Water of Life but I shall proceed no further upon this but will come to that which remains Secondly As this River of Water of Life is said to be PURE so 't is said to be clear He shewed me a pure River of Water of Life CLEAR This term has also its particular signification and therefore ought to be heeded 1. Clear is set in opposition to dark therefore some are said to be clear as the Sun. And again The Light shall not be clear nor dark In both these places CLEAR is to be taken for light day-light Sun-light for indeed it is never day nor Sun-shine with the Soul until the streams of this River of Water of Life come gliding to our doors into our Houses into our Hearts Hence the beginning of Conversion is called Illumination yea the coming of this River of Water of Life unto us is called the day-spring from on high thorow the tender Mercy of our God. 'T is also called the dawning of the day And hence again these men unto whom this River of Water of life comes not are said to be dark darkness Ye were sometimes darkness but now are ye light in the Lord. Wherefore this Water is like Jonathan's honey it hath a faculty to open the Eyes to make them that sit in darkness see a great light The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light the Spirit that enlighteneth and giveth the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. This River casteth Beams where it goes like the Beams of the Sun it shines it casts out Rays of Glory unto those that drink thereof The streams of this Grace were they that overtook Saul when he was going to Damascus they were the Waters of this Flood that compassed him round about And if you will believe him he faith this Light from Heaven was a great light a light above the brightness of the Sun a light that did by the glory of it make dark to him all the things in the World. 2. Clear is set in opposition to that which is not pleasing For to be clear is to be pleasant Hence 't is said truly the Light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the Eyes to behold the clear Sun. I read of Rivers that looked red as blood that stank like the blood of a dead man but this is no such River I read of Rivers whose streams are like streams of Brimstone fiery streams streams of burning Pitch but this is none of them There is a River besides all these clear and pleasant The streams whereof shall make glad the City of God. These are the Waters that the Doves love to sit by because by the clearness of these streams they can see their pretty selves as in a Glass These be the streams where the Doves wash their Eyes and by which they solace themselves and take great content These streams are instead as I said of a Looking-glass their clearness presents us with an opportunity of seeing our own Features As in fair Waters a man may see the body of the Sun and of the Moon and of the Stars and the very body of Heaven so he that stands upon the Bank of this River and that washeth his Eyes with this Water may see the Son of God the Stars of God the Glory of God and the habitation that God has prepared for his People And are not these pleasant sights is not this excellent Water has not this River pleasant streams 3. Clear is set in opposition to dirty Water and muddiness I read of some Waters that are fouled with the Feet of Beasts and with the feet of Men yea and deep Waters too Yea saith God to some ye have drunken of the deep Waters And have fouled the residue with your feet and again As for my Flock they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet These Waters are Doctrines contained in the Text muddied and dirtied by the false glosses and sluttish opinions of erroneous Judgments of which the poor Sheep have been made to drink And verily this is apparent enough by the very colour and hue of those poor Souls for tho the truth of God was in them yet the very stain of Tradition and Superstition might be also seen in their Scales For as the Fish of the River receive by being there the changeable colours of the Waters so Professors what Doctrine they hear and drink do look like that If their Doctrines are muddy their Notions are muddy if their Doctrines are bloody their Notions and Tempers are bloody but if their Doctrines are clear so are their Notions for their Doctrine has given them a clear understanding of things Now here we have a River of Water of Life that is clear clear without dirt and mud Clear without the humane Inventions and muddy Conceptions of unsanctified and uninstructed Judgments yea here you have a River the streams whereof lie open to all in the Church so that they need not those instruments of Conveyance that are foul and that use to make Water stink if they receive it to bring it to them that have need 4. By clear we sometimes understand purgation or that a thing has purged it self or is purged from those Soils and Imputations of evil wherewith sometimes they have been charged Then shalt thou be CLEAR from this thy Oath or how shall we clear our selves Something of this sence may be in the Text for if men are