SERM. this change; on the contrary, he was cerXIX. tain to forfeit both; the party which he left were in the possession of all worldly goods, the party he embraced were entirely destitute;-from the former he could expect nothing but abuse, enmity, and persecution (which we find he constantly, experienced) from the latter, who were poor and weak, and whose numbers were comparatively very small, he could neither look for support nor protection. He could not change his religion with a view of becoming great and powerful in that party to whom he betook himself; for we do not find him ever asserting any superiority over them, or pretending to any thing more than independence; on the contrary, he constantly acknowledges how blameable he had formerly been in afflicting the Christians, and names himself, on that account, less than the least of the apostles; besides, eminence in this new sect XIX. sect was certainly not an object of ambi- SERM. tion to a reasonable man, who was not thoroughly convinced of the truth of their opinions; for, in so poor and despised a society, it could confer no worldly advantages, but only exposed those who might attain it, to more severe and inevitable persecution. tice; It is clear then, that no other adequate motive can be assigned for St. Paul's conversion, but his being persuaded of its justhe conclusion therefore is, that he firmly believed the Christian religion, which he embraced, to be sent from God. But perhaps an enemy to our faith might say that St. Paul was deceived, that the whole was a trick put upon him, and contrived by the Christians to gain over to their party so active an adversary; — - but I will be bold to say that the circumstances of the case were such as to render this absolutely impossible. A company of men tra SERM. travelling along the high road at noon-day, XIX. are all of a sudden struck to the ground by a great light, exceeding the brightness of the sun-they all see the light and hear, a voice but only one of them, St. Paul, distinctly understands what is said; upon their arising from the ground, St. Paul is found to be totally blind, and those who are with him are obliged to take him by the hand and lead him to the city, whither they are going; he continues blind for three days, till his sight is wonderfully restored at the word of a devout person, of whose coming and doing him this benevolent office he is before apprized in a vision; he is likewise informed, by the same person, that he is a chosen instrument to preach the religion of Christ, throughout the world. Now in all this, there could possibly be no deception; therefore St. Paul became a Christian on just and sure grounds and the Christian religion is true, The The lessons for our own practice, which SER M. might be drawn from the character and history of St. Paul, are various; I shall content myself with pointing out, on the present occasion, one which the words of the text particularly suggest." I laboured more abundantly than they all." The. natural warmth of St. Paul's temper might possibly have its part in promoting this extraordinary diligence; but it was, doubtless, much increased by the remembrance of the hostilities which he had formerly exercised against the Christian cause. In like manner it behoves every one, who, either from error or depravity, has been guilty of sins, when he once turns away from his wickedness, to exert himself in the most strenuous manner in attaining the greatest heights of virtue. This is peculiarly necessary in the pe nitent, whether he considers the propriety of making atonement. for past miscar riages, XIX. XIX. SERM. riages, or whether he would guard against the danger of a relapse, to which a mediocrity of zeal would expose him. It is clearly requisite, according to every rule of justice, that they who have affronted God, by their impieties, in the former part of their lives, should make him all the amends in their power by excess of adoration and obedience in the latter; and that they who have injured mankind by their vices, or debauched them by their ill. example, when young, should exert every effort to benefit them by their virtues, and reform them by the most scrupulous and unremitting righteousness, when old.. This is so striking a truth, that we generally find those who truly repent, shewing their conviction of it by their actions. They are usually more zealous for the honour of God, more strict in their observation of the duties of religion and morality, more eager and active for the con version |