Herein are set before us,

1. GOD'S GREATEST GIFT:

2. CHRIST'S BEST PROMISE:

3. THE WORLD'S WORST ERROR:

4. THE SINNER'S STRONGEST ENCOURAGEMENT.

1. Let us attend to GOD'S GREATEST GIFTTHE gift--the great-the greatest gift of God: -If thou hadst known THE gift.

we must remember that For, if a man limit his

There is an infinite variety in the gifts of God:--in creation, for instance. It is well for us to remark and admire these: but, while we are discoursing on these gifts, these are not THE gift. time and his thoughts to the consideration of the beauties of creation, and attend not to THE gift, the chief gift of God, it is like presenting to a wretched criminal, on his way to execution, a nosegay or a garland of flowers-something to amuse him—and, at the same time, withholding that knowledge which alone could save him. But, God so loved the world:-he so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. And, as St. Paul speaks, (Rom. viii. 32) He, that spared not his own Son, but delivered him. up for us all, how shall he not, with him also, freely give us all things?

Christ, the great Prophet and Priest of his

Church, was continually turning his hearers to this one object. He compares it to a treasure hid in a field-to a pearl of great price-to the bread that cometh down from heaven-and, here, to living water, having water before him, and asking for some to drink; and hearing the woman begin to turn the conversation to some insignificant matter-to her disputes with her neighbours; he comes at once to the point, takes up the subject before him, and turns it into a text:"There Is water; water indeed,-water of life: and whosoever drinketh of it shall never thirsthe shall not faint nor perish for ever: it shall cure him from thirsting for trifles: he shall have evidence that this is sufficient for him, in time and in eternity."

It is worthy our observation, how our Lord purposely avoids controversy about circumstantials in religion. The Samaritan or Jewish prejudice hinted at by the woman, he does not so much as notice: not a word on the subject. "Some differences," it has been well said, "are best healed by being slighted:" it is giving them too much weight, and paying them too much respect, to waste our time or thoughts upon them.

But, while some differences are best healed by being slighted, still, in order to shew a perishing creature the only hope that God sets before him, we must imitate our Lord in bringing forth

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to light the ignorance of men concerning this point, and the indispensable necessity that there is for their knowing it, or perishing in eternity.

I would ask every man before me, Have you seen and felt this great act of God's grace and mercy, in sending his Son Christ Jesus to save perishing creatures, who are daily dropping into eternity, and it may be into hell? Do you see what an amazing discovery of mercy it is, that you are called to take hold of eternal life; and that you may thus advance into eternity, with a sure and certain hope of escaping all the miseries that sin has brought into the world? Christianity has its peculiarities, and it is not to be trifled with. There is one grand important thing set before us in it, which was pointed at by Prophets, preached by Christ, and testified by Apostles-that God has given but one name under heaven by which man may be saved.

2. Let us consider CHRIST'S BEST PROMISELiving Water.

Not as the world giveth, he says, give I unto you. As if he had said, "Were I to place before you the perishing baubles of time, it would be at best but treating you as children, and mocking your expectation with things which perish in the using: but I will give a promise of a Comforter that shall abide with you, even the Spirit of Truth: he shall guide you into all truth. My best promise is this: the great promise which I make

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unto the Church is this: that if they come and ask of me, I will give them living water."

This is the same voice, which spake in the first chapter of Proverbs, "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? How long will man act so like a fool and a madman, paying no regard to his state and condition? Hearken to me: Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my Spirit upon you: I will give you living water."

Thus our Lord encouraged his disciples: "You are grieving at my going away; but I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I go away: for, if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but, if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.He will guide you into all truth.—I will not leave you comfortless: I will send my Holy Spirit; I will give you living water, a spring of living water."

This is Christ's Best Promise.

Brethren, an humble and patient believer, taking God at his word and resting on Christ's promise, rises where all haughty reasoners and speculators must sink. Not that it is an irrational thing for spirit to operate on spirit; but an humble and patient believer comes as a little child to receive God's gift and promise, as suited to his

wants and necessities; and, in coming according to the command, and promise, and warrant of God, he finds that this living water does satisfy him; that the Spirit does convince him that it does seal, and comfort, and sanctify him; that it gives him an earnest of the eternal inheritance; that it bears witness with his Spirit that he is a child of God; that it bears witness to the truth of the Gospel; that he has something to comfort his heart; that here is satisfaction, and no where else. 66 For," says he, "I find that what Christ has promised, I have received; and that it answers to his promise. I find that I am enabled not to thirst, as I formerly did: I do not now faint, as I used to do; I find that I do not now run about, crying, Who will shew me any good? I do not now stoop to every broken cistern for good. I find that this is the real, the substantial good."

I speak now to some, who have known and experienced in religion, that they should learn to imitate Christ. Christ exercised patience towards a stupid, carnal, wicked world; and managed with people as they could bear it. He ever kept the main object in view. While they endeavoured to draw him off with their dissensions, he directs them to the living water-the spring that should rise for ever! Let us imitate him herein. When we would converse with men on the most important subjects, when we would impress their minds