his heart he could profess his belief in Christ: which the Ethiopian professing in the strongest terms, was baptized. It then pleased God to confirm his faith, by miraculously conveying Philip instantaneously from his sight. Thus was the christian religion introduced into Ethiopia, where this officer of queen Candace had a great hand in planting it; as we are informed by some church-christians; though their accounts perhaps depend on little better authority than the great probability of it.

After Philip was conveyed from the Ethiopian, we are told that pious convert went on his way rejoicing. This leads me to the second point I designed to consider the subject of his joyful meditation. We may suppose it might have run in some such strain as this:

Blessed be God, for sending this holy man to enlighten my eyes! I early saw the grossness of idolatry and since I became acquainted with the Jewish scriptures, I have ever admired the majesty and grandeur of the Jewish worship. It hath ever been delightful to me, at these stated feasts, to worship the great God of heaven at Jerusalem. Yet still I had my doubts and difficulties. I could never perceive the use and intention of all those singular rites and ceremonies,

VOL. I.

monies, with which the temple-worship of the Jews abounded. Many of them appeared to me strange and affected; and what still tended more to increase my doubts, the prophets, in many parts of their writing, speak slightingly of them.-Now all my doubts are banished. I see these ceremonies and sacrifices, leading me as it were by the hand, to a more effectual atonement. I see the obscure veil of prophecy removed; and all the truths of the gospel opening to mine eyes. I see the malignity of sin; and the only way, in which the trespasses of man can hope to be forgiven. A future world is opened to my view a state of happiness, of which I had no conception before.-God grant, that that faith in Christ which I have just professed, may lead me to a holy life! May it give me such sanctity of manners as may make me a new-born creature; and enable me to obtain that gracious inheritance which the gospel hath promised!

Thus this holy convert went on his way rejoicing. Let not us who are baptized into this. faith in our infancy, consider it with less joy. The commonness of a blessing is apt to take from the enjoyment of it. If we should be deprived only for a few moments of the air we breathe; or a few

few days, of the bread we eat, we should then with gratitude. acknowledge the value of those blessings, which we now treat with neglect. But among all the blessings we neglect, let not the gospel be one. Let the thoughts of our salvation in Christ, be always our solid comfort: and amidst all the difficulties of life, through this great consolation, let us continually go on our way rejoicing.

VIII.

If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.-2 Corinthians, viii. 12.

ST. PAUL, in the chapter, from which the text is taken, had been exhorting his Corinthian converts to make a charitable contribution for their poor fellow-christians: and, in order to bring the duty home to each of them; he tells them in the text, that God will reward them; not in proportion to what they give; but in proportion to the willingness with which they give. As far therefore as their charity related to God, both rich and poor might perform a service equally acceptable.

Now this is the constant doctrine of scripture. Nor indeed is it confined to charity. It is extended to every duty. The heart, that conceives, and fully intends the action on right motives, is what God requires: the bare external deed in his sight is nothing. In our dealings with the world indeed it is the leading figure: but in our heavenly accounts it is a cypher. It

is the motive only on which the eye of Heaven is fixed. Thus one fervent ejaculation, God be merciful to me a sinner! from a heart truly smitten with a sense of sin, reached the throne of grace, while a thousand prayers, with lifted eyes and hands, from one standing in the corner of a street, were wafted by. It was the intention which gave value to the widow's mite; and would give value to a cup of cold water, on a proper motive.

Since then it is not the deed, but the willing mind, that God accepts, what a mighty encouragement is it to those, who have nothing but the willing mind to offer? They may do as many generous, and kind, and acceptable things in the sight of God, as if they had thousands. They may be doing friendly and benevolent actions continually; and even reap the reward of them from God; though they may scarce be able to expend a farthing.

But pause a moment, my friend. That there may be no mistake in this matter, you must be well assured, that you have the willing mind. You may easily deceive yourself in this matter. It is not sitting down, and in a reverie of imagination saying to yourself, How gladly would I give to such, or such a person; if I had it in