as when the loss respects only some worldly possession. Yet even the overflowings of those tender affections, we should endeavour to moderate; and should not sorrow, as others that have no hope, for them that sleep: for if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again; even so them also, that sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him*.

LET us then all endeavour to sorrow after a godly sort. This world is sometimes called a vale of sorrow. Its brooks are tears its gales are sighs. The gloomy images of woe, in some part of our passage through it, will not fail to strike us. Since sorrow then must be so much our companion, let us endeavour to make it our friend; and learn all the good lessons (and many good lessons ther are) which it is enabled to teach.

N. B. If this subject were enlarged on, the distinction between worldly sorrow, and godly sorrow, might be explained more fully; and it might be shewn what those good lessons are which they both teach.

THESE

HESE words are taken from the very structive and interesting story of Philip, and Ethiopian. I shall first give you the circu stances of the story, with some remarks upo -and shall secondly explain the subject of Ethiopian's rejoicing.

On the persecution of Christianity, carried with so much violence by Saul, many of the ciples left Jerusalem, and retired to various pa where they preached the gospel. Among oth Philip went to Samaria; from whence, by destination of God, he was sent to a desart of the country, between Jerusalem and G Here he met the treasurer of Candace, queen Ethiopia. This person, though of an idolat nation, believed in the true God-was quainted with the Jewish scriptures-and u at the great festivals to go to worship at J salem. One of these great festivals he had b now attending; and was returning home, w Philip met him. He was riding in his cha

and reading the prophecy of Isaiah; little thinking of the extraordinary means of new illumination, which God, in his providence, was preparing for him. Philip, under the direction of the holy Spirit, asked him, if he understood what he read? The Ethiopian answered, he had need of an interpreter: and observing that Philip was a Jew a man of respectable appearance, and probably skilled in the scriptures-he desired him to come into his chariot, and explain what he had been reading. The passage he read was one of those prophecies of Isaiah, in which the death of the Messiah is so circumstantially related. Inform me, said the Ethiopian, of whom doth the prophet speak this; of himself, or of some other person? Philip, taking occasion from this passage, opened to him the whole evangelical dispensation; and explained to him the completion both of the prophecy he had just been reading, and of several other prophecies relating to the Messiah. The Ethiopian was fully convinced of the truth of what he heard; (for which, we may suppose, he was well prepared by his knowledge of the Jewish scriptures) and as they approached a pool of water, asked Philip, If he had any objection to baptize him? Philip told him, he had none: if from

where this officer of queen Candace had a g hand in planting it; as we are informed by s church-christians; though their accounts perl depend on little better authority than the g probability of it.

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

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

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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