salvation, and of the various exertions of the wonderful
powers conferred on them by the Holy Spirit for the confirmation of
their mission.

_Character of St. Paul._

67. The character of St. Paul, and his miraculous conversion, demand
your particular attention: most of the Apostles were men of low birth
and education; but St. Paul was a Roman citizen; that is, he possessed
the privileges annexed to the freedom of the city of Rome, which was
considered as a high distinction in those countries that had been
conquered by the Romans. He was educated amongst the most learned sect
of the Jews, and by one of their principal doctors. He was a man of
extraordinary eloquence, as appears not only in his writings, but in
several speeches in his own defence, pronounced before governors and
courts of justice, when he was called to account for the doctrines he
taught.

68. He seems to have been of an uncommonly warm temper, and zealous in
whatever religion he professed: his zeal, before his conversion, shewed
itself in the most unjustifiable actions, by furiously persecuting the
innocent Christians: but, though his actions were bad, we may be sure
his intentions were good; otherwise we should not have seen a miracle
employed to convince him of his mistake, and to bring him into the right
way.

69. This example may assure us of the mercy of God towards mistaken
consciences, and ought to inspire us with the most enlarged charity and
good will towards those whose erroneous principles mislead their
conduct: instead of resentment and hatred against their persons, we
ought only to feel an active wish of assisting them to find the truth,
since we know not whether, if convinced, they might not prove, like St.
Paul, chosen vessels to promote the honour of God, and of true religion.

70. It is not now my intention to enter with you into any of the
arguments for the truth of Christianity, otherwise it would be
impossible wholly to pass over that which arises from this remarkable
conversion, and which has been so admirably illustrated by a nobler
writer, whose tract on this subject is in everybody's hands.

_Of the Epistles._

71. Next follow the Epistles, which make a very important part of the
New Testament; and you cannot be too much employed in reading them. They
contain the most excellent precepts and admonitions; and are of
particular use in explaining more at large several doctrines of
Christianity, which we could not so ful