[He might have had many opportunities of seeing and hearing Christ, on a supposition he had chosen to embrace them. But, like proud and ignorant bigots of later ages, he would not condescend to hear one who was so generally de- spised. He probably believed all the scandalous reports that were circulated respecting Jesus, and therefore thought him unworthy of his attention. From the prophecies indeed he could not but know that the promised Messiah was to appear about that time: but having imbibed the prejudices of his countrymen respecting a temporal Messiah, he concluded that Jesus was an impostor ; and no doubt rejoiced when the in- fluence of that deceiver (as he thought him) was terminated by his death. But when the doctrines of the Gospel were pro- pagated with such success by the Apostles, then his disap- pointment appeared, and he broke forth into the fiercest rage against Christ. He determined to extirpate his followers, and to blot out, if possible, the very remembrance of his name. Such was his opinion of Christ, that " he thought he ought to do every thing in his power contrary to his nameb," and ad- verse to his cause. Nor can we doubt, but that if Jesus had put himself again in the power of the Jews, Paul would have been among the first to apprehend and destroy him. None would have been found more ready than he to nail him to the cross, or to pierce his heart with the spear.]
3. His cruelty to his fellow-creatures —
[He was present at the stoning of the first martyr, Stephen. He heard the discourse of that holy man ; he saw " his face shining like the face of an angel :" he heard him with his dying breath praying for his murderers ; but was unconvinced, unre- lenting, unmoved. One would have thought that a young man (whose feelings are quick), and a man pretending to morality, should have felt some pity towards one, whose whole appear- ance was so devout and holy : and that, when the first stone made the blood to gush out, he should have turned away with disgust and horror. But no such effect was produced on him. On the contrary, he feasted his eyes with this bloody spectacle ; and testified his consent to the murderous deed, by holding the garments of the murderers, and giving in his looks very evident tokens of his approbation0. Having thus tasted of human blood, he thirsted for it, and, like a blood-hound, would be satisfied with nothing else. He volunteered his services in hunting down the victims of his raged. He obtained autho- rity from the chief priests ; and in the exercise of it, not only drove the Christians from Jerusalem, but followed them to
b Acts xxvi. 9. c Acts vii. 58. and viii. 1. and xxii. 19, 20.
d Acts ix. 2.
2227.] Paul's conversion. 491
foreign cities, where he had no jurisdiction6. He shewed no pity even to helpless females ; but dragged all, men and women, to prison f, and gave his voice against them that they should be put to death g. He suffered none to escape, on any «other con- dition than that of blaspheming the name of Jesus h ; and thus, while he inflicted on some the pains of martyrdom, he con- signed others over to the damnation of hell. From his own description of himself, he more resembled an incarnate fiend than a human being1.]
So strange were the circumstances under which this fiery bigot obtained mercy, that we are pecu- liarly concerned to inquire into,
II. The ends for which mercy was vouchsafed to him —
Doubtless many blessed ends were answered. But, without attempting to enumerate them, we shall no- tice those only that are specified in the text. It was,
1. For "the manifesting of Christ's patience and long-suffering " —
[The long-suffering of Christ appears in the forbearance he exercises towards mankind at large. It was eminently conspicuous in his conduct towards the antediluvian world, whose wickedness he endured for the space of a hundred and twenty years k. It was wonderfully displayed also in not ex- ecuting the most signal vengeance on his cruel adversary, and setting him forth as a distinguished monument of his wrath and indignation. But how truly wonderful does it appear, when we see him stopping this blood-thirsty persecutor in the midst of his career, and revealing his pardoning love and mercy to his soul ! To take such a viper to his bosom ! to make such a creature " an elect vessel," an eminent saint, a distinguished Apostle ! to exalt such an one to the most honourable service on earth, and the highest throne in glory ! how does this love surpass all knowledge and all conception ! How is Jesus now glorified in him ! and how must he be admired in him for ever, both in the Church militant, and the Church triumphant x !