The way of the Spirit in bringing souls to Christ set forth in X sermons on John 16:7, 8, 9, 10 and chap 7:37 / by Mr. Thomas Allen, late pastor of a church in ... Norwich.

Thirsty Sinners invited to Christ.

SERMON VIII.

JOHN 7.37.

In the last day, that great day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and cried, saying; If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.

YOU have heard before the Words that Christ spake when the Pharisees and Rulers sent Officers to take him at the 30 Verse. At the 33 and 34 Verses, he told them that whatever their design should be to take him, Yet notwithstanding saith he, yet a little while I am with you, and whereas you are now desirous to be rid of me, Ere long I shall go away, and you shall see me no more, and though you may desire it, You shall seek me, saith Christ, and shall not find me, and where I am, thither you cannot come; Now mark what an effect these words had upon them, what use did the Jews make of that word of Admoni∣tion that Christ gave, and that gracious Counsel he gave; instead of making a good improvement. See v. 35.36. they made use of his words to scoff

at and mock him, say they, Yet a little while and he will go away; will he go to the dispersed among the Gentiles? speaking in derision and scorn, will he go among the dispersed Gentiles? Christ spake plain enough, if they had not been maliciously blind, Yet a little while (saith he) and I go to him that sent me, and so they made a meer mock. So that here we may take notice, that, Malicious minded men in stead of receiving any Word of Coun∣sel, and advice, will be ready rather to rail, mock, and scoff at them who give it. And so here to the Jews it was a word of Admonition that Christ gave, but they fell a mocking and scoffing at him; And so it was of old, 2 Chron. 14.20. you read there, how King Jehoshaphat sent about Priests and Levites throughout the Cities, out of Com∣passion to their Souls, to teach the Word among them, and to put them in mind of their duty, and it is said, they mocked those that came, they mocked the messengers of the Lord, for the words which they brought were for the welfare of their Souls. And so you read concerning the Lords Prophets that he sent to Juda, 2 Chron. 36. It's said, They mocked at the Lords Messengers till there was no remedy. And so, Acts 17. Paul was preaching of the resurrection of the dead, and 'tis said they mocked, Many mocked and scoffed at him, v. 32. And when they heard of the resur∣rection of the dead, some mocked, and others said, We will hear thee again concerning this matter. And thus it hath been, and so I say, as Paul in the Galatians, Even so it is now, and so it will be. And it may be of support unto the Servants of God that give words of Admonition, Reproof,

and Reprehension, Let them be satisfied in this, that though they be mocked, 'tis no more than was the Lot of the Servants of God of old before them. Well, but mark now how Christ doth go on for all this, he was not discouraged, he doth not turn his back upon them, because they mocked and scoffed and jeered him, but mark he goes into the Temple, and falls a preaching graci∣ous Words unto them, as in the Text; In the last day, that great day of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. Here was the Sermon that he preached after that derision that he met with from the Jews; I say, the words that I have read are the Sermon that Christ had preached in the Tem∣ple, as you may see recorded by the Evangelist. Concerning this Sermon take notice of two or three things.

1. First of all, Here is set forth the Time, when it was that Christ preached this Sermon: It's said, the last Day, that great Day of the Feast, what Feast? why the Feast of Tabernacles, that Christ did preach this Sermon, and 'tis said the last Day, and great Day of the Feast. Observe it, the Feast of Tabernacles was not kept only one day, but many days, even seven days together. Levit. 23.34. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the Children of Israel, the fif∣teenth day of the seventh Month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord, the fifteenth day of the seventh Month, that is our September. Now for these seven days, the first and the last were kept in a solemn manner; in the other days they did servile work, but not on the

first and last day, and so in Nehemia's time, they kept the last day of the Feast very solemnly, Nehem. 8.18. And they kept the Feast seven days, and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner. The last day, then the people came generally into the Temple to hear the law read unto them, and therefore that last day was called the great day of the Feast, for the people on the morrow were to depart into all parts of the Coun∣try, as they came from all parts; so here, on the last day, on the great day of the Feast, Christ preached unto them on this subject.

2. Secondly, 'Tis set forth by the Manner of it, in what manner Christ did preach this Sermon to them, There is a double circumstance in the preaching of this Sermon; It's said Christ stood, but ordinarily Christ is said to sit down; As he sat down in the ship, but here 'tis said he stood, that he might be better heard and seen of the mul∣titude. And another thing about the manner of it, is, He stood and cried with a mighty voice, he did extend his voice, so as all might hear, there be∣ing a great concourse of people, and likewise intimating that he was not afraid of the people; he goes up into the Temple, and there he cries it, intimating also that the matter was a weighty matter, which he had then to speak unto them, as if he had said, now take this word with you, 'tis a matter of great concernment. And that is the third thing here in the Text.

3. Thirdly, The matter of his Sermon when he stood and cried so, what did he speak or say? why, this it was, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. This was the sum of his

Sermon that he stood up and cried or preached unto the people. Wherein we have these two Particulars.

1. A gracious Invitation to all that are a∣thirst. And

2. A gracious Promise, that if they did come, they should drink. The Rabbies amongst the Jews recorded of this Feast, that in this last day, they were wont to go and powre abundance of water and wine (in a way of rejoycing) upon the Altar, and therefore Christ in allusion to that (speaking to them) saith, If any man be athirst, let him come unto me, and drink. Briefly to take up what I conceive to be Christs meaning in this place. There is a great deal of the Gospel here in these Words, in this general Proclamation, If any man be athirst, let him come to me and drink. Then know,

Doctrine.

That such as being athirst do come unto Christ, they shall certainly be supplyed unto the full, and that most freely.

Whoever being athirst doth come to Christ, he shall have a supply, he shall have a full supply, he shall not only tast or sip, but drink a full draught, his belly full, so filled, that as the Word saith, Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water; and not only so, but he shall have a full supply most freely, drink most freely he doth not desire money or price, but according to that Proclamation which you have to this purpose, Isa. 55.1. Ho every one

that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat, yea come, buy wine and milk without mony and without price. Come, and ye shall drink freely and that for nothing, without money, and without price. And so Revel. 22.17. And the Spirit, and the Bride say, Come, let him that heareth say Come, And let him that is a thirst come; and whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely, And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come, this is held forth freely, to drink freely, and it shall cost nothing; As now a man that should hold forth proclamation to all that would come to him and drink what they would, they might come, and should drink freely without charge to them; So here, our Saviour Christ clearly holds forth Grace and Salvation freely, whosoever comes they shall have it freely. Briefly to open the point, and shew,

1. What manner of Thirst it is that Christ speaks off, What thirst is it?

2. What is that same coming? Or how may a man that is athirst, how may such an one come? you will say, suppose it be a thirst after the wa∣ter of life, how may I come, or in what way may I come to Christ? And then

3. Shew you, That those who being thirsty do come to Christ, they shall certainly be supplyed to the full, They shall have drink given them freely, most freely. I shall desire to have respect to the season and apply my self accordingly to shew you what we are to understand by this same thirst, If any man be a thirst let him come and drink, What manner of thirst is it?

1. We are not here to understand it to be a bodily

thirst, but we are to understand it of spiritual thirst, a thirsting of the Soul, as David saith, My Soul thirsteth for thee O God, for the Living God, Psal. 42.2. There's a thirst of the Soul, as well as a thirst of the Body, and the thirst of the Soul is set forth by the similitude or resemblance of the Body, and so by what this thirst of the body is, we may the better understand the resemblance of the thirst of the Soul. There are three things in a bodily thirst.

1. There is a sense that the body feels of want, there is not only a want of moisture but the body is sensible of it, it is such a want as is an afflict∣ive want, in the want of it the body stands in need of a supply, and so you may read concerning Ha∣gar, the water being out, she did not know what to do for water, and away she goes crying for her child, and her child cries too, and so even ready to perish for want of water. And so Sampson, after he had made a great slaughter of the Philistims, saith he, What shall this victory do me good, if I want water? so that it is the sense of the want of something that is needful, and as there is a sense of something, so an ardent and vehement desire, and longing after the fulfilling of that desire, as you read of Sisera, Judg. 4. That great General begged a draught of water being very thirsty.

