Matt. XV. 28. Jesus answered and said unto her, 0 woman, great is thy faith : be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
RETIREMENT is necessary for all; especially for those who minister in holy things; but on certain occasions it must be sacrificed to the pressing calls of duty. Jesus had retired to the country near to Tyre and Sidon on purpose that he might enjoy some privacy ; but this Canaanitess, having heard of him, went to importune him on behalf of her afflicted daughter: nor was her intrusion, however unseason- able, displeasing to him.
In discoursing on the relief afforded her, we shall notice,
I. The disposition and conduct of this distressed heathen — The commendation which our blessed Lord himself bestowed on her, naturally leads us to a minute inves- tigation of her character. Behold,
1. Her love —
[She considered her daughter's affliction as her own; and, when imploring relief for her, cried, " Have mercy upon me!" and knowing that there was One able to help, she sought him out with diligence, and applied to him with importunity.
We too, like her, may be deeply affected with the bodily disorders of our children ; and may make application to phy- sicians in their behalf. But, though we know the power of Jesus to heal disorders, and the utter inefficacy of all human means without his blessing, how rarely do we spread our wants before him in fervent prayer ! Yea, when we see the souls of our relatives possessed by Satan, and are assured that none but Jesus can deliver them, we profess perhaps to pity them, but find no disposition to intercede for them at the throne of grace ; or, if we occasional!}^ put up a petition for them, we shew by the coldness of our prayers how little regard we have for their eternal interests. Alas ! that a heathen woman should have so much greater concern for the bodily welfare of her child, than we feel for the souls of those who are most nearly related to us !]