the case before us.-Now let us see what effect our Lord's discourse with the woman had upon the people. 39. And many of the Samaritans of that city, of Sychar, believed on him for the saying Ver, 29. of the woman, which testified, which declared, : He told me all that ever I did. 40. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them. and he abode there two days. 41. And many more believed because of his own word; 42. And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying; for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the 1 John 4. 14. Christ, the Saviour of the world. Stop here. In this reading, we are instructed and encouraged to do all the spiritual good in our power. If we are ourselves enlightened and effectually brought to God in Christ Jesus, we shall be anxious that others also may enjoy the same inestimable blessing; just as the woman immediately went to the city, and declared the wonderful words of the Lord, and the impression which they had made upon her; desirous that her friends and neighbours should be brought to the same knowledge and conviction as she herself had received. We must not say that we are weak, and have no influence, and can do little; the weakest may do much, as instruments in the Lord's hand. All of us have opportunities, if we will watch for them and use them wisely, of speaking in praise and recommendation of our holy religion; "a word in season, how good is it !" and who can tell how largely it may be blessed? This poor woman might have been thought unable to do any thing in the Lord's service yet, what numbers was she the means of bringing to believe, that "this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." If we are anxious to bear witness to the value and excellency of the gospel, as all true believers are, God will give us opportunities, by our example and our conversation; for there are many, who need but admonishing and teaching, many ready to be won. And O how great the blessing, of being made the instrument of turning even one fellow-creature from the error of his way ! Surely it should be our meat, as it was our blessed Lord's, to do the will of our Father which is in heaven ; we should ever be living upon it; should consider it as more needful for our souls, than food is for the body: the death of the body is comparatively nothing; but if the soul perish, how dreadful our condition! It is the will of God, that all should be saved; and never can we be doing His will more acceptably, than when we are helping in this work of salvation. Let us do what we may, with prayer for His guidance and blessing; remembering the promise, "He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal." LECTURE XIV. Jesus healeth the Nobleman's son at Capernaum. CHAP. IV. 43. 43. Now after two days he departed thence, from Samaria, and went into Galilee: 44. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. The meaning is, He would not go into that part of Galilee, which was properly called His own country, namely to Nazareth; because the people there had despised and rejected Him: and Jesus had before testified, (had borne Matt. 13. 57. witness and declared,) that a prophet hath no honour in his own country; therefore He turned away from Nazareth and went into other parts: the Lord turns away from those who will not receive Him, and offers His mercy to others. 45. Then, when He was come into Galilee, the Galilæans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the Deut. 16.16. feast for they also went unto the feast. 46. So Jesus came again into Cana of GaliCh. 2. 1, 11. lee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. Some great man employed about the king; perhaps an officer in his court. Capernaum was about a day's journey (33 miles) from Cana, where Jesus then was. 47. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judæa into Galilee, he went unto him and besought him that he would come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. The nobleman had no notion that a miracle could be performed, that a cure could be wrought by Jesus, unless he were present. 48. Then said Jesus unto him, except ye see signs and won, Matt. 16. 1. ders, ye will not believe. Jesus appears to have intended these words for the Galilæans who stood round, as well as for the nobleman; they were not so teachable as the Samaritans, who had believed without any miracle; whereas they ought to have received the word with more readiness of mind: our Lord also, by this reproof and seeming objection, gave an opportunity to the father of shewing his deep feeling and earnestness on the occasion: as follows: 1 Cor. 1. 22. 49. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Thou alone canst save him; and what thou doest must be done quickly; make no objection, lose not a moment. This shewed the man's faith as well as feeling. 50. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed Matt. 8. 8. the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. 51. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Here was extraordinary faith. The anxious father was content to go without Jesus; to believe in Him against all experience; to rest his hope upon the word of promise. And the faith was signally rewarded; the blessing granted in the Lord's own way; though not exactly as the father had desired and asked. 52. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him, This expression implies, that the fever left him altogether; left him suddenly and completely; the child was cured at once; made perfectly whole: it was a striking display of Almighty power. The seventh hour was about one o'clock in the afternoon. 53. So the father knew that it was at the same hour in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth; and himself believed and his whole house. 54. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judæa into Galilee. How gracious, how precious is the hour of affliction, when rightly improved, when it becomes a means of opening our minds and hearts to spiritual things; of |