2. In the thirst of the body, there are not only longing desires, vehement earnest desires for a sup∣ply, but it is altogether unsatisfied, till it hath some thing of water or moisture to supply it's thirst. As the Israelites, they must have water whatever comes of it, they must have water, and Moses smites the rock, and fetcht water out of it for them. Why

1. First of all, In the thirst of the soul, the soul is sensible of the want of some spiritual good thing, he is not only wanting it, and without it, but he is sensible of it: In this thirst of the soul, there is a deep sense of the want of some spiritual good thing, Psal. 63.1.2.3. David being banish∣ed from the Tabernacle, from the publick wor∣ship, O! saith he, My Soul thirsteth for God; He wanted the Ordinances, as he used to have had them, that I may see thy glory in thy San∣ctuary. In Isa. 41.17. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst (a gracious promise) see what want there is, when the Soul is in such a case, being so sensible that it is even faint and failing, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. And then again,

3. As with the body when it's athirst, it doth vehemently and strongly desire; so now in this same thirst of the soul there is an ardent, an ear∣nest and strong desire after that which it finds it stands in need of, Psal. 42.1.2. David doth ex∣press the thirst of his soul, as the Hart that is wearied, and tyred, and just spent in hunting: O it longs and thirsts after the water brooks for its refreshment, so doth my Soul after thee O God; O when shall I come and appear before God! So Psal. 63.8. My Soul followeth hard after God, it was when his soul was thirsty; in the beginning of the Psalm his soul was thirsty for God, and v. 8. My Soul followeth hard after God, more than a man that is athirst follows hard for the satisfying his desire of thirst. So when the Soul that hath wanted some spiritual good thing (being athirst)

hath longed vehemently, and strongly, and been very earnest for it. And then again

3. When the soul is spiritually thirsty, it is not satisfied with any thing short of that which it finds it stands in need of, of that spiritual good thing, of that spiritual mercy; As Abraham, he was athirst, his soul was athirst for the accom∣plishment of the Promise; well, Abraham goes a long while before the accomplishment of the pro∣mise, twenty years or better, and in the mean while God gives Abraham other Promises, but yet he is not satisfied; saith God to Abraham, Behold Abraham, I am thy shield, and thine exceed∣ing great reward; what could Abraham desire more than God to be his great reward, even all; and yet saith Abraham, Lord, what wilt thou give me? and I go childless; nothing else but what God promised him will satisfy him. When the soul is athirst, nothing will satisfy but what it is a thirsting after: One thing have I desired, and that will I seek, it is that which I have thirsted after, and longed for, and nothing shall satisfy me till I have my longing; I have made it the main of my desires, and I will still desire it, even as the Woman of Canaan; she desired mercy for her Daughter that was possessed of a Devil, she had other mercies, yet she would not be satisfied without she had that mercy. And this is the na∣ture of a thirst; Why now saith Christ, If any be a thirst, let him come to me.

Objection.

But you shill say, What is the Object of this

thirst that he thirsts after, or for? what is it? for the thirst of the body, water, or some moisture for the body? But now what is the Object of this thirst? must Christ supply a man with what∣soever he thirsts for? suppose he thirsts for a great deal of the world, or suppose he thirsts for health, and strength, or the life of a friend or relation, or suppose it may be for some spiritual mercy, the performance of spiritual duties, and the like, whatsoever a man thirsts for, must it be given him?

Answer.

It is true indeed, it's not here exprest for what∣soever a man doth thirst, I suppose Christ doth not mean whosoever thirsts for the World, or world∣ly Comforts, or for spiritual gifts, &c. for car∣nal ends, but Christ means such mercies and bles∣sings as do accompany and necessarily tend to the salvation of the soul; if any man thirst for such a mercy, for that which he calls in the next verse, the Water of Life, Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water, who thirsts so; and he doth more plainly express it, Verse 39. This he spake of the Spirit, Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living Water, that is, whosoever is athirst for spi∣ritual mercies, whosoever is athirst for saving sanctifying grace, he that is athirst for the Com∣forts of the Spirit, for the saving graces thereof, as faith, meekness, humility, and patience, as the Apostle reckons divers fruits of the Spirit, Galat. 5.22, 23. Whosoever doth long, and is sensible of the want of these saving blessings, and mercies, pardon of sin, and assurance, &c.

whosoever is sensible of these wants, and longs for a supply of them, and is unsatisfied without them; Whosoever he is that is thus, Let him come to me. Now, I say, this same spiritual thirst of the Soul is very necessary, else the Soul will hard∣ly ever come to Christ for to be supplyed: Like as it is with a man that hath no ailment at all, at lest no sence of it, tell him of a Physician, he will not stir a step after him for cure: Those that are truly thirsty, and have not wherewithal to supply them∣selves, they are they that will come to Christ. And hence it is that when Christ would stir up those of Laodicea to come unto him, he doth it by shewing them their spiritual wants; Thou saist, saith he, that thou standest in need of nothing, that thou art full and standest in need of nothing; But I say, saith Christ, that thou art blind, miserable and naked. First Christ doth convince them (as it were) of their need of a thirst, and then holds forth the Water of Life. Here's the first thing opened. What we are to understand by this thirst. They who are truly thirsty, let them come to Christ: But,

2. What is this coming to Christ, or how may the Soul come unto Christ, to drink of the water of life? As I said before concerning thirst, 'tis not a thirst of the body, but a thirst of the soul: In what way may the Soul be said to come unto Christ? Briefly three ways the Soul that is athirst may be said to come to Christ.

1. First, We are to come to Christ in the way of his Ordinances, attending upon his Word, to hearken to Christ there; Let him come to me in the way of mine Ordinances; As in Scripture

phrase, in that place before mentioned, Isa. 55.2, 3. Coming is an hearkening diligently, enclining the ear; Come unto me by enclining of your ear; Jesus Christ is usually to be found in his own way in his ordinances, Mat. 28.20. Lo I am with you alway, even to the end of the World, yea in his Or∣dinances, in the administration of the Gospel, I am with you. Then come to the place where Christ is, or where he may meet with you. Re∣ceived you the Spirit by the hearing of the Law, or by the preaching, of Faith? that is the Gospel; Ye re∣ceived the Spirit, saith the Apostle Paul, by having the Gospel preached; he compares the preaching of the Law, and the preaching of the Gospel, and calls the preaching of the Law the Letter, and the preaching of the Gospel the Spirit. To come to Christ, to wait upon Christ in his own way, where he gives out this water of life; he that re∣ceives of this water of life, must be found in the way where Christ comes, as Zaccheus was, when Christ said to him, this day is Salvation come to thy house. This was beyond his desire, and beyond his thirst: Would you come to Christ, come into his Galleries, come into my sister, my Spouse. Would you come to Christ? come where he is, and see, he walks in the midst of his golden Candlesticks, there wait upon him in the way of his Ordinan∣ces, and here what he will say unto you for a sup∣ply of your wants.

2. Secondly, Come unto Christ in a way of Ask∣ing, by asking of him the waters of life, So we are to come, and this is called a coming to the Lord in the Hebrews, He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a Rewarder of them

that diligently seek him, Chap. 11.6. He that comes to God, how? in a way of prayer, and so to seek grace to help in a time of need; come in a way of prayer. And see how he directed the Woman of Samaria, Christ asked her a little water, and she denyed him, well saith Christ, If thou hadst asked of me, I would have given thee living water, how would he have given her living water? why in a way of asking.

3. Thirldy, We are to come in a way of Faith, And so saith Christ here in this Text, If any man thirst, let him come and drink, that is, he that be∣lieveth in me, and so this coming to Christ is ex∣pounded to be believing, John 6.35. He that co∣meth unto me shall never hunger, and he that be∣lieveth in me shall never thirst. Look now as un∣believing is a departing from the Lord, Heb. 10.38.39. Take heed, if any man draw back, my Soul shall have no pleasure in him; But we are not of those that draw back, but of them that believe to the sa∣ving of the Soul. O! an evil heart of unbelief is a departing from God; and so then by believing, the soul is said to come to God, to draw neer to God. But what is that coming unto Christ, or believing in Christ, whereby the Soul shall be ful∣ly satisfied? is it a believing that Jesus Christ is the Messias, the Saviour of the World? the very Devils do believe this; No, but briefly, This Believing is, namely, The Souls rest, and relying, and trusting upon Christ for acceptance in the sight of God, for remission of sins, for Salvation, and eternal life. Trusting and relying upon Christ and his merits for Salvation, a putting confidence in the Lord. Now when the Soul doth rely and

venture through a Word of invitation in the Gos∣pel, through Christs invitation doth adventure to rely upon his merits, to be wholly accepted in the sight of God. This now is a coming to Christ. And now saith Christ, If any man thirst, Let him c••me unto me and he shall drink. Let not any here move contention, and say, what do you bid us come to Christ, why this holds forth free Will? Why, know that such exhortations usually and frequently are in all the duties, that the Holy Ghost requires of us, which he knows we have no strength to do; the Lord calls us to pray, and 'tis our duty so to do; and to believe, but we have no strength and power of our selves, but we must not stand upon cavelling and say, 'tis but a fol∣ly for us to be striving, seeing we can do nothing, but it is our duty to be doing what lies in us to the performance, and wait upon the Lord for his co∣ming in with power to enable us to perform; as Lazarus, when he was in the grave, Christ called and with his word power was given forth, and he came out. So now we should indeavour to rely and trust upon Christ in his grace, and in his pro∣mise to have a supply of this same Water of life, and not to give over and cavil. That is a third, to shew what way the Soul that is truly a thirst should come to Christ. Then

3. Thirdly, Such as being athirst and do come to Christ, they shall certainly be supplyed, They shall certainly have a full supply, and it freely given them, for so saith Christ, If any man thirst let him come and he shall drink freely; He doth not expect any thing, or hold forth any price, but they, whoever come, shall drink freely, they

shall certainly have a full supply, and be supply∣ed freely; and he speaking it, spake in the hearing and audience of many thousands. I shall speak a Word of Application.

