he accordingly did: and in the act of descending, his Bible escaping from his breast-pocket fell into the well, and was soon heard plunging in the water far below. The guide made very significant signs that it could not be recovered, "for the well is deep." The small chamber over the well's mouth appears to have been carefully built, and may have been originally the ledge which is often found round the mouth of Eastern wells, affording a resting place for the weary traveller. But the well itself is cut out of the rock. Mr. Calhoun, who was here lately, found it seventy-five feet deep, with ten or twelve feet of water. In all the other wells and fountains which we saw in this valley the water is within reach of the hand, but in this one the water seems never to rise high. This is one of the clear evidences that it is really the well of Jacob, for at this day it would require what it required in the days of our Lord, an “ ἀντλημα,” "something to draw with, for it was deep." On account of the great depth, the water would be peculiarly cool, and the associations that connected this well with their father Jacob no doubt made it to be highly esteemed. For these reasons, although there is a fine stream of water close by the west side of the town, at least two gushing fountains within the walls, and the fountain El Defna nearly a mile nearer the town, still the people of the town very naturally reverenced and frequented Jacob's Well. This may in part account for the Samaritan woman coming so far to draw water, even if the conjecture be disregarded that the town in former times extended much farther to the east than it does now. The narrative itself seems to imply that the well was situated a considerable way from the town. He who "leads the blind by a way which they know not," drew the woman that day by the invisible cords of grace, past all other fountains, to the well where she was to meet with one who told her all that ever she did-the Saviour of the world and the Saviour of her soul. The Romish hymn seemed peculiarly impressive when remembered on this hallowed spot: Quærens me sedisti lassus, Weary-thou satst seeking me; But nothing can equal the simple words of the Evangelist, "Jesus therefore being wearied with his journey sat thus on the well." Scotch Mission. CHURCH SERVICE. THE NUNC DIMITTIS. "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."-LUKE ii. 29-32. THE author of this short and comprehensive hymn was a man eminent for his exact justice, vigorous devotion, lively faith, and extraordinary inspiration, as the holy text assures us, and it is probable he was a considerable person; very likely it was he whom the Jews call Simeon the Just, who lived at this time, (and was the son of the most famous rabbi Hillel,) who opposed the received opinion of the temporal kingdom of the Messiah; for it is certain our Simeon did so, or he had never thus rejoiced over a Messiah, presented by so mean parents in swaddling-clothes at the gates of the temple. It was not the object that appeared to his eyes, but the illumination of the Spirit, and the prospect of his faith, that elevated his affections. Wherefore we need not pretend to dismiss this holy song, by alleging it was an extraordinary occasion; for the writings of the apostles, which are daily read among us, do as clearly represent the Saviour of the world to the eye of our faith, and set him before us as evidently in the house of God, as any bodily sight could do to Simeon; and if our minds be enlightened, and our faith firm as his, we have the same occasion, and ought to rehearse it with the same devotion. The mercy is made sufficiently plain to us, and if we were but as apprehensive of the advantages it brings to us and all men, as he was, I know not why we should wish to live any longer, than till we have obtained hopes of a share in it. We say, we have houses to build, families to propagate, and designs to complete, and all before we are willing to die; that is, we desire something besides, nay (perhaps) more than an interest in Jesus; and therefore we dare not join in this noble wish. But Simeon was dead to the world before, and had been impatient of a longer stay, but only for the promise to have a sight of Jesus in the flesh. And when this long wished for happiness was some to pass, his expectations are answered, and all his desires fulfilled. He values nothing here, but humbly craves his dismission. His holy soul can find no rest on the waters of this world, and therefore desires to return with an olive-branch of peace to its dear Lord, where it was sure of rest and joy among its best friends. He now desires leave to depart from the flesh, which he had long esteemed his prison, wherein he was confined by his infirmities, and shut up from beholding the glories of God, which he now longs to see more than ever, by this last experience of his truth aud mercy; and, knowing that death would set him free, his desires and joy begin to swell too big to be confined in the walls of flesh, and now he is even straitened till he be let loose into the regions of glory, to praise him face to face: and yet his ecstasies transport him not beyond the measures of obedience and humility; for he first asks his Master's leave, nor will he go till he have commission; only he intimates he had stripped himself of all worldly desires, and had his inner coat, his flesh, in his hands ready to lay it down and run, whenever the watchword was given. His hopes and desires to see his Saviour had alone made his life acceptable, and the fulfilling of them makes even death most welcome to him, because he knew that Jesus came to disarm death, and (by satisfying for sin) to deprive it of that sting which made it terrible to all men. All the sin-offerings of the law were but weak armour to encounter death, nor could they so fully purge or appease the conscience, as that it should not accuse in the fatal hour; but the perfect sacrifice of the death of Jesus doth so fully avert God's wrath, that all that believe in him can triumph over death, meet it with courage, and embrace it with peace, as the end of their fears, and the entrance into their felicity. How can he fear death that hath his sins forgiven? or how can he doubt God's mercy, that beholds his Son with faith and love? or how can he question the truth of God's promises, that embraces Jesus, the greatest of all, in his arms? He that knows God's power, is persuaded of his love, and