within himself, as it were, "a well of water springing up unto everlasting lifey." Such perfect satisfaction both to soul and body will these waters give, that all who drink of them will have a foretaste of heaven itself: " they draw water out of this fountain with inexpressible joy'':" "and they are abundantly satisfied with the fatness of God's house ; and he makes them drink of the river oi his pleasures^." It is doubtless a strong expression to say that this is a foretaste of heaven : but look into heaven, and you will find the very same river running there, and the blest inhabitants partaking of it : for " the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne is feeding them, and leads them to living fountains of water ; and God wipes away all tears from their eyes''."]
Let me on this sublime subject found an address,
L To those who are in circumstances of difficulty or danger —
[It was after a deliverance from some impending calamity that this psalm was written : and from that deliverance the Psalmist inferred, that they who trust in God have nothing to fear. " God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea : though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof." To every inhabitant of Zion this sweet assurance belongs : " God is in the midst of her ; she shall not be moved : God shall help her, and that right early *=." Know then your privilege. Brethren : and amidst all the storms and dangers to which you are exposed, see your God as an impassable river around you ; or, varying the metaphor, as " a wall of fire round about you, and the glory in the midst of you'^" With such a protector, " can any weapon that is formed against you prosper ? " You may bid defiance to every enemy ; and say, with confidence, " If God be for me, who can be against me ?"]
2. To those who are seeking their happiness in the things of time and sense —
[Infatuated people, who are " forsaking the fountain of living waters, and hewing out cisterns for yourselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water^!" when will you see your folly ? when will you suffer your continued disappointments to instruct you? If you will not believe the word of God, methinks you might learn from your own experience. Did you, from such services, ever receive one single draught that
y John iv. 13, 14. and vii. 37, 38. ^ Isai. xii. 3.
=1 Ps. xxxvi. 8. ^ Rev. vii. 17. "^ vcr. 1 — 5.
'1 Zech. ii. 5. ^ Jcr. ii. 13.
580.] Christ's ascension an occasion for joy. 361
satisfied you ? Have you not, even in the moments of your highest enjoyment, found that you w^ere " labouring for that which could not profit," and that " in the midst of laughter your heart was in heaviness ? " Listen, then, to the invitation of the prophet : " 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 ! Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not ? Hearken dihgently unto me, and eat ye that which is good ; and let your soul delight itself in fatness ^." Verily, if ye will come to the Lord Jesus Christ, and " receive out of his fulness" the • blessings he has purchased for you, you shall " see the good of his chosen, and rejoice in the gladness of his nation, and shall glory with his inheritance^."]
f Isai. Iv. 1, 2. g Ps. cvi. 4, 5.