Application.

This may help us to discern, whether we have e∣ver been made to drink out of the Well of Salvation. Whether ever we have been made to drink of the waters which Jesus Christ hath given forth: and to go no further than the Text, there are two things that may help us to discern it, and one is this.

1. That if ever the Soul hath drank of the waters of life that are held forth, then it was once athirst for Christ; for here the offer that Christ makes is to thirsty souls, and those who thirst not will not care for coming. And

2. Not only thirsty, but they must also come to Christ. And therefore briefly to hint what I have spoken before.

1. Consider whether you have been truly thirsty, and by that you may see and know whether you have truly drank of this water of life. Consider it every one, hath my soul been truly thirsty? the soul that is truly thirsty is really sensible of some spiritual want, that he wants some spiritual mer∣cy, so sensible as to be spiritually affected, yea afflicted with the sense of it: As a man that is thirsty for water, he is so sensible that if he have it not he is afflicted for it; why so, let every soul consider, well, hath my soul ever been really sensible of the want of some saving mercy, or

truth? hath my soul been ever sensible of it? I pray consider it with your own souls, what sa∣ving grace is it that your souls have been sensible for the want of? even afflicted for the want of it? if ever you have been very greatly thirsty in your bodies, you have been very sensible. I pray con∣sider, can you remember that ever your souls were really sensible so as to be afflicted for the want of some spiritual saving mercy from God?

2. Again, Consider, If you have been thirsty, Whether you have ever found that same strong ar∣dent, and longing desire after a supply of that spi∣ritual want you are in? As pardon of sin, or sa∣ving grace: Have your souls not only been affect∣ed, but afflicted from the sence of the want of Grace, being ardently, vehemently, and earnestly longing after it: Can you remember at such a time your body was thirsty, and you longed for water, and could have drank puddle water by a good token, and cannot you remember that your souls have been longing, vehemently longing, most earnestly longing after, and panting after this spiritual water of life, and to have been alto∣gether unsatisfied, without you might have that spiritual grace and mercy, which you have longed for: If a man be thirsty, he will not be satisfied with a song, you may sing him a song, but that will not satisfy him, and give him what you will he must have that which he longs for, and that which he desires, or nothing. And hath it been thus with your souls? consider what I say; can you say, you have longed for this grace and the other, for saving grace and the like, well, but have you not been satisfied with something else?

for I say, if we had not had in some measure a supply, our souls would still have been thirsty, and never satisfied without that we have found a need of. And then take that along with all, viz.

3. Consider whether ever you have truly come to Christ. Suppose you have longed for this and that mercy, and have been unsatisfied for want of this mercy, consider of it, did you ever truly come to Christ? have you ever been athirst? have you ever come to Christ in his Ordinances for a supply? why, yes you will say, you have come to the Ordinances to hear the Word preach∣ed; Ay Brethren, you may come to hear, and yet not come to Christ; have you ever come to hear the Word from the sense of the want of some spiritual saving grace, that he would supply to you? it is ordinary for every one to come, except they are such as are desperately wicked and pro∣phane, but thus we are to come, and have we ever come thus to Christ? even as the Saints have been wont to come to the Ordinances, with a sense of their spiritual wants, I will hearken and hear what God the Lord will speak to me, for he will speak peace: He wanted peace, and he had the sense of the want of peace upon him, now saith he, God will speak peace. So Psal. 73. The good man was under a great temptation, and it was even too hard for him, and he was even ready to cry out of the temptation, and murmur, and repine against God, well he now goes unto the Lord in the way of his Ordinances, and hearkens what God will give unto him, to answer his tem∣ptation, and then his temptation was answered

in his waiting upon God in the sense of his spiritu∣al wants for a supply. And so have you even come thus to the Lord in the way of his Ordinan∣ces? when you came this day before the Lord, can you say (between the Lord and your own Souls) that you came upon the sense of some spi∣ritual want for your Souls unto the Lord in this Ordinance? Why Brethren, it is a rare thing for to come to Christ in the way of his Ordinances, in the sense of the want of some spiritual mercy. But,

4: Again, Consider, Have you ever come to Christ in a way of prayer? to ask a spiritual mercy and blessing. It's true inded, you will say, you go to God every day for the pardon of sin, and assurance of it; you go every day, but now have you come to the Lord and asked this spiritual mercy, and the other, as a thirsty man that is e∣ven ready to perish for want of drink, and to take nothing in a way of satisfaction (whatsoever you have besides) without you have that you are so sensible of.

5. And then, Consider, Whether you have ever come to Christ in a way of Faith. There is the co∣ming to Christ indeed, if ever you would drink of the water of life, you must come in a way of faith. Though you have come to the Word, and come in a way of prayer, yet have you come in a way of faith? relying, and resting, and rolling upon Christ in a way of Faith, to be accepted of the Father through him, and so for remission of sins, and whatever saving benefit you stand in need of. Have you ever came to Christ thus? relying upon him in his word, in the invitation he makes there,

and in his promise? this is the way to come to Christ; He that believeth on me, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Let us consider of it between the Lord and our own souls, whe∣ther ever we have come to Christ and so drank of the waters of life? if we have not been thirsty, though we may have seemed to be so, yet if we have not really come to Christ, we fall short of what we might have expected to have met with.

I thought to have prest the invitation on poor souls, that they might come and drink of the wa∣ter of life, but the time is past.

Thirsty Sinners invited to Christ.

SERMON IX.

JOHN 7.37.

In the last day, that great day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and cried, saying; If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.

THE Point or Truth that was before us from these words was this; namely,

That such as being thirsty, and come unto Jesus Christ, shall certainly have a full and free supply.

Or, as you may take it in the words of Christ, If any man be a thirst, let him come to Jesus Christ and drink. This Jesus Christ did speak, and cryed it in the hearing of many thousands, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.

You have heard what it is to thirst, and what this thirst is, it is a thirst of the soul which Jesus Christ here speaks of, If any man thirst, it im∣plyes these three things.

1. There is a sence, even an afflictive sence of

something that it sees a necessity of: As it is with the thirst of the Body, if one be truly thirsty he doth not only want water, or want drink or moi∣sture, but is sensible of it, and is afflicted with the sense of it. So now, this same thirsty soul it hath a sence of spiritual want, and is afflicted with the sense of it. You may see David cryes out saying, I am in a place where no water is. And, Psal. 63. My soul thirsteth for God. And the Prophet Isaiah saith, The needy seek water, and their tongue fails for thirst. There is an afflictive sense upon the soul from the want of some spiritual good.

2. There is not only a sense of want, but there is also an ardent and vehement desire of a sup∣ply. And,

3. The Soul is not only lodging and desiring, but is unsatisfied with any thing short of that it desires.

Several other particulars were insisted upon, and I came to a third, which now I shall desire to speak to through the Lords assistance. Viz.

That such as do come to Christ shall have a full supply.

Every soul that doth come to Christ shall be fil∣led; He that comes to me, shall not only have a taste, but shall have a full supply; Let him come unto me and drink; He shall not only have a full suyply but a free supply; Christ doth not require any thing at all, Whosoever he be that comes un∣to me, he shall drink, he shall be freely supplyed. Rev. 22.17. Let him that is a thirst, come: And whosoever will, let him come, and take of the waters

of Life freely. And Isa. 55.1. Ho every one that is a thirst come ye, to the Waters: He shall be made to drink, and be supplied with all spiritual, heavenly, and eternall Blessings. Jesus Christ he is a full supply, and though we may have a Notion that in Jesus Christ there is a full supply, yet we have a Principle and Notion in us, that we have some supply in our selves; A Popish Principle, Christ may supply us in part, but some from our selves; and therefore we have a Notion, as if we should go unto Christ with money in our hands, to buy it of him. Therefore a little to clear these things, viz. To demonstrate,

1. That Jesus Christ will certainly give a full supply.

2. That there is a full supply that Christ will give out, not a part only, but a full supply to all that come to him.

First, That Jesus Christ will give out a full sup∣ply of all spiritual Blessings: Whatsoever good things the soul can stand in need of, or can possibly desire; Jesus Christ will give out a full supply un∣to all them, even every of them that comes to him.

