314 UNIVERSAL OBLIGATION see a genuine Christian character deli- neated in all its dimensions, markedwith its fair lineaments, and enlivened by its quickening spirit, such, for instance, as is exemplified in the character of St. Paul, he would consider it as a mere picture of the imagination ; and would no more believe its reality than lie believes that Of Xenophon's Prince, the Stoic's Wise Man, Quintilian's Perfect Orator, or any other Platonic or Utopian representation. Or could he be brought to believe its actual existence; heWould set such a man far above the necessity of prayer ; he would emancipate him from any such humbling practice ; he would enthrone him in his own independent worth ; for bow should he ever suspect that such a man would ever pray at all, much less would be in prayer more abundant, in humiliation more profound, in self-renun- ciation more abased ? Is it not probable that some of those inquiring minds, who adorned the porch and the academy, as well as those. more
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