ites of Heaven, were the exclusive preroga- up his injunction, with ascribing to the Altive of some distinguished servants of God, mighty the two attributes which render Him the rare effect of some miraculous gift. All the fountain of grace, for the production of grace is indeed a miracle, but it is not a sin-this very temper in all alike who call upon gular, it is not an exclusive miracle. Him for it. He denominates Him the God Whole churches, with exceptions no doubt, of patience and consolation. have been favoured with it. Saint Paul We must not therefore fancy that this speaks of large communities, not universal-eminent Saint was not an example to private ly, we presume, but generally, touched by life, because his destination was higher, and divine grace, so as collectively to become his trials greater than ours. This superiorithe joy and crown of his rejoicing.' Hearty cannot disqualify him for a copy. We him declare of his Roman converts, that must aim at the highest point. It is easier they were full of all goodness, filled with to reduce a portrait than enlarge it. All may all knowledge; of the Corinthians-that have the same grace; and some actually they were enriched in every thing-that have great, if not equal trials. If Christians they abounded in all faith and diligence:' are not now called like him, to martyrdom, mark the connexion of these two attributes, they are frequently called to bear the long 'faith' in one, nor in another, is not the protracted sufferings of sickness without mislackener of duty, but in all the principle tigation, of penury without relief, of sorrows and spring of the same diligence.' These without redress. Some are called to bear high commendations are not limited to them all, without even the comfort of witApollos, his associate in the ministry, nor to nesses, without the soothings of pity, Timothy, his dearly beloved son; nor to Titus, his own son after the common faith,' nor to any other of those distinguished saints who laboured with him in the Gos-as we find them exhibited in his writings. pel.'

If the elevation of his conduct does not place this great apostle above our imitation, no more does the sublimity of his principles,

His piety in both is equally of a practical naWe may therefore fairly consider Saint ture. We rise from perusing many a treaPaul, not as an instructor nor as a model, tise of metaphysical morality, without clearexclusively for martyrs, and ministers, and ly ascertaining its precise object; at least, missionaries. As the instruction of Christ's without carrying away any one specific sermon on the mount, though primarily ad- principle for the regulation of our own heart dressed to his disciples, was by no means and life. We admire the ingenuity of the restricted to them; so the exhortations of work, as we admire the contrivance of a laPaul are not confined to ecclesiastical teach-byrinth; it is curiously devised; but its intriers, though he had them much in view.cacy, while it has amused, has embarrassed The inclosure lies open to all; the entranceus. We feel that we might have made cur is left free; the possibility of salvation is way, and attained our end, more easily and universal, the invitation is as large as the benevolence of God, the persons invited as numerous as his whole rational creation.

more speedily, in a plain path, where less perplexity required no artificial clue. The direct morality of our apostle has none of this Dadalian enginery.

It is a beautiful part of his character, and it is what contributes to make him so uni- Saint Paul, in one sense, always writes formly a pattern, that all his strength is not like a man of the actual world. His is not a reserved for, nor expended entirely on, those religion of theory, but of facts, of feelings, of great demands which so frequently occurred, principles; a religion exactly accommodato answer which he was always so fully pre-ted to the being for whom he prescribes. pared, and which he encountered with such unshaken fortitude.

:

Our passions and our reason, our hopes and our fears, our infirmities and our supports, our lapse and our restoration, all find their place in his discussions. He consults every part of our nature; he writes for material and immaterial, for mortal and immortal man.

His intervals were filled up with shades of the same colour: the same principle was set at work in all the common events of his daily life the same dispositions which were ripening him for his final suffering, operated in the humble, tender, forbearing habits in He does not abound in those desultory and which he was perpetually exercised. he random discussions, which distract the mind, Divine principle had resolved itself into a land leave the reader at a loss what he is to settled frame of mind. And it was in the think and what he is to do. He does not hourly cultivation of that most amiable philosophize apon abstract truths, nor reabranch of it, Christian charity, that he acquired such maturity in the heroic virtue of enduring patience. To deny his own inclinations, to sustain the infirmities of the weak, to bear the burden of others, he considered as indispensable in the followers of Him, whose lovely characteristic it was, that HE PLEASED NOT HIMSELF. In enjoining this temper on his Roman converts, he winds

son upon conjectural notions; but bears witness to what he has seen and known, and deduces practical instruction from actual events. He is therefore distinct in his exposition of doctrines and duties; explicit in his injunctions and reproofs; and this be cause truth is absolute. We can scarcely peruse a sentence in his writings, witheat finding something to bring away from them

for our own use, something which belongs to ourselves, something which would have been seasonably addressed to us, had be been our personal correspondent.

