21. this mountain, nor at Jerusalem-a great forsaking in the midst of the land,' Is. vi. 9-12-desolation both of Samaria and Jerusalem predicted, Mic. i. 5, 6; iii.

22. ye worship ye know not what-see as to the first institution of the Samaritan worship, 2 Ki. xvii. 24-41 -see Ezra iv. 2-the Athenians made an acknowledgment of similar ignorance, Ac. xvii. 23.

salvation is of the Jews-the Shiloh predicted to come of Judah, Ge. xlix. 10-will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory,' Is. xlvi. 13-'ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew,' Zec. viii. 23- our Lord sprang out of Juda,' He. vii. 14-called 'JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins,' Mat. i. 21, § 2, p. 13.

23. true worshippers-'open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in,' Is. xxvi. 2-desirest truth in the inward parts,' Ps. li. 6-see Zeph. iii. 9, 13.

spirit-praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,' Eph. vi. 18-worship God in the spirit, Phil. ii. 3-praying in the Holy Ghost, Jude 20-see also Jno. vi. 63, § 43; Rom. viii. 1; 1 Cor. xiv. 15; 2 Cor. iii. 6-9; 1 Pet. iii. 18. truth-grace and truth came by Jesus Christ,'

Jno. i. 17, § 7, p. 48-I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,' xiv. 6, § 87-the LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth,' Ps. cxlv. 18 whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you,' Jno. xvi. 23, § 87. seeketh such to worship him-a godly seed,' Mal. ii. 15 ye are a chosen generation, &c., 1 Pe. ii. 9 it had been predicted that the good Shepherd would seek out his sheep that had been scattered, Eze. xxxiv. 11-3 that which was lost,' ver. 16-the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost,' Lu. xix. 10, § 80-the lost sheep of the house of Israel,' Mat. x. 6, § 39-of which, see, as contrasted with treacherous Judah, Je. iii. 11-.8.

24. God is a Spirit- ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude,' De. iv. 12- the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh,' Nu. xxvii. 16-the Father of spirits,' He. xii. 9-'no man hath seen God at any time,' 1 Jno. iv. 12-now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty,' 2 Cor. iii. 17.

26. I that speak unto thee am he-it is he that talketh with thee,' Jno. ix. 37, § 55-so when adjured by the high priest, Mk. xiv. 61, .2, § 89.

22. Ye worship ye know not what. Though the Samaritans received the five books of Moses, yet they rejected the prophets, and of course all that the prophets had said respecting the true God. Originally, also, they had joined the worship of idols to that of the true God. See 2 Ki. xvii. 26-34.

Salvation is of the Jews. Christ the Saviour sprung of them, as also did the twelve apostles, and in general the first preachers of the gospel: the gospel proceeded from them to the Gentiles."

23. And now is. The old dispensation is about to

pass away, and the new one to commence. Already there is so much light that God may be worshipped acceptably in any place.

The true worshippers. All who worship God with the heart, and not merely in form.

[In truth. Not through the medium of shadows and types; not by means of sacrifices and bloody offerings,. ....a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience,' He. ix. 9; but in the manner represented or typified by all these-in the true way of direct access to God through Jesus Christ. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us,' ver. 24, ib.]

For the Father seeketh, &c. Jesus came to fulfil his Father's will; he came to seek and save that which was lost,' Lu. xix. 10, § 80. 'Salvation' was to be of the Jews,' unto a people who were to be sought out; that in them the Lord might more particularly manifest the wonders of redeeming love.

24. God is a Spirit. This is the second reason why men should worship him in spirit and in truth. The Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands,' Ac. vii. 48 neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things,' xvii. 25. A pure, a holy, a spiritual worship, therefore, is such as he seeks the offering of the soul rather than the formal offering of the body-the homage of the heart rather than that of the lips.

25. I know that Messias cometn. As the Samaritans acknowledged the five books of Moses, so they expected also the coming of the Messiah.

Will tell us all things. Jesus had decided the question proposed to him, ver. 20, in favour of the Jews. The woman seems not to have been fully satisfied, and therefore was disposed, as was customary in that age, to leave the matter undecided till the advent of the Messiah, who would finally determine these controversies.

26. I am he. I am the Messiah.-See Nathanael's confirmation, Jno. i. 49, § 10, p. 73.

20 ver. Let us beware of making religion consist in attention to outward forms, instead of heart devotion to God, through the knowledge of his mercy and truth in the gift of his Son.

