William Burkitt on Matthew 3:3

The Papists, from John the Baptist's living in the wilderness, would make him the first founder of the order of the hermits, but very groundlessly.

For, 1. What he did was by God's command; what they do is by the dictates of their own fancy.

2. He busied himself in preaching in the wilderness; they bury themselves alive, and do nothing.

3. He lived in the wilderness but for a time, afterwards we find him at court, preaching a sermon to Herod; but they bind themselves by a vow to live and die hermits.