the promised Messiah —
[The gift of his Spirit in such an abundant measure was that " new thing" which the Messiah was to accomplish g
And in thus freely offering it to all, he fulfilled the
office more especially assigned himh ]
But it is time that we consider the invitation, II. As addressed to us —
In the very name of Christ, and as his authorized ambassador, I now repeat the invitation to you : " I stand and cry to you," even as he did to them, and with the very same confidence and assurance.
[Christ is " the fountain of living waters' :" it has pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell k; and that all
« Col. i. 19. d Ps. Ixxii. 17.
e ver. 39. Some, because our Lord's words are not found in Scrip- ture, connect tcadwe eIitev r] ypa<pr) with 6 ttiotevuv elg 'e/jle ; (translating eittev, hath required) but there are many passages that speak to the same effect, though not in his express terms.
f John iv. 10, 13, 14. s Isai. xliii. 18—20. and xliv. 3.
h Isai. Iv. 1—3. and Joel ii. 28, 29, 32.
* Jer. ii. 13. k Col. i. 19.
we should receive out of it according- to our necessities1. In fact, he has received the Holy Spirit on purpose that he may impart it unto usm. And now I say in the presence of you all, that if you will but " believe in him you shall receive this heavenly gift in the richest abundance." Whatever you may have been, or whatever you may have done, even though, like his auditors, you may have thirsted for his blood, the offer is to you. If only you thirst for salvation, you shall never be disappointed of your hope : " The Holy Spirit shall be in you as a well of water springing up unto eternal life." It shall accomplish in you all the good pleasure of your God, and shall enable you to diffuse blessings all around you. In truth, this is your distinctive privilege. A man may possess ever so large a measure of earthly wisdom or power, and never be able to benefit or comfort one soul : but if you be endued with the Holy Ghost, your conversation shall be edifying to all around you ; and you shall be the means of imparting to others in rich abundance the consolation and refreshment which you yourself have received. If Christ be as the rock in the wilderness to you, you in your measure shall be the same to many a thirsting soul.]
Let me then invite you all, as it were, separately
and by name —
[You who, like our Saviour's auditors, have no desire after spiritual blessings, what have you ever found that can be com- pared with the blessings here offered you ? What have all those things for which you have laboured proved, but " broken cis- terns that can hold no water?" And do you think you contract no guilt whilst you prefer such vanities before the living God ?
Hear how God himself complains of you11 And assure
yourselves, that, if you continue to treat him thus, the day will come when you will " want a drop of water to cool your tongue."
If there be any who doubt whether they shall ever obtain such mercy at their Saviour s hands, " only believe, and accord- ing to your faith it shall be done unto you." See how exactly the Lord has stated your very case, and accommodated to your
mind his gracious promises0 Dismiss your fears then,
and wait patiently upon him in prayer ; and in due season the Rock shall be stricken to quench your thirst ; and " your soul shall ere long be as a watered garden, and as a spring of water, whose waters fail notp."
But doubtless there are some who have already drunk of the living toaters which Christ has given them. It is no wonder