we possess only two epistles of the latter, while no fewer than thirteen, written by the former, are included in the canon of Scripture. Not that we would infer from this that Paul was advanced to any species of primacy, either in respect of jurisdiction, dignity, or order, among the Apostles. They were all brethren, and he that was "greatest" among them, in point of usefulness, was to act as "the least," and he that appeared to be "chief" in gifts, was not only to call himself, but also to behave as, "the servant of all." He that said, "I am of Paul," and he that said, "I am of Cephas," in the primitive church (for the spirit of vain-glory and faction, which produced the Popedom, began early to work), were equally blamable: neither of them was crucified for us, nor were we baptized in the name of either, and their highest honour is, not that they were lords of God's heritage, but ensamples to it, and helpers of its joy. I mean not to speak of the apostolical authority of Paul; nor do I intend pronouncing his panegyric, a species of discourse in which the excellences of the person described are rhetorically exaggerated, and artificially blazoned, so as to form a masterpiece, in which the device and image of the artist are conspicuously enstamped. Such an attempt the sacredness of the subject forbids; the text frowns on it; and it would violate instead of embalming the memory of one whose uniform object it was to "preach not himself, but Christ Jesus the Lord," and who had these words more than any other in his mouth "Glory not in men." But without incurring this censure, we may surely dwell for a little on a character which meets us so frequently in the word of God. It cannot surely be unlawful for us to trace and point out the marks of the finger of God in framing this "chosen vessel" to bear "the unsearchable riches of Christ" to the Gentiles. We must be prone to idolatry indeed, if we are in danger of putting that servant out of his place who is continually reminding us that he is "nothing," and that his Master is "all in all.” In delineating his excellences, and describing his abundant labours, is it possible that we should be puffed up, and not rather humbled and mortified at our falling so far behind a

man, who, after all, disclaimed every thing bordering on perfection, and gloried only in his infirmities?

ousness.

The information which the New Testament contains respecting Paul, appears to point out his character as peculiarly deserving our attention, while it furnishes us with ample materials for describing it. In the Acts of the Apostles we have a narrative of his travels and preaching by the pen of one who accompanied him for many years-who enjoyed the very best opportunities of knowing his inmost sentiments, and of observing his conduct among Jews and Gentiles, among friends and enemies, in circumstances of honour and of disgrace and whose record of what he saw and heard bears the most indubitable and convincing marks of truth and ingenuBesides this we have the confidential letters (which, of all things, reflect the character most truly), written by the apostle to individuals and churches in different parts of the world, and at different periods of his life, which show him to be always the same person, and on comparing which with the narrative of Luke, we discover such incidental coincidences in facts, sentiments, and feelings, as throw equal light and authority on both. Those who have carefully examined these documents, and especially those who have entered into the spirit of his epistles, are admitted to all those advantages which were enjoyed by his contemporaries and companions, and may be said, like Timothy, to have "fully known his doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions.” * The epistles of Paul are, in fact, a continuation of the Acts of the Apostles, and in them he is the historian of himself, as well as of the churches to which he wrote. They have often been represented as filled with discussions of a speculative and abstruse kind; but of all writings, sacred or profane, ancient or modern, I know none in which there is such truth and force of moral painting, in which there is such a union of doctrine and practice, and, above all, in which the heart of the author is so completely laid open, and all his sentiments, and feelings, and emotions

* 2 Tim. iii. 10.

depicted. In his epistles the writer, to use his own expression, may be known and read of all men." This renders our present task the less difficult.

