3. As actually imparting them to our souls —
[As a spring pours forth its waters, so do the Scriptures impart life, and peace, and strength, to all who go to them as God's appointed channel of communication to their souls. They have within themselves a life-giving virtue^; so that, when brought home and applied by the Spirit of God, they quicken the dead, and give a vital energy to all our powers. They are able, not only to " make men wise unto salvation '^j" but to impart salvation itself; being "like fire" to consume dross, and " a hammer to break the rock in pieces''," and " a two-edged sword to pierce the very inmost souP," and " a weapon to destroy every enemy ^" They have a power to enlighten the darkest mind*^', and to sanctify all on whom they operate aright^ ; and so to sanctify them, as to prepare them for the perfect fruition of their God\]
Think then of,
II. The blessedness of having access to them —
»> John iv. 10. <; 2 Tim. iii. 15. '^ Jer. xxiii. 29.
e Heb. iv. 12. f 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. g Ps. xix. 7, 8.
1^ John XV. 3. and xvii. 19. ' Eph. v. 26, 27.
Truly we should never contemplate them but with joy, on account of,
1. The freeness with which we may approach them —
[There is no prohibition to any creature under heaven. About wells that liave been dug for a supply of common water, there have been the fiercest contentions'' : but these are public property, and equally accessible to all : none have to " pay for this water," as Israel had' : it is to be had " without money and without price™." True indeed it is that there are many, protes- tants as well as papists, who would bar our access to them : but God has given to all an equal right to come to them : for his invitation is, " Let him that is athirst come ; and whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely"."]
2. The ease with which we may draw from them — [There are those who think it in vain for the poor to
come to them, seeing that " the wells are deep, and they have nothing to draw with°." But be it known, that however valuable learning may be for the attaining of a critical acquaint- ance with the Holy Scriptures, it is not at all necessary for a spiritual perception of their truths. It is faith, and not learn- ing, that is wanting for that end. All the learning in the universe will not impart to us a spiritual discernment, any more than it will furnish us with any corporeal organs. It is faith alone that will avail us here. That discerns the things which are not visible to mortal eyes ; and will go to the very bottom of these wells, and draw from thence the most refreshing consolations.]
3. The abundance that we may receive out of them —
[When the rock was struck by Moses, the waters gushed out in such abundance, that the whole camp of Israel, with all their cattle, could drink thereof And, if all the sinners in the universe will go to these vi^ells, they shall find no lack for the supply of their most enlarged necessities. Our Lord says, " If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink ; and out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water p." Indeed, the more intense and ardent your thirst is, the more abundant shall be the blessings which you shall derive from them — ]
4. The perfect satisfaction that we may find in them —
[" Whoever drinks of other waters will thirst again : but whoever drinks of these wells, will never thirst : for the water
^ Gen. xxvi. 18—21. ^ Numb. xx. 19. ™ Isai. Iv. 1.
" Rev. xxii. 17. " John iv. 11. p John vii. 37,38.