worlds, ordained the creation of the church in Christ, ordained all the circumstances to the most minute point of the being and well-being of the church in Christ; and arranged the whole in such precision of infinite wisdom, love, and power, as nothing in all the after stages of time should arise to counteract or do away. Hence, when the whole body of Christ's mystical members, whom God chose in Christ, came up in view to the divine mind before the world, each and every individual of Christ's mystical members, together with that choice, had all the other events connected with this immense blessing of distinguishing grace arranged, according to the covenant "ordered in all things and sure." Where each should be born in nature; when also, in what age and generation of the church from whom in their parents after the flesh; and by what means their new birth in the Spirit should be accomplished. And no less, their special states and circumstances in all other events connected with them. some poor, others rich; some in a beautiful appearance of nature, others imperfect and deformed; some exercised with sore and heavy sicknesses, others very little visited with pain or sorrow; together with all that infinite variety which constitute the many distinctions in life, from the prince to the beggar; all these are in the needs be, according to the divine ordination; and so appointed, as shall best subserve the first and ultimate design; in the promotion of the divine glory, in the welfare of the church. And the apostle Paul was taught to teach the Lord's people this foundation truth of our most holy faith, when in that comprehensive Scripture, he blesseth God for the church, that the same sovereignty of love and grace, which made choice of their persons to be made partakers of Christ, appointed all the secondary means for the sure attainment by

Hence

him, of life and salvation. "But we are bound (said he) to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thes. ii. 13, 14.)

Let the reader pause over the subject, and ponder it well. And if the Lord be his teacher, he will find that the same needs be which was upon Christ, to go through Samaria, is, and hath been, in everlasting operation from the first formation of his church through all time, and will be to all eternity. As there could have been no church without Christ; there was a needs be, that he should be her Head and Husband from everlasting. And when the church was sunk and fallen, the same necessity was upon him to redeem; for to him alone the right of redemption belonged. And hence we read his own most gracious words; when after he had accomplished redemption by his sufferings and death, Jesus said: "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory?"— And in every minute event belonging to the glorious Head of, the church or his members, the same doctrine, holds good: and runs like a golden chain hanging together in links, to bring up after it all that takes place in respect to salvation, in the history of every child of God. I find it good to have this in view, in all providences, all means of grace, all circumstances of sorrow or joy. It is the greatest of all encouragement to a faithfulness in the ministry, to call to mind this constraining love of our most glorious Christ. And when I look round, and behold the many in a large congregation, of whom we hope the best things, and things which accompany salvation; I find no small lifting up in hope, that the many wanting help

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among the souls of the Lord's people, and the many waiting souls among the Lord's people, that can derive no good until Jesus comes, will put this blessed necessity upon Christ; and I sometimes say: Surely there is a needs be Jesus should be here. Is it not his gospel that is here preached? And doth the Lord ever send his gospel, but where He comes himself? Nay, doth not the Lord know, that without his sence, he that ministers, and they that are ministered unto; are alike helpless and vain! Blessed Lord Jesus! Ibless thee for this needs be,which directed thy steps to Samaria! And let all thy church take comfort from the view of the same; the promise of our God makes a needs be also now: that wherever two or three are gathered together in his name, there thou art in the midst of them. (Mat. xviii. 20.)

The well of Jacob, to which the Son of God in our nature came, and by the side of which he sat, would furnish no small subject for meditation; but this is at present inadmissible. I would only observe that the well itself is not mentioned in the patriarchal history; but only how it became his, in Jacob's purchase of this parcel of land of Hamor, Shechem's father. (Gen. xxxiii. 19. The deed of gift by Jacob to Joseph of this land, is noted in (Gen. xlviii. 22.) And what is yet somewhat more memorable, that this was the sacred spot where were deposited the bones of Joseph. (Compare Gen. 1. 25. with Joshua xxiv. 32.) What passed in the Redeemer's mind on this subject of the bones of Joseph near him is not noticed. But it was thus the patriarchs which lived and died in faith took possession of Canaan; a type of Christ; "the rest that remaineth for the people of God." (Gen. xlix. 29-31. Isa. xxviii. 12. Psalm cxvi. 7. Mat. xi. 28. Heb. iv. 9, and xi. 13.)

I detain the reader a moment, if it be but a moment, to bid him behold Jesus wearied with his journey.

Yes; for let it never be overlooked; "that in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren." (Heb. ii. 17.) The curse extended to weariness of body; while in the sweat of the face, man was doomed to eat bread. In redeeming his people from "the curse of the law," in being made "a curse for them;" this was included. (Gal. iii. 13.) Sweet thought of consolation to the Lord's people, amidst all their weariness and exercises in life! What so animating, in treading any and every sorrowful path, as to trace his footsteps, who " was made perfect through sufferings." (Heb. ii. 10.) As Jesus sat wearied with his journey, there cometh a woman to draw water. Every incident in this narrative is highly to be regarded. It was now the sixth hour; that is twelve o'clock at noon: the mid hour of the day; when, if a sunny day, and not cloudy, the great luminary being then at his meridian, must, in an hot country like Samaria, have been pouring his rays with great warmth upon the earth. Let the reader mark distinctly the several bearings of the history, all in their tendency leading to the accomplishment of the purpose for which Christ must needs go to Samaria.

First, the disciples were sent away; and did not return until that the Lord had finished the great work he came to accomplish. (See 26 and 27 verses.) There is a great feature of our dear Lord here, that is very lovely. The disciples were sent away, as appears by the sequel, that the Lord Jesus might have a more blessed opportunity for the accomplishing of the great purpose for which he came to Samaria; namely, this woman's conversion. What the Lord had to say to her, in ripping open her conscience, the Lord would not suffer them to hear. So is it now. If the reader knows any thing of the Lord, he will gladly confess, that there are such things as pass

between the Lord and his soul, as will not admit of a third person being present. This is very blessedly shewn in that Scripture which saith: "The heart knoweth his own bitterness, and a stranger intermeddleth not with his joy." (Prov. xiv. 10.) How gracious; yea, very gracious, doth the Lord deal by his people in this way, when searching their hearts, as he said he would of old "Jerusalem with candles;" and while convincing of sin, until we blush with shame and confusion of face, the Lord soothes the soul with his love, and puts our "tears into his bottle." (Zeph. i. 12. Ezra ix. 6.)

And it may be farther observed, that the Lord purposely sent away his disciples; for his free conversation with this woman, a Samaritan, they would not have been able to explain. The Lord when sending them to preach, forbad their going into any city of Samaria. (Matt. x. 5.) The Jews had such a natural hatred to the people of Samaria, that they connected with it the influence of the devil. "Say we not well (said they) that thou art a Samaritan, and hath a devil?" (John viii. 48.) Hence the conversion of the woman the disciples could not have entered into. This was one of those many things, which Jesus afterwards told them he had to teach them of hereafter; but that "they could not bear them now.” (John xxi. 12.) And hence we read of their surprise at their return from the city, in finding that Christ had been discoursing with the woman, though they knew not what a great mercy Jesus had wrought for her.

Next, notice that Christ was first waiting for the woman, and not the woman waiting for Christ. For no sinner on earth could have been more ignorant of Christ, or her need of Christ, when she came to the well, than this poor woman. Her concern was only to get water for her household; she had no consci