Weeds, and the excellences of most men, we may find in
the barren wilderness; they grow under every hedge, Jer. 31: 12; but
thine are garden, and so choice, things, and will not thrive without
much water; no, not without the water of God's river. Isa. 21: 1-3.
Dwell therefore here, that thy soul may be as a watered garden.
By the characters that are given of this water of life, thou art
capacitated to judge, when a notion, a doctrine, an opinion comes to
thy ears, whether it is right good and wholesome, or how. This river
is pure, is clear, is pure and clear as crystal. Is the doctrine
offered unto thee so? or is it muddy and mixed with the doctrines of
men? Look, man, and see if the foot of the worshippers of Bel
[Footnote: Story of Bel and the dragon in the Apychrypha.] be not
there; and if the waters be not fouled thereby. What water is fouled
is not the water of life, or at least, not the water of life in its
clearness. Wherefore, if thou findest it not right, go up higher to
the spring-head; for always the nearer to the spring, the more pure
and clear is the water. Fetch then thy doctrine from afar, if thou
canst not have it good nearer hand. Job 36: 3. Thy life lies at
stake; the counterfeit of things is dangerous; every body that is
aware, is afraid thereof.
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