1. The first Demonstration is taken from The Incomprehensible Fullness that is in Jesus Christ. He is a full Fountain, not as a Pail or a Bucket drawn from a Well, but he is a full Fountain; now from out of a fountain ••here is a full supply to be had, a man may drink as much as ever he will, as much as ever he can hold; Now Christ is a full Fountain, see what is said concerning Christ, Zech. 13.1. In that day, there shall be a Fountain set open to the house of David, and to the Inhabitants

of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. And so, Coloss. 1. It pleased the Father, that in him all ful∣ness should dwell, even all fulness: Now if Christ be a fountain, a full fountain, there is fulness of supply to be had in him: Now all fulness of blessings are in Jesus Christ, he is a fountain of all spiritual things that are needful for the salvation of a poor soul, and there is a fulness of Spirit in Christ, John 3.34. For God giveth not the Spirit by measure to him, And so Coloss. 2.9. 'tis said, It pleased the Father that the fulness of the God-head dwelt in him as Mediator, the fulness of the Deity, the fulness of the Spirit.

2. And then, as there is a fulness of the God-head dwelling in him as Mediator, and a fulness of the Spirit, so there is also a Fulness of all gifts, and of all graces in Jesus Christ, John 1.14. He is the only begotten Son of the Father full of Grace and Truth. And so in him are hid the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, they are all hid in Christ, he is the fountain of them; and the Apostle hath another full expression Ephes. 3.8. Ʋnto me who am less than the least of all Saints is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearch∣able riches of Christ: Unsearchable riches that can never be drawn dry. The fulness of the Spirit, the fulness of all Grace dwelleth in him.

3. Thirdly, There is a Fulness of Righteous∣ness and Satisfaction in Jesus Christ, so as to make a poor sinner to be accepted as righteous before God, and discharge it of all sins, as the Angel told Daniel, Chap. 9.24. To make an end of Sins, and to bring in an everlasting Righteousness, a righ∣teousness

that will serve to all eternity for all, from the beginning to the end of the World; and though the Saints are striving after a measure and fulness daily, yet notwithstanding there is a ful∣ness in Jesus Christ, the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin, there is merit enough, and vertue e∣nough. 1 John. 2.5. If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righte∣ous, and he is the Propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole World. There's righteousness, and satisfaction, and me∣rit enough for all. And

4, Then there is a Fulness of power to give out, and to communicate unto others. See John 5.26, 27. For as the Father hath Life in himself, so hath he gi∣ven to the Son to have Life in himself, and hath gi∣ven him authority to execute Judgment also, because he is the Son of man. As the Father hath life in himself, so there is fulness of power and authority given out unto Jesus Christ, to give out to whom he will, and he gives and communicates as being full of the Spirit.

1. He communicates of the Spirit and Holy Ghost to whom he will, He gives the Spirit, and therefore promises it to his Disciples, John 16.7. When they heard of his departure from them, that night he should be betrayed, Christ having given them a hint of it, they were troubled, and saith Christ, Because I tell you the truth you are grieved, yet nevertheless it is expedient for you that I go away, and that you be deprived of my pre∣sence, for when I go away, I will send the Holy Ghost, the Comforter unto you. And so the A∣postle Peter Acts 2. When the Holy Ghost fell up∣on

the twelve with fiery tongues, the people mar∣velled at it, and thought they were drunk with new wine, no saith Peter, These are not drunken with new wine, as you suppose, this is an effect of the Promise as to the latter days, according to Joels Prophecy. And

2. Again, He communicates of the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit. The Graces of the Spirit are given out by Jesus Christ, Eph. 4.8. When he ascended on high, he led Captivity Captive, and gave Gifts unto men, And so the Apostle saith, Grace and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. He giveth Gifts and Graces.

3. And so again, Christ doth communicate and give out Forgiveness and Remission of Sin. He hath power and authority to give out that, as Mat. 9. When they brought the Palsey man, and Christ saw their faith, saith he, Son be of good chear, thy sins are forgiven thee, and certain of them thought he had blasphemed, well saith he, That I may shew unto you, that I have power on earth to forgive sins, I say unto thee, Son, take up thy bed and walk. And so, Acts 5.31. Him hath God exalted with his own right hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give unto Israel repentance and for∣giveness of sins. And

4. Again, Jesus Christ doth communicate Peace and Consolation, Peace with God, and true Com∣fort. Being justified by Faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And so in a∣nother place, If there be any consolation in Christ Jesus, — taking it for granted there is consolati∣on in Jesus Christ, and all true consolation comes

from him. And so as our sufferings abound, so do our consolations abound much more through Jesus Christ our Lord. Again

5. It is Jesus Christ also that doth communicate and give out eternal life, to whom he will: Saith he, My sheep hear my voice and they follow me, and I give them eternal life. Brethren, Christ hath power and authority to give out all spiritual blessings, a fountain having all fulness, so they that come to Christ for a supply come to a full fountain. Brethren, if so be that Jesus Christ were full of the Spirit, and full of grace, — yet if he were not full as a fountain, he could not communicate; look now, as it is with a bucket, though it may be full of water, yet notwithstand∣ing it hath not the fulness of a fountain, as it doth supply any it hath so much the less, but Christ now being a fountain-fulness, though he commu∣nicate never so much, yet still there is the same ful∣ness, as now go to the sea, all the rivers in the World are filled with the sea, and yet the sea hath never a whit the less; and so the Sun hath given out its light day by day, four thousand years to∣gether, and yet the Sun hath never the less light in it, because it is the fountain of light; So Christ, (now) being a fountain hath never the less in com∣municating, still as much grace, as much holiness, as much righteousness as before. And so the Saints some of them have been full of the Holy Ghost (as Stephen) though yet notwithstanding, their fulness is not the fulness of a fountain, and so they cannot supply the want of others; As the wise Virgins, when the foolish Virgins wanted Oyl and their lamps were out, they would have

had oyl of the wise, but say they, we have none to spare, none to communicate, why? because they have not a fountain. But still now in Jesus Christ there is a fulness, as a fountain of all grace whatsoever. That is the first Demonstration.

2. Secondly, Take another withall, and that is this, to shew that there is a full supply in him, because, All that come to Jesus Christ are neer to him, nay they are united to him, They are made neer unto God, being united unto Christ, and thereupon they have a communication of his ful∣ness from Union, for Union is the cause of com∣munication; as now if the Branches of a Tree be united to the tree, they communicate and partake of the trees root, sap, and nature of it; Saith Christ, I am the Vine, ye are the Branches, why now the branches of the Vine partake of the Vine; look now as it is with the members of the natural body, being joyned, they do communicate and participate with all the members; as the Head, it is the seat of all the sensitive or animal Spirits, and the head being united to the body, there is a communication of all the senses, from the head to every member according to its capacity, why now, Jesus Christ, he is the head, we are his mem∣bers, flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone, we are members of him being joyned to him, and they that are joyned to the Lord are one Spirit, we are by faith joyned to the Lord, and Jesus Christ is said to dwell in us by faith; there is a nearer union that the believing soul hath with Jesus Christ, than any member hath to the natural bo∣dy, than any branch hath to a natural tree, yea, than our souls and bodies have to each other,

John 6.56. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. Now the nearer we be to a fountain, the nearer a sup∣ly, suppose one were in a fountain of water, he must needs have enough, suppose a man were in the body of the Sun, he must needs be supplied with light; Now the Soul that comes unto Christ, and is in Christ, it is in the fountain of living wa∣ter, and being in the fountain, it must needs re∣ceive a full supply, unto all its wants, I say a very full supply. That is a second Demonstration.

