22 APRIL (PREACHED OLNEY FAIR DAY, 17 APRIL 1775)
Go with a pail
‘And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.’ Revelation 22:17
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Ezekiel 47:1–12
What they are called to: water of life. This, no doubt, stands for the communication of every grace from Jesus Christ. He is the fountain, John 7:37–39. It is compared to water, for it is plenty. There is abundance of grace—a fountain, a river, an ocean (Isaiah 44:3). Water is used for cleansing, refreshing, as in Ezekiel 36:25 and Isaiah 41:17. Freeness—water is open to all. If people beg wine they take a small vessel, but if they ask for water they go with a pail. So you need not straiten yourself, but open your mouth wide.
It is water of life. It makes alive (Ezekiel 47:9), it keeps alive, it is a pledge of life everlasting (John 4:14).
Are these things so? Then once more, sinners, take heed how you refuse—it is at the peril of your souls. If you will stand out, a time will come when you will want a drop of water to cool your tongues. You are athirst—what more can you want? The fountain is pointed out and you are invited. Do you say as the woman in John 4:11? The ordinances are buckets with which you shall draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). The Lord shall give you refreshing draughts in prayer.
FOR MEDITATION: But remember, when you have drunk you must drink again. Do not live upon present tastes, but rejoice that the fountain is made over to you. Believers, let us keep close to this fountain. O let it not be said of us as in Jeremiah 2:13 [For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water]. As you have received Christ Jesus, so walk in him—your first beginnings and your increase must be in the same way. Thus you shall go on from strength to strength and at last be brought to the fountainhead, where you shall thirst no more.
SERMON: REVELATION 22:17 [6/6] [EASTER MONDAY EVENING]
Milo 