3. He awakens conscience to a discharge of its proper office —
[Conscience, in an unawakened man, neglects its duty altogether. It ought to observe and weigh our every act, and to report to us its true character, even as it appears before God himself. But, when the Spirit of God awakens it by the word, it estimates aright our whole character, and without flattery makes us known to ourselves. It exerts itself then with authority : it makes the whole life pass before it in review: it sits in the throne of judgment: it speaks in the name of God himself: it passes sentence even on the most secret actions of our lives ; it takes into its account all atten- dant circumstances of aggravation ; and anticipates the judg- ment of the last day.
Thus we may account for the impression made on the mind of this Samaritan, and the report she gave on leaving the Saviour's presence. Though every thing that she had ever done had not been distinctly told her, it appeared as if it had ; and the effect upon her mind was the same as if it had.]
But, that the power of God's word may yet more clearly appear, let us proceed to notice,
II. The effect of conviction, when produced —
Mark the effect of it on her : you see in her,
1. A desire to receive instruction —
[Man in his natural state has no wish for instruction in the things that relate to God. He is satisfied with his own crude notions, and is averse to have them tried by the standard of Holy Writ. " He hates the light, and will not come to it, lest his deeds should be reproved." But when the Spirit of God has fixed conviction on the mind, a man will be glad to know the truth : his very first inquiry will be, " What must I do to be saved?" Thus the woman, thinking that that was true which Jesus had said to her respecting his Messiahship, and that his perfect knowledge of her secret history was an evidence of it, was desirous that her fellow-citizens should give her their judgment concerning it: " Come, and see a man that told me all thing's that ever I did! Is not this the Christ?" She thought them competent to judge, and took for granted that they would give her their unbiassed opinion upon this momentous question : and though it was but too probable that the notoriety of her character would bring upon her some cutting reflections, she cared not for it, if only she might obtain satisfaction to her mind. It is particularly noticed, that " she left her water-pot behind her !" and this she did, not merely that she might not be detained ; (for the detention