3. Thirdly, To take up one more, I say we shall have a full supply, because, This same Ful∣ness is communicated and given to Christ by the Fa∣ther as Mediator, for this end and purpose, to give out and communicate to us. For Brethren, this fulness that is in Christ is communicated unto Christ as the fulness of the God-head; for it seems to be an improper speech to say that the Fa∣ther is the fountain of the Deity, but the Father communicates to the Son in regard of the Perso∣nality, now Jesus Christ hath all fulness as Medi∣ator to communicate and give out, not to keep it to himself, and hold it to his own proper use on∣ly, But look now as it is with the Fountain, the Sea hath not its water for it self, but to commu∣nicate unto rivers, so God hath made the Sun to be light, not to be light to it self only, but to communicate and give light to the World: why now there is a full supply in Jesus Christ, he be∣ing filled with all fulness, (from the Father) for this end, to give out to others, to communi∣cate; From his fulness we have all received Grace for Grace, he is full of grace and truth, Ay, but

to what end is he full of grace and truth; that we might receive from his fulness grace for grace, and therefore saith the Psalmist, When he ascended on high he led Captivity Captive, and received gifts for men, even for the rebellious, He received them for men, for rebellious men, for enemies unto God, to give out and communicate of grace as he was Mediator, and therefore now Jesus Christ gives out grace freely and largely, because it is for that very end he had all fulness given to him, so that now there is a full supply to be had for all that come to Christ, Christ will fully supply all that come to him to drink of the water of life, and he hath never a whit the less: And O Brethren that you were fully perswaded of this truth, that he is the fulness of all grace, that so we might know whether to go to be supplyed in all our spiritual wants, for we are ready to go to other things ra∣ther than to Christ, to our Prayers, and Duties, and the like, but these are to be used only as Con∣duits, to convey suppply to us, but not as the sup∣ply, but to look unto Christ who hath all supplies, that we may go unto him to supply us, who only is able to supply us, and fill us to the full with all grace, whatsoever we stand in need of, and then again, we shall not only have a full supply, but we shall have a supply freely, Christ will not ask any thing at all of any that comes to him, but they shall be supplyed freely from his fulness; as if you should go to a fountain of water, and be filled, there's none will require or demand any thing of you, so the Sun it communicates it's light without money or without price, so it is here, when we are sensible of our own unworthi∣ness,

and have nothing to carry, and nothing to give, no money, nor no price to carry in our hand, yet may we come to Christ, for he is a full fountain, and gives out the water of life free∣ly. I shall demonstrate that Jesus Christ doth give out freely as well as fully, not only fully, but also freely, to all that do come unto him for this water of life, that so we may be established in this truth.

1. Because, If it were not so, there's no crea∣ture, neither man nor woman, could ever come to drink of this water, if it were not free as well as full, For no sinful creature hath any thing to give, that is worth one drop of this water of life, it hath no ability to give any thing, and therefore if it were not free none should partake of it; Who hath first given unto the Lord, and it shall be recom∣penced him? who? he means none, For of him, and through him, and from him are all things, to whom be glory for ever. And you have the Pro∣phet David encouraging his people to be liberal in contributing towards the building of the Temple, and they were so, insomuch as Davids heart was refreshed therewithal, saith David, All that we do give, or can communicate, (though the people have given very liberally) yet saith he, all is thine own, All that Gold and Silver that we gave for the building of the Temple is all the Lords own, ••••ey had nothing of their own, it was the Lords. And so when the Lord gives out any Spiritual good thing, why? what hast thou to give unto the Lord? yea nothing at all, for what hast thou that thou hast not received? not the least drop of good but it is from the Lord; if my life should

ly on it for a drop of living water to be fetcht in of my self, it could not be, or if it were to be had with a good wish, saith the Apostle, I can neither do nor will any thing, nay saith he, I am not able to think a good thought, therefore if my life did ly on it, for one good thought, I should not obtain it, 2 Cor. 3.5. Not that we are sufficient of our selves, to think any thing as of our selves, but our sufficiency is of God. Yea when we have done all that we are commanded to do or suffer, yet this will not purchase one drop of it, Luke 17.10. So Rom. 8.18. For I reckon, that the Sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. And there∣fore I say, that it must needs be free, else never a man or woman could be able to partake of one draught or dramme of this water of life, if it were not free.

2. Again, Because of that delight, pleasure, and complacency, that Jesus Christ doth take in giving out this water of life, There is never an hungry man takes more delight in eating of his meat, than Je∣sus Christ doth in communicating of this water of life, an hungry man shall not need to be bidden to eat his meat, and saith Jesus Christ, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and so he in∣vites all to come unto him; And you Women who know how to give suck to your little chil∣dren, they being brought to you and making means; the mother having a full breast, shall she need to be hired to suckle her children? yea she is pained till she be delivered of her fulness, Isa. 66.11 So ••t is with Jesus Christ, he hath full breasts al∣wayes, and 'tis delighting to him to communicate.

Indeed I told you before the Head is the fountain of the animal parts, and the head freely gives out to the senses, and if there be an obstruction to a∣ny of the rest of the members, then it causes pain in the head: Why, Jesus Christ he is the head of the body, and he doth as freely, and with as much desire, and delight, and readiness, communicate unto any of his members, even as the head is rea∣dy to communicate unto the body. And so you that keep shops, what keep you shop for? is it not that you desire to part with your commodi∣ties freely for a price? and never any Shopkeeper is more free, and ready to part with any of his commodities for a price, than Jesus Christ is to give out his water of life without price, I coun∣sel thee to come and buy of me, Rev. 3.18. (to buy is to receive of him) to come and buy wine and milk without money and without price, Isa. 55.1. Again

3. Because of his free invitation to all comers to drink, He comes among thousands to proclaim this his readiness, and freeness to give out of this water of life. Suppose you should be at a dinner or supper at a Friends house, and being there should offer for your dinner or supper, would not he take it as a disparagement unto him: why so I say, if Jesus Christ should require any thing for what he gives out, as a price, and should not give it out freely,, might not these many thou∣sands that heard of his kind proffer, cry out against him? why all those Texts that you read of, where∣in he invites poor sinners to come unto him and that freely, if he were not now free to communi∣cate, would not these words and scriptures witness

against him? O my people, testify against me, saith the Lord in Micah, Jesus Christ doth chal∣lenge any man to testify against him for his unfaith∣fulness towards him or them, and therefore hence it appears that Jesus Christ is ready and free to give out a full and free supply unto all that come unto him, he will give out freely without money or without price. One thing more I should have spoken to by way of Answer to an Objection, What? are all comers unto Christ to be supplied? why then, what's the reason that so many real believers make so many complaints, and are under such great wants, they want this, and that, and the other, and scarce any but want some measure or other, sensible of their own wants of this grace or the other, and I have such a hard heart, and such a dead heart, and such a carnal heart, how then is it, that if all that do come unto Christ shall be supplyed, what mean these complaints? This I should have spoken to, and the Application, but the time is spent.

Thirsty Sinners invited to Christ.

SERMON X.

JOHN 7.37.

In the last day, that great day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and cried, saying; If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.

AS You have heard, you have here a graci∣ous invitation that Jesus Christ doth give unto poor sinners that stand in need of the Water of Life; that stand in need of Eternal Life: He makes a loud Proclamation, If any be a thirst, let him come unto him. And you have also a gracious Promise that is annexed unto this Invitation, sc. That they shall drink. If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink. You have heard the Point opened.

That any one, whosoever he be, that comes in a thirst to Christ, shall be made to drink abundantly, he shall have a full and a free supply of the Wa∣ters of Life.

First, You have heard what we are to under∣stand by this same thirst. If any man be a thirst.

Secondly, We have opened and shewn what is this same coming unto Christ.

And the last day, we came to speak of a Third, and that was to shew what Christ here means in this Promise, when he saith, They shall drink. If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. Ay drink, drink of the Water of Life, drink of what∣soever is necessary and good, or desirable for their everlasting salvation; That is meant by this same drinking of the Water of Life; Drink in of the Spirit and eternal blessedness, as you may see in the following words; He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. This he spake of the Spirit.

Now in this Promise here wherein Christ saith, they shall drink; It implies and holds forth two things.

1. It holds forth a full supply, they shall have a full supply, not only a taste or a sip, but they shall drink and have a full draught; they shall have their bellys full.

2. It holds forth and implies, That he will let them have of the Water of Life, and not only so, but they shall have it freely, they shall have a full draught of the Water of Life, a full supply with∣out any price or money; He requires nothing but only coming, if they come they shall have it.

Reasons 1.

