The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

The occasion of these words is known;¹ they are part of our Saviours Colloquy with the poor Samaritan Harlot; having told her that he could give her another manner of water, and infinitely better then that which she drew out of Jacobs well, (for which the poor Creature did almost contemn him, and asked him, whence he had that water whereof he spake, how he came by it, or what he made of himself: Did he think himself a better man then Jacob who drank of that well, which she was drawing water out of) to convince her of the Truth, and reality of his Promise, he compares the water, that he would and could give, with that which she drew out of the Well, especially as to one eminent effect, wherein the water of his Promise did infinitely surmount that which she so magnified; for v. 13. he tells her, for that water in the well, though it allayed thirst for a season, yet within a little while she would thirst again, and must come thither to draw; but saith he, whosoever drinketh of the Water I shall give him, thirsts no more; and this he proveth from the Condition of the Water he giveth, it is a well of Water, not a drought, not a Pitcherful, as that thou carryest away, but it is a Fountain, a Well: yea perhaps in it self it is so, a Fountain or Well, but he that drinks of it, he hath but one draught of that water; Nay saith Christ, it shall become a Well in him, not a Well whereunto he may go, but a Well that he shall carry about in him. He that hath a continual spring of living water in him, shall doubtless have no occasion of fainting for thirst, any more; This our Saviour amplifies, and clears up unto her, from the nature and energy of this Well of water, it springeth up unto everlasting life; in these last words instructing the poor sinful Creature in the use of the Parable, that he had used with her. Having taken an occasion to speak to her of heavenly things, from the nature of the employment that she was engaged in at present; Two or three things may be observed ⟨p. 206⟩from the words, to give Light unto their tendency to the Confirmation of the Truth we have under consideration.

The occasion of these words is known;¹ they are part of our Saviours Colloquie with the poore Samaritan Harlot; having told her that he could give her another manner of water, and infinitely better then that which she drew out of Jacobs well, (for which the poore Creature did almost contemne him, and askt him, whence he had that water whereof he spake, how he came by it, or what he made of himselfe: Did he think himselfe a better man then Iacob who dranke of that well, which shee was drawing water out of) to convince her of the Truth, and reality of his Promise, he compares the water, that he would and could give, with that which she drew out of the Well, especially as to one eminent effect, wherein the water of his Promise did infinitely surmount that which she so magnifyed; for v. 13. he tells her, for that water in the well, though it allayed thirst for a season, yet within a little while she would thirst againe, and must come thither to draw; but saith he, whosoever drinketh of the Water I shall give him, thirsts no more; and this he proveth from the Condition of the Water he giveth, it is a well of Water, not a drought, not a Pitcherfull, as that thou carryest away, but it is a Fountaine, a Well: yea perhaps in it selfe it is so, a Fountaine or Well, but he that drinkes of it, he hath but one draught of that water; Nay saith Christ, it shall become a Well in him, not a Well whereunto he may goe, but a Well that he shall carry about in him. He that hath a continuall spring of living water in him, shall doubtlesse have no occasion of fainting for thirst, any more; This our Saviour amplifies, and clears up unto her, from the nature and energy of this Well of water, it springeth up unto everlasting life; in these last words instructing the poore sinfull Creature in the use of the Parable, that he had used with her. Having taken an occasion to speake to her of heavenly things, from the nature of the employment that she was engaged in at present; Two or three things may be observed