218 HOR^ PAULINA. 



opinions which he had embraced, and to those supeniatura] 

 graces and gifts which he imagined he had acquired ; nay, 

 even to the merit of martyrdom ? Is it not the genius oi 

 enthusiasm to set moral virtues infinitely below the merit 

 of faith ; and of all moral virtues to value that least which 

 IS most particularly enforced by St. Paul — a spirit of candor, 

 moderation, and peace ? Certainly, neither the temper nor 

 the opinions of a man subject to fanatic delusions are to be 

 found in this passage." Lord Lyttelton's Considerations on 

 the Conversion, etc. 



I see no reason, therefore, to question the integrity of his 

 understanding. To call him a visionary because he ap- 

 pealed to visions, or an enthusiast because he pretended to 

 inspiration, is to take the whole question for granted. It is to 

 hake for granted that no such visions or inspirations existed ; 

 .it least, it is to assume, contrary to his own assertions, that 

 ^e had no other proofs than these to offer of his mission, oi 

 af the truth of his relations. 



One thing I allow, that his letters everywhere discovei 

 great zeal and earnestness in the cause in which he was 

 engaged ; that is to say, he was convinced of the truth of 

 what he taught ; he was deeply impressed, but not more so 

 than the occasion merited, with a sense of its importance. 

 This produces a corresponding animation and solicitude in 

 \he exercise of his ministry. But would not these consider- 

 ations, supposing them to be well founded, have holden the 

 same place, and produced the same effect in a mind the 

 strongest and the most sedate ? 



VI. These letters are decisive as to the sufferings of the 

 author ; also as to the distressed state of the Christian 

 church, and the dangers which attended the preaching oi 

 tlie gospel. 



" Whereof I Paul am made a minister ; who now re- 

 joice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that wliich is 

 behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his body's 

 Bake, which is the church." Col. 1 : 23, 24. 



