George Hutcheson
11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
12 Art thou greater then our father Jacob which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattell.
The woman in her replie reasons against Christs offer, alledging that this water was either to be given out of that well, and that could not be, seeing the well was deep, and he had nothing to draw with, or out of a better well, and that was to preferre himselfe to Jacob, who himself and all his family was content with the water of this well, and left it to them. Whence learn, 1. It is the property of natural men to take up spiritual things in a carnal way, and they are not able to discerne grace till they have it; for, so doth this woman understand Christ, as if he were speaking of elementary water. Sir, (saith she, in civil courtesie) whence hast thou that water? 2. We are also naturally enemies to our own good, and prone to dispute against our own happinesse, that we may deceive our selves; so far are we from preparations in our selves to Conversion; for, she reasons against this living water, as, in her judgement impossible to be had or given. 3. We are also naturally so addicted to our own carnal sense, that we will beleeve nothing revealed by Christ, further then we can see a reason or outward appearance for it; for, she judged it impossible he could have living water, seeing he could not draw it out of that well, nor could shew a better. 4. A chief deceiving principle, making men enemies unto, and carelesse of truth and grace, is their pretence of antiquity and succession unto it, and their descent from religious Progenitors; for, she boasted Jacob was their father, who gave the well, and therefore sleighted the offer of a better, as being well enough in her own conceit. 5. None are so ready to boast of antiquity, and of interest in pious Progenitors, as they who have least cause so to do; for, saith she, our father Jacob gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, &c. and yet they were but heathens who had come in the room of Jacobs children, who had forfeited their right; and however, they were far from Iacobs spirit, who would satisfie their soule with that which only supplied his bodily necessity, and served his cattell as well as him. 6. It is a notable injury done unto Christ, to plead any antiquity or succession to it, in prejudice of him or his truth, or to cry up any above him; for it was her fault to cry up Jacob, and her interest in him, that she might fleight him and his offer; Art thou greater then our father Jacob, &c? 7. Sobriety and a simple way of living, albeit it may be found among Pagans, yet, it is a notable ornament to grace in the godly: when nature, which is content with little, is not over-charged with creatures, to the dishonour of God, abuse of the creatures, and prejudice of mens better estate: and when men by their carriage declare, that their bodies and flesh is not their best part, which they care most for; so much doth Jacobs practise, contenting himself to drink of this well, with his children and cattel, teach us.