Christ is a full Fountain, he hath all fulness in him, and fullness as a Fountain hath, and there∣fore can supply all Comers. There may be full∣ness of water in a Pail, but that will not supply all comers, but as he is the Fountain of the Springs,

he can supply all comers, he is the fountain of all fulness, for all fulness is in him, and as he hath all fulness given unto him, so God the Father hath put all fulness into Christ the Mediator, to give out and communicate unto those that come unto him fo•• a supply, and he will do it, for he came from heaven to do his Fathers will, as Me∣diator, he is filled with all fulness, not for him∣self to keep it to himself, but it is put into him to that end, to communicate, derive, and give out; As the light of the Sun is not put into it, meerly that it should keep it to it self, but to com∣municate thereof unto all that shall come into the World; And so the Sea is the fulness of water, and that gives out of it self freely, and the cause why the water is put into the Sea is, that it may fill the Rivers and Springs; And so it is with Christ, It pleased the Father that in him we should have all fulness, that so through his fulness we might receive grace for grace. There is fulness of Wis∣dom in Jesus Christ, and fulness of Righteousness, Holiness, and Sanctification in him, God hath filled him with this fulness, and why so? as the Apostle tells us, 1 Cor. 1.30. to this end, to communicate, He is made unto us of God, or, Who of God is made unto us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption: And so he hath made him to be thus unto us, that from his grace he might fill those that come unto him. He is the fountain of life, and wherefore hath God put the fountain of life in Christ? what? to keep it to himself? no, but to communicate, John 10.10. I am come, saith Jesus Christ, that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly,

more abundantly, than ever you had in all the time of the Law; the Son hath life in himself for this end and purpose, that he might give out life, not to have it to himself, and keep it to himself, but to give out as a fountain, and so, John 9.39. It is said he is come for this end, To give light to those who are blind, and that they that see not, might be made to see. And then a

Reason 2.

Why it must needs be so, that they shall have a full supply, is, Because that those that come to Christ are very near unto him, united to him, and are in him, and so no condemnation to them that are in Christ; and therefore they must needs have a large supply and communication from Je∣sus Christ. Suppose that a man were in the Sun, the very fountain of light▪ if he be near the Sun he hath much light, but if he be in the Sun, then a more large fulness of light; and so they that come unto Christ, they are neer Christ, they are nigh unto him, John 6.56. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him, He abides in me, and dwells in me. The Soul therefore that comes to Christ, must needs ha••e a full supply.

Again, This full supply that is given out unto Believers, it is given out not only fully but freely, Saith Christ, I do not ask any thing at all, but whosoever comes he shall have his fill, he shall have a full supply, and that freely, he shall drink and that freely, only do but come, and you shall drink, and thy soul shall live, Revel. 22.17. And

Whosoever will let him come and drink of the water of life freely, And so Isa. 55.1. Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat, yea come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price; With∣out any price at all, it is only coming, and that to every one that comes to him, it's most free. You have had two or three Demonstrations, (I shall but briefly name them and so proceed) to shew and satisfy your hearts in this, that Jesus Christ requireth nothing of any soul that comes to him, for the giving out of a large supply.

1. If Christ should require any thing, and should not give out freely, there is not a soul that ever was in the World, or ever shall be in the World, that had or hath wherewith to purchase any thing, or any one drop of the water of life: For we cannot as much as will, or think, or speak of our selves, not so much as to have a good thought. And

2. Jesus Christ will have it so, because it is his pleasure and delight.

3. It must needs be so, because of that Invitati∣on that Jesus Christ doth here make unto poor souls that come unto him. Thus far I have pro∣ceeded. Before I come to the Application there is only one thing would be cleared as an Objecti∣on by the way, and that is taken from the Saints.

Objection.

Do we say there is such a fulness in Jesus Christ? and will he give out a large and full supply unto all that come to him, and that freely? How

can this stand with the experience of them that are true believers that truly come unto Jesus Christ? They are so sensible of their own wants, weaknesses, and their own defects of grace, as what more frequent complaints? and who do more frequently complain than true believers? And there is never a true believing soul that comes to Jesus Christ, but is sensible of some defect or want, or other, and hath not attained to perfecti∣on, and the more, and nearer he comes to Christ, still the more sensible of his defects and wants: O! none so weak as I am, none so poor in grace as I am, none so weak in faith, so wanting in love, in humility, in patience, and in meekness as I, and O! none hath such a cold heart, such a dead heart, such an unfruitful heart as I have: You will say, where is this same full supply then? Shall all that come to Christ have a full supply? how can these things be? What shall we say then? that those that make such complaints as these are not true believers? no, God forbid. Or shall we say that this Truth that Jesus Christ hath spoken is not truth? why? where is then this same full supply? how can this stand to be a truth? that all that do come to Jesus Christ shall have a full supply, and shall drink abundantly, and shall drink freely, when he saith, Every one that cometh unto me shall drink of the water of life, and that freely. Do not many believers fear that their sins will be their ruine? and fear condem∣nation sometimes? Now how doth this stand with this full supply, which is to be had in Christ? I shall clear this by answering to two or three things.

Answer 1.

First. Every believing soul that comes to Jesus Christ hath drunk such a draught of this same wa∣ter of life, that he is freed for ever from condem∣nation, He shall never dy, or perish, or be con∣demned for sin, no, he is freed from all condem∣nation, the poorest, the weakest, the meanest hath drunk a full supply, that it shall never perish by its sins, it is passed from death to life, there is no condemnation, none unto them (now) that they are in Christ Jesus, no condemnation to the poorest and meanest believer, and now all their sins are forgiven, there is a full forgiveness, those sins shall never be laid to their charge; And as the Holy Ghost saith, I will be merciful unto their unrighteousness, their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more, And the blood of Jesus Christ is able to cleanse us from all our sins. It's true in∣deed, a believer that hath drunk of this same wa∣ter of life, and that is freed from all his sins, he may be possibly be exercised with fears, and possi∣bly his Assurance, and his Apprehension of his Justification to himself may have some cloud up∣on it, he may be excercised with clouds, may fear his going down into the pit, though there is no real ground of it, for indeed he is freed from all the guilt of these, for he is now passed from death to life, John 11.26. He that believeth in me shall never dy, that is, his very temporal death shall be but as a sleep to him, the sting is taken out, and he shall never die eternally, And so therefore to clear this Objection, there is never a believing

soul that is come to Christ, but hath drunk such a draught of the water of life, that he is passed from death to life, and shall never see death or condemnation. That is one.

Answer 2.

Secondly, Every Soul that is come to Christ, (though in respect of his Sanctification, of sancti∣fying and saving grace) he is not perfect, he hath not drunk such a draught but he desires more, and may desire more, yet notwithstanding, that draught that he hath drunk is such a draught, as he shall never be thirsty more, so as to be wholly destitute of this same water of life, as he was before. Christ saith, John 6.35. He that cometh to me shall never hun∣ger, he that believeth on me shall never thirst; He shall be carried on, as he shall never decrease, so as to be destitute, but shall grow up, as the grain of mustard seed Christ makes use of by way of Parable, likening the Kingdom of Heaven to a grain of mustard seed, and to a little Leaven which never leaves spreading, till it hath spread all over, and the grain of mustard seed, it grows and springs up further and further, till it become a tree for the fowls in the air to lodge in; so our inward man is renewed day by day, as it will spring up, increase, and grow more and more, though yet he that hath drunk of the Spirit, hath not the full perfection of it at once, but may de∣sire more, yet notwithstanding he hath so much as he shall never be dry again, that is, wholly destitute, but shall grow up, and increase and spring. And let me add only a third thing.

Answer 3.

You will say, The Saints have not a full draught and full supply, because they complain, I answer, that though here they be in a state of imperfection, and stand in need of a daily supply, (being sensible of their own defects and weaknesses) Yet every believing soul hath drunk so much of the water of life, as now he hath right and title unto the Inheri∣tance of Glory, where there is such fulness of joy, as he shall be satisfied, and shall not be able to desire any more, Psal. 16.11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life, in thy presence is fulness of Joy, and at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. They shall have joy as much as they can hold, every vessel shall be filled with glory so full as it can hold no more, they shall enjoy as much as e∣ver they are able to hold or containe, every vessel shall be full of glory. The beginnings of eternal life are here, and though possibly they may be made to drink tears here in abundance, yet notwithstand∣ing they have the beginnings of eternal life and glory, and when they come once to enjoy the con∣summation of it, they shall not be able to desire one draught, one jot more, so, He that believeth on me, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living wa∣ter, springing up unto eternal life. So much for that Objection. Now for the Application of the Point.

Ʋse 1.

You see what Christ saith in the Text, That man that comes unto me shall drink. My drift in

this Application shall be to press this Invitation of Jesus Christ. Be it known unto you Men and Women, young men and old, and children, that are capable of knowledge, Know it, that Jesus Christ doth invite every one of you that stands before him in this Ordinance, to come unto him and draw water out of this Well of salvation. It is a strong invitation that whosoever comes to him shall drink of this water of life; Let me say unto you as Moses said unto the Children of Is∣rael, Deut. 32.46. And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the Words that I testify among you this day, Set your hearts to this Invitation of Jesus Christ, to the Word that is now sounding in your ears, for it is your life, Jesus Christ doth bring eternal life to your doors, to your hearts, do not look upon them as if they were words of course and wind, as if there were no truth or re∣ality in them.

