He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.
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Cornelius a Lapide
AD 1637
He that believeth in Me, as the Scripture saith, i.e, as he ought, by faith, moulded by love: he that so believeth as also to obey Me and My commands.
Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Where is this said? (1.) Rupertus, S. Thomas, and S. Jerome say in Proverbs 5:16, "Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad." (2.) F. Lucas in Isaiah 58:8, "Thou shalt be like a watered garden." (3.) Others say that it is stated not in one place, but in many, for the prophets everywhere foretell that the abundance of spiritual gifts which Christ would give, would be like showers of water. See Joel 2:28; Isaiah 41:18, Isaiah 44:3. See also Ezekiel 36:25, and Sirach 24:40 , Vulg, "I wisdom poured forth rivers," &c. (In Angl. verses30 , 31), and Song of Solomon 4:15, "A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon."
Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Rivers (say S. Ambrose and Theophylact), not a river, to denote the greatest abundance, forc...
He shews that vast and ageless is the reward of faith, and says that he who does not disbelieve shall revel in richest graces from God. For he shall be so replete with the gifts through the Spirit, as not only to fatten his own mind, but even to be able to overflow into others' hearts, like the river stream gushing forth the God-given good upon his neighbour too. This very thing used He to enjoin the holy Apostles, saying, Freely ye received, freely give. And the wise and holy Paul too himself longing to be effectual unto this writes, For I long to see you that I may impart some spiritual gift. And one may see this most exceeding well in both the holy Evangelists and in the Evangelic teachers of the church, who on those who go to Christ through faith pouring forth most plenteous word of inspired teaching, spiritually delight them, no more suffering them to thirst after the knowledge of the truth, with their wise soundings all but crying aloud into the heart of those who are being instr...
Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. By this living water, are signified the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which were promised to the faithful. (Witham)
And also to those who are made lawful believers, the baptism of their own blood is wanting without mischief, because, being baptized in the name of Christ, they have been redeemed with the most precious blood of the Lord; since both of these rivers of the baptism of the Lord proceed out of one and the same fountain, that every one who thirsts may come and drink, as says the Scripture, "From his belly flowed rivers of living water; "
