to drag in these two blessed Sacraments on every occa- sion, and to insist on thrusting them forward, as the hidden sense of every disputed text where the number " two " is mentioned. Such pertinacious application of hard places in Scripture to Baptism and the Lord's Supper does no real good, and brings no real honor to the Sacraments. It is questionable whether it does not tend to vulgarize them, and bring them into con- tempt.
The true meaning of the blood and water is probably to be sought in the famous prophecy of Zechariah, where he says, " In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and uncleanness." (Zech, xiii. 1.) When was that fountain so truly and really opened as in the hour when Christ died ? What emblem of atone- ment and purification was so well known to the Jews as blood and water? Why then should we hesitate to be- lieve that the flow of " blood and water " from our Lord's side was a significant declaration to the Jewish nation, that the true fountain for sin was at length thrown open, and that henceforth sinners might come boldly to Christ for pardon, and wash and be clean ? Tills interpretation, at any rate, deserves serious thought and consideration.
Whatever view we take of the blood and water, let us make sure that we ourselves are " washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb." (Rev. vii. 14.) It will matter nothing at the last day, that we held during life the most exalted view of the sacraments, if we never came to Christ by faith, and never had personal deal- ings with Him. Faith in Christ is the one thing need- ful. " He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (1 John v. 12.)