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CXLI.

The Baptifm of the Ethiopian Eunuch by Philip.

Philip the Deacon by an Angel fent

For Gaza, and the Southern Defart went ; An Ethiopian Eunuch there he spy'd, Who did in his own ftately Chariot ride: Thither he draws, the facred Spirit did lead, And heard him thus in lofty Efay read.

"As helpless Sheep when by the Shearer caught, "As spotless Lambs when to the Altar brought ; "Silent in all his Suff'rings he remain'd, "Nor murmur'd once,nor meanly once complain'd, Of whom, fays he, does Efay this relate, His own describes he, or another's Fate ? Of Jefus only is the Scripture meant, The Holy Man replies; then farther went, His heav'nly Doctrine did to him display, And teaches how to wash his Sins away: He hears attent, and what he hears believes, The Laver of Salvation him receives:

Rapt in a Cloud the Saint from thence is born,
The Convert does with Joy to his own Land re-

turn.

CXLI.

ACTS Chap. VIII. Ver. 35, 36, 37, 38.

141

35. Philip preach'd unto him Fefus.

36. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the cunuch faid, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptifed?

37. And Philip faid, If thou believeft with all thine heart, thou mayeft. And he answered and faid, I believe that Jefus Chrift is the Son of God.

38. And he commanded the chariot to stand ftill: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the cunuch; and be baptised kim.

CXLII.

The Converfion of Saul.

Nothing but Blood did Saul, and Threatning

breath,

And hal'd vaft Crowds to Prison and to Death:
Nor with his native Country's Spoil content,
The fame his Busness to Damascus went.

O're Libanus the Sun his Beams difplaid,
And neither way the Cedars shoot their Shade
When loe, a Light, which drown'd the Days, as far,
As that a feeble Lamp, or twinkling Star,
Blaz'd from Mid-Heav'n, th' intolerable Beams,
Delug'd the Road with large etherial Streams
Which whelm'd 'em all to earth, and in their Fall,
A Voice like Thunder loud was heard by Saul
Struck blind: Who art thou Lord ? he trembling
cry'd,

And, "I am JESUS, the dread Voice reply'd,
Whom thou dost perfecute with furious Rage?
Tis hard with mortal Arms, High Heav'n t'en-
gage.

Arife and to Damafcus ftrait repair,

What thou must do fhall foon be told thee there:
He went and was baptis'd, nor longer blind,

A heav'nly Light refresh'd his Eyes and Mind:
The more oppos'd, his Strength increas'd the more,
He boldly taught that Name which he blasphem'd
before.

CXLII.

ACTS Chap. IX. Ver. 3, 4, 5,6.

142.

3. As he journeyed, he came near Damafcus : and fuddenly there fhined round about him a light from heaven.

4. And he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice Saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why perfecuteft thou me? 5. And be faid, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord faid, I am Jefus whom thou perfecuteft: It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6. And he trembling and astonished, faid, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord Jaid unto him, Arife and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

CXLIII.

Cornelius his Vifion; he fends for Peter.

A

Brave Centurion, who did nought disgrace His ancient Stem, and noble Roman Race; At Cæfarea in th' Italian Band,

Did the Proconful's faithful Guards command; A Soldier, yet devout, his Confcience clear,

He fear'd th' All-High, tho' none but him cou'd

fear.

With pious Pray'rs he daily pierc'd the Skies,
And Alms, the most accepted Sacrifice:
His Family, by his Example fway'd,

Virtuous and Juft the King of Heav'n obey'd;
As in his Closet he devoutly pray'd,

One of the Glorious heav'nly Hoft came down,
And bids him send to Foppa's wealthy Town,
For Galilean Simon, refug'd there,

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Who fhou'd the perfect way to Bliss declare :
He fent, and Simon by a vifion warn'd,
Immediate with his Meffengers return'd;
The Gospel preach'd, which gladly was receiv'd,
Cornelius with his Houfe, and all his Friends be-

liev'd.

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