people. (Judges v. 11.) The insinuation, however, of some writers, as Schottgen, that the Samaritan woman's motives in coming to the well were possibly immoral, seems destitute of any foundation. Bad as her moral character evidently was, we have no right to heap upon her more blame than is warranted by facts.
Augustine regards this woman as a type of the Gentile Church, " not now justified, but even now at the point to be justified." I doubt whether we were meant by the Holy Ghost to take thia view. There is great danger in adopting such allegorical inter- pretations. They insensibly draw away the mind from the plain lessons of Scripture.
Musculus remarks what a wonderful instance it is of sovereign grace, that our Lord should turn away from learned Scribes, Pharisees, and Priests, to converse with and convert such a per- son as this woman, to all appearance so utterly unworthy of notice. He also observes how singularly our least movements are overruled by God's providence. Like Eebecca and Rachel, the Avoman came to the well knowing nothing of the importance of that day's visit to her soul.
\Je8us saitli...give me to drinh.'] In this simple request of our Lord there are four things deserving notice, (a.) It was a gra- cious act of spiritual aggression on a sinner. He did not wait for the woman to speak to Him, but was the first to begin con- versation. (6..) It was an act of marvellous condescension. He by whom all things were made, the Creator of fountains, brooks, and rivers, is not ashamed to ask a draught of water I'rom the hand of one of his sinful creatures, (c.) It was an act full of wisdom and prudence. He does not at once force religion on the attention of the woman, and rebuke her for her sins. He begins with a subject apparently indifferent, and yet one of which the woman's mind was doubtless fall. He asks her for water, {d.) It was an act fall of the nicest tact, and exhibiting perfect knowledge of the human mind. He asks a favour, and puts Himself under an obligation. No hne of proceeding, it is well known to all wise people, would be more likely to concihate the woman's feelings towards Him, and to make her willing to hear His teaching. Simple as the request was, it contains prin- ciples which deserve the closest attention of all who desire to do good to ignorant and thoughtless sinners.
The idea of Euthymius, that our liovd pretended thirst in order to introduce conversation, is unworthy of notice. — Cyril thinks that Oar Lord intended to make a practical protest against the exclusiveness of the Jews, by asking drink of a Samaritan wo- man, and to show her that He disapproved the custom of Hia nation.