it declares the nature of the being thus born, signifying,—"God with us." He was God come amongst men—God taking upon Himself humanity;—not assuming it merely by sudden appearance as a man,—as He doubtless might have done, as indeed he had done before to Abraham and Moses,—
