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LECTURES.

LECTURE I.

ACTS viii. 26-40.

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south, unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desart.

And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

Was returning, and sitting in his chariot, read Esaias the prophet.

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? and he desired Philip that he would come up, and sit with him.

B. VOL. II.

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth.

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away; and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.

But Philip was found at Azotus; and passing through, he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea.

ONE remarkable characteristic of holy Scripture, which serves to render it interesting to persons of all ages, and of every

grade of intellect, is its admirable variety. It does not tie itself down to the rules and restrictions which ordinary writings require. Its didactic portions are not thrown into the systematic forms of logical arrangement; nor are its records of history a dry series of chronological statements. The book, for instance, on which we are now discoursing, was never intended to furnish us with a precise and formal account of all that took place in the Church of Christ during the first half century. We call it, indeed, "the Acts of the Apostles;" but we mean no more by the term than a brief sketch of the transactions of the Apostles generally, during the first few but most important months of their ministry, and a subsequent and more lengthened account of the labours and travels of St. Peter and St. Paul. And how interesting and instructive is the variety which graces these brief details. We are led step by step from one transaction to another-from a greater

is there also in the

to a lesser event—and again from a lesser to a greater. We pass from individuals to communities, and again from communities to individuals. And what a variety character of the individuals themselves! We have not all the darker lines on one side of the picture, and all the brighter on the other; but there is a harmony and a blending of lights and shades which relieves the eye, and interests the imagination.

In the earlier parts of the narrative we had a most cheering view presented to our notice in the joy and gladness which prevailed among the disciples at Jerusalem, when they lived together in holy fellowship, undisturbed by the malice of enemies -continuing daily, with one accord, in the Temple, breaking bread from house to house-eating their meat with gladness and singleness of heart-praising God, and having favour with all the people.

On this pleasing part of the picture we lingered for a while; but scarcely had

our eye become familiar with it, than our attention was drawn to an appearance which betokened a rising storm of persecution. But ere it began to rage, we saw with amazement symptoms of corruption within the Church itself, which demanded the exterminating sword of divine retribution, in the case of Ananias and Sapphira. From this tragical exhibition of superlative wickedness, overtaken by summary and vindictive justice, too horrible to dwell upon, we passed on to witness the good confession of the first and most illustrious of the Christian martyrs. It was a glorious spectacle-a striking instance of the overcoming power of faith!

Then followed "the persecution of the saints at Jerusalem :" and Saul was seen making havoc of the Church, entering into every house, haling men and women, and committing them to prison.-Scarcely had our eye rested upon this dark view, when a ray of light burst upon our view in the distance, and we beheld the dispersed

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