From the proofs fhe now gives of her prompt and zealous faith, and from the eager joy which fhe expreffed in returning to fetch her countrymen, we may conclude that she already had received that living water, that pure fpirit, which refines the foul, and renders the worst of finners acceptable in the fight of God. We are not, however, to fuppofe that fo inestimable a blessing will be granted to any, but upon the most fincere repentance and refolution of amendment.

The account fhe gave to the men was fo full of wonder, that they hastened with her to see the person whom she conceived to be the Meffiah.

"30. Then they went out of the city,, "and came unto him.

"31. In the mean while his disciples 'prayed him, faying, Mafter, eat,

"32. But he said unto them, I have

meat to eat that ye know not of.

"to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat?"

The Saviour of Mankind was more intent upon the great work of converting finners, than on that of fatisfying the cravings of appetite; but his difciples did not understand him, but thought he was speaking of natural food. It was a length of time before even the apofiles themselves comprehended our Saviour, when he spoke to them of spiritual things; and he frequently laments their ignorance, and flownefs of belief. The affiftance of God, in opening and enlarging our understanding, is neceffary to the knowledge of his counfels; nor will he refuse it to fuch as seek it faithfully.

"34. Jefus faith unto them, My meat is "to do the will of Him that fent me, and "to finish his work."

Our bleffed Lord, without any reproof for their dulnefs of comprehenfion, and

having compaffion on their infirmities and ignorance, endeavors to impress them with the idea that his work was to be constantly teaching the people, and that temporal concerns were never to be placed in com. petition with spiritual ones.

"35. Say not ye there are yet four "months and then cometh harvest? behold I fay unto you, Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.”

Christ's harvest was spiritual: it was to gain fouls. What a plentiful one did he reap foon after, amongst the Samaritans !

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"36. And he that reapeth, receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he that foweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."

If happiness is what we seek after, why will we not purfue the right path? Is it to be found in this world of forrow and

pain? If worldly enjoyments are the extent of our expectations, we may indeed find them; but fhall, after all, be foiled in the object of our fearch. The immortal foul is not to be fatisfied with worldly gratification, but requires a species of happiness more conformable to its own fpiritual nature; and this first of bleffings is in our own power; a bleffing which the world can neither give nor take away. This confifts in a confcience void of offence towards God and towards man, and which a steady performance of our duty will never fail to bestow.

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37. And herein is that faying true; one foweth, and another reapeth.

labored, and ye are entered into their labors."

The inhabitants of Canaan had been formerly difpoffeffed of their country for their wickednefs, and the Almighty had

given it to his own people, the Jews, who became poffeffed of the fruits of other men's labors. In like manner, our Saviour fends his apoftles to reap the fruits of a ftill more glorious harvest; namely, a spiritual one, which they had not fowed. John the Baptist had prepared the minds of the people to receive the doctrine of our bleffed Lord; who, alfo, during the whole of his life, employed himself in fowing the good feed in their hearts, which the apostles had the happiness of bringing to perfection, and of establishing the Chriftian church, which they left at their deaths under the fuperintendance of fucceffors who, after their example, would have facrificed their lives fooner than have given up their faith.

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39. And

And many of the Samaritans of "that city believed on him, for the fay"ing of the woman, which teftified, He "told me all that ever I did.

"40. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they befought him that A a "he