251
The allegorical and typical meanings which some writera assign to the Samaritan woman and her history, as related in this cliapter, are hardly worth recounting. Some regard the woman as a type of the Jewish synagogue, slavishly bound to the five books of the law, and drawn finally by Christ to drink the living water of the Grospel. — Some regard the woman as a typo of the Gentile nations, for five thousand years committing fornication with heathen idols, and at length purged by Christ,, and casting away their empty water-pots in obedience to Chris- tianity,— Some go even further, and regard the woman as a prophetical type of things yet to come. They consider her as a type of the Greek Church, which is yet to be brought into the true faith of Christ I These views appear to me at best only fanciful speculations, and more Ukely to do harm than good, by drawing men away from the plain practical lessons which the passage contains.
JOHN lY. 43—54.
43 Now after two days he de- parted thence, and went into Gali- lee.
44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.
45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast : for they also went unto the feast.
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 Judsea 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.
48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye sec signs and wonders, ye will not beUeve.
49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come dovni, ere my child die.
50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way ; thy son hveth. And the man beUeved the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying. Thy son liveth.
52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yester- day at the seventh hour the fever left Mm.
53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the wliich Jesus said unto him, thy son liv- eth: and himself beheved, and his whole house.
54 This is again the second miracle thai Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Ga» lilee.
Four great lessons stand out boldly on the face of this