Brethren, I suppose now, if a friend should in∣vite you to a Dinner or a Supper, you would be∣lieve that he were real, and you are ready to ac∣cept of his invitation, because you think he means, as he saith; Why so now, be it known unto you that Jesus Christ doth make an invitation to all here, every one in the Congregation this day, to come unto him, and you shall have a supply of this water of life. Suppose now, that Jesus Christ were here present speaking these words, as he did with his own mouth in the hearing of thousands, and suppose now, that if Jesus Christ were here in his bodily presence, do you not think you should believe? and give entertainment to what he spake? behold Jesus Christ now speaks in his

Word to all that are here present (as he spake to all that were present then) and makes proclama∣tion, saying, Is any man athirst? is there any that do desire this water of life? that do desire to have their sins pardoned and forgiven them? that do desire to be freed from condemnation, that do desire to be adopted Sons and Daughters of God, to have peace with God, to have comfort and consolation in life and death, and to have e∣verlasting, eternal glory, when life shall be no more? Know, Jesus Christ holds forth all this, whatsoever is requisite to eternal life, Jesus Christ doth invite you to this, and holds forth and pro∣miseth to give a full draught of it to all that ever will come to him; Therefore let no poor soul lay impediments and blocks in its own way to hinder him from coming unto Jesus Christ.

Objection.

But may one say, I am afraid that I should presume, if I should come unto Christ, and therefore I dare not venture.

Answer.

O! let not any soul think so, nor say so to hinder any of your souls from coming, Know it, that if Jesus Christ had made no invitation to you to come, then you might very well say, it's pre∣sumption indeed for me to come, but Jesus Christ invites thee (himself) in his Word and Promi∣ses, that if you do come you shall have of this wa∣ter of life, and that freely. Suppose a great rich

man should invite a poor man to his Table, and he comes being invited, will ye say this is presum∣ption, when he spake to him himself, and if he should not come, 'tis rather a slighting and despi∣sing his favour and love. Why Jesus Christ holds forth a free invitation, tenders it, and promises it to any one soul, that will come unto him upon his invitation, and therefore let nothing stave thee off, seeing he hath made a full and free invitation unto every one to come indeed.

Objection.

But alas! I do not know that I am invited! Christ invites me? what me? I am altogether unworthy to be invited to partake of this water of life, alas! so poor a creature, so ignorant, and so blind, and so without strength as I am? unable to perform any duty, no strength, and no∣thing at all to commend me unto the Lord, or why the Lord should give me the least drop of the water of life, and therefore certainly it is not to me, Jesus Christ doth not invite me.

Answer.

I say, Let not this Impediment ly in thy way, because we have no strength, or ability to do, or to please, or to serve him in any way, why, alas! do you think now that Jesus Christ calls for any price? invites people, and then they must bring money in their hands? No Brethren, you are much mistaken, Jesus Christ doth invite to come without money, or without any price:

Whoever you be, though you be never so weak and unable to perform any duty, or service, and never did any thing for the Lord, yet you should come. And Brethren, the more unfit we are in our selves, and the less we have of our selves, and the more sensible we are of our own unfitness, this should rather be so far from hindering, and discouraging us, as that it should encourage us to come, why? because that having nothing, and Christ being the fulness of all, we should go un∣to Christ for all, as Rev. 3.18. saith Christ, Thou art poor, and naked, blind, and miserable, and hast nothing, wherefore come to me, I counsel thee to come to me for Ey salve, and for rayment, gold, and treasure, and riches, — Why here now is Christs argument on the contrary, Why Brethren, he fills the hungry and the empty with good things, and they are to come to Christ. Jesus Christ invites such poor souls as have nothing at all, no ability at all, a poor blind creature, if one be more blind and unable, and more ignorant than another, here is the invitation, that Jesus Christ doth make this day to such a poor soul, that he shall, if he come, he shall drink, and he shall have of this Water of Life.

Objection.

But another Objection is, Alas! I am a poor old creature, an old man, or an old woman, that have lived without God, and without Christ all this time, and have slighted the offers of grace, and all the invitations of Christ in his Gospel. And also a poor old sinner, and will Jesus Christ

invite me? I possibly have been a drunkard, and an old drunkard, and a swearer, and a blasphe∣mer of the name of God, and the ways of Christ, and can I think that ever Christ should en∣tertain me when I come?

Answer.

Why now mark what I say unto you in a word from the Lord; Let not any one here except him∣self, and exclude himself, if Jesus Christ do not except and exclude him; look into the invitation, doth Jesus Christ exclude, and say, Let every one come to me, except he be an old drunkard, or an old swearer? no, he doth not say so, he excludes none; See how the Words run, if any man will come he shall drink, if any man, without excepti∣on, can you have it spoken more full, or in plain∣er terms? If any man will come unto me, he shall drink, John 6.35, 36, 37. saith Jesus there, I am the Bread of life, he that cometh unto me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst, but I said unto you, that ye also have seen me and believe not: All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out, Let him be what he will, whatsoever he be; never such an old sinner, and therefore, why should a poor soul make this exception in his co∣ming to Christ. Now, know it, if there be any such a soul in the Congregation, that hath lived so many years, and all his life long hath been in sinful courses, the invitation is to him, and to all others, that If any come to me, saith Christ, I will give him the water of life.

Objection.

But to object further, Alas! I have no strength nor power, and I am unworthy to come, and therefore it is but a folly to make such an invitati∣on unto me, and I have no power.

Answer.

You have heard before what it is to come to Christ, viz. To venture, and cast your self upon Christs invitation in his promise, and the soul now venturing to lean upon Christs word, and to trust Christ upon his word, and to expect what Christ holds forth in his word, this is a coming unto Christ, you know what the Pro∣digal was▪ and when the Lord sees a poor soul a∣far off, he meets him, and strengthens him, and encourageth him, and leadeth him by the hand, and upholdeth him.

Objection.

Ay, but you will say, Alas! I am willing to come to Christ, but I have no word, and a soul cannot come to Christ unless the Lord gives out some promise secretly to draw the heart to Christ, and I cannot remember that ever the Lord spake to me whereby I should ever come.

Answer.

Well, Suppose you cannot remember that ever

you had any word, or promise given out to draw or perswade your heart to cast it self, and to ad∣venture upon Christ, yet behold! here is a word from the Lord this day, which he causes to be proclaimed in your hearing; Jesus Christ holds forth unto you this day, whoever you be that comes, he shall drink, and shall drink abundant∣ly, and most freely, drink of the waters of life, and shall never perish, but shall live for ever, and therefore from this time forward, let not any soul say, well, the Lord hath not this day holden forth any word to me, know it, the Lord speaks to you, even to one and to another this day, If any man be athirst, let him come unto me and drink. Have you any thing more to object? think with your selves what it is?

Objection.

Ay, you will say, there is one thing more, and that is here in the Text, If any man be athirst, let him come, and I cannot say, I am athirst. There are two things in answer to this.

Answer 1.

The Promise that Christ makes here of giving the water of life, is not so much to the thirsty, as to the comer, Whoever he be that comes to me shall drink, 'tis true indeed he saith, every one that thirsts let him come to me and drink; Why ordi∣narily men and women, poor sinners are not rea∣dy to come to Christ, without they be made very thirsty, and see their necessity, ay, but notwith∣standing

saith Christ, If any man do but come (whoeuer he be) if he doth but come, and so, Whosoever will, (whosoever he be) let him come and take of the water of life freely. The Promise is made not to thirsters only, but to comers, and be sure, if you come, he will give you to drink fully and freely, Rev. 22.17. And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come, and let him that heareth say, Come, and let him that is a thirst come, and whoso∣ever will, let him come and drink of the water of life freely. Remember, the Promise is not to the thirsty alone, but unto the comer, therefore venture to come, and you may be sure Jesus Christ will give you to drink of the water of life.

Answer 2.

But then again, you say, you do not thirst, Can any soul here before the Lord say, that you have no need of the water of life, that you have no need of, nor desire everlasting life, that you have no need to have your sins pardoned, is there any soul in the Congregation that can say, that there is no need, then you may stand off, and say there is no invitation made to me, but I dare say for every one in the congregation, that he would wil∣lingly dy the death of the righteous, and there∣fore, let every poor soul know whatsoever is spo∣ken to one, is spoken to every one; Jesus Christ hath made this invitation, if any man do but come to Christ, do but venture upon Christ, that is the way, he shall drink of the water of life; and what shall I say more for the clearing of this? do you not think that Jesus Christ saith true?

or that he is to be believed in what he speaks? never an one surely, but will say that Jesus Christ is to be believed, and that they do believe that he speaks truth, why, then Jesus Christs invitation is to every one in this Congregation to come un∣to him, and therefore why should any stand back, and hold off from coming unto Christ? If the Lord would perswade your hearts to come unto Christ, it would be the happiest day, that ever your eyes saw in this World, if the Lord would perswade your hearts hereto, you should find that Jesus Christ would be as good as his word, that you shall drink of this water of life, and partake of it for ever and ever, and shall ne∣ver see death, eternal death.

