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In the conversion of the woman of Samaria, we have an example of this grace; an example —

1. Its freeness: in selecting for its object a profligate creature, not only without her desert, but without her desire.

2. Its sweetness: in having no recourse to violence or terror, but in adopting the most suitable, gentle, and insinuating means to convince and soften her.

3. Its power: in changing her heart and sanctifying her life.

4. Its effects: for here we see grace in its triumph, grace in its glory. No sooner is she enlightened, than she is inflamed; no sooner is she a convert, than she becomes a preacher. However this may be, the character of the persons to whom our Saviour reveals Himself has always scandalized flesh and blood. If the disciples were astonished at our Saviour's conversation with the woman, their behaviour was dutiful and submissive; they said nothing, but acquiesced in the rectitude of His procedure. And hence I would remark two things. The first regards the advice of Solomon, "If thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth." Honour our Lord with our reverence and implicit confidence when we meet with anything in His conduct that seems inexplicable.Short as the interview was, our Saviour had effectually gained her heart.

1. Perhaps it was from kindness to our Lord and His disciples.

2. Perhaps she left her waterpot from indifference. Wholly occupied now about greater things, she forgot her errand. The feelings of young converts are often very lively.

3. Perhaps, finally, she left it as an impediment to her haste, willing to lose no time in bearing home the welcome intelligence. No sooner is her opportunity of getting good over, than she seizes an opportunity of doing good.Five things may be remarked.

1. I admire her benevolence.

2. I admire her zeal. See how urgent she is. She even begins with a pressing invitation, "Come."

3. I admire her wisdom. "Come, see a man who told me all things that I did: is not this the Christ?" "You all acknowledge that Messiah cometh, and that when He is come He will tell us all things."

4. I admire her honesty. She does not say, He has told me everything pertaining to the worship of God; but "all things that ever I did." Now, if a person knew your faults, you would wish to have him shunned.

5. I admire her courage. It was no small trial for a plain and wicked woman to go openly and address the inhabitants of the place where she lived, and was perhaps well known, upon a religious subject.We now conclude, with observing —

1. What a real and wonderful change does conversion always accomplish.

2. Divine grace is not an inoperative principle. As the sun no sooner rises than it shines, and as fire is no sooner kindled than it burns, so grace acts as soon as it exists.

3. Behold an apology for what some would deem officiousness. How often do you hear, as soon as any attempt is made to bring people to seriousness, "Pray do not intermeddle with us. Go to heaven your own way, and leave us to go ours." Is not charity to the soul, the soul of charity?

4. Be persuaded to resemble this woman. Endeavour to diffuse the savour of the Redeemer's knowledge, and to bring souls to Christ. It is absurd to complain of a want of opportunities and means. Much is in your power, much more than you are willing to allow.

(W. Jay.)

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KJV: The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

WEB: So the woman left her water pot, and went away into the city, and said to the people,