was an adult, and received baptism as his explicit confession, and open adoption of the new faith. To bring men to believe with the heart, and to confess with the tongue,' He knew mankind too well, not to know the Divinity of the Redeemer, was to bring the necessity of speaking out: he knew, that them to be truly converted. No man could if any opening was left, they would interpret say that Jesus was the Lord, but by the Hoit in their own favour; that they would slip ly Ghost.' As the Apostles had neither reout of every thing which was not precisely putation to influence, nor authority to comexplained and definitely enjoined. He was pel, nor riches to bribe, so it is obvious that aware that the reason why men profit so lit-there was nothing to attract men to Christitle by scripture instruction is because, in anity, except their full conviction of its diapplying it, they are disposed to think only vine truth. It was hostile to their secular of other people, and are apt to forget them- advancement, to their interests, their repuselves. He knew it was not easy to lower tation, their safety. Hypocrisy was consethe world's good opinion of itself. That the quently a rare, when it was a losing sin. A quicksightedness of certain persons, errs, hypocrite was not likely to embrace a faith not in misunderstanding the justness of a re- by which he was sure to gain nothing in this proof, but only in mistaking its object; and world, if it were false; and nothing till after that, by directing the censure to others, they his death, if it were true. Christians were turn away the point of the weapon from their such optionally, or not at all. own bosoms. Yet he makes charitable al- It was not then probable, that he who was lowance for the capacities, the exigencies, baptized under such circumstances, would and the temptations of a world so diversely be merely an external convert. According circumstanced. Like his blessed Master, to all human means of judging, that 'faith' he would have all men every where to be existed, which is said by an article to be saved; and, like him, left no means unessay-confirmed' in baptism; and this holy Sacraed, which might promote this great end. ment became not only an initiatory, but a confirmatory rite.

We must not imagine that Christianity is not precisely the same thing now, as it was when our apostle published it, because its external marks are not so completely identified. A more animated zeal in religion might have been visible and legitimate in the first ages of the Church, than commonly in the present. The astonishing change then effected in the minds of men, was rapid, and often instantaneous. In our day, it is usu- But if the novelty attending the early inally gradual. It is no wonder that persons troduction to Christianity has ceased; if should have been overwhelmed with joy and living in a land where it is universally progratitude, at being suddenly rescued from fessed, being educated in some acquaintance the darkness of Pagan idolatry, at being de- with the Christian faith, finding easy access livered from the bondage of the Jewish ritu-into the Temples in which it is preached, al, and translated into the glorious liberty of habitually attending on its services, living the children of God. The total revolution under laws which are imbued with its spirit; in the mind, and in the principles, would if all this takes off the apparent effect, if it certainly produce a sensible alteration in the lessens the surprise, if it moderates the joy external habits and visible practice of the and wonder, which a total change in exterGentile convert; whose morals, if he were nal circumstances was calculated to excite; indeed a convert, would be as different from if it even lessens in a degree the visible alwhat they had previously been, as his faith; teration produced in hearts awakened by it; and he as different from his former self, as if this change was more obvious in the conany two men from each other. This, conse-version of those who were before wallowing quently, would make the change more obvi- in the grossest abominations, or sank in the ous than in the renovated character of a no-most degrading superstitions, than in those minal Christian, now brought to embrace vi- who are conversant with the decencies of tal Christianity; in whose outward obser- life, who had previously observed the forms vances, antecedent and subsequent to his of religion, and practised many of the social change, there might probably be no very virtues; yet, in the views and in the feelapparent alteration. ings, in the heart and in the spirit, in the In the days of the apostle, the holy sacra- principle of the mind, and in the motive of ment of baptism was likely to be, in the very the conduct, the change in the one case has highest sense of the word, regeneration. It a very near affinity to the change in the was not only the outward and visible sign of other. The difference of circumstances dian inward and spiritual grace; but it was minishes nothing of the real power of Divine also, for the most part, an actual evidence grace; it does not alter the nature of the that such grace had been effectually received change inwardly effected; it does not maniunto eternal salvation. The convert then fest now, less than it did then, the pitifulness VOL. II.

There were at that time no hereditary professors; there was no such thing as Christianity by transmission. There was therefore a broad line to step over, whenever the new faith was adopted. There was no gradual introduction into it by education, no slipping into it by habit, no wearing its badge by fashion.

