but he regarded not the judgment of man: he desired and determined to approve himself to the heart-searching God : and it was in consequence of this that he went on his way rejoicing. If he had halted in his mind, or indulged the fear of man, he would not have been favoured with those sublime and heavenly joys: but " those who faithfully serve God, God will honour." Let us then, like Caleb and Joshua, " follow the Lord fully:" if we stand alone, like Elijah, let us not be ashamed ; but whatever God requires us to do, let us do it instantly and without reserve.]
THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH's CONFESSION.
Acts viii. 37. / believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
CIRCUMSTANCES, apparently casual, are often productive of the most important results. The Ethiopian Eunuch, a proselyte, " had been up to Jerusalem to worship ;" and, on his return home- wards, was reading a portion of the 53rd chapter of Isaiah. Philip, who was at that time at Samaria, was ordered by an angel to go southward, towards Gaza. In this journey he saw the Eunuch, sitting in his chariot, and reading : and, being directed by the Holy Spirit to go and join himself to the chariot, he did so ; and, at the Eunuch's request, went up and sat with him in his chariot, and explained to him the portion of Scripture which he was reading. The Holy Spirit then accompanied the word with power to the Eunuch's soul : and Philip, on the Eunuch's expressing a wish to enter into the Christian Church by baptism, admitted him to that ordinance, having first heard from him this open confession, " I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of Goda."
Now, at first sight, there appears little that is in- teresting in this acknowledgment. But we shall find it highly instructive, if we consider it, as we ought, I. As a summary of Christian doctrines —
Such it has been regarded on all occasions. Natha- nael addressed our Lord in terms precisely similar :
a ver. 26—28.