A30213:138
The water of life, or, A discourse showing the richness and glory of the…The water of life, or, A discourse shewing the richness and glory of the…
The water of life, or, A discourse showing the richness and glory of the grace and spirit of the gospel, as set forth in Scripture by this term, The water of life by John Bunyan.The water of life, or, A discourse shewing the richness and glory of the grace and spirit of the gospel, as set forth in Scripture by this term, The water of life by John Bunyan.
London: printed for Nathanael Ponder, 1688
Title page typeset from the transcription.
OF THE River of Water OF LIFE.OF THE River of VVater OF LIFE.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But who understands this, who believes it? Its goodness is kept close from the Fowls of the Air: Men, most men are ignorant of the goodness of it nor do they care to enquire after the enjoyment of this pure, this good Water of Life. The reason is, because tho it is good in it self, good in the highest degree, and that which makes all things good; yet it is not such a good as is ⟨p. 87⟩suited to a Carnal Appetite. There is good; and there is suitable good: now suitable good is of two sorts; either such as is Spiritual, or such as is Temporal. That which is Spiritual, is desired only of them that are Spiritual; for Temporal good will satisfy a Carnal Mind. Now Grace is a Spiritual good; this River of Grace, is the goodness of Spiritual good. 'Tis the Original Life of all the Grace in our Souls: No marvel then, if it be so little set by of those that are carnally minded. Hay will serve a Horse, and Mire will serve a Sow; so things of this Life suit best with the men of this World, for their Appetite is gross and carnal, and they savour not the things that be of the Spirit of God. The natural man receiveth not the things that be of the Spirit of God; (The things that be of this River of God) for they are foolishness unto him: neither can 1he know them, because they are spiritually ⟨p. 88⟩discerned. This is the River of OIL which the Prophet speaks of, the River of Spirit. Were it a River of Gold and Silver, there would be old fishing on the Banks thereof. But it is a River that runs like Oil, 2saith the Lord God. This Rock pours us out Rivers of Oil, fresh Oil, soft Oil, sweet Oil, the Oil of Joy, the 3Oil of Gladness, Oil to anoint the head withal, Oil to make the Face to shine, Oil by which thou wilt be made able to honour both God and Man in some good measure as becomes thee.
But who understands this, who believes it? Its goodness is kept close from the Fowls of the Air: Men, most men are ignorant of the goodness of it nor do they care to enquire after the enjoyment of this pure, this good Water of Life. The reason is, because tho it is good in it self, good in the highest degree, and that which makes all things good; yet it is not such a good as is