42

of God's great mercy in delivering, those whole armour of God, continuing instant in who are tied and bound with the chain of prayer, seeking those things which are above, their sins. mortifying your members, avoiding inordi Had Saint Paul been a profligate or im-nate affections and covetousness, which is moral man, we apprehend that his conver-idolatry, are not applied to the profane, or sion would, as an example have lost much even to the careless, but to those who had of its power. The two extremes of charac- made a great proficiency in religion; not to ter might in that case, indeed, more forcibly novices, but to saints. These are continustrike the superficial inquirer. But to show ally cautioned against sitting down at ease in the turpitude of gross vice, a miracle is not their religious possessions; they are exhortnecessary; Christianity is not necessary. ed, on the contrary, to augment them. It is The thing was self-evident; Antoninus and not, as an able writer says, 'longing after Epictetus could have shown it. But for a great discoveries, nor after great tastes of man who had previously such strong claims the love of God, nor longing to be in Heato respect from others, such pretensions on ven, nor longing to die, that are such distinwhich to value himself,-his Hebrew de-guishing marks of a perfect Christian, as scent; his early initiation into the distin- longing after a more holy heart, and living guishing Jewish rite; his Pharisaie exact-a more holy life.'*

ness, an exactness not hypocritical, but con- The apostle shows that we must not sit scientious; his unquestionable morals, his down satisfied even in the habitual desire, blameless righteousness in all that pertained even in the general tendency to what is right. to the law, his correctness of demeanor, his He frequently stirs up the reader to actual strict observance of religious forms; that exercise, to quickening exertions: without such a man should need the further subju- such movements, he knew that desire might gation of his passions, his pride, his bigotry, sink into unproductive wishes; that good and uncharitableness; that, in short, he tendencies might come short of their aim. should require a total and radical renovation This brief, but comprehensive hint-not as of the character and the soul,-this was in though I had already attained-frequently deed a wonder worthy of Divine inspiration recollected and acted upon, will serve to to declare, as well as of Divine grace to ac- keep up in the mind, that we are capable of complish; and this change, when really ef- much higher things than we have yet fected, afforded an appeal for the truth of achieved-and that, while we are diligently the doctrine, both to the heart and to the un-ascending by each progressive step, we derstanding, more powerful than volumes of must still stretch forward our view to the arguments. culminating point.

Saint Paul was aware, that there is fre- If, then, even the most conspicuous conquently more danger where there is less verts of Saint Paul required to be confirmed scandal; that some fancy they are reformed, by incessant admonition; if he did not think because they have exchanged the sensual for the most heroic Christians so established as the spiritual vices; that in truth, men often- to be arrived at their ultimate state; if he er change their sins than their nature, put did not think the most advanced so secure pride into their correctness, and violence in- as to be trusted to go alone, so complete in to their zeal, and uncharitableness into their themselves as to lose sight of their depensobriety, and covetousness into their prudence; if they required to be exhorted to go dence, and censoriousness into their absti-on unto perfection; to be renewed from day rence. Among the better disposed, he knew to day; to stand fast; to quit themselves like there were many who, after they are men; to be strong in the Lord, and in the brought to embrace religion, think they have power of his might to stand against the wiles nothing more to do. They were, perhaps, of the Devil; and having done all, to stand sincere in their inquiries, and their convic-tions were strong. But having once obtained we believe that the Spirit was poured out in -Let us not be high minded, but fear.' If a confidence in their acceptance, they con- more abundant measures in the incipient clude that all is well. They live upon their state, than on us in the more established pocapital, if we may be allowed the expres-sition of the Church; yet we see their supesion; and so depend upon their assurance, as riority, in this respect, neither lessened the if their personal work was done. To both necessity of caution in the instructor, nor of of these classes he directs the warning voice, diligence in the hearer. Go on unto perfection. To both he virtually represents, that if the transformation were real, it would animate them to increased earnestness; while their desires

would be more fervent, their piety would not evaporate in desires, their constant fear of relaxing would quicken their progress.

It is worth remarking, that throughout the Holy Scriptures, and especially throughout the writings of the Apostle-striving with principalities and power, putting on the

CHAP. XXI.

On the superior advantages of the present period, for the attainment of Knowledge, Religion, and Happiness.

