In opening this instance, let us consider —
1. The quality of the woman. She is called in Mat. xv. 22, 'a woman of Canaan ;' in Mark vii. 26, ' a Greek,' a Syrophoenician by nation. Phoenicia was that country which was inhabited by the relics of the ancient Canaanites : she was by nation a Phoenician, and by religion a Greek ; for the term of Jew and Greek distinguished the then world: Rom. i. 16, ' It is the power of God unto salvation, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek ; ' and it is as much as Jew and gentile. She was a devout woman among the gentiles, that, bordering upon the people of God, was acquainted with the true religion, though she professed it not.
2. That she was a believer appeareth by her coming to Christ to cure her daughter, who was bodily vexed with the devil. How she was acquainted Avith Christ, it is .«aid, Mark vii. 25, 'She heard of him;' that is, by the rumour of his miracles. And if God blessed rumours, or the fame of Christ's miracles, we may be ashamed that we do no more improve a clear word. And not by her coming only, but also by the title she gave to Christ ; her calling him, ' The Son of David,' ver. 22. This was the solemn name of the true ]iromised Messiah. So the blind men, Mat. xx. 30, ' Have mercy on us, 0 Lord, thou Son of David.* So Bartimeus (if it be a distinct story), Mark x. 47, ' Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.' ' Son of David' was the common title by which our Saviour was called and known among the Jews : Mat. ix. 27, 'Thou Son of David, have mercy on us ;' because Christ was
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to be horn of the seed and posterity of David: Jer. xxiii. 5, ' Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise up unto David a right- eous branch ; ' Rom. i. 3, ' Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lo;d, who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.' The Messiah was to come as a king, to rule and feed his church, and there- fore he is called sometimes ' David' in the prophets ; and in the days of his flesh, in the addresses that were made to him, ' Son of David.' So that in this she showcth her faith. There is in faith knowledge, assent, and affiance, and all three are in this woman's faith. That the Messiah was to be the Son of David, there is her knowledge. There was her assent, that Jesus was the Christ or true Messiah, for she applieth the title to him upon the rumours of his miracles. Then there was her affiance and dependence in this address to him, as one tliat was able and willing to help all distressed creatures ; and that she renewed her suit after so many repulses showed a notable confidence in his mercy and power.
3. The greatness and strength of her faith. To set forth that we must consider — (1.) Her trials and temptations ; (2.) Her victory over them, by her importunity, humility, and resolved confidence.
First, Her temptations ; they are four —
1. Christ's silence, ' He answered her not a word,' ver. 23.
2. The coldness of the disciples' dealing in her behalf, in the same verse, ' His disciples besought him, Send her away, for she crieth after us.'
3. Christ's answer to his disciples, seeming to exclude her out of his commission, ver. 24, ' He answered and said, I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'
4. Her renewed importunity draweth another answer from Christ, which implieth a contempt of her, or at least a strong reason against her, ver. 26, ' It is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it unto dogs.' So that you see here are sore trials, multiplied trials ; but yet she keepeth begging and arguing with Christ till he giveth her satisfaction.
First, Christ's silence : ver. 23, ' And he answered her not a word.' It is a great trial to our faith, but such as the people of God usually meet withal. It is sad to go to a dumb oracle, and get not a word from God ; so here. What ! not a word from a merciful and gracious Saviour, who was so ready to hear and help upon all occasions, and to cure all those that came to him ! But she gets not a word, though her daughter was grievously tormented by the devil ; a notable temp- tation to a poor woman, who had heard so much of Christ's power and compassion towards all those that came to him for relief. He heard well enough what she asked, but not a word of answer gets she from him. I will show you, that though Christ love our persons, and dis- likes not our petitions, but meaneth to grant them, yet for a time he will seem to take no notice of them.
1. That this is a sore temptation.
2. That it should not yet weaken our faith.