[21 ver. Let us see the truth of the Saviour of Israel confirmed, in the fulfilment of his prediction with regard to the ceasing of the true worship of God, even in the place he had himself specially appointed for meeting with his people.]

22, 3 ver. Let us never forget, that the salvation which hath been so remarkably manifested towards us was of the Jews, and that it was sent from them to us, that we might become the true worshippers, who should worship the Father in spirit and in truth.' 23 ver. Let us know, that as truly as the former prediction, with regard to the ceasing of true worship

in the land, has been fulfilled, so truly will this purpose of God with regard to the true worshippers be fully accomplished also.

[24 ver. He who was sent of the Father to seek and found us in the outward manifestation of his grace: to save the lost sheep of the house of Israel hath may he also find in us the character of the people he hath for so long a time been forming for his praise.]

Let it be duly impressed upon us, that no mere outward ceremonies will suffice,-that God who is a Spirit can only be worshipped aright after his own nature, in spirit and in truth.'

25 ver. Let us beware of putting away from us that true knowledge of God and his ways which he is even now able and willing to bestow. HELPER.-Psalm liv. 4.

21. THIS MOUNTAIN, NOR AT JERUSALEM. a great forsaking predicted :-Is. vi. 9-12.

ISAIAH VI. In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and 2 lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered 3 his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD 4 of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

5

Then said I. Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen 6 the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coaì in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, 8 and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed [or, urithout ceasing. Heb. hear ye in hearing, c.], but understand not; and see ye indeed, but per10 ceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. 11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate 12 [Heb. desolate with desolation], and the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking

13

in the midst of the land.

But yet in it shall be a tenth [or, when it is returned, and hath been broused], and it shall return, and shall be eaten as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance [or, stock, or, stem] is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof. desolation both of Samaria and Jerusalem predicted Mi. i. 5, 6-see p. (92), ver. 5, under SAMARIA, predicted.' -Mi. iii.-see p. (62).

22. YE WORSHIP YE KNOW NOT WHAT. see as to the first institution of the Samaritan worship: -2 Ki. xvii. 24-41-see ch. xvii., second column.

see Ezr. iv. 2, Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.'

the Athenians acknowledged similar ignorance:-Ac. xvii. 23,For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions [or, gods that ye worship), I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.'

SALVATION IS OF THE JEWS.

the Shiloh predicted to come of Judah-Ge. xlix. 10, ، The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.'

will place salvation, &c.-Is. xlvi. 13, I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.'

ten men shall take, &c. :-Zec. viii. 23, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.'

'our Lord sprang out of Juda:'-He. vii. 14, ' For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.' called JESUS.'-Mt. i. 21, § 2, p. 13.

23. TRUE WORSHIPPERS.-See' Scripture Illustrations.' -Zep. iii. 9, 13. 9, For then will I turn to the people a pure language [Heb. lip], that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent [Heb. shoulder]' 13, The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."

SPIRIT.

praying always :-Ep. vi. 18, Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.'

worship God, &c. :-Ph. iii. 3, For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."

praying, &c. :-Jude 20, But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.'

see also Jno. vi. 63, § 43, It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.'-Rom. viii. 1, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.'-1 Co. xiv. 15, What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.'-2 Co. iii. 6-9-. . . . . . .-1 Pe. iii. 18, For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.' TRUTH.-See 'Scripture Illustrations.' SEEKETH SUCH TO WORSHIP HIM.

Yet had he the residue [or, excellency] of the spirit. And a godly seed:-Mal. ii. 15, And did not he make one? wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed [Heb. a seed of God]. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.' ye are a chosen generation:-1 Pe. ii. 9, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar [or, a purchased people] people; that ye should shew forth the praises [or, virtues] of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." it had been predicted, &c. :-Eze. xxxiv. 11-.3. 11, For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. 12, As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 13, And I from the countries, and will bring them to their own will bring them out from the people, and gather them land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.'

that which was lost:-Eze. xxxiv. 16, I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven. away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.'See Scripture Illustrations.'

of which see as contrasted with treacherous Judah :Je. iii. 11-8--see p. (39).

24. GOD IS A SPIRIT.

ye heard the voice :-De. iv. 12, And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.'-Nu. xxvii. 16, Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation.'He. xii. 9, Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?'-1 Jno. iv. 12, No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.'-2 Co. iii. 17-see Scripture Illustrations.'

