could. It was a precious time for them, which was improved by many of them, and what they will praise God for to all eternity.

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 Christ, the Saviour of the world.

We have a great many of Christ's own words, and, if not the very same, yet the same in substance which he spoke to these Samaritans; and it is our own fault, if they do not bring us to the acknowledging of him, as the Christ, the Saviour of the world. What they heard did not convert them, merely as coming from his mouth, but as gladly received, and mixed with faith.

43. Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.

44. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

Jesus himself had occasion to testify this. Though a spotless man, in his outward appearance he was but a man; and they objected especially to the meanness of his birth, and want of learning. What can his servants, who have faults, expect but, to have them thrown in the way of their preaching?

Let us observe carefully, that he would not stay where he could do but little good. He bears long with a hardened soul, or hardened people, but he knows his time of leaving them.

45. Then when he was come into Galilee, The Galilæans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast for they also went unto the feast.

The Galilæans entertained him, and listened to his preaching, and some probably received him into their hearts. That is the reception he expects from all, and all he did and taught was for this end.

SECTION XVIII.

Chap. iv. ver. 46–54.

CHRIST HEALS THE RULER'S SON.

46. So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

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.

Let us beseech Christ, and healing will certainly follow. Here is a pattern for us. "He was at the point of death;" here is the trial of our faith. Our case may seem to us to be desperate, but then is Christ's time. "Man's extremity is God's opportunity.”

48. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

The nobleman expected that he would go with him, that he might see him heal the child: thinking that the cure could not otherwise be performed.

49. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

As if Christ could heal him with going, but that he could not without. We have always something to plead against a full, unreserved belief of Christ's power.

50. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

Now he left the cure wholly to Christ in his own way. It is the excellency of faith not to prescribe to Jesus, as to the time or manner of his working.

51. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

VOL. II.

D D

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.

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.

The miracle had its full effect, and was the means of healing all their souls, by leading them to believe in him; and it is now recorded for our benefit, that we may hear and believe.

54. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judæa into Galilee.

SECTION XIX.

Chap v. ver. 1-9.

CHRIST CURES AN INFIRM MAN.

1. After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

If this were the feast of Pentecost, as some say, St. John makes mention of three passovers, and then Christ's ministry lasted only a little more than two years. If it was the passover, as others say, then he makes mention of four, and Christ's ministry lasted a little more than three years. "The latter opinion is the more correct one."-Edit.

2. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

3. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

These persons afford a true picture of mankind, before their healing by Christ.

4. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and

troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

An illiterate, simple reader of the scriptures, sees nothing here but a miracle. The learned who are indisposed to religion, turn themselves into all shapes to get rid of it. Each one who stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. If God has made no exception, do thou make none in thine own case, O sinner!

5. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

Length of time is no hindrance to Christ's power in our conversion. The difficulty is on the part of man. Generally speaking, the older we are, the more hardened we become in unbelief, and the more averse to a cure.

6. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole ?

Could Christ doubt of this? Is not every one glad of a bodily cure? Where the will to be healed is, opportunity is often wanting. Surely then he asked this question, to put an answer into our mouths for our souls, and to make us understand that he wants nothing else from us but a will to be cured. Let us observe too, that he puts this question to every one of us, as much as if he now stood over us, and says, "Wilt thou be made whole ?" Let us feel ourselves sick, and we shall be willing.

7. The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

Observe how he opens his grievance to Christ. The Saviour heeds not how bad the case is, if we will but tell him of it, and implore his aid.

8. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked and on the same day was the sabbath.

He who before could not carry himself could now carry his bed. Who can be more disabled in his soul, than this man was in his body? And who is not naturally as much? He who restored him to perfect soundness, can restore us; and Christ did not work this miracle upon him only for his own sake, but that we all might come to him for ourselves. Let us see in what manner we are to get the marrow of scripture.

SECTION XX.

Chap. v. ver. 10-20.

THE JEWS FIND FAULT.

10. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath-day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

11. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

12. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk ?

13. And he that was healed, wist not who he was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

We may think, perhaps, that he should rather have stayed to show himself upon the occasion; but Jesus declined popularity for two reasons.

1st, From his humility, and that we might imitate his self-denial.

2dly, He best knew his own time of manifesting himself, and till then he would not expose himself to the malice of the Jews.

14. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Where did the feet of this man carry him, after he was able to walk? Let none ever say that Christ has made them