John 7:38

Christ insists upon this promise and enlargeth it. And 1. he shewes that the way of thirsty souls coming to him, is by beleeving. 2. He explains this drinking, that it shall not be a petty refreshment for a season, but the beleever shall get Christ himself, and the graces of his Spirit, to dwell in him as a full fountain, and to flow forth for refreshing of himself and others. 3. This is further confirmed from the promises in Scripture ratifying this offer of Christs. He points at no particular place of Scripture, but comprehends all which speak of the graces of the Spirit under the name of waters, refreshing and watering barren ground, of which see Isa. 44.3. and 58 11. and elsewhere. Doctrine 1. The right way of a thirsty souls coming to Christ for refreshment, is by beleeving; for, so is it explained, He that beleeveth on me. And albeit many other exercises and duties be required, yet this is onely named, 1. Because it must be the root from which the rest must spring. 2. Because nothing we have can be right, or acceptable, without faith laying hold on Christ and his righteousnesse. Humility without it, will prove but discouragement, a study of holinesse and conformity to the Law, but a stumbling at his righteousnesse, Rom 9.31, 32. and diligence will but tend to security. 3. Because albeit a needy soul should be stripped of all things beside, yet that will be no warrant to cast away confidence, but they must cherish it so much the more. Doctrine 2. As we are to rest upon no consolation, as sure, but what is recorded and grounded in Scripture; So it may encourage men to beleeve in Christ, that in him, and by him, we are sure to finde the accomplishment of all that the Scripture promiseth; for; he maketh here a promise that it shall be with beleevers, as the Scripture hath said. 3. He doth not name the particular Scripture, not onely because there are many of them, (as hath been said) and he would have his people study and search them all out, that they may see the fulnesse of the promise; But further, by this he would teach, that he would have his people well acquainted with Scripture, that they may know where the promises are to be found; Therefore doth he onely name the Scripture in general, here and elsewhere, onely Acts 13.33. we finde the Psalme quoted. 4. It may encourage us to study much acquaintance with Scripture, that the substance of the Gospel, and of Christs riches, are treasured up and held forth, even in the writings of the Old Testament; Therefore also when Christ maketh his richest offers, he needs say no more, but that he will do as the Scripture bath said. The summe of all Religion is comprehended in the writings of Moses, and therefore Christ doth prove, even the resurrection, out of them. Matth. 22, 31, 32, The Prophets are Gods own Commentary upon these, and the application of the doctrine thereof unto several conditions of men in several times: and the New Testament is a clear unveiling of Moses face, and holds out the accomplishment of what he foreshadowed. 5. Such as out of sense of need, come to Christ, will not onely finde some particular refreshment or for awhile onely, but they will get a fountain to be in them; for, it is not a drink only to cool them in this or that particular thirst, but a river put in them to flow out. They get a seed of God to abide in them. 6. Christs Spirit, and the refreshments thereof, are so communicate unto beleevers as they take deep root in them; for they are in their belly, or their heart, or very inward parts, where meat is swallowed down to be digested into our substance. And this doth difference it not onely from prophetick illumination, which came upon men from without; and which a Balaam may have; But from the motions that came upon rotten-hearted sinners, who for all they get, yet continue dark in themselves like the Moon. 7. The Lords allowance to his people is very liberal and bountiful, and abundantly sufficient to satisfie them; for, albeit the great Ocean of refreshment abide still in himself, yet he lets out unto them no lesse then a river, yea and rivers, every grace flowing out like a river, as is said of peace. Isa. 48.18. See Psal. 36.8. 8. The Spirit of Christ doth remain and abide perpetually in beleevers, to whom he is given; for these are rivers of living water, not only because they are still fresh and make lively, but because they are a spring, which doth perpetually flow out, and run, and therefore is called living. Gen. 26.19 in the Original. See Zech. 14.8. And this doth difference it from the wickeds puddle, which doth runne dry, and from what the temporary receiveth. And albeit the regenerate man finde many intermissions of the refreshments of this spring, through his own pride, unbelief, and idlenesse; yet the fountain remaineth still, 1 John 3.9. 9. Where the Spirit and the graces thereof are received by a beleever, and entertained by faith, the sweet influences thereof will slow forth for the refreshing of themselves and others in their stations, and that with much refreshment and life; for, the rivers of living waters shall flow, and that out of his belly, which is the seat of delight, Job 20.15. As a spring sends forth streames to water the ground about it, and as the heart of man sendeth forth life and refreshment to every faculty and member, and as a General in an army sends out reserves to reinforce his parties; So graces of the the Spirit in beleevers will flow forth into their behaviour and carriage, to make their heart be strong, to make their tongue to drop what is savoury, to make their feet like hindes feet, &c. and to refresh and gain ground upon others.