not afraid to charge God with folly which is intimated by That thou mightest be clear when thou art Judged will they think you be afraid to impute evil to his word and Grace and Spirit no verily they are bold enough at this work Nay more than this even from the Foundation of the World men have cast slanders upon and imputed base things unto the blessed Grace of the Gospel But not to look so far back Paul was one of the Pipes thorow which God conveyed this Grace to the World and what was he counted for his so doing but a pestilent fellow and a mover of Sedition throughout the whole World But behold no imputation can stick on the Grace of God not stick long for that like Honey will purge it self of what Filth is put into it and of all bad imputations of evil men Springs and Rivers are of a self-purging quality Now here we have to do with a River a River of Water of Life but a River more slandered then ever did Naman the Syrian slander the Waters of Israel in preferring those of Abana and Pharpar Rivers of Damascus beyond them But behold now at last when all the World have done what they can
Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ. Proceeding out of the Throne Formerly this River of Waters is said to come from under the Threshold of the House of the Lord. And 't is said again they shall go out from Jerusalem that is the Church or House of God still In that they are said to come out from under the Threshold it may be to intimate that they ran but low formerly if compared to what they do now Which might also be signified by this that they issued out that that issues out ordinarily comes forth but slowly Also the Prophet saith the first time he went thorow the Waters they were but up to the Ancles But what is Ancle deep to that which followeth after 'T is said also to come out from Jerusalem where I perceive were no great Rivers to intimate that as long as the first Priesthood first Temple and Type were in their splendor only the shadow of Heavenly things were in use and that then Grace ran but slowly nor would run much faster because Jesus was not yet glorified For the Spirit and abundance of Grace was to be given not before but after his Ascention Wherefore now Jesus is ascended now he is glorified now Grace proceeds from the Throne not from the Threshold of the House He shewed me a pure River of Water of Life clear as Chrystal proceeding from or out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb. The Throne That of which the Mercy-Seat was a Type that which is called the Throne of Grace And it called the Throne of Grace even therefore because 't is that from or out of which proceeds this River of Water of Life this overflowing Grace of God. Now it may be asked What is the Throne of Grace And I shall answer It is the Humanity of Christ. He is the Throne He is the Jacob in which God sitteth And he shall be for a glorious Throne to his Fathers House The fullness of the God-head dwells in him bodily and God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself nor can Grace come to men but by Christ nor can God rest as to our Salvation but in him But because I have spoken of this thing more particularly upon that Text Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace c. I shall therefore here say no more Only methinks it is a glorious Title that the Holy Ghost has given to the Humanity of Christ in that he calls it the Throne of God and methinks he gives it the highest preference in that he saith Out thence proceeds a pure River of Water of Life We will a little therefore speak something to this Word the Throne the Throne of God. 1. A Throne is the Seat of Majesty and greatness 't is not for things of an inferiour quality to ascend or assume a Throne Now then since this River of Water of Life proceeds from the Throne it intimates that in Grace and Mercy there is great Majesty for Grace as it proceeds has a Voice from the Throne And indeed there is nothing in Heaven or Earth that can so AWE the heart as the Grace of God. 'T is that which makes a Man fear 't is that which makes a Man tremble 't is that which makes a Man bow and bend and break to pieces Nothing has that Majesty and commanding Greatness in and upon the Hearts of the Sons of Men as has the Grace of God. So that I say when he saith that this River of Grace proceeds out of the Throne of God It is to shew us what a Majesty what a commanding Greatness there is in Grace The Love of Christ constraineth us When Moses went up to the Mount the first time to receive the Law he did exceedingly fear and quake Why because of the Fire and Smoak thick Darkness and Thunder c. but when he went up the second time thither he made haste and bowed his head towards the Earth and worshipped But why because it was before proclaimed that the Lord was gracious and merciful long suffering and abundant in goodness and truth keeping Mercy for thousands forgiving Iniquity Transgression and Sin c. There is nothing over-mastereth the Heart like Grace and so obligeth to sincere and unfeigned Obedience as that