record to this day, as a pre-eminent instance of mercy, on God's part; and of devotedness, responsive to such mercy, on the side of his awakened servant. St. Paul did not forsake the religion of his fathers from enthusiasm. For the enthusiast courts persecution; and does not, like the Apostle at Jerusalem, and Philippi, and Cæsarea, avoid it, where, with a safe conscience, he could flee from one city to another. Nor was he deceived by any artifice of others. This is proved by the miraculous blindness, which continued to oppress him for three successive days, and then, suddenly, departed from him. And as evidence, that he himself did not act the part of a deceiver, witness the loss of worldly reputation, and of rank and friends! Mark also the exchange for these, obtained in bonds, abuse, stripes, and at length, death itself! But "all to him was gain, for the excellency of the knowledge Jesus our Lord" and for

of Christ

1 Phil. iii. 8.

manifesting the strength of his attachment to the Saviour of his soul. From a review of the goodness of Almighty God reconciling him in Christ, He returns to an avowal of deep humiliation for his former course. He hesitates not in this Epistle, which was to be read publicly in the Church, during his own lifetime, and from generation to generation, to lay open the obstinacy of his mad career. He accuses himself, afresh, before God, as "a blasphemer" of the holy name of the Lord Jesus; and as "a persecutor" of the disciples of Christ, causing them even to blaspheme. Nay more, he continued, as he declares, to be" injurious" to them, "breathing out threatenings and slaughter;" hunting them to distant cities; and dragging women and men, with the same unrelenting violence, to receive the sentence of the vindictive courts, for belonging to Christ.

1 Acts ix. 1.

This course, the Apostle followed in a sincere, but mistaken zeal, for the honour of God. He "did it in unbelief." Not that unbelief, which in pride rejects altogether a revelation from God; but in that of ignorance; which, mistaking the nature of the Gospel dispensation, judged of God's dealings according to the wisdom of man. How many, like St. Paul have acted conscientiously, while proceeding in ignorance of their duty! How many have sheltered pride, want of sense, anger, and self-will, under this mistaken plea-" I am acting according to my conscience." As if, in our conscience, we were not liable to error, as well as in our will, judgment, and affections. As if conscience alone had escaped uninjured by the fall of man. Howbeit he "obtained mercy." And at the first warning from heaven, bowed himself to the dust before God, exclaiming "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" And

1 Acts ix. 6.

fully did his after life prove, how sincere was his conversion. No vain excuses are ever heard falling from this lowly Apostle. No attempts are made at self-justification. No false plea is set up, of atoning by his subsequent obedience, for his past opposition. He had conducted himself ignorantly, rashly, proudly, cruelly. But, the grace of God had convicted him. And he had sorrowed for his offence," with godly sorrow." He had laid hold on the cross of Christ, and "preached that faith," both by his doctrine and conversation, which he had once "laboured so earnestly to destroy." Is it to a spirit of amendment, arising from his own powers, that he attributes his altered state? Far from it. It was the grace of our Lord," that "was

exceeding abundant." It was this

It was this grace, this divine energy, which so enlightened his conscience, quickened his perceptions, and purged away all his prejudices, and

1 Gal. i. 23.

false notions of the truth, that he "laboured more abundantly" than all his other brethren among the Apostles, in the very opposite direction to that, in which his ardent spirit had hitherto been hurrying him. "Yet not he, but the grace of God which was in him." This grace it was, which " was abundant;" which truly "abounded with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus." His faith was hereby enabled to discern, and rejoice in, new objects. In God, as the Father of all, and not the Sovereign of Israel only. In the Messiah, not as a temporal prince, ministering to the ambition and honour of the Jews alone; but as a Saviour, "wounded for the transgressions, and bruised for the iniquities 2" of a lost world. In Christ, as a "man of sorrows and acquainted with grief," "tasting death for every man 3, and "lifted up, like the serpent in the wilderness," that all who felt the poison

1 1 Cor. xv. 10.

3 Heb. ii. 9.

2 Is. liii. 5.

4 John iii. 14.

3 "