CHAPTER XXVI. - 671- that was the religion that the apostles and disciples taught after Christ went to heaven : But how comes it to pass, that among these doctrines; we do not find them insisting, more expressly, on that great article of the gospel, the redemptionby Christ's death, and the atonement made for sin; by his sufferings ? A. It is. sufficiently evident, that this doctrine was taught the world by Peter and John, as well as by Paul, since there is frequent mention of it in their epistles, as well as it shine's every where through the epistles of St. Paul : Nor can we suppose their preaching u:t 'Ply forgot or neglected what their writings abound with 1 Pet: i. 18, 19. and ii. 24.. and ii. 24. and iii. 18. and iv.. 1. 1 John i.17. and ii. 2. and iii. 16. and v. 6. and therefore it is possible they might preach it sometimes at first, though it be not expressly recorded in such short abstracts of their sermons, as we find in the hook of Acts. Or, if this doctrine was not published at first, with fre queneyand freedom, there seems to be a very good reason for it, viz. because neither the Jews nor Gentiles could well bear it so soon ; for it was a stumbling-block to the Jews; and foolish- ness to the GFeeks ; 1 Cor. i. 23. And they were to be led by degrees into a full acquaintance with the mystery of the gospel, even as Christ himself led his own disciples by slow degrees into the knowledge of this and other things, as they were able to bear them ; John xvi. 12: CHAP. XXVI.The Acts of Paul the Apostle, Ms Travels and Sufferings, his Life and Death. I. QUESTION. WHO was Paul ? Answer: Huwas a Jew of the tribeof Benjamin, born at Tarsus ; his name at first was Saul, he was brought up in the stria sect of the Pharisees, a man of good morals, and exceeding zealous of the traditions of the fathers ; Acts xiii, 9. and xxi. 39. Pftil. iii. 5, 6. Gal, i. 14. Acts vii. 58. 2. Q. What was his behaviour towards the 'christians while he continued a Pharisee ? A. He was a very great persecutor in his younger years, he made havoc of the church every where, sending men and women to prison, and he encouraged those who stoned Stephen ; Acts viii. 1, 3. and vii. 58. 3. Q. How came he to become a christian ? A. As he was-go- ing to Damascus with orders from the high-priest, to bring all the christians he could find there bound to Jerusalem, he was struckdown on the road, by a blaze of light from heaven ; Acts ix. 1 -3. 4. Q. Did lie hear any voice at the same time ? A. A voice from heaven said to him, " Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ? I am Jesus whom thoupersecutest ?" Verses 4, 5. oo2
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