Examine me O Lord said David prove me and try my Reins and my Heart for thy loving kindness is before my Eyes and I have walked in thy truth Therefore he saith again O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy loving kindness in all the Earth And that loving kindness is marvellous for it has that Majesty and that excellent Glory in it as to command the Heart and subdue Sin. And therefore Grace has given to it the title of Soveraignty or of one that reigns The Throne is called the Throne of Grace that on which it sits and reigns as well as that from whence it proceeds Grace reigns thorough righteousness to eternal Life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Secondly As a Throne is a Seat of Majesty and Greatness and so can awe so it is the Seat of Authority and legislative Power and so will awe This is confirmed from what was said but now Grace reigns Wherefore it is expected that they that hear the Word of God's grace should submit thereto and that at their peril He that believes not shall be damned is a Word of Power of Law and Authority and the Contemner shall find it so Grace proceeds from the Throne from the Throne of God and of the Lamb. Wherefore Sinner here is laid a necessity upon thee one of the two must be thy lot either thou must accept of God's Grace and be content to be saved freely thereby notwithstanding all thy undeservings and unworthiness or else thou must be damned for thy Rebellion and for thy rejecting of this Grace Wherefore consider with thy self and think what is best to be done Is it better that thou submit to the Grace and Mercy of God and that thou acceptest of Grace to reign for thee in thee and over thee than that thou shouldst run the hazard of eternal Damnation because thou wouldest not be saved by Grace Consider of this I say for Grace is now in authority it reigns and proceeds from the THRONE Now you know 't is dangerous opposing rejecting dispising or disowning of them in authority Better speak against twenty than against one that is in authority If the wrath of a King is as Messengers of Death If the wrath of the King is as the roaring of a Lion what is the wrath of God And you know to dispise Grace to refuse Pardon to be unwilling to be saved from the Guilt and Punishment due to Treasons the King's way since that also is the best way how will that provoke how hot will that make Wrath but to accept of Grace specially when 't is free Grace Grace that reigns Grace from the Throne how sweet is it
on the Throne therefore it is that such a River with its golden Streams proceeds from the Throne to come unto us And it shall proceed to be far higher than ever was the Swellings of Jordan True it runs not so high now as in former days because of the Curse of God upon Antichrist by whose means the Land of God's People is full of Briars and Thorns but when the Tide is at the lowest then it is nearest the rising and this River will rise and in little time be no more so low as but ancle deep 'T will up to the knees to the loines and be a broad River to swim in For there the glorious Lord shall be unto us a place of broad Rivers and Streams and there shall be no more Curse in the Church but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and his Servants shall serve him that is without molestation These sayings are faithful and true and in faithfulness shall they from the Throne of God and of the Lamb be performed to the Church Faithfulness in him that rules is that which makes Sion rejoice because thereby the Promises yield Milk and Honey For now the faithful God that keepeth Covenant performs to his Church that which he told her he would Wherefore our Rivers shall run and our Brooks yield Honey and Butter Let this teach all God's People to expect to look and wait for good things from the Throne But oh me thinks this Throne out of which good comes like a River who would not but be a subject to it who would not but worship before it But Seventhly A Throne is the Seat of Justice Justice and Judgment are the habitation of thy Throne And it is also from Justice that this River of Grace flows to us Justice to Christ and Justice to those that are found in him God declares that he can justy justify justly forgive now if he can justly justify and justly forgive then can he give Grace and cause that it should proceed to yea flow after us as a River The River that gushed out of the Rock in the Wilderness ran after the People there where-ever they wandred therein They drank of the Rock that followed them the Rock was not removed out of his place but the flood followed them whither they went. He opened the Rock and the Waters gushed out they ran in dry places like a River This Rock saith he was Christ that is figuratively and this Throne is Christ really And the Water gushing out of the Rock and the following of them in the Wilderness was to shew how when Christ became a Throne Grace and Goodness should follow us in the Wilderness from thence so long as here we abide Wherefore David considering this said surely Goodness