Thirdly, I look upon it as a symbol and type of his mediatory office. Christ was in every part furnished: 1 John v. 6, 'This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ : not by water only, but by water and blood.' Now this water and blood are two of the wit- nesses: ver. 10, ' Hath this testimony within himself.' It setteth forth the <louble benefit of Christ's death. He came to satisfy and to sanctify ; by water noting the force of grace upon the heart, and by blood noting peace and ease of conscience. These flowed so distinctly as they might be discerned. Aqua quce diluat, sanguis qui redimat — Ambrose. Water to wash, blood to redeem : an allusion to the ancient Jewish rites. There were under the law ablutions and oblations ; there was a ])urification by water to take away the filth of sin, and an expiation by blood to take away the guilt. Now water and blood, that issued from Christ's side, prefigured both these. He came not only to justify, but to sanctify. By a double symbol Christ would teach us that he is the true expiation and laver, Xovrpov koX Xvrpov. So suitably there are two ordinances in the gospel — baptism and the Lord's supper. Out of Christ's side, saith St Austin, came the two sacraments. Christ came not only to disannul guilt and the curse, but to destroy sin ; to cleanse from inward corruption, as well as procure their reconciliation with God. Of the first, the legal washings were a type ; of the second, the sacrifices.
Use 1. To rejoice in Jesus Christ, because we are complete in him.
1. There is ' a fountain open for sin and for uncleanness,' Zecli. xii. 1, and it is a fountain ever springing and overflowing. When Christ was pierced upon the cross, like a full vessel he sent out water and blood ; water to purify the church, and blood to feed it. From the same source there flows a double fountain — De eadern origine, aqua et sanguis emanant. Let us draw water hence with the buckets of faith, and do it with joy : Isa. xii. 3, ' Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.' The Jews in the feast of taber- nacles, they were to go to Siloam and draw water. He that brought the water did it that it might be poured out before the Lord upon the altar with wine. They did it with trumpets and hymns, and hosan- nas often repeated. Thence Christ saith, John vii. 37, ' And in the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.' With great
40 SERMON UPON JOHN XIX. 34-37.
variety of melody they went to fetch water from Siloam to the temple in golden vessels. Oh, consider here is a double stream say, as it is Isa. xlv. 24, ' Surely shall one say, In the Lord have I righteousness and strength.' Enough to justify, enough to sanctify. Oh, come again and again to this fountain !
2. To teach us what to expect from Christ. Come for this double benefit. It is sad to have Christ in one quality of a mediator and not in another. Say, Lord, out of this side of thine there flowed not blood alone, but water and blood ; as they flowed together out of thy pierced side, so let them ever flow together into my wounded soul, justifica- tion and sanctification : those things which thou hast joined let me not ever put asunder. Consider it is dishonourable to Christ when these two are severed. Celsus and others reproached the church as a com- mon sanctuary for villains and profligate persons. No ; it is a school of discipline, an hospital to cure them, not shelter them in sin. Both go together. It was convenient that, before he sanctified man in him- self, he should justify him before God; first reconciled, and then receive privileges of grace ; and after reconciled, it is again convenient they should be sanctified, lest Christ should have an ulcerous body. When Esther was chosen to be queen, she had garments given her out of Aliasuerus' wardrobe, and she was to accomplish the months of her pniification.
3. Wlienever we beg pardon, there is always a serious study of sanctification ; they are inseparably joined in God's dispensation : 1 Cor. i. 30, ' But of him ye are in Jesus Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification and redemp- tion ; ' 1 Cor. vi. 11, ' And such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.' Whosoever truly repenteth of sin doth not only seek the judicial abolition of it, but the real. A serious aim at the glory of God doth carry the soul more against the corruption of sin than the guilt of it. The abolishing of the guilt doth directly respect our profit, but the abolishing of corruption doth profit the glory of God, that we may not ojffend him.
SERMON UPON MATTHEW XIX. 30.