[Christ is set before us as the way, the truth, and the life; nor is there any other name given under heaven whereby we can be saved-We are all inclosed as the prophets of Baal, and the order is given, Go in and slay: but Christ says, “I am the door;" and if we will flee out at that door, we shall live; if not, we shall perish in our sins-Christ came on purpose to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound: to them that are sitting in the prison-house he says, Go forth, and shew yourselves But if we spend our time in devising other methods of escape besides that which he has provided, the hour appointed for execution will come, and we shall suffer the punishment which our sins have merited-]

Thus while we see that all, who need the provisions of the gospel, are addressed by it, let us consider II. The invitation given them

Christ is here represented as a strong hold

[Christ is evidently the person referred to in the whole preceding context--He is that meek but powerful king, who comes to subdue all nations to himself, not by carnal weapons, but by speaking peace to them; and who confirms his kindness towards them by a covenant sealed with his own blood -He is represented as a strong hold to which, not the righte ous only, but the most ungodly, may run for safety-Here may be some allusion to the cities of refuge to which the manslayer was appointed to flee, and in which he found protection from his blood-thirsty pursuerf-Such a refuge is Christ, an impregnable fortress, which defies the assaults of earth and hell-]

To this we are all invited to turn

[The gospel thus exhibits Christ, not as an abstract speculation, but as a remedy which we greatly need: and, in exhorting us to "turn to this strong hold," it recommends us to renounce all false refuges, to regard Christ as our only Saviour, and to seek in him that protection which he alone can afford us-It stretches out the hand to us, as Christ did to Peter, when he was sinking in the waves-It urges us to go without hesitation, and without delay, to him, who alone can deliver us from the wrath to come, and bring us into the liberty of God's children-To the same effect it speaks in numberless other passages: it calls the thirsty to come for refreshment, the weary to come for rest, and to the dying says Look unto Christ and be ye saved"-}

2 Kin. x. 18-25.

Isiah xii. 7. xix. 9. Ixi. 1.

Numb. xxxv. 11, 12.

• John x. 9.

e Zech. ix. 9~]].'

VOL. IV.

Xx

But because even the most needy are apt to turn a deaf ear to the calls of the gospel, we would direct your

attention to

III. The promise with which the invitation is enforced The terms in which the promise is conveyed, are somewhat obscure

[The expression of "rendering double" will be best understood by comparing it with other passages of the same kinds-From them its import appears to be, that God will give us blessings in rich abundance; not according to the sufferings we have endured, but double; not corresponding to the punishment we have deserved, but double: not equal to the blessings enjoyed by our fathers, but double-Or perhaps it may be best explained by the apostle's declaration, that God will give us " abundantly, exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think" Certainly the promise implies, that we shall not only be delivered from prison, but be restored to the favour of our God; not only have our debt discharged, but be enriched with a glorious inheritance

The manner in which it is given is peculiarly solemn and energetic

[God is desirous that we should give implicit credit to his word: hence he speaks as one who would on no account recede from it: he speaks as in the presence of ten thousand witnesses; and pledges all his perfections for the performance of his promise-And as the day of our desponding fears is long remembered by us, and as we, in that day, find a want of all the support which God himself can administer, he dates his promise as made to us in that very day; not at a time when our difficulties were not foreseen, but when they were at the height, and when nothing but the immediate hand of God could deliver us-Yea, God would have us consider the promise as made to us this day, this very day, this very hour, when we most need the application of it to our souls; and, that every individual may take it to himself and rely on it as intended for himself alone, the promise is made particular; while the invitation is general-]

OBSERVE

1. How astonishing are the condescension and compassion of God!

[Behold the Judge offers mercy to the prisoners, and urges them in the most affectionate manner to accept it! Me

Isaiah xk ii. and Ixi. 7.

