The doctrine John preached was that of repentance, in consideration of the kingdom of heaven being at hand ; now here we have the use of that doctrine. Application is the life of preaching, so it was of John’s preaching. Observe , 1. To whom he applied it; to the Pharisees and Sadducees that came to his baptism, Matt. 3:7. To others he thought it enough to say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is...