See? That same old spirit. Eighteen hundred years have rolled away, and you find human nature the same. John knew them pretty well.
“I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”
You need not flatter yourselves that you are better than the other people. God can make children right out of these stones, and make them the seed of Abraham.
“And now, also, the ax is laid unto the root of the tree; every tree, therefore, which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.
“And the people asked him, saying: ‘What shall we do, then?’”
See! They had an inquiry meeting, right there on the banks of the Jordan.
“He answereth, and saith unto them: ‘He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.’
“Then came, also, publicans to be baptized, and said unto him: ‘Master, what shall we do?’
“And he said unto them: ‘Exact no more than that which is appointed you.’