WE have heard of a Royal infidel, who was impious enough to declare, that had the Maker of the universe consulted him at the Dr. Owen on the Holy Spirit.

of no common order, in which he lays down, and substantially proves the truth of his position, that the conversion and apostleship of St. Paul alone, duly considered, is, of itself, a demonstration, sufficient to prove Christianity to be a Divine Revelation. Into these circumstances, which it is probable powerfully assisted his own convictions, he has with great diligence examined; and has with irresistible strength proposed them for the conviction of others.

Creation, he could have given him hints for the improvement of his plan. Many, who do not go so far as to regret that their advice was not asked when the world was made, practically intimate that they could improve upon the scheme of Providence in carrying it on. We have met with persons, who, not fully satisfied with the evidences of Christianity, at least not quite firm in the practical adoption of its truths, have expressed a wish, that for the more complete confirmation of their faith, their lot had been cast in In the other instance, we refer to that exthis, or in that particular age, in which they quisite work, the Hora Paulina,' of Docmight have cleared up their doubts, and re-tor Paley; a work which exhibits a species moved their difficulties. of evidence as original as it is incontrover

less passages in the life and travels of Saint Paul, related in the Acts, with his own repeated reference, in his Epistles, to the same circumstances, persons, places, and events; together with their most correct geographical agreement;-the respective authors of both writings uniformly and consistently, though unintentionally, throwing light on each other.

Now, though it is not permitted to indulge tible. It is a corroboration of the truth of any wish contrary to the appointment of the New Testament, derived from the inciHim who fixes the bounds of our habitation, dental but close correspondence of numberand ordains our whole lot in life; yet it should seem that we, in this age and country, have the must abundant reason, not only to be peculiarly grateful that it has fallen at this precise period. Who, that reflects at all will maintain, that any era in the history of the world, whether antecedent or subsequent, to the institution of Christianity, could have afforded clearer lights or higher aids than the present? or would have conduced to make us wiser, better, or happier? Let us be assured, that if we do not see truth with sufficient distinctness, it is not our own position, nor that of the object, which is in fault, but the organ itself.

This interesting work, in a more especial manner, adds weight to facts which were already fully established, and strength to that 'truth' which was before barred up with ribs of iron.' We cannot too highly estimate this subsidiary evidence to the Christian revelation, derived as it were casually and incidentally from our apostle, from him to whom we were already unspeakably indebted for so much direct spiritual and practical instruction. It is a species of evidence so ingenious, yet so solid, so clear and so decisive, that the author inust have carried his point in any court of judicature before which the cause might have been brought.

It is not to our present purpose to insist on the internal evidence of Christianity; on that witness within-that conviction of the Christian's own mind, arguing so strongly the truth of Revelation from its correspondence to his own wants-because this is an evidence equally accessible to the believer of every period. We shall, therefore, only offer a few observations on the superior advantages which we at present enjoy, as well If it were not the very genius of sceptifrom other causes, as from the fulness of the cism to shrink its shrivelled essence' down external evidence which has been undenia-to the minutest point, when it wishes to work bly established upon the profoundest know-itself an entrance where no visible opening ledge and closest examination of the Sacred seems previously to have been left, we Records, by so many of our wisest and should think, that, after the able defences of soundest divines.

We have, for our assistance in religious knowledge, the collective wisdom of sacred antiquity; and for our furtherance in piety, its precepts its monitions, its examples. It is also the peculiar honour of our apostle, that from his life and writings alone, a new confirmation of the truth of the Gospel which he preached, has been recently and completely made out. In addition to the fullest general evidence of the authenticity of the New Testament, two of our own contemporaries men of different rank, habits, education, and turn of mind,-have extracted from the writings of Saint Paul exclusively, particular and collateral evidence of a most interesting and important nature. We refer; in the first instance, to a small but valuable work of a noble author,* himself a convert • Lord Littleton.

Revelation which have been made on general grounds, the addition of these partial and subordinate, but not less convincing, proofs, had not left even the smallest crevice through which Unbelief could force, or even Doubt insinuate its way.

