Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsMark 1

Confessing their sins.

^◦ A certain confession of sins there was even in that penance which John preached, and which was made before men were baptized. Whereby it is clear that John made a preparation to the Sacrament of Penance which afterward was instituted by Christ, as well as he did by baptizing prepare the way to Christ's baptism.

• ◦ Confession.

Their sins.

^◦ He doth not say that they confessed themselves to be sinners, which may be done by a general confession: but that they confessed their sins, which is a particular confession.

• ◦ Particular confession.

Clothed.

^◦ The Holy Ghost thought it worthy of specially reporting how straitly this Prophet lived, and how he abstained from delicate meats and apparel. See Mat. c. 3.

• ◦ John's example of penance.

With water.

^[1] John with water only, Christ with the Holy Ghost, not only, as the Heretics hold, that say water is not necessary ^[2], but with water and the Holy Ghost, as it is plain Io. 3. Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

• 1 Baptism in water.
• 2 Calv. li. 4. inst. c. 16.

Baptized of John.

The humility of Christ not disdaining his servant's baptism. Which is an example for all faithful not to disdain Christ's Sacraments of any Priest, be he never so simple, being by the Catholic Church lawfully called. Aug. li. 5. de bapt. c. 9.

The Spirit.

^◦ Express mention of the B. Trinity. The Father speaketh from heaven, the Holy Ghost appeareth in the likeness of a dove, the Son also is recommended unto us. Ambros. li. 1. de Sacram. c. 5.

• ◦ The B. Trinity.

Desert.

^◦ Christ doing penance by long fasting, solitariness, and conversing with wild beasts, gave example and instruction to the Church for Lent fast, and to holy Eremites of retiring themselves to the wilderness and prayer.

• ◦ Christ's example of penance.

Desert place.

^◦ Christ used very often to retire into solitary places, no doubt for our example, to teach us that such places are best for prayer and contemplation, and that we should often retire ourselves from worldly matters to solitary meditation of heavenly things.

• ◦ Solitary contemplation.