and Mercy shall FOLLOW me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the House of the Lord for ever But whence must this come The Text says from the Throne from the Throne the Seat of Justice for from thence by reason of what HE hath found in Christ for us he in a way of Righteousness and Justice le ts out to us Rivers of his Pleasures whose Original is that great and wide Sea of Mercy that flows in his infinite Heart beyond thought All is paid for both US and Grace We are bought with a price He has obtained eternal Redemption for us yea and as we are made his and Heaven made ours thus so this River of Grace has been also obtained by him for us Wherefore all comes to us in a way of Justice and Righteousness Hence we are said to obtain Faith thorow the righteousness of God that is through the Justice of God and of Jesus our Lord. Mark here is the Justice of God and the Justice of Jesus our Lord and we have our Faith from the Justice of God because of the righteousness of Jesus our Lord. That is Jesus answered with Works of Justice the demands of Justice and therefore in a way of Justice Grace reigns and comes to us like a River as if signified for that it is said to come to us out of the Throne Again Grace is said to reign thorow righteousness unto Eternal life Thorow what righteousness the righteousness or justice of God by Jesus Christ our Lord. By Jesus Christ or for his sake For for his sake as I said we are forgiven and for his sake have all things pertaining to Life and Godliness Which all things come to us thorow or down the Stream of this River in a way of Justice and therefore it is said to come from the Throne Eighthly This Throne is the Seat of Grace and Mercy and therefore it is called the Mercy-Seat and Throne of Grace This Throne turns all into Grace all into Mercy This Throne makes all things work together for good It is said of Saul's Sons they were not buried after they were hanged until water dropped upon them out of Heaven And it may be said of us there is nothing suffered to come near us until it is washed in that water that proceeds from the Throne of Grace Hence afflictions flow from Grace Persecutions flow from Grace Poverty Sickness yea Death it self is now made ours by the grace of God thorow Christ. O Grace O happy Church of God! All things that happen to thee are for Christs sake turned into Grace They talk of the Philosophers Stone and how if one had it it would turn all things into Gold. Oh! but can it turn all things into Grace can it make all things work together for good No no this Quality Virtue Excellency what shall I call it nothing has in it but the Grace that reigns on the Throne of Grace the River that proceeds from the Throne of God. This this turns Majesty Authority the highest Authority Glory Wisdom Faithfulness Justice and all into Grace Here 's a Throne God let us see it John had the honour to see it and to see the Streams proceeding from it O sweet sight O heart ravishing sight He shewed me a pure River of Water of Life proceeding out of the Throne of God. Indeed as was hinted before in the days of the Reign of Anti-Christ there are not those Visions of this Throne nor of the River that proceedeth there-from now he holdeth back the face of his Throne and spreadeth a Cloud upon it but the preserving saving benefits thereof we have as also have all the Saints in the most cloudy and dark day And since we can see so little we must believe the more and by believing give glory to God. We must also labour for more clear Scripture-Knowledge of this Throne for the Holy Word of God is the Perspective-glass by which we may and the Magnifying-glass that will cause us to behold with open face the glory of this Lord. But methinks I have yet said nothing of this Throne which is indeed
none other but the spotless and glorified Humanity of the Son of God. This Throne is the Lord Jesus this Grace comes from the Divine Majesty as dwelling bodily in the Lord Jesus Wherefore let us fall down before the Throne and cast our Crowns at the foot of the Throne and give thanks to him that sits on the Throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever O how should Jesus be esteemed of The Throne of the King is a Royal Seat. 'T is said of Solomon's there was not its like in ANY Kingdom but of this it may be said there is not its like in Heaven and Earth At the setting up of this Throne the Angels flocked round about it and the Beasts and the Elders gathered together to see it When this Throne was set in Heaven there was silence all the Heavenly Host had no leisure to talk they were surprized with sight and wonder When this Throne was set in Heaven what talk there was it was as the Musick of the Trumpet And behold says John a door was open in Heaven and the first voice that I heard was as it were of a Trumpet talking with me which said come up hither and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter And immediate y I was in the Spirit and behold A THRONE WAS SET IN HEAVEN and one sate upon the Throne This Throne was