Page:Cross of Christ, the Christian's glory (1).pdf/3

Rh Theſe points being briefly diſpatched, I ſhall beg leave to add a word of application, ſuggeſted by the tenor of the diſcourſe, and adapted to the circumſtances of my ſeveral hearers. And may that adorable Jeſus, who has exchanged his Croſs for a heavenly Crown, accompany all with his divine bleſſing! Let us then enquire,

I. In what the apoſtle did not glory. Not in the greatneſs of his learning, as a ſcholar. He was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel; educated by the moſt famous tutor of the age. Nor was his genius or his induſtry, inferior to the other advantages of his education. Yet all theſe advantages, with their correſpondent acquiſitions, he accounted no better than pompous ignorance, of refined folly.

Not in the ſtrictneſs of his life, as a Jew, In this reſpect he profited above his equals; was taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers; after the ſtricteſt feet of their religion, he lived a Phariſee: was zealous, exceeding zealous, of the whole cerimonial law, and all the traditional conſtitutions. Which accompliſhments muſt finiſh his character among his countrymen; muſt open his way to ſome of the firſt honours of the nation; and give him a name among thoſe worthies who were reputed the excellent of the earth. But what others counted gain, this he counted loſs for Chriſt. Not in the eminency of his gifts, nor in