2 KINGS XVII. In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in 2 Samaria over Israel nine years. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him.

3 Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave Heb.

4 rendered] him presents [or, tribute]. And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.

5 Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it

three years.

6 In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river 7 of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh 8 king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, and walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and 9 of the kings of Israel, which they had made. And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of 10 the watchmen to the fenced city. And they set them up images [Heb. statues] and groves in every high 11 hill, and under every green tree: and there they [Continued-see next page.]

[2 KINGS XVII. continued.] burnt incense in all the high places, as did the hea then whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger: 12 for they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto 13 them, Ye shall not do this thing. Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets [Heb. by the hand of all], and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which 14 I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not 15 believe in the LORD their God. And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, 16 that they should not do like them. And they left all

38 gods. And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods. 39 But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies. 40 Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after 41 their former manner. So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.

34. MY MEAT.

so Job:-ch. xxiii. 12-see' Scripture Illustrations.' predicted of Christ:-Ps. xl. 7, 8. 7, Then said I, Lo, I come in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart, [Heb. in the midst of my bowels]. see Scripture Illustrations.'

our example:-He. xii. 2, Looking unto Jesus the author [or, beginner] and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.'

35. HARVEST.

is the reaping time, &c.:-Ge. viii. 22, While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.'

a proper time for work:-Pr. x. 5, He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.'

is put for a people, &c.:-Je. li. 33, For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon is like a threshingfloor, it is time to thresh her: [or, in the time that he thresheth her]: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.

24

And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities 25 thereof. And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew 26 some of them. Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the 27 land. Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the 28 land. Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Beth-el, and 29 taught them how they should fear the LORD. How. beit every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities where30 in they dwelt. And the men of Babylon made Succothbenoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the 31 men of Hamath made Ashima, and the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the 32 gods of Sepharvaim. So they feared the LORD, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses 33 of the high places. They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence, [or, who carried them 34 away from thence]. Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named 35 Israel; with whom the LORD had made a covenant,

and charged thein, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor 36 sacrifice to them: but the LORD, who brought you

up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye 37 worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice. And the statutes, and the ordinances, and the law, and the commandment, which he wrote for you, ye shall observe to do for evermore; and ye shall not fear other

36. BOTH HE THAT SOWETH AND, &c. see Scripture Illustrations.'

see as to Paul's service in the gospel:-1 Co. ix. 19-23. 19, For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20, And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21, to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22, To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23, And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.'-Ph. ii. 15, .6. 15, That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst,' &c. 16, 'Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ,' &c. Th. ii. 19, 20. 19, For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing Lor, glorying]? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20, For ye are our glory and joy.'-2 Ti. iv. 7, 8. 7, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.' the reaping :-Rev. xiv. 14-6.

PSALM CXI. Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the 2 upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have 3 pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glori4 ous: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: 5 the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat [Heb. prey] unto them that fear him: he 6 will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give 7 them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his command8 ments are sure. They stand fast [Heb. established] for ever and ever, and are done in truth and upright9 ness. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend 10 is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding [or, good success have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Then

34. my meat, &c.-so Job xxiii. 12, I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food' -predicted of Christ, Ps. xl. 7, 8-confirm., Lu. ii. 49, § 6, p. 41; Jno. vi. 38, § 43; xvii. 4, § 87-our example, He. xii. 2.

35. harvest-is the reaping time-promised continuance of, Ge. viii. 22-is a proper time for work, Pr. x. 5 is put for a people whose sins are ripe for judgment, Je. li. 33-and the gathering of the people to the gospel, Mt. ix. 36, .7, § 39; Lu. x. 2, § 60-the end of the world, or the day of the Lord,' Mt. xiii. 39, § 33; Joel iii. 13; Rev. xiv. 15.

36. both he that soweth and he that reapeth-' cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days,' Ecc. xi. 1-blessed are ye that sow beside all waters,' Is. xxxii. 20-they that sow in tears shall reap in joy,' Ps. cxxvi. 5. 6- they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever,' Da. xii. 3-see as to Paul's service in the gospel, 1 Cor. ix. 19-23; Phil. ii. 15, .6; 1 Th. ii. 19, 20; 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8-the reaping, Rev. xiv. 14-.6.

