Outline 20.

ministers, witnesses, God from heaven, all “declare.” The work of death and judgment will come: then despise, and wonder, and perish! Wonder at your infatuation, obstinacy, contradiction!

OUTLINE 20.

“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water,” John 7:37, 38.

I. Persons invited.

1. (Subject.) “If any man,” whether rich or poor, righteous or unrighteous, little or great sinners.

2. (Qualification.) “Thirsts” after grace, pardon, righteousness, happiness, God.

II. Invitation.

1. “Let him come to ME.” Believe in ME. I am a fountain, a brook, a river, a sea, and all that can quench this thirst. Blood, water, sweat.

2. “And let him drink.” (Application, appropriation.) Let him be satisfied, refreshed, nourished, strengthened, healed, delighted, ravished. III. Promise.

“Out of his belly,” - inmost soul, shall flow, not drops or dews, but “rivers,” abundance of living water, of all the fruits, graces, comforts of the Spirit.

The Scripture says so; Joel 2:28; Isaiah 12:3, and 35:6, and 44:28; and 58:11; Zechariah 13:1; John 4:14; Revelation 22:17. Shall flow to his own comfort, and the benefit of others. His words and actions refreshing.

APPLICATION. - Jesus cries still. Do you hear?

1. Worldlings, your thirst is of a wrong kind; you hew out to yourselves cisterns that can hold no water, but poison. Ye who begin to thirst, beware of the broken cisterns of duties, self righteousness, &c. Come ye to Jesus Christ, to ME.

Comers. Drink; always coming, never drinking.

2. Believers: how is it with you? Is Jesus glorified? Do living waters spring up in you? Is Jesus Christ in you the source? Do they flow out to the benefit of all around you?

Jesus the true Siloam. He thirsted and had gall, that you may have living water. Double stream. Thirst as for pleasure; as Dives, or you will thirst with him.

OUTLINE 21.

“And Esau said unto his Father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father!

And Esau lifted up his voice and wept,” Genesis 27:38. INTRODUCTION. - Our Lord wants us to learn of the unjust steward; Solomon, of the Ant. Profane Esau. Esau sold his birth right, and the blessing annexed. He wept, prayed, and carried another blessing. A pattern, not as he was sensual, wedded to the daughters of Heth, angry, a murderer; but as he prayed, wept, obtained.

I. God our heavenly Father hath not one, but many blessings. We are to seek them carefully with tears, and we shall obtain them.

1. The blessing of awakening. St. Paul. Careless.

2. That of calling. Worldling. Zaccheus.

3. Repentance. Harlot.

4. Pardon of sin. Hezekiah. Parable.

5. Healing of backsliders. David, Peter.

6. Righteousness. One that suits all, the best robe.

7. Spirit. One that can baptize all.

8. Kingdom. One set up in all.

9. New heart. And victory over all.

10. Kingdom of heaven in glory. “Come ye blessed.”

II. How are we to seek those blessings?

1. Early. Esau. Foolish virgins.

2. Carefully, earnestly, with tears, lifting up the voice.

3. Pleading our relation, - by creation, redemption, “My Father,” and

4. With importunity, and expostulation: “Hast thou but one blessing? bless me, even me.”

5. Refusing to go without application. “Me, me!” desiring spiritual blessings above all.

III. Examples. Jacob, Jesus.

IV. Motives to make you seek the blessing.

1. If you get it not, the curse remains yours. The curse of the law, the curse of Christ. All the curses in the book of God. No dew of heaven.

(1.) Negatively. - No kiss of peace. No bread. No wine. No dominion over sin, &c, breaking its yoke. No living by the sword of the Spirit.

(2.) Positively. - You will feed on dust with the serpent. You will be the servant and slave of sin and Satan. You will inherit his fearful curse, “Depart!”

2. You are made for ever, if God bless you.

(1.) All things will work for your good

(2.) You will be sustained with corn and wine.

(3.) You will have dominion over all your enemies, in the end. Jacob and Esau.

(4.) You will have the blessing of Christ, the gracious and glorious kingdom. None shall reverse it. Cursers ashamed.

APPLICATION. - Careless souls. - Shall Esau weep, &c, for the loss of a temporal blessing? Shall some mourn for loss of friends, money, reputation, health? O! How should you for the loss of paradise, of God, of a kingdom! The curse hunts you. You lose the blessing by roving, hunting, pleasure! O! lift up your voice!

Seeking souls. - Thousands of blessings purchased, by thousands of Jesus’ prayers, tears, blood; secured by thousands of promises, by oath, Hebrews 6:13. Christ has got them all first: but it is for you.