But to quit this more limited channel of conviction for the broad current of general Scripture, let us examine what period would have been more favourable, not only for the confirmation of our belief, but for our moral, our intellectual and spiritual improvement. Let us institute an inquiry, (if a few cursory and superficial remarks may be so called,) whether all those whose supposed superior opportunities of religious improvement we are disposed to envy, really possessed more advantages than ourselves; and whether many among them were induced, in consequence of their peculiar situation to make

the best use of those which they actually did | sonal preaching; but let them remember,

possess.

that all proconsular Asia,* who enjoyed that How very few of those who were not only blessing, deserted both him and the Gospel. countrymen, but contemporaries of our bles- May not even the advantage, considered in sed Redeemer, believed in him, or at least some points of view, be reckoned on our side? persevered in their belief! Even of his im- If we may trust his own humble report of mediate disciples, even of his select friends, himself, his letters,' he says, 'were allowof the favoured few who beheld the beauti-ed to be more weighty and powerful than ful consistency of his daily life, who were his bodily presence.' more intimately privileged to hear the gra- If so many were perverted, who had the cious words which proceeded from his lips: privilege of standing the nearest to the founwe pass by the Son of Perdition :-one had tain of light, who even drank immediately not courage so much as to acknowledge that from the living spring itself, shall we look he knew him; another doubted his identity for a more luminous exhibition or more priafter his resurrection. In the moment of vileged exercise, or more sincere 'obedience' exquisite distress, they all forsook him. His of Christian faith,' in the middle ages, own familiar friends, abandoned him, and when, in truth, religion was in a good meaof the people there was none with him.' sure extinguished; when the Christian Where then were the peculiar, the envia-world had sunk into almost primeval darkble advantages, of that situation, placed in ness; when Christianity,' to borrow the which, the fervent Peter, who declared that words of Melancthon, was become a mere though all men should forsake him, yet compound of philosophy and superstition;' would not he; yet Peter forgot his oath, and when what religion did survive, was confined forfeited his fidelity! Can we affirm, that to a few, was immured in cloisters, was exwe have stronger or more tender religious hausted in quibbles, was wasted in unprofitattachments, than the disciple whom Jesus able subtleties, was exhibited with little speloved? Yet was he one of that all who for-culative clearness, and less practical influsook him. Are we sure that it is a superi-ence?

ority in our faith, rather than in our circum- Even when literature and religion awoke stances, which makes us to differ from those together from their long slumber, when affectionate but troubled companions, who, Christianity was renovated and purified, the after his crucifixion, sunk into the most hope-glorious beams of the Reformation did not less despondency -We trusted that this diffuse universal illumination. Even by betshould have been He who should have re-ter disposed, but partially enlightened minds, deemed Israel,' Cannot we, on the contra- contention was too frequently mistaken for ry, exultingly say, We know that this was piety, and debate substituted for devotion. He who has redeemed, not Israel only, but Of how different a spirit from these wrangevery penitent believer, of every people, and ling Polemics was Saint Paul! Though he kindred, and nation, to the end of the world. repeatedly exhorts his friends, especially After the truth of our Lord's divine mis-Timothy, in instructing his people, to watch sion had been ratified by his resurrection particularly over their doctrine,' the grand from the dead, and the descent of the Holy foundation on which all preaching must be Spirit, how many who heard the preaching, built, yet he ever shows himself an enemy and beheld the miracles of his apostles, re-to controversy, to frivolous dísputes, and idle mained hardened in incredulity! In the contention. He directs his converts, not to ages immediately succeeding the promulga-waste the time and strength, which should tion of the Gospel, even while its verities be reserved for great occasions, about words were new, and the sense of its blessings fresh, to no profit but subverting the hearers. many of its professors fell into gross errors; And, perhaps, there has seldom been less some tainted its purity by infusions of their genuine piety in the church than when inown; others incorporated with it the cor- tricate and theoretical points in theology ruptions of Paganism. Many became here- have been most pertinaciously discussed. tics, some became apostates, not a few re- This is not contending for the faith once denounced Christianity, and more perhaps dis-livered to the saints,' but diverting the athonoured it. tention from faith, and alienating the heart from charity.

Does not Saint Paul, after his incessant labours, even after his apparent success in one We do not mean to censure a spirit of enquarter of the globe, sorrowfully exclaim to quiry, nor to repress earnestness, in the soluhis friend, "Thou knowest that all they tion of difficulties. It is indeed the very eswhich are in Asia be turned away from me.' sence of an inquiring mind freely to start He then proceeds to enumerate individuals, doubts, as it is of a learned and enlightened of whom, it may be presumed, that he once age rationally to solve them. On this point entertained better hopes. While, therefore, we are quite of the opinion of a good old Diwe possess the works of this great apostle, vine, that nothing is so certain as that which and still many continue to receive so little is certain after doubts.' But compared even benefit from them, let not any deceive them-with the latter period of religious light and selves with the notion, that they would have information, how far superior is our own? derived infallible sanctification from his per-I

• 2 Timothy, ch. is