And All Drunk the Same Spirituall Drinke
The sermon describes the spiritual drink of Christ's grace and life, obtained through faith and represented by the Rock of Aqua-Vitae.
Edward Taylor preaches about the spiritual significance of Christ as the Rock and the River of Aqua Vitae, symbolizing grace, righteousness, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. He emphasizes the cleansing, refreshing, and life-giving properties of this divine Rock and Water, inviting believers to draw from it with faith and gratitude. Taylor beautifully portrays the imagery of Christ as the source of celestial wine that cheers our souls and the fountain that washes away sin and nourishes us with grace.
Text
Ye Angells bright, pluck from your Wings a Quill.
Make me a pen thereof that best will write.
Lend me your fancy, and Angellick skill
To treate this Theme, more rich than Rubies bright.
My muddy Inke, and Cloudy fancy dark,
Will dull its glory, lacking highest Art.
An Eye at Centre righter may describe
The Worlds Circumferentiall glory vast
As in its nutshell bed it snugs fast tide,
Than any angells pen can glory Cast
Upon this Drink Drawn from the Rock, tapt by
The Rod of God, in Horeb, typickly.
Sea water straind through Mineralls, Rocks, and Sands
Well Clarifi'de by Sunbeams, Dulcifi'de,
Insipid, Sordid, Swill, Dishwater stands.
But here's a Rock of Aqua-Vitae tride.
When once God broacht it, out a River came
To bath and bibble in, for Israels train.
Some Rocks have sweat. Some Pillars bled out tears.
But here's a River in a Rock up tun'd
Not of Sea Water nor of Swill. Its beere.
No Nectar like it. Yet it once Unbund
A River down out runs through ages all.
A Fountain opte, to wash off Sin and Fall.
Christ is this Horebs Rock, the streames that slide
A River is of Aqua Vitae Deare
Yet costs us nothing, gushing from his side.
Celestiall Wine our Sinsunk souls to cheare.
This Rock and Water, Sacramentall Cup
Are made, Lords Supper Wine for us to sup.
This Rock's the Grape that Zions Vineyard bore
Which Moses Rod did smiting pound, and press
Untill its blood, the brooke of Life, run ore.
All Glorious Grace, and Gracious Righteousness.
We in this brook must bath: and with faiths quill
Suck Grace, and Life out of this Rock our fill.
Lord, oynt me with this Petro oyle. I'm sick.
Make mee drinke Water of the Rock. I'm dry.
Me in this fountain wash. My filth is thick.
I'm faint, give Aqua Vitae or I dy.
If in this stream thou cleanse and Chearish mee
My Heart thy Hallelujahs Pipe shall bee.
Sermon Outline
- The Spiritual Drink
- The Source of the Drink
- The Nature of the Drink
- The Application of the Drink
- Bathing in the Brook of Life
- Sucking Grace and Life from the Rock
- A Fountain of Grace
Key Quotes
“Christ is this Horebs Rock, the streames that slide A River is of Aqua Vitae Deare” — Edward Taylor
“This Rock's the Grape that Zions Vineyard bore Which Moses Rod did smiting pound, and press Untill its blood, the brooke of Life, run ore” — Edward Taylor
“Lord, oynt me with this Petro oyle. I'm sick. Make mee drinke Water of the Rock. I'm dry.” — Edward Taylor
Application Points
- We must come to Christ with faith, seeking to drink from the spiritual Rock and be filled with His life and righteousness.
- The spiritual drink of Christ's grace and life cleanses and cheers us, washing away our sins and filling us with life and righteousness.
- We must apply the spiritual drink of Christ's grace and life to our lives, bathing in the brook of life and sucking grace and life from the Rock.