THE IRISH PULPIT.

SERMON I.

ON THE CHARACTER OF ST PAUL.

1 Corinthians, xi. 1.

65 BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME, EVEN AS I ALSO AM OF CHRIST."

NEXT in importance and interest to the history of the adorable Author and Finisher of our faith, is that of its most illustrious champion, the great Apostle of the Gentiles.

From the hour of that affecting interview with God, his Saviour, which (oh! stupendous miracle of divine grace!) in a moment converted the blaspheming persecutor into the devoted disciple, and zealous preacher of the faith he had once laboured to destroy, the love of that Jesus of Nazareth whom he had persecuted, appears to have taken full and undivided possession of his whole heart, and to have reigned there without a rival from that moment for ever!

Second Series.

B

Unsubdued by the most powerful opposition, undaunted by the most appalling dangers, with an energy which no labours, however oppressive, could weary, and an ardour which no sufferings, however severe, could damp, this high and holy principle, filled every faculty of the soul, and animated every movement of the life of St. Paul, with such a deep and devoted attachment to the service, and zeal for the glory of his beloved and adored Redeemer, as brands with indignant reprobation, the lukewarm Christianity of our day—and should, if we are not dead to every generous and grateful feeling, crimson our cheeks with the blush of shame for our coldness and heartlessness in the service of the same gracious Master, though loaded with obligations as unmerited and immense, and bound by ties as strong and as endearing, and only unlike St. Paul, as regards our relationship to Jesus, in not being called out to labours and sufferings, as ceaseless and severe, as his.

How unbounded, then, are our obligations, and how rich would be our reward, more closely to resemble this brightest pattern of human excellence, who loved his Saviour, as none, perhaps, has ever loved Him since; and in whom we behold an harmonious union of

qualities, almost irreconcilable, lending to each other, from their very contrast, additional grace and grandeur, and beautifully blended together into one almost perfect portraiture of the Christian character.

Firm without obstinacy, and conciliating without compromise, his heroism never towered into pride, nor his humility degenerated into meanness. There never was such a lofty and commanding intellect adorned with such a meek and lowly spirit-there never was so intrepid and magnanimous a soul, united to so warm and tender a heart. Where else, (except in St. Paul's Divine Master and model,) shall we find such fervent piety, unclouded by a shade of fanaticism, such boundless benevolence, unsullied by a tinge of os tentation-so much greatness of mind, with so much gentleness of manner; a zeal so unquenchable, regulated by a judgment so calm, and tempered by a kindness so endearing, the overflowings of that charity, without which he has himself assured us, that an angel's eloquence, or a martyr's zeal, would be nothing worth. Such a noble superiority to all this world's pursuits and pleasures, however splendid or fascinating, that could for a moment turn away his eye from God, or his soul from heaven; and yet such a patient

attention to all its concerns and circumstances, however uninteresting or fatiguing, which demanded his superintendance, or deserved his care. Who, ever, that was so severe in condemning himself, was so charitable in judging others-who, ever, that required so little indulgence, showed so much; who, ever, that mourned so little over his own griefs, sympathized so deeply with the sufferings of others? And where shall we find such a noble and affecting exhibition of this mingled heroism and tenderness, as in that speech which blends the awful grandeur of the Christian martyr, with the amiable sensibility of "What mean ye, the sympathizing friend. to weep and break mine heart-for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus ?" Oh! where shall we find another such example of sublime forgetfulness of personal sufferings in the tenderest pity for the sorrows of others, unless in the history of Him who, while faint and bleeding, He was toiling on to Calvary, there to expire in all the lingering horrors of the most agonizing death, turned, in that hour of unutterable anguish, to the mourners who followed Him, and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children!"

Religion had not in St. Paul chilled, but consecrated the warmth of his natural affections-not paralyzed, but purified by touching them with the living fire from the altar, and deep and tender, as it was holy, was the love of St. Paul, for his brethren in the Lord Jesus, and fondly as ever mother watched over an only child, did he watch over his children in Christ, rejoicing with them that did rejoice, and weeping with them that wept; and, to use his own beautifully simple expression, "gentle among them, even as a nurse cherisheth her children."

But the great apostle was not more distinguished by the ardour of a Christian's affection, than by the consistency of a Christian's character. He did not proudly rebuke pride. nor uncharitably declaim against the uncha ritable he was not vain of his humility, nor unmerciful in his zeal for the Father of all mercies he was not so watchful over the souls of others, as to neglect his own salvation-he did not hate sin in another, more than in himself, or feel more solicitude for his converts' holiness than his own. With what holy heavenly wisdom and moderation, did he steer between those fatal extremes in religious profession and practice, on which so many, who are eager to espouse his doctrines, but forget to follow his example, have made shipwreck