2 The woman who for water came
(What great events on small depend!)
Then learn'd the glory of his name,
The well of life, the sinner s Friend!
3 Taught from her birth to hate the Jews,
And fill'd with party pride, at first
Her zeal induced her to refuse
Water, to quench the Saviour's thirst.
4 But soon she knew the gift of God,
And Jesus, whom she scorn'd before,
Unask'd, that drink on her bestow'd
Which whoso tastes shall thirst no more.
5 His words her prejudice removed,
Her sin she felt, relief she found;
She saw and heard, believed and loved,
And ran to tell her neighbours round.
6 O come, this wondrous man behold,
The promised Saviour! this is he
Whom ancient prophecies foretold,
Born from our guilt to set us free,
7 Like her, in ignorance content,
I worshipp'd long I knew not what;
Like her, on other things intent,
I found him when I sought him not.
8 He told me all that e'er I did,
And told me all was pardon'd too;
And now, like her, as he has bid,
I live to point him out to you.
112.
The Pool of Bethesda.[1]
—John, v, 2-4.
1 Beside the gospel pool,
Appointed for the poor,
From year to year my helpless soul
Has waited for a cure.
- ↑ Book iii, Hymn 7.
