in all the rich communications of grace and peace which were now imparted to his soul ]
Such being the effect of this blessed interview, let us
1. To improve our leisure in reading the Holy Scriptures —
[The Eunuch, though so great a man, thought it not un- worthy of him to study the word of God ; nor, though occu- pied with the affairs of a kingdom, did he plead a pressure of business for the neglect of it : nor, though he found it beyond the reach of his understanding, did he cast it away as unintel- ligible : but regarding it as inspired of God, he searched into it with humility and diligence. Let us then follow his example : let us not plead, that it is the proper study of ministers only, or that we have not time to study it, or ability to understand it ; but let us account it our delight to meditate on the word, on the Sabbath-day especially, and at all other times, whenever the necessary business of our respective call- ings will admit of it ]
2. To avail ourselves of every opportunity of instruction —
[Philip probably appeared but in a humble garb, such as befitted his employment, and the persecuted state of the Church at that time : but the Eunuch did not disdain to ask instruction from him, or to invite him up into his chariot for the purpose of obtaining it. He wisely judged, that they are the best instructors who are themselves taught of God: and, conceiving that Philip was better acquainted with the Scripture than himself, he gladly availed himself of the op- portunity which his presence afforded him. Let us in like manner seek, whether from men or books, all possible informa- tion concerning the will of God: and let us remember, that, as the Eunuch had gained no saving knowledge at Jerusalem, where all the Apostles were, yet found it in the desert, so may we be guided into all truth by the instrumentality of persons from whom we might least expect so rich a boon. " God will divide to every man severally as he will," and by whom he will.]
3. To follow the convictions of our own con- science—
[As soon as the Eunuch saw the path of duty, he followed it. He had before, from heathenism become a Jew ; and now, from being a Jew, he embraced Christianity. Now he might well have suspected that all the courtiers in his own country would accuse him of unpardonable weakness and versatility: