FIRST EPISTLE TU TIMOTHY. 170 



jnce affirms indeed the substance of the apostle's history 

 >lelivered in the Acts. But what in the passage strikes my 

 aiind most powerfully, is the observation that is raised out 

 of the fact : " For this cause I obtained mercy, that in me 

 first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a 

 pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life 

 everlasting." It is a just and solemn reflection, springing 

 from the circumstances of the author's conversion, or rather 

 from the impression which that great event had left upcn 

 his memory. It will be said, perhaps, that an impostor 

 acquainted with St, Paul's history may have put such a 

 sentiment into his mouth ; or, what is the same thing, into 

 a letter drawn up in his name. But where, we may ask, 

 is such an impostor to be found? The piety, the truth, the 

 benevolence of the thought ought to protect it from this 

 imputation. For though we should allow that one of the 

 great masters of the ancient tragedy could have given to his 

 scene a sentiment as virtuous and as elevated as this is, and 

 at the same time as appropriate, and as well suited to the 

 particular situation of the person who delivers it ; yet who- 

 ever is conversant in these inquiries will acknowledge, that 

 to do this in a fictitious production is beyond the reach oi 

 the understandings whiah h?ve been employed upon any 

 fabricatwns that have ome dovT: to us under Christian 

 names. 



