A30213:98
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 he that shall contemn this Grace, confronts the highest Wisdom even Wisdom upon the Throne. He saith of himself, I am wiser than Daniel, than the Judgment of God. I could have found out a more safe way to Heaven my self, and had I been of God's Counsel, I would have told him so. All this so horrible blasphemy, naturally proceeds from him that liketh not that Grace should be king on the Throne, and should proceed out of the Throne to the World. But shall he that contendeth with the Almighty, instruct him; he ⟨p. 55⟩1that reproveth God, let him answer it.
- 1Job. 49. 2.
The Text says, that this very Doctrine 1to the Greeks, to the Wise, is foolishness, and the preaching of it a foolish thing to them: But it will appear even then, when the conclusion of all things is come; and when these wise ones by their Wisdom have fooled themselves to Hell, that this foolishness of God, is wiser than Men, and the weakness of God stronger than Men.
Christ Jesus, because he was low in the World, is trampled upon by some, but he is a glorious Throne to his Father's house. For since his Humility was the lowest of all, now he is exalted to be the Throne of God; yea, is made the Fountain whence Grace continually flows, like the Rivers, and comes down to us like a mighty stream. Wherefore, I will conclude this with both comfort and caution; with comfort, and that ⟨p. 56⟩because of the security that they are under, that indeed have submitted themselves to Grace. Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the Law, but under Grace. And let it be caution to those that despise take heed, 'tis dangerous affronting of the Wisdom of God. Now here is the Wisdom of God, even Wisdom upon the Throne. It pleased God, for the glory of his Wisdom, to make this the way; to wit, to set up Grace to reign. I have often thought, and sometimes said, If God will be pleased with any way, surely he will be pleased with his own. Now this is the way of his own devising, the fruit and effect of his own Wisdom. Wherefore Sinner please him, please him in that, wherein he is well pleased: Come to the Waters, cast thy self into them and fear not drowning, let God alone to cause them to carry thee into his Paradise, that thou mayest see his Throne.
Sixthly, The Throne is the Seat of faithfulness, the place of performing of engagements and promises. When I shall receive the Congregation, 1saith Christ, I will judge uprightly, that is, faithfully. And now he has received it, and is made head over all things to it; and for this cause is 2he upon the Throne, yea, is the Throne from whence proceeds all this Grace, that like a River doth flow, and glide from Heaven into the World. This River then is nothing else, but the fulfilling of Promises, the faithful fulfilling of Promises. If I go not away the Comforter 3will not come; but if I depart I will send him unto you. This is that 4which was spoken of by the Prophet Joel: and it shall come to pass in the last days (saith God) I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh, &c. Now this River is the Spirit, the Spirit and Grace of God, which was promised by the Father and the Son, and ⟨p. 58⟩now it comes running from the Throne of God and of the Lamb. For being 5now by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Spirit, he hath shed forth that which ye now see and hear.
Sixthly, The Throne is the Seat of faithfulness, the place of performing of ingagements and promises. When I shall receive the Congregation, 1saith Christ, I will judge uprightly, that is, faithfully. And now he has received it, and is made head over all things to it; and for this cause is 2he upon the Throne, yea, is the Throne from whence proceeds all this Grace, that like a River doth flow, and glide from Heaven into the World. This River then is nothing else, but the fulfilling of Promises, the faithful fulfilling of Promises. If I go not away the Comforter 3will not come; but if I depart I will send him unto you. This is that 4which was spoken of by the Prophet Joel: and it shall come to pass in the last days (saith God) I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh, &c. Now this River is the Spirit, the Spirit and Grace of God, which was promised by the Father and the Son, and ⟨p. 58⟩now it comes running from the Throne of God and of the Lamb. For being 5now by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Spirit, he hath shed forth that which ye now see and hear.
- 1Psal. 75. 2.
- 2Ephes. 22. 23.
- 3Joh. 16. 7.
- 4Acts 2. 16, 17, 18.
- 5v. 33.
Behold then how mindful, how careful, how faithful our Father and the Lamb of God is! 'Tis not Exaltation, nor Glory, nor a Crown, nor a Kingdom, nor a Throne, that shall make him neglect his poor ones on Earth. Yea, therefore, even because he is exalted and 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 1full of Briars and Thorns; but when ⟨p. 59⟩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 ankle deep. 'Twill up to the knees, to the 2loins, and be a broad River to swim in. For there the glorious 3Lord shall be unto us a place of broad Rivers and Streams, and there shall 4be 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.
Behold then how mindful, how careful, how faithful our Father and the Lamb of God is! 'Tis not Exaltation, nor Glory, nor a Crown, nor a Kingdom, nor a Throne, that shall make him neglect his poor ones on Earth. Yea, therefore, even because he is exalted and 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 1full of Briars and Thorns; but when ⟨p. 59⟩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. 'Twill up to the knees, to the 2loines, and be a broad River to swim in. For there the glorious 3Lord shall be unto us a place of broad Rivers and Streams, and there shall 4be 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 Zion 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 ⟨p. 60⟩1run, and our Brooks yield Honey and Butter.
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 ⟨p. 60⟩1run, 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 1of 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 2he can justly justify, justly forgive: now if he can justly justify and justly 3forgive; 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 wandered ⟨p. 61⟩therein. They drank of the Rock 4that followed them (the Rock was not removed out of his place) but the flood followed them whither they went. He opened the Rock, 5and the Waters gushed out, they ran in dry places like a River.
Seventhly, A Throne is the Seat 1of 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 2he can justy justify, justly forgive: now if he can justly justify and justly 3forgive; 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 ⟨p. 61⟩therein. They drank of the Rock 4that followed them (the Rock was not removed out of his place) but the flood followed them whither they went. He opened the Rock, 5and 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 show, 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 1Mercy shall FOLLOW me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the Lord for ever.
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 1Mercy 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 ⟨p. 62⟩hath found in Christ for us; he in a way of Righteousness and Justice, lets 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. 1We 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 through the righteousness 2of 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 ⟨p. 63⟩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.
All is paid for both US and Grace. 1We 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 2of 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 ⟨p. 63⟩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 through righteousness unto Eternal life. Through 1what 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, through, or down the Stream of this River in a way of Justice, and therefore it is said to come from the Throne.
Again, Grace is said to reign thorow righteousness unto Eternal life. Thorow 1what 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.
- 1Rom. 5▪ 21.
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, ⟨p. 64⟩1until 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 2flow from Grace; Persecutions flow from Grace, Poverty, Sickness, yea Death it self is now made ours by the grace of God through 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, ⟨p. 65⟩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 showed me a pure River of Water of Life, proceeding out of the Throne of God.
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, ⟨p. 64⟩1until 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 2flow 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, ⟨p. 65⟩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 ⟨p. 66⟩1that will cause us to behold with open face the glory of this Lord.
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 Magnifyingglass ⟨p. 66⟩1that 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. 'Tis said of Solomon's, 1there 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 2the Beasts and the Elders gathered together to see it. When this Throne ⟨p. 67⟩was set in Heaven, there was silence, all the Heavenly Host had no leisure to talk; they were surprised with sight and wonder. When this Throne was set in Heaven, what talk there was, it was as the Music of the Trumpet.
O how should Jesus be esteemed of! The Throne of the King is a Royal Seat. 'Tis said of Solomon's, 1there 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 2the Beasts and the Elders gathered together to see it. When this Throne ⟨p. 67⟩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.