Jesus Christ exalted SET that is lifted up not as upon the Cross to the contempt and scorn of his Person but as I said to the wonderment of the four Beasts and the Elders and all the Angels in Heaven A Throne was set in Heaven and one sate on the Throne that is God. And this intimates his desirable rest for ever for to sit is to rest and Christ is his rest for ever Was it not therefore well worth the seeing yea if John had taken the pains to go up thither upon his Hands and Knees I say to see the Lord Jesus as a Throne set in Heaven and the glory of God resting and abiding upon him and giving out by him all things not only his Word but all his Dispensations and Providences to the end of the World and this blessed thing among the rest Even a pure River of Water of Life clear as Crystal But I leave this and proceed to the fourth and last thing namely to the Nature and Quality of this Water 'T is said to be pure and clear pure and clear as Crystal And he shewed me a pure River of Water of Life clear as Crystal I know that there is a two-fold quality in a thing one with respect to its nature the other with respect to its Operation The first of these is inherent and remaineth in the Subject being as such and so for the most part useless The other is put forth then when it meeteth with fit matter on which it may freely work As to instance Aqua vitae the very Metaphor here made use of hath a quality inherent in it but keep it stopt up in a Bottle then who will may faint notwithstanding but apply it apply it fitly and to such as have need thereof and then you may see its quality by the Operation This water or River of Grace is called I say The Water of Life and so consequently has a most blessed inherent quality but its Operation is seen by its working the which it doth only then when 't is administred and received for those ends for which it is administred For then it revives where life is and gives life where it is not And thus far in the general have we spoken to it already We will therefore in this place more particularly tho briefly speak a few words unto it First then This Water of Life is the very ground-work of Life in us tho not the ground-work of Life for us The ground-work of Life for us is the Passion and Merits of Christ this is that for the sake of which Grace is given unto us as is intimated by the Text It proceeds from the Throne of God who is Christ. Christ then having obtained Grace for us must needs be precedent as to his merit to that Grace he hath SO obtained Besides 't is clear that the Spirit and Grace come from God through him therefore as to the Communications of Grace to us it is the Fruit of his Merit and Purchase But I say in us Grace is the ground-work of Life For tho we may be said before to live virtually in the Person of Christ before God yet we are dead in our selves and so must be until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high for the Spirit is Life and its Graces are Life and when that is infused by God from the Throne then we live and not till then And hence it is called as before living Water the Water of Life springing up in us into Everlasting Life The Spirit then and Graces of the Spirit which is the River here spoken of is that and that only which can cause us to live that being life to the Soul as the Soul is life to the Body All men therefore as was said afore tho elect tho purchased by the Blood of Christ are dead and must be dead until the Spirit of Life from God and his Throne shall enter into them until they shall drink it in by vehement thirst as the parched Ground drinks in the Rain Now when this living Water is received it takes up its Seat in the Heart whence it spreads it self to the awakening of all the Powers of the Soul. For as in the first Creation the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the Waters in order to putting of that Creature into that excellent fashion and harmony which now we behold with our Eyes even so the new Creation to wit the making of us new to God is done by the over-spreading of the same Spirit also For the Spirit as I may so say sitteth and broodeth upon the Powers of the Soul as the Hen doth on cold Eggs till they wax warm and receive life The Spirit then warmeth us and bringeth the dead and benummed Soul for so 't is before Conversion to a godly sense and understanding of States of States both natural and spiritual and this is the beginning of the work of the Spirit by which the Soul is made capable of understanding what God and himself is And this drinking in of the Spirit is rather as the ground drinks in Rain than as a rational Soul does through sense of the want thereof The Spirit also garnisheth the Soul with such things as are proper for it to the making of it live that life that by the word of God is called for It implanteth Light Repentance Faith Fear Love Desires after God Hope Sincerity and what else is necessary for the making the man a Saint these things I say are the fruits and effects of this Spirit which as a River of Water of Life proceedeth