October 21

PART II.—Zechariah 13:1.

THIS fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, is distinguished for its freeness. It is not as a sealed well, only acceptable to the favoured few, but it is open and free for all. Hence, in the gospel there is every thing to encourage, even the vilest of the vile to come and wash and be clean. How many sweet invitations, how many tender appeals, how many affectionate expostulations, are therein contained! The Spirit, and the Bride say, come, the heralds of Christ are expressly sent to say, come, and all that will, may come and partake of the waters of life freely. Then this fountain is also distinguished for its abundance. Would not a general application exhaust it? Oh no! Here is a self-supplying fountain; it can never be exhausted; millions may come, and its healing and purifying streams flow as freely and plentifully as ever. The infinite mercy of God must be exhausted, the boundless efficacy of Christ's blood must fail, before this fountain shall be inefficient to the sinner's salvation. Then it is also characterized for its perpetuity. As its abundance cannot be lessened, so neither shall it cease to flow, until the last sinner that shall exist in our world has experienced its life giving power. For eighteen hundred years it has incessantly rolled its healing waters around our world, and it shall do so, until this gospel of the kingdom has been preached as a witness to every creature, and then shall the end come.