Christian Perfection · §28

Rivers of living water

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It is of great importance to observe, and that more carefully than is commonly done, the wide difference there is between the Jewish and the Christian dispensation, and that ground of it which the same apostle assigns in the seventh chapter of his gospel, verse 38 and following (John 7:38-39). After he had there related those words of our blessed Lord: He who believes on me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water, he immediately adds: This he spoke of the Spirit, which those who should believe on him were afterwards to receive. For the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Now the apostle cannot mean here (as some have taught) that the miracle-working power of the Holy Ghost was not yet given. For this was given; our Lord had given it to all his apostles when he first sent them forth to preach the gospel. He then gave them power over unclean spirits to cast them out, power to heal the sick, yea, to raise the dead (Matthew 10:1, 8). But the Holy Ghost was not yet given in his sanctifying graces, as he was after Jesus was glorified. It was then, when he ascended up on high and led captivity captive (Ephesians 4:8), that he received those gifts for men, yea, even for the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell among them. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come (Acts 2:1), then first it was that those who waited for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4) were made more than conquerors over sin (Romans 8:37), by the Holy Ghost given to them.

1771 text

11. It is of great importance to observe, and that more carefully than is commonly done, the wide difference there is between the Jewish and the Christian dispensation: and that ground of it which the same apostle assigns in the seventh chapter of his gospel, verse 38, &c. After he had there related those words of our blessed Lord, He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water, he immediately subjoins, This spake he of the spirit, οὗ ἔμελλον ♦λαμβάνειν οἱ πιστεύοντες εἰς αὐτόν, which they who should believe on him, were afterwards to receive. For the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified. Now the apostle cannot mean here (as some have taught) that the miracle-working power of the Holy Ghost was not yet given. For this was given; our Lord had given it to all his apostles, when he first sent them forth to preach the gospel. He then gave them power over unclean spirits to cast them out; power to heal the sick, yea, to raise the dead. But the Holy Ghost was not yet given in his sanctifying graces, as he was after Jesus was glorified. It was then when he ascended up on high and led captivity captive, that he received those gifts for men, yea, even for the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell among them. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, then first it was, that they who waited for the promise of the Father, were made more than conquerors over sin, by the Holy Ghost given unto them.

About this text

Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.

Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.

Catalogue & scope

Sermon 40 in the 1771 Works. Philippians 3:12.

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