ONE FOUNTAIN OF GRACE

"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." —Isaiah 12:3 [KJV]

Why, therefore? What had the church done to procure such an inestimable promise? O the joyful day of her public espousal to Jesus is come. THAT DAY, that blessed day of power, when the loving bride claims her beloved Bridegroom, Jesus. Therefore she sings this joyful song, "Behold God is my salvation: I will trust, and not be afraid, for the LORD Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation." The claims of the faith of poor sinners are well pleasing in the sight of God; they honor His word, glorify Him, and cause joy in heaven among the angels; while the humble claimants obtain the consolation and joy thereof. "Them that honor Me I will honor, saith the Lord," "therefore with joy shall they draw," etc.

This was not to be a transient fit of comfort, but an inexhaustible fountain of joy. Believers are to come daily and draw water with joy out of the wells of salvation. Jehovah, the Father, is "the fountain of living waters."—Jerermiah 2:13. Salvation takes its first spring from His everlasting love, is secured by His unalterable covenant and unchangeable promises. The Spirit and His grace are called "a well of water, springing up to everlasting life."—John 4:14. He shews poor sinners their want of Jesus this living water, its freeness and sweetness; supplies them with the bucket of faith to draw with joy, and drink with pleasure. This well of salvation by Jesus was opened in paradise: its streams have run through every successive age of the church. Patriarchs, prophets, apostles, believers in all ages have had their hearts made glad, and their souls joyful thereby.

The everlasting love of the Father, the rich grace of the Son, the exuberant joy of the Holy Ghost, compose these wells of salvation. Yet it is but one fountain of grace, flowing from the unity of the divine essence, and is communicated to us out of the fulness of the man Jesus: hence we are invited by Jesus, "O friends, O beloved, drink! yea drink abundantly."—Song of Solomon 5:1. This fountain is ever free, full, and inexhaustible. Why, O why then are we not always joyful? Why do we ever complain for want of comfort? This well is ever open, this fountain ever near. Why do we so much neglect, so often forsake this fountain of living waters? Where is our faith? Why is that precious grace given us, but for use and exercise? So shall we the more glorify the God of all consolation, be refreshed in our spirits, and made fruitful in our lives; and our thirst allayed after the perishing comforts of time and sense. For saith Jesus, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst."—John 4:14.

-William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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