3. She gets a repulse yet moresharp than the two former, even after she had come close up to Him, and fallendown at His feet, saying, “Lord, help me.” Then Christ ranks her among thedogs, these that were without the covenant, profane and unclean. Now, one mightthink she is cut off by that word, and will insist no more after it. Nay, shetakes hold of that word of reproach, and pleads upon it in the text. “Truth,Lord, I am a dog,” vile and unworthy; yet let me humbly ask the dog’s room andprivilege, even to creep beneath the children’s table, and gather some crumbsof mercy. Oh how much is contained here for our instruction and imitation.

a. What cause have we, O Lord,to bless Thy goodness, that we Gentiles, of dogs are now become children, andallowed to come to Thy Table! And, at the same time to fear Thy justice, sincethe Jews, of children, are now become dogs, and shut out as unclean! If theywere cut off who crucified Thee in Thy low estate, what may we expect, if byour sins, we crucify Thee in Thy glory? Let us not be high-minded, but fear.

b. Christ puts the strongestfaith of His people upon the sharpest trial. He thinks fit, for His own glory,where He gives much grace to try grace much.

c. Those who are most eminent in faith aremost humble; this woman was so. Oh how humbly did she plead with Christ! Shethrew herself on the ground, lay low at His feet, and from the dust, cried forhelp; she claimed nothing, only begged for mercy. And when Christ spurned herfrom His feet, calling her a dog, she doth not murmur nor complain of His harshcarriage, but humbly takes with the charge; “Truth, Lord,” thou dost notmiscall me, nor call me so bad as I am; “I am a dog,” a most vile and unworthycreature, and have no right to the children’s bread, and must starve if Thou hastnot mercy upon me. She can bear the worst frown or chastisement from Christ,only she cannot bear being excluded from His mercy and grace; she would havesome token of it, though never so small. She claims not a Benjamin’s meal, nora child’s portion, only let her have a dog’s crumb. Lord, I take patiently thestripe from thee; give me but a crumb after it, and I will go away satisfied.Surely the more humble any supplicant is at a throne of grace, He comes stillthe better speed; for the “Lord resists the proud, but giveth grace to thehumble.”

d. God’s usual method ofdispensing His mercy and grace to sinners, is first to cast them down before Heraises them up. “We must first see ourselves to be as dogs, “less than theleast of all God’s mercies,” before we are fit to be dignified with theprivileges of children.

e. When unbelief draws dismalconclusions from everything, and tempts us to quit our grips and hopes, upon anydark dispensation, and to say with that wicked king, 2 Kings 6: 33, “This evil is of the Lord. What, shouldI wait for the Lord any longer?” Behold, faith is a valiant and importunategrace, it puts the best construction upon all Christ’s actions; it issharp-sighted, to see and take hold of all advantages to strengthen itself, andfinds encouragement even in that which is discouraging. That which seemed tocut off this believing woman’s hope, she improves it as a ground of hope, andan argument in prayer, “Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumb…” Even theworthless dogs belonging to the family, and though they may not feast withchildren at the table, they may creep under it and gather crumbs that would beswept to the door; this will not wrong the children. Let me stand in relationto Christ, though in the meanest station, even that of His dog; I will bethankful for it, or for anything, if He do not turn me out of the house.

f. When our discouragements aregreatest, we should learn from this woman, never to give over the exercise offaith and prayer; but to look on all our disappointments in the success ofprayer, as excitements to greater earnestness. Faith will not set limits to theHoly One; though speedy answers be not given to our prayer, it becomes us towait God’s time, who is the best Judge of the fittest season. “He thatbelieveth will not make haste.”

g. A resolute adhering toChrist by faith under trials, is most pleasing and acceptable to Him; as whenwe persevere in the use of means when success is small, when we depend upon Hispromise, and look to His power; when under the darkest dispensations we watchover our hearts and steps, that they do not decline from His ways, as these, inPsalm 44:17,18. And glory to Him, that gives us such encouragement for thisresolute adherence to Him, as the mercifulness of His nature, and His faithfulness,which assure us, there is more good-will in His heart, than is visible in His dealings;and that His providence will never give His word the lie. He gives in secretstrength to His people to adhere to Him, when He seems most opposite to them,as He did to this woman. He loves to bring about His people’s mercies by meansimprobable and contrary, to glorify His wisdom. He delights to bring light outof darkness.

h. Great will the reward atlast be of the believer’s faith, humility, and perseverance in prayer; forsaith Christ at length, v. 28, “O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto theeeven as thou wilt.” Ω