of God and the Son of Man: God and Man in one Christ. These were the particulars, which Philip, we may conclude, would take occasion, from this passage of Scripture, to set before his attentive and listening hearer, But he would not stop here. He would

add many other truths, to which the other parts of the same chapter would naturally lead. He would not fail to state the reasons of this wonderful transaction. Why so extraordinary a person had submitted to so signal an humiliation, and had suffered in so remarkable a way. He would show in the words of the Prophet, that Jesus, in undergoing these sufferings and indignities, had borne our griefs and carried our sorrows that He had been wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities; that all we like sheep had gone astray; that we had turned every one to his own way: but, that the Lord had laid on Him the iniquity of us all." This humiliation and obedience of the Son of God unto death, even the death of the Cross, had been designed as an atonement, a sacrifice, a propitiation for the sins of mankind that so" the chastisement of their peace might be upon Him, and that by his stripes they might be healed." The preacher would further declare, that this great work was

now accomplished: that Jesus, having been numbered with the transgressors, and having poured out his soul unto death as an offering for sin, was now risen from the dead to reap the fruit of all his labours: that by the knowledge of himself He would now justify many; and in the redemption of innumerable souls from the bondage of sin and Satan, He would see the travail of his soul, and would be satisfied: that by the preaching of the Gospel, which was now commanded to be proclaimed to all people, remission of sins was freely offered in the name of Jesus to every sinner, who should believe in Him, and accept the offers of this great Salvation; while, on the other hand, excessive and aggravated punishment would be the merited portion of all those, who should reject these offers, and by their sins and wilful impenitence should crucify the Son of God afresh.

Such, we may conclude, were the great and instructive Truths, which Philip on this occasion explained and enforced. We know what was the result of his preaching.. His words, being listened to with attention, were received with gladness, and were mixed with faith in the heart. The Ethiopian, believing with all his heart, that Jesus was the Son

among the number of his followers: and being straightway baptized by Philip, went on his way rejoicing.

These are the interesting, and instructive circumstances connected with the text. They are interesting, inasmuch as they exhibit the influence of Divine Truth on a mind duly prepared by Divine Grace for its reception. They are instructive, inasmuch as they set before us, what is the great duty of the Minister of the Gospel; and what is to be the grand subject of his ministry. He is to preach; and he is to preach Jesus. The truths which Philip enforced and explained to the Ethiopian, respecting the person, sufferings, and atonement of Jesus, are the same great truths which the Minister of the Gospel is to explain and enforce to his hearers, and which, if he be faithful in his office, he does explain and enforce to them. Would that the effect produced by his preaching now, were in general such as that produced by the preaching of Philip! Baptized, indeed, his hearers have already been. But would that he could persuade them to believe and to do, all which that Baptism implies! Would that he could bring them to be Christians, not only in name and in profession, but in truth and in deed! Would that he could prevail on them to believe with

all their heart; and in the lively exercise of that faith, to go on their way rejoicing!

Philip, indeed, in preaching to the Ethiopian had two circumstances greatly in his favour. The truths which he taught were new; and the person, to whom he taught them, was humbly desirous of instruction. How different are the circumstances, under which the Minister of the Gospel is at this day obliged to conduct his preaching? He has no new truths to produce; no new doctrines, which by their novelty may engage the attention of his hearers, and thus may strike more forcibly on their minds. The truths, which he proclaims, are those which he has been proclaiming perhaps for years. In stating them, the utmost he can hope to accomplish, is to use some little variety in his mode of explaining and enforcing them. The doctrines, which he presses on his congregation, are those to which they have been listening, it may be, for years; and listening with little seeming improvement. With how slender a prospect therefore of success does he often renew the repetition of them; and how greatly are his hopes of making a profitable impression damped! Consider next the state of the congregation. Instead of being

tion, some of his hearers are too proud to receive the truth; others are utterly indifferent to it; some appear to listen, but pay no attention to what he says; others attend, indeed, but far from wishing to get improvement, seek only to amuse their ear or gratify their curiosity: some wait on his ministry for form, or for fashion's sake; others from worldly views and interested motives. While such is the state of things, (and that it is so, we need only refer to observation and experience,) it cannot be a matter of wonder, that the preaching of the Gospel should oftentimes produce so little effect, and that men should continue so unfruitful under it. In fact, if the preacher looked only on this side of the matter, he might often be tempted to desist from his work, and to give up his attempt in despair. But the subject may be viewed in another light. The Gospel is still the power of God unto salvation. The preaching of Jesus is still the appointed instrument for saving sinners: and the Lord will still bless his own appointment.

He

hath promised to be with his ministers, in the discharge of their office, "alway, even unto the end of the world." He sends forth his Spirit to give power and efficacy to his word: and whenever this is the case, these seeming difficulties vanish; the heart of