2. Because he was conscious of his own sinfulness.
The Father was manifest by the voice.
In holy baptism all men are made in like manner children of God. We are made children,
1. By adoption—to the Father.
2. By ingrafting—to the Church.
3. By spiritual generation—to the priest who baptizes.
From this arises the question:—Did St. John the Baptist become spiritual father of our Lord by baptizing Him?
This Raulin answers in the negative; for,
1. Christ received not grace through the ministration of John; for He was full of grace from the moment of His conception.
2. The rite was imperfect.