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, 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: O're Libanus the Sun his Beams difplaid, And, "I am JESUS, the dread Voice reply'd, Arife and to Damafcus ftrait repair, What thou must do fhall foon be told thee there: A heav'nly Light refresh'd his Eyes and Mind: 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, Virtuous and Juft the King of Heav'n obey'd; One of the Glorious heav'nly Hoft came down, } Who fhou'd the perfect way to Bliss declare : liev'd. |