Objection.

There is one thing more, Possibly you will say I do not very well understand how I may come to Christ in a way of faith and believing, how or which way doth the soul come to Christ in a way of faith and believing? as that the soul shall certainly have of this water of life, and that Christ will give of this water of life.

Answer.

To open this a little. This same coming to Christ (I would speak it as plainly as possibly I could, and not as a riddle, or fancy, or notion) 'Tis an hearkening to Christ in a Word of Pro∣mise, and the soul is therein to venture it self, and rely on or upon him in that Word which he holds

forth, and when the soul doth venture and close with all, this is now a coming unto Christ; when the Lord gives out an invitation, a gracious Pro∣mise, which holds out mercy and eternal life, and in the hearing of it the Lord perswades the soul of the truth and reality of it, it is perswaded to trust in it, to rely upon it, and to expect an accom∣plishment and performance of it. And because I would not speak it as mine own words alone, I speak it as the Virgin Mary did when the Angel came to her, Luke 1.38. Then said Mary, Be∣hold the Servant of the Lord, be it unto me accord∣ing to thy Word: This was now a believing, a trusting, and a relying on the Word of the Lord, she was a Virgin, and the Angel answered her in that, as she had no more to say, but to rely up∣on the Word of Promise, Behold the Handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy Word; whence was it? it was from this speech, the holy confidence and expectation of the fulfilling of that promise to her. And so, effectual calling is an hearkening unto the Lords call, the soul be∣ing perswaded to receive the Word, closing with, returning answer to the Word, then the soul is effectually called. So also there is an ineffectual Call, unto which the soul doth not answer, but looks upon the Word of the Lord by his Servants, as words of wind, and words of course, but as this same accepting of this gracious invitation, and promise which he holds forth, is effectual calling, why so, the neglecting of these, I say, is a refusing to hear him that speaks from Heaven. Take heed that you do not refuse him that speaks from Heaven, that is, now when the Lord

speaks in his invitation by gifts and outward call∣ing; this invitation being propounded and made, and men make light of, it is an ineffectual calling; so now when upon the invitation of the call of the Lord in his promise, there is an yielding obe∣dience unto that call in faith, it's called the obe∣dience of Faith, Rom. 16.26. When the soul doth yield unto the Lord in the voice of the Promise, close withal, and receive and embrace it, looking upon it as worthy of all acceptation, receiving it with both hands, as it were; when the soul doth thus venture to rely upon the Word, venturing it self upon the Lord in his Promise, that if I perish, I will perish there, I will venture my self upon the Lords Word and Faithfulness. This is effectual Calling, 2 Tim. 1.12. I know, saith Paul, in whom I have belie∣ved, and I am perswaded, that he will keep that good thing which I have committed unto him against that day; I have committed my soul concern∣ments unto him, and I trust them in his armes. When the soul doth venture thus upon the gracious Word of invitation, doth receive it, and committeth it self unto the Lord in it, this is a closing with Christ, and the anwer of the heart unto the Lords call; and this is a coming unto Christ. So that when you ven∣ture upon the Lord in his Word, you close with him in it, it is soon said, yea soon done, the soul may come, and close with Christ in the Promise, and that soon too, so pass from death unto life: Therefore ask your own hearts in the Presence of the Lord, seeing Jesus Christ doth make such a gracious Invi∣tation

for to come unto him, and venture upon him in his Word, whether it can be free and ready to say, now Lord let it be according to thy Word to me: say in this manner, as in the pre∣sence of the Lord, Lord, upon this gracious invitation of thine in the Gospel, I desire to rest and hope upon the faithfulness of thy Word, and to accept thereof, and trust in it; Can you say it in the presence of the Lord, you, who∣soever you are that seem to be afar off, though possibly you might have had some glimmering hopes, hoping sometimes, that the Lord would be merciful to you, and presently fearing your eternal condition. Well, I speak it to you that are old men and women, and possibly old sinners, that have lived in sin all your lives long, and possibly are even hopeless in your selves, and ready to cast out words of despair, and so in a hopeless condition in your selves, to you the Lord this day calls to come in unto him, and to hearken to this invitation, and if you now come unto him, you shall have of the water of life. And you young Men and Maids, (I would leave out none, who are capable of partaking of this water of life) consider the Question again, Are you willing to be saved? Let your hearts speak it out between the Lord and your own souls, upon this Word of thy grace unto which thou hast invited me, this gra∣cious Promise, I do now commit my soul to thee, and rely upon this thy Word of Grace, and rely upon thy faithfulness to accomplish it to me; and have your souls thus answered unto the Lord? let it be unto me according

to thy Word: let me say it in the name of the Lord unto you, This day is salvation come unto thy soul, this day hath Jesus Christ given eternal life unto thy soul, this day the Lord hath ta∣ken thee into Covenant with himself, and hath vouchsafed thee to be his. And I speak it in the authority which Jesus Christ hath given me in his word, even every one that thus comes to Christ, accepting of this his gracious pro∣mise, I say it, thy sins are forgiven thee, re∣lying upon him in the Faithfulness of his Word, and Promise, I say, the Lord Jesus Christ hath forgiven thy sins, and you may go home, and record it for a Memorial, that this day, at such a time, the Lord hath drawn out my soul, to make a close with himself; and now eternal life is come unto thee, the Lord hath forgiven thy sins, and now thou art passed from death to life. Let me make the offer again unto such poor sinners as have held out all this time, and have not laid hold upon this gracious invitation, made by Jesus Christ, that will yet venture the Lord, perswading your hearts, though possibly you have been enemies, and opposers, and possibly might come to oppose and catch, and though never so far off, and lost in your selves, yet notwithstanding hearken to this invita∣tion, that if the Lord doth perswade your hearts to say solemnly and seriously, Lord, upon this Word of thy gracious Promise and Invitation, I do now desire to trust and to venture upon thy Word, and do expect the performance and accomplishment of thy Word,

that now it may be given out to thee, that so you also might be brought in unto Christ, to partake of this water of life.

Ʋse 1.

A Word of Exhortation, to you who are come to Christ. Go away now (even as the Virgin Mary) and say, My Soul doth magnifie the Lord, and my Spirit rejoyceth in God, my Saviour, for he hath regarded the low Estate of his poor creature:

It is said that the Eunuch went away rejoy∣cing, after that Philip was caught away by the Spirit, and so hath every Believer cause to do.

Use 2.

Another Word is, That you would go unto God with a holy boldness, as to your God and Father, for such special mercies, as you desire to have at the Lords hand.

Now as the Holy Ghost saith, Seek the Lord, while he may be found, and draw nigh unto him, while he is near. The Lord is near to you, do do you draw neer to him with a humble and holy boldness, as to your God and Father, and you may ask what you will, and now beg that the Lord would establish his Work of Grace in your hearts, and now ask for this and that mercy, and for your relations, even what you will. In Gen. 17. Abraham falls down in a begging

posture (God having made a Covenant with him) O Lord now that Ismael might live in thy sight; so say I Go to God, and desire some speci∣al mercy this day, now while the Lord is nigh.

Use 3.

You who are brought near unto God, hath the Lord spoken to you? Take heed that you do not stop your ear unto what God speaks, and return again to folly.

Look that you do not walk as the Gentiles did, in the vanity of your minds, Eph. 4.17. Now you must take heed that you do not walk in the same vanities, in your foolish pastimes, in your vain conversations, take heed you do not walk after the course of the World: If the Lord hath taken you out of the World, called you unto Christ, you are now to walk in a diligent performance of all duties unto the Lord, walk close with God in your particular Callings from the heart, take heed that you walk exact∣ly, and inoffensively, keeping a good Conscience.

Use 4.

And lastly, That still upon all occasions you would be coming to Christ.

We are not to content our selves with once coming unto Christ, and there is an end, but we must come daily, even every day: When you find your hearts out of frame,

when you are straitned, and dead-hearted, come to Christ, even every day by vertue of this Promise, through this Word, leaning and rest∣ing upon Christ, and O remember this blessed Word, this blessed Word of the Lord Jesus Christ, wherein he hath said, If any man thirst; let him come unto me and drink. —

FINIS.