endeavored to show that the operation of the Spirit of God upon
the heart is inseparably connected with the truth. My present object
will be to show the _effects_ produced by both these agents acting
together. This is most beautifully described in the passages quoted
above. Here the Christian is represented under the similitude of a tree
planted by the _rivers_ of water. The grace of God, or the Holy Spirit
acting in unison with the word, to carry on the great work of
regeneration and sanctification in the soul, is represented by the
constant flowing of _rivers of water_. This shows the abundance of the
provision. But a tree may stand so near a river as to be watered when it
overflows its banks; and yet, if its roots only spread over the surface
of the ground, and do not reach the bed of the river, it will wither in
a time of drought. This aptly represents the professor of religion who
appears engaged and in earnest only during remarkable outpourings of the
Spirit. He is all alive and full of zeal when the river overflows, but
when it returns to its ordinary channel, his leaf withers; and if a long
season of spiritual drought follows, he becomes dry and barren, so that
no appearance of spiritual life remains. But, mark how different the
description of the true child of God. "He shall be as _a_ tree _planted_
by the rivers of water." This figure appears to have been taken from the
practice of _cultivating_ trees. They are removed from the wild state in
which they spring up, and their roots firmly fixed in a spot of ground
_cultivated_ and _prepared_, to facilitate their growth. This _planting_
well represents the _fixed_ state of the renewed soul, as it settles
down in entire dependence upon the word and Spirit of God, for
nourishment and growth in grace. But the figure is carried out still
farther,--"and spreadeth out her roots _by the river_." When the roots
of the tree are spread out along the bed of the river, it will always be
supplied with water, even when the river is low. This steadiness of
Christian character is elsewhere spoken of under a similar figure. "The
_root_ of the righteous _shall not be moved_." "He shall cause them that
come of Jacob to _take root_." "Being _rooted_ and grounded in love."
Hence the prophet adds, that the heat and the drought shall not affect
it; but its _leaf shall be green_, always growing; and it _shall not
cease to bring forth_ fruit. And throughout the Scriptures, the
righteous ar