Page:Cross of Christ the Christian's glory.pdf/3

 of my ſeveral hearers. And may that adorable Jeſus, who has exchanged his croſs for an 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 ſect 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, or 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, Acts xxii. 3. after the ſtricteſt ſect of their religion, he lived a Phariſee, Acts xxvi. 5. Was zealous, exceedingly zealous, of the whole ceremonial law, and of 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 worthles 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, not in the extent of his uſefulneſs, as a chriſtian miniſter. —He had been caught up into the third heaven; had heard the words of God, and ſeen the viſion of the Almighty: had wrought all manner of wonders, and ſigns, and mighty deeds— What was ſtill more valuable, he had planted churches, and converted ſouls. His labours had gone out into all lands, and his words unto the ends of the earth. —Yet all theſe acquirements, before the infinite God, were defective; all theſe performances, in point of