Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-05-25
,LEXA. GAZETTE & VIRGINIA ADVERTISER,
[For the Alexandria Gazette.
Parsonage Papers, No. 8.


THE WOMAN OF sAMARIA AND HER DIVINE
TEAcHER.-John iv.-9, 10.
III. THE INSTRUCTION COMMUNICATED.
]. She is Conuicted of Sm-The converse
ton respecting the living water so far excited
her curiosity, as to lead her to request that it
might be given to her, that she might not have
TO come to draw water at the well. The Saviour,
perceiving her ignorance, and wlshtu to com
lnunicate instruction, said, Go, call thy hus-
band, and come hther" He said this that he
might furnish himself with an opportunity Of
revealing to her her true character. And she
reped, II have no husband. Jesus said unto
her, Thou hast we'll said, l have no husband :
For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom
thou now hast Is not thine husband: IN that
saidst thou truly She admitted the truth
iuluess of the assertion. replying, Sir per-
ccivc that thou art prophet" Her sins were
then exposed, and she stood convicted 10 her
own conscience. Her whole past life seemed
10 be presented before her-hence the confes-
sion. He told me all that ever did" 1t is
not stated whether she had lost her five hus
bands by death, or she had been divorced from
them; but enough is said to convince her that
all her profession of being daughter of Father
Jacob is of 20 avail, so long she is living in
open violation of Gods law. And let us re-
member that he is equally acquainted with our
desires, words, and actions. Neither is there
any creature that is not manifest IN his sight:
but all things are naked and opened unto the
eve of him with whom we have to do" If we
are strangers to conviction, we are unacqualnt
I'd with forgiveness. Conviction precedes con-
version. Il said [ will confess my transgres-
>ons unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the in-
iquity of my sin. In order to obtain the par
douiug mercy of God, We must be deeply peni
tent-make full confession, and beseech the
Lord TO save US Have We obtained pardon
through believing? Are we deeply humbed
before God on account of our former transgres-
>ious? Do we ascribe our deliverance to his
free, boundess mercy? Or, are we still im-
peuiteut, hushed in carna security, and luul-
bering on the brink of perdition? Let US bear
in miud testing day is approaching, and Soon-
er or later our sin 1ciN find as ont.
>. She IS made acquainted aoth the Saclonr.
Jesus revealed himself to her-as the gift of
God-the expected Messiah-and the dispen-
ser of spiritual supplies.
Qj. As the GIFT Of d-'lf thou kuewest
the Ait of God,5 NC. Jesus was Gods gift to
m;an. For God SO loved the world that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
bclieveth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life !" How great the gift 1t
surpasseth all human expression How un-
raralleled the circumstances under which he
was given 1t was not gift to some special
friends, but bestowed on his most inveterate
enemies: Herein is love, not that We loved
God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son
to be the Precipitation for our sins. Such
gift might we'll excite the astonishment of an
gelic spirits. The Apostle Paul might we'll
cxciai,n, in adoring gratitude, ''Thanks be
unto God fer his unspeakable gift. ',
(2) As the erpected Messiah. The woman
saith unto him, | know that Messias cometh,
which is called Christ when he is come, he
will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, l
that SPEAK unto thee am he" 1t is rather re-
narkable that he revealed himself SO clearly to
this woman when he had partly concealed his
real character to persons of his own nation. 1t
was placing her. if not IN superior, at least IN
equal circumstances with his own kindred. She
was favored with personal interview with the
long promised Messiah, and heard the word
of hte from his own lips. Many had ardently
looked and longed for such an interview, but
died without the qualification. But when the
fulness OF time was come, God sent forth his
Son." He was the Messiah, or the Christ;
which signifies the Anoiuted One. Kings,
priests, and prophets, under the Mosaic dis
pensation, were anolnted when Installed into
their respective offices. This was emblematical
of the communication of the gifts and graces
of the Holy Spirit Jesus may emphatically
BY holding the three ohices-the regal sacerdo-
tai, and prophetical. He was not anointed
with the oil used in consecrating others, but
with its antitype The spirit of grace was
poured upon him without measure by the
hand of God the Father He is King in Zion
giving laws, appointing ordinances, and reign
ing in the hearts of his subjects. He is the
priest-ofering sacrafce, expiating, guilt, and
making ntercesson In mau'S behalf. You
have probably read or heard of Amynias who
appeared as an advocate for his brother, when
he was accused and about to be condemned to
die. Amyuias had lost one arm in the service
of his country and had secured great benefits
to the Commonwealth. When his brother was
brought into Court, and arraigned at the bar
ofiustice, Amynias entered. He said nothing,
but lifted up the stump of his arm. which
so moved the court that Immediately they ac-
quilted his brother. And does not Jesus ex-
hlbit his wounds as he intercedes before the
court above? ST. John says, u beheld, ana
10 ! iu the midst of the throne, and OF the four
beasts, and in the midst Of the elders, stood a
Lamb as it had been slain. lie IS also the
prophetic give instruction. AS the woman man
remarked, when be is come, he Will tell us all
things He soon placed before her the faiiacy
OF the Samaritan ritual, and also the abrogation
of the ceremonial worship of the Jews, stating,
The hour cometh, and now is, when the true
worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit
and in truth for the Father seeketh such to
Worship him God is Spirit: and they that
worship him must worship him 10 spirit and 10 10
truth TO establish purity of worship, was an
Undertaking worthy Of himself as the Great
Teacher, to accomplish All places were hence-
forth to be alike sacred. Spirit and truth =
the great essentials being limited to no peo-
pie, uaton, or country The heart OF the plonS u
isthe temple where Jehovah engaged to dwell
The temple of God is holy" says the Apos-
tle,. which temple are ye. What apr!Vliege
10 i've under the dispensation of the SPIRIT
). is the dispenser Of spiritual s'ppf'es