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I. IS THE GIFT OF CHRIST. This fact is confirmed —

1. By reason. The evidences sup. plied by —

(1)  Nature,

(2)  the Bible, show that their origin is Divine. So does —

(3)  A holy life.

2. By the Bible.

3. By the song of the redeemed in heaven. .This fact shows that —

(1)  Christ's excellence is immense.

(2)  Christ's compassion is great.

(3)  Christ is worthy of all praise.

II. HAS ITS RESIDENCE IN MAN'S INNER NATURE. Therefore —

1. It cannot be destroyed by outward circumstances. In the cases of Job and Paul.

2. It will ever maintain its hold in man. Circumstances may take away every other gift, but not this.

III. TRANSCENDS IN VALUE THE BEST THINGS IN NATURE.

1. It gives permanent satisfaction to the soul in this life — unlike the best other things.

2. It raises its possessor to perfect happiness in the future.

IV. IS TO BE SECURED BY MAN'S OWN EXERTIONS. "Whosoever drinketh."

1. This is natural. God gives food, but we must eat: so God works in us what we have to work out.

2. This is reasonable.

V. PRODUCES THE SAME EFFECT IN EVERY HEART. Whoever he may be religion will give him satisfaction. This shows —

1. That it demands the reception of man universally.

(1)  It is adapted to the world.

(2)  It is what the world wants.

2. That it will one day secure universal order.

(W. Griffiths.)

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KJV: 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?

WEB: The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. From where then have you that living water?