241. Verse 18. I counsel thee, signifies the means of reformation of those who are in the doctrine of faith alone. This is evident from what now follows, for the reformation of those who are in that doctrine is now treated of; therefore "I counsel thee" implies precepts as to how such must live that they may be reformed and thus saved.

3765. 'Behold, a well' means the Word. This is clear from the meaning of 'a well' as the Word and also as doctrine drawn from the Word, dealt with in 2702, 3096, 3424. The Word is called 'a well' here because the subject is the natural, which by itself can do no more than understand the literal sense of the Word. But the Word is called 'a spring' when the subject is the rational, by which one is able to see the internal sense of the Word.