With the facts of the early life of Paul you are all well acquainted, and it is unnecessary for me to do more than advert to them. Born in Tarsus, a free city of Cilicia, and of Jewish parents, he inherited from his father the rights of a Roman citizen. Educated by Gamaliel, a celebrated teacher at Jerusalem, he made great proficiency in the knowledge of the Jewish religion; and having joined the popular sect of the Pharisees, was held in reputation for the correctness of his manners, and his scrupulous observance of the written and traditionary law of his fathers. When Christianity first made its appearance, he opposed it with all the keenness of the sect to which he belonged; and so inflamed was his zeal, that he became an active and forward instrument in the hands of those who sought to extirpate the nascent religion, and not contented with persecuting its followers to death in Jerusalem, obtained a commission from the chief priests to make inquisition after them in foreign cities, and to bring them to punishment. But he was arrested in this mad career, convinced that he had been ignorantly warring against the truth, and wonderfully converted from an enemy to a friend, from a persecutor into a preacher of the Christian faith. Into the subject of his conversion, which has been treated at large, and justly considered as one of the leading secondary evidences of the truth of the gospel, I propose not to enter. When sincerely believed, and deeply felt, Christianity is calculated to work so thorough a change on the whole frame of the mind-often sharpening the understanding and enlarging the soul, as well as regulating and purifying the heart-that it is difficult to determine what the natural dispositions of Paul were. From the facts preserved respecting the early part of his life, and from a cautious comparison of them with his subsequent conduct, we may perhaps be warranted in drawing the following inferences. He possessed a good understanding, which enabled him to judge of the characters of men, and manage their various tempers. Pride, rather than vanity of mind, was his besetting

sin. Naturally open and ardent in his temper, he was ready to follow violent rather than deceitful courses-to be a warm friend and a determined, but not concealed, enemy. His zeal, though misguided, and his prejudices, though strong, differed from those of a person of weak intellect, or who is actuated by interested motives; and having embarked in a cause which his judgment approved, it is probable that he was endued with a resolution and courage which disposed him to prosecute it, notwithstanding difficulties and dangers. I say it is probable; for there are unquestionable instances of persons, naturally irresolute and timid, who, under the influence of religion, have acquired a high degree of firmness of mind and moral courage. What was vicious or excessive in the temper of Paul, the grace of God corrected, while it strengthened and sanctified whatever was of a different kind, and rendered it eminently conducive, under the guidance of higher principles, to the advancement of the divine glory, and the best interests of mankind.

I shall, in the first place, take a general survey of the character of Paul; and, in the second place, point out some of its discriminating features.

I. Let us begin with a short survey of his labours as an indefatigable preacher of Christianity. This was the sphere in which he was formed by the grace of God for moving, and in which all the excellences of his private character shone forth. He was chosen, not merely for his own sake, but "for the elect's sake, that they also might obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." The heavenly treasure was bestowed on him, that he might "make many rich" along with himself. He was called at the same moment to be a saint and an apostle; and "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" shone upon his mind, that being made "light in the Lord," he might irradiate the minds of multitudes. "It pleased God," says he," who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen."*

*Gal. i. 16.

Paul was invested with the entire apostolical office, and we find him discharging every part of it. He dispensed both sacraments, planted and watered churches, ordained elders in them, corrected abuses which crept into them, assisted in settling such controversies as disturbed the whole Christian community, or particular sections of it, and on more than one occasion promoted and took charge of charitable contributions made for the relief of poor or persecuted saints. But the principal employment to which he considered himself as called was that of preaching the gospel. To this he devoted himself, his time, his talents, his strength, suffering nothing to interfere with it, and devolving upon his companions and helpers those duties which might distract him from his main and most appropriate work. "For Christ," says he, “sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel."

No sooner received he his commission, and his qualifications for executing it, than he entered on the arduous undertaking, which he prosecuted during a period of nearly thirty years, with amazing success, until his course was terminated, and his labours crowned with a glorious martyrdom. Besides Judea, he preached over the extensive countries of Syria and Cilicia; of Pamphylia, Pisidia, and Lycaonia; of Phrygia and Galatia; at Ephesus, and other cities of proconsular Asia ; and passing into Europe, he taught in the principal cities of Greece and of Macedonia, as far as Sclavonia; in the islands of Cyprus, Crete, and Melita, and the city of Rome. In the course of his travels, he converted thousands to the faith of Christ-Jews, Jewish proselytes, and idolaters, and erected Christian Churches in all the principal towns, the most of which he visited thrice, confirming the disciples, and adding to their numbers and their gifts. From the commencement to the close of his career he was never idle, teaching from house to house, preaching in season and out of season, by night and by day; and when the door of usefulness was shut on him in one place, he removed to another. During the period of which we read in the New Testament, the other apostles

* 1 Cor. i. 17.