Ps. cx, 15.

thinks prisoners in general would need no intreaty to leave their dungeons; if their prison doors were open, and their chains were beaten off, they would be glad enough to effect their escape, though at the risk of a severer punishment-Nor would a manslayer need much importunity to enter into the city of refuge, if an armed avenger were closely pursuing him-Yet we slight the invitations of our God, and the secu rity he has provided for us-Well then might he leave us to perish!-But behold, he enforces his invitations with the most gracious promises: he engages to exceed our utmost wishes or conceptions-And shall we not admire such transcendent grace? Shall we not adore him for such marvellous lovingkindness? O let every heart glow with love to him, and every tongue declare his praise!-]

2. How reasonable is zeal in the concerns of religion!

[Zeal is approved in every thing, but in that, which most of all deserves it-But would any one ask a defeated army, why they fled with haste to an impregnable fortress? Surely, it is no less absurd to condemn the prisoners of hope for any earnestness they may manifest in turning to their strong holdColdness in such circumstances is the most deplorable infatuation-Let all then exert themselves to the utmost of their power-Let them never regard the scoffs of those who are in love with their chains, and regardless of the salvation offered them-But let them strive, as men wrestling for the mastery, and run as those that are determined to win the prize-]

3. How great is the danger of delay!

[Now we are prisoners of hope! but soon we may be in that prison from whence there is no escape, and into which not one ray of hope can ever enter-Shall we not then turn, while the strong hold is open to us? Shall we stay till the gate is shut; and thus, instead of obtaining double mercies, procure to ourselves an aggravated condemnation?-To-day God invites and promises; to-morrow may terminate our day of grace-Let us then no longer delay; but "to-day, while it is called to-day, let us hear his voice," and " flee for refuge to the hope set before us"-]

CCCCXXIX. CHRIST'S OFFER OF THE SPIRIT.

John vii. 37, 38. In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

OUR blessed Lord incessantly laboured for the salvation of men—

Nor could their ungrateful returns at all divert him from his purpose

His life was sought, and he knew that persons were sent to apprehend him

Yet, instead of rejecting them with abhorrence, he sought to win them by love

And importuned them to accept his richest blessingsHis address to them on this occasion contained

I. An invitation

The time and manner of the invitation are worthy of notice

[This was a day of peculiar sanctity, and of uncommon festivity

And it seems that some customs, not required in the original institutions of the law, obtained among the Jews at that time_

Happy to improve the opportunity, Jesus stood in the most conspicuous place, and, with an exalted voice, claimed their attention

And, despising equally the censures of the uncharitable, and the persecutions of the proud, he made them fresh overtures of mercy-]

The invitation itself was beyond measure gracious and kind

[While they only panted for his blood, he longed for their salvation

He pointed himself out to them as the only fountain of liy ing waters

a It was the eighth and last day of the feast of tabernacles, Lev. xxiii. 34, 36.

b It is said that on this day they went annually to the pool of Siloam, and drawing water from thence returned with it in procession to the temple, where they poured it out with all possible demonstrations of joy. At what time this custom arose, it is not easy to determine; but probably it commenced after the Babylonish capti vity; and was adopted in reference to that prediction, Isaiah xii. 3. Nor is the design of it precisely known: but it seems most likely that they then commemorated the giving of water out of the rock in the wilderness; and called upon God for rain, which was so necessary to them at that season. Perhaps the more spiritual among them, might pray also for those spiritual blessings, which their promised Messiah was appointed to bestow. These circumstances served as the foundation of our Lord's address, and reflect much light upon it.

And assured them of his readiness to impart whatsoever they stood in need of

He excepted none from his offers, provided they did but "thirst" for his blessings

What could have a more conciliatory effect on his bloodthirsty murderers?-]

Lest, however, his invitations should be slighted, he enforced it with

II. A promise

He first explained what he meant by "coming to

him"

[It was not a mere outward, but an inward and spiritual application, that he wished them to make to himThey were to "believe in him," as possessing all fulness in himself

And as the person appointed of the Father to convey blessings to them".

In a full persuasion of this truth they were to come to him by faith

And to "draw water with joy from this well of salvation"-]

For their encouragement he promised them a rich effusion of his Spirit

[By "living water" our Lord meant the gift of his Spirit

That" rivers of this living water should flow out of his belly," imported, that the believer should have a constant spring of consolation within him, which should refresh all who came within the sphere of his influence

Of this blessed truth the scriptures had abundantly testified

And our Lord now confirmed it to them by a most solemn promise

He assured them, as he had before done the Samaritan woman, that his communications to them should prove a source of unutterable and endless joys-]

We shall further IMPROVE this subject by addressing 1. Those who have no desire after spiritual blessings

e Col. i. 19.

d Ps. lxxii. 17.

• Ver. 39.

f Some, because our Lord's words are not found in scripture, καθὼς εἶπεν η γραφη with ὁ πισεύων εἰς ἐμὲ; (translating εἶπεν, hath required) but there are many passages that speak to the same effect, though not in his express terms. See Isaiah xliv. 3.

* John iv. 10, 13, 14.