Thirsty Men Drinking Without Looking
As men iji a deep thirst swallow their drink before they know the nature of it, or discern the taste ofitj so when we a7’e under a great thirst, or under g7-eat famishment as to spiritual comfort, and have great troubles upon ns, we take up with comfortable notions of Christ and salvation by him, and easily drink in these and other truths, catching at them without looking ifito the grounds or reasons of them. Afterwards we see the need of care and watchfuhiess of soul, to strengtheji our assent and fortify ourselves against those doubts of mind which shake us. Then we desire to settle our hearts in those sicpreme truths which in our necessity we accepted without discussions This is a very natural figure. See how the thirsty man turns up the cup and drinks the contents at a draught; he cares little what it is, so that it quenches his raging thirst. “Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.” But now, mark him in cooler moments! He is careful of his drinking, lest he be made top-heavy, or become nauseated. A simple, receptive faith is a fine thing for the speedy removal of the soul’s thirst; but if it were not soon qualified by spiritual discernment it would lead to credulity, and the man would be ready to take in anything which might be set before him. The rapid believer would soon become the victim of superstition. The more study of the Scriptures, and testing of doctrines thereby, the better. Careful investigation may save the mind from being injured by poisonous teaching, and it will certainly endear the truth to us, and strengthen our confidence in it. What a draught was that which some of us had at the first! Little enough we knew; but our enjoyment of what we did know was intense! Lord, thou hast now revealed to us the ingredients of that divine cup; grant that this may give us a new and deeper joy; but do not allow us to forget the bliss of satisfied thirst because we are gifted with fuller knowledge. Such a gain would be a loss most serious.