THE RIVER OF GOD.

THE RIVER OF GOD. BY CHARLES SIMEON

Ps. xlvi. 4. There is a river, the streams ichereof shall make glad the city of God. FREQUENTLY, in the Holy Scriptures, is God compared to a fountain : in conformity with which idea, the blessings of salvation which flow from him may well be called " a river." To the Israelites in the wilderness, there was given a stream which followed them in all their journeys : and to the Church, at this day also, is " a river opened for the refreshment of all who travel Zion-ward." Innumerable are the necessities of God's people in this dreary wilderness; and the "troubles" with which they have to contend are often so great as to make it appear as if " the earth itself were removed, and the mountains were carried into the midst of the sea." But God is with his people ; and the river which attends their steps supplies their every want. " The whole city of God is gladdened by it, and especially the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High :" for the nearer any one's access to God is, the more abundant are the communications made to him of grace and peace. The exalted character given of this river will justify a minute inquiry respecting it. Let us notice then, I. The source from whence it issues — [Whence can this be, but from God himself? But on this subject we are not left to form conjectures : for David says, " With God is the fomitain of life^" And St. John says, * Ps. xxxvi. 9.

579.] THE RIVER OF GOD. 357 that " there was shewn to him a pure river of water of Hfe, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb^." From God, as the primary cause of all good, and from the Lamb, who has " purchased the Church with his blood," and who is constituted " Head over all things to

his Church," and has all fulness treasured up in him for his people's use ; from our adorable Emmanuel, I say, all the blessings of salvation flow. The Father, of his own sovereign will, opened a way for the bestowment of them : the Son, by his atoning blood, procured them for us : and the Holy Spirit imparts them to the souls of men: so that from our Tri-une God does this river altogether proceed. In truth, it was typified by the waters that flowed from the rock in Horeb, and supplied the camp of Israel forty years : " They all drank the same spiritual drink," says the Apostle ; " for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them ; and that rock was Christ*^."] We may next notice, II. The channel in which it flows — [It is in the ordinances of the Gospel that all spiritual blessings are dispensed. For thus saith the prophet: " It shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters ; and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim^." To the house of God, those who are athirst come, that they may drink of its refreshing streams. " O God, thou art my God," saith holy David ; " early will T seek thee : my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is ; to see thy power and thy glory, so as / have seen thee in the sanctuary^.'' Yes ; these are " the golden pipes, by which the golden oil is communicated from the olive-trees" to every lamp in the sanctuary^. See, in the days of old, what blessings attended the ministration of the word, accompanied as it was by an effusion of the Spirit from on high : nothing could withstand its power! So it still " sweeps away from men every refuge of lies, and overflows their hiding places^ ;" at the same time that it bears them up, as in the ark, and saves them from the deluge that will destroy the world.] We may not miprofitably direct your attention yet further to, III. The depths of "its streams" — [The Prophet Ezekiel refers so particularly to this, that we must on no account omit the mention of it. He speaks of b Rev. xxii. 1.