a Acts ii. 25 — 36. b Isai. Hi. 13. and liii. 11.
c Isai. lii. 14. and liii. 3. d Isai. liii. 4 — 6. c Isai. liii. 9, 10.
f Isai. liii. 12. e Isai. liii. 12.
conversion and salvation of a ruined world h : and lastly, the certainty of salvation to all who should know, and believe on him'1: these, and many other glorious truths, he would have occasion to open to him, as lying on the very surface of the prophecy he was contemplating : and these truths well under- stood, and received into the heart as the ground of our hopes before God, are sufficient for every end and purpose of man's salvation. What can be added to them to relieve a doubting mind ? In the atonement and intercession of Christ there is all that is necessary to satisfy an offended God, and consequently to satisfy and heal a wounded conscience. What can be added to stimulate us to holy obedience ? If the wonders of redeeming love will not operate effectually on our hearts, nothing will ; we must be " past feeling," " given over to a reprobate mind."
"From this passage then we would preach Jesus unto you." O contemplate what he has done and suffered for
you ! ■ think also of what he is yet doing for you in
heaven- and let him now "see of the travail of his
soul, and be satisfied" in the conversion and salvation of your souls ]
The excellence of his instructions may be judged of by,
III. The effect produced —
[The Eunuch's eyes were opened, and he saw " that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God." Instantly therefore did he determine to surrender up himself to him as a faithful follower and servant: and, understanding that baptism was the rite whereby he must be admitted into covenant with him, he desired to have that rite administered to him without delay : which desire Philip hesitated not to comply with, as soon as he was convinced that his views of Christ were such as qualified him for admission into the Christian Church.
Who must not admire the decision of character here mani- fested. The situation of the Eunuch, as a leading person in a great empire, might seem to have justified his deferring such a step, till he had viewed it in all its bearings, and formed his judgment upon the maturest consideration. But his mind and conscience were convinced ; and he would not give opportunity to Satan to get advantage over him : he therefore " conferred not with flesh and blood," but gave himself up instantly and unreservedly to God.
After he was baptized, and Philip was in a miraculous manner separated from him, " he went on his way rejoicing." And well might he rejoice in having found such a Saviour, and
h Isai. liii. 10—12. • Isai. liii. 1, 11.