convinced of his truth, can die in peace, and lie down with joy in the assurance of a blessed resurrection. And this we may do also; it was only their privilege who lived then to see Jesus bodily; but whoever looked on him then so as to dare to die, must behold him by faith. And thus we may see Christ, not only with Simeon presented in the temple, but with St. Stephen standing at the right hand of God; not only in his rising, but his full glory. Why then are we so fixed to this word? so desirous to stay, so loath to depart, so sad when God calls? O let us look on this our Redeemer so stedfastly, and embrace him so lovingly in our hearts, that it may appear he is dearer to us than our very lives; let us love him so entirely, that nothing may satisfy us without him; and trust so fully in his merits and mercies, that we may live cheerfully and die peaceably. Let us say with this devout old man, Lord, I do now so clearly perceive thy purposes of mercy, so confidently believe thy promises of forgiveness, and so firmly rely on the hopes of glory, that I resolve to be ever thy servant; I desire to stay no longer in this world than to get assurances for a better: earth's vanities do not make me wish to live, nor death's terrors afraid to die. If thou callest me this day, Lord, I come: I can live with patience, or die in peace; for I see him that will preserve me in life or death, and gives me hopes that whether I live or die, I am the Lord's. I was not with Simeon in the temple to behold my Saviour with my bodily eyes; but I have had thy salvation as clearly manifested in this thy holy word, as if I had seen him with mine eyes. Lord, grant me thy Holy Spirit, that I may behold him with the same faith, and embrace him with the same affections that he did, and then I shall cheerfully join in a Nunc dimittis, and being daily ready to die, shall ever be fit to live, and thy will shall be done in my life or death. Blessed Lord! thou hast even to our days, by these holy writings, sufficiently manifested thy Son before all our faces; and it is our carelessness, ingratitude, and unbelief, that hides him from our eyes, and makes us hug these vanities, and fear to leave them. But thou hast done thy part, and I will praise thee for sending this bright and glorious sun, which shined on so many millions of wretched heathens benighted in the darkness of idolatry, and made them Christians. I will bless thee for honouring thy ancient but despised people, who were more ennobled by the birth of Jesus than by all their former royalties and victorious trophies, and instead of the bright cloud, the glory of the tabernacle, thou didst send him to pitch his tent among them who was the brightness of thy own glory. I am ravished to behold so many joyful souls blessing thee for this light which shined on them in their sins, the confines of eternal darkness, and converted and translated them into thy marvellous light. And all thy holy saints in all ages have given thee the glory for all those illustrious beams of love and charity, piety, justice, and devotion, which shine in their lives, and are but the reflection of the rays of the grace of Jesus. This excellent person rejoiced, not only in his own felicity, but to behold, by the spirt of prophecy, what joy Jesus was like to bring to me, and many thousands of converts and holy men to the end of the world. Wherefore let us be glad and rejoice with him, for ourselves and all people, for the light that shines upon us, and the glory that is round about us, and with all our souls sing, Glory be to the Father, &c.-Dean Comber. prison, wherein he was confined by his infirmities, and shut up from beholding the glories of God, which he now longs to see more than ever, by this last experience of his truth aud mercy; and, knowing that death would set him free, his desires and joy begin to swell too big to be confined in the walls of flesh, and now he is even straitened till he be let loose into the regions of glory, to praise him face to face: and yet his ecstasies transport him not beyond the measures of obedience and humility; for he first asks his Master's leave, nor will he go till he have commission; only he intimates he had stripped himself of all worldly desires, and had his inner coat, his flesh, in his hands ready to lay it down and run, whenever the watchword was given. His hopes and desires to see his Saviour had alone made his life acceptable, and the fulfilling of them makes even death most welcome to him, because he knew that Jesus came to disarm death, and (by satisfying for sin) to deprive it of that sting which made it terrible to all men. All the sin-offerings of the law were but weak armour to encounter death, nor could they so fully purge or appease the conscience, as that it should not accuse in the fatal hour; but the perfect sacrifice of the death of Jesus doth so fully avert God's wrath, that all that believe in him can triumph over death, meet it with courage, and embrace it with peace, as the end of their fears, and the entrance into their felicity. How can he fear death that hath his sins forgiven? or how can he doubt God's mercy, that beholds his Son with faith and love? or how can he question the truth of God's promises, that embraces Jesus, the greatest of all, in his arms? He that knows God's power, is persuaded of his love, and convinced of his truth, can die in peace, and lie down with joy in the assurance of a blessed resurrection. And this we may do also; it was only their privilege who lived then to see Jesus bodily; but whoever looked on him then so as to dare to die, must behold him by faith. And thus we may see Christ, not only with Simeon presented in the temple, but with St. Stephen standing at the right hand of God; not only in his rising, but his full glory. Why then are we so fixed to this word? so desirous to stay, so loath to depart, so sad when God calls? O let us look on this our Redeemer so stedfastly, and embrace him so lovingly in our hearts, that it may appear he is dearer to us than our very lives; let us love him so entirely, that nothing may satisfy us without him; and trust so fully in his merits and mercies, that we may live cheerfully and die peaceably. Let us say with this devout old man, Lord, I do now so clearly perceive thy purposes of mercy, so confidently believe thy promises of forgiveness, and so firmly rely on the hopes of glory, that I resolve to be ever thy servant; I desire |