27. Marvelled. Wondered. They wondered because the Jews had no intercourse with the Samaritans, and they were surprised that Jesus was engaged with her in conversation, for our Lord seemed rarely to converse with females, and the Jewish rabbies considered it indecorous for a doctor to hold public conversation with a woman, even though she were his wife, sister, or daughter.

vation of men. It is his work to provide salvation, and his to redeem, and his to apply the salvation to the heart. Jesus came to do it by teaching, by his example, and by dying to redeem.

In

[29. Is not this the Christ? μhr ouтós σTi ó Xp. The woman seems to have meant, courteously, to propose this rather as a question for their consideration, than to afirm it, at least by implication. short, the sense expressed in full would be, "Is this the Christ, or is he not?" The latter member being implied and suggested by the indefinite, which signifies perhaps. So I would understand Mt. xii. 23, μT OUTÓS Botiv o viòs Aaßtó; besides other passages. The context, indeed, can alone, in such cases, decide whether belief or disbelief preponderated, and thus determine the exact sense.'-Bloomfield.]

32. I have meat to eat. I have mental and spiritual enjoyments.' In the scriptural and rabbinical phraseology that is said to be any one's meat or drink, whereby he is supported, refreshed, or delighted.

34. My meat, &c. Jesus here explains what he said in ver. 32. His great object-the great design of his life was to do the will of God. He came to that place weary and thirsty; an opportunity of doing good presented itself, and he found comfort and joy in doing the will of God-of Him that sent him. The will of him that sent me. The will of God in regard to the salvation of men.-See Jno. vi. 38, § 43. To finish his work. To complete or fully to do the work which he has commanded in regard to the sal

35. Four months, &c. In Palestine there are about four months between the time of sowing and that of reaping; in other countries, generally more: but here the seed sown in the woman at the well immewilling hearers who may now have been seen coming from the city to welcome the Saviour of the world. This was a most expressive answer to the question of the disciples, Why talkest thou with her?" And thus were they taught to be diligent in season and out of season.'-And see ADDENDA, p. 99, On John iv. 35.' 36. He that reapeth. & Depilov. Meaning one employed in any sort of harvest-work. [Here we have, as Rosenmuller observes, a blending of the apodosis with the comparison. The sense being, As the agricultural labourer receives his wages, whether for ploughing and sowing, or for reaping and gathering the corn, so shall ye receive your reward for gathering men unto the kingdom of God; and whether your labour be only preparatory, or such as consummates the spiritual harvest, ye shall alike be blessed with an ample recompense. Bloomfield.]

Gathereth fruit unto life eternal. Converts souls, who shall inherit eternal life.

That both he that soweth, &c. It is the same work; and whatever part we may do, we should rejoice. God gives the increase, while Paul may plant, and Apollos water. The teacher in the Sunday school who sows the seed in early life shall rejoice with the minister of the gospel who may gather in the harvest; and if any good be effected, by whatever instrument, to God belongs the praise.

7-26 ver. From the whole of this discourse we may learn, 1st. The great art and wisdom of the Lord Jesus in leading the thoughts along to the subject of practical personal religion.-2nd. His knowledge of the heart and of the life; he must be, therefore, Divine. -3rd. He gave evidence here that he was the Messiah. -4th. We see our duty. It is to seize on all occasions to lead sinners to the belief that Jesus is the Christ, and to make use of all topics of conversation to teach them the nature of religion. There never was a model of so much wisdom in this as the Saviour; and we shall be successful only as we diligently study his character.-5th. We see the nature of true religion. It does not consist merely in external forms. It is pure, spiritual, active-a well, an ever-bubbling fountain. It is the worship of a pure and holy God, where the heart is offered, and where the desires of an humble soul are breathed out for salvation.'

27 ver. Let us not question any of the words and

works of Jesus.-Let us believe that he is right, even if we cannot fully understand all that he does. 29 ver. Let us, like the woman of Samaria, spread before others the evidence that Jesus is the Christ, and invite them to come and have personal knowledge of his being indeed the Sent of God.

31-.4 ver. Let us truly do the will of God from the

heart, so shall we find the saying true, 'In the keeping of his commandments there is a great reward,' and with Jesus say, 'My meat is to do the will of him that sent me.'

34 ver. Let us not look for provision from God apart from the service unto which he hath called us, and let us be careful to finish the work he hath ap. pointed us, ere we look for the full reward.

If he was so diligent for our welfare, if he bore fatigue and want to benefit us, then we should be diligent also in regard to our own salvation, and also in seeking the salvation of others.

195