ſuch a way as he thought convenient for his juſtice; and therefore we are ſaid in ſcripture to be reconciled to God; and God is ſaid to be reconciled to us; his love is everlaſting; becauſe by order of nature it is before the ſeed, before we had done either good or evil; ſo that ſin ſhould not change God's mind, but only by order of Juſtice; ſin ſtood in the way to hinder us from life everlaſting, which is a fruit of his love: yea more, God with that ſame love in Chriſt, loveth the elect before and after converſion; and therefore, we have to rejoice in feeling any of God's love to us in Chriſt. It is old acquaintance betwixt him and us; and therefore, as it is folly in man (as Solomon faith) to caſt off his old friend, and his father's friend; ſo let us think it madneſs to caſt off ſuch an old friend as Chriſt, and let our faith hold faſt by this, under temptations and deſertions; Alpha and Omega changeth not, the change is in us.
The third thing in the words is a promiſe of the water of life to the thirſty, Iſaiah lv 1. and John xiii. 17. Chriſt at the mercat-croſs cries the well free; but learn firſt, the thirſty and hungry ſouls, are meeteſt for the waters of life. What! (ye will ſay) are not all thirſty ? all want the life of God and the ſap of grace, and are burnt and withered at the root; but all know not their own wants; but indeed ſpecial comfort for the weak ones to ſay, O ſay they, I know Chriſt doth good to believers, to repenters, and to ſuch as love him ; but I dow not, nor cannot win to faith and repentance, hope and patience; I have too ſhort an arm to rax ſo high. Then, ſay I, have ye a deſire, a hunger for faith and repentance and love? now upon your conſcience ſpeak the truth; I trow ye cannot deny it. Then your Lord bids you come, the well is орen
