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Observe here, What a spirit of envy there was in John's disciples against Christ, upon account of the multitude of his followers: He that was with thee beyond Jordan, baptizeth, and all men come to him.
Where note, 1. How meanly John's disciples think and speak of our Saviour, compared with John their master. They do not so much as allow him a name, or give him any title, but He that was with thee beyond Jordan, the same baptizeth.
Observe, 2. How they intimate, as if Christ had received all his credit and reputation from their master John: He to whom thou bearest witness, baptizeth; as if they had said, "This man whom the people flock after, neglecting thee and thy disciples, is much inferior to thee; for he came to thee, thou didst not go to him; thou baptizedst him, he did not baptize thee; thou gavest testimony to him, he did not give testimony to thee."
Whence we observe, What a bitter spirit of envy and emulation there has always been amongst the ministers of the gospel, even from the very first plantation of the gospel, which causes them to look upon the exalted parts and gifts of others, as a diminution and debasing of their own; but why should as the prospering of the work of God, in one minister's hand, be matter of repining unto others? Shall not God honour what instruments he pleaseth? And will he not reward all his faithful labourers, according to their sincerity, not according to their success.