the water of life is the best. They that dwell there shall not
hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat or sun smite them; for he
that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by springs of water
shall he guide them. Isa. 49: 10; Psal. 1: 3; Jer. 17: 8.

Trees planted by the rivers, and that spread out their roots by the
rivers, they are the flourishing trees, they bring forth their fruit
in their season. And the promise is, that men that take up their
dwellings by this river of water of life, shall be fruitful as such
trees.

If thou be a Christian, thou hast more than an ordinary call and
occasion to abide by these waters; thy things will not grow but by
these waters. 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