This water of life is the very groundwork of life IN us, though not
the groundwork of life FOR us. The groundwork of life FOR us is the
passion and merits of Christ; this is that for the sake of which
grace is given unto us, as is intimated by the text, Rev. 22:1. It
proceeds from the throne of God, who is Christ. Christ then having
obtained grace for us, must needs be precedent as to his merit, to
that grace he hath so obtained. Besides, it is clear that the Spirit
and grace come from God through him. Therefore, as to the
communication of grace to us, it is the fruit of his merit and
purchase.
But I say, IN US grace is the groundwork of life; for though we may
be said before to live virtually in the person of Christ before God,
yet we are dead in ourselves, and so must be until the Spirit be
poured upon us from on high; for the Spirit is life, and its graces
are life, and when that is infused by God from the throne, then we
live, and not till then. And hence it is called as before, living
water, the water of life, springing up in us into everlasting life.
The Spirit then and graces of the Spirit, which is the river here
spoken of, is that, and that only, which can cause us to live; that
being life to the soul, as the soul is life to the body.
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