Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 17
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10 LIFE OF PAUL . witnessedthe debasingpower of heathenworship,and enduredthespiritualbondageof Pharisaic exaction . Saul of Tarsus was a Jew , not only by descent,but by the strongertiesof lifelongtraining, patrioticdevotion, and religiousfaith. Though a Roman citizen, born in a Gentile city,he was educatedin Jerusalemby the most eminentof the rabbis,and diligentlyinstructed in all the laws and traditions of the Fathers . Thus he shared,to thefullestextent,the hopes and aspirations, the loftyprideand unyielding prejudice, of his nation. He declareshimself to have been " a Hebrew of the Hebrews ; as touchingthe law, a Pharisee; concerningzeal, persecutingthechurch; touchingthe righteousness which is in the law , blameless." He was regardedby the Jewishleadersas a young man of greatpromise,and high hopeswere cherished concerninghim as an able and zealousdefender of the ancient faith . In common with hisnation,Saul had cherished the hope of a Messiahwho shouldreignas a temporalprince,tobreak from the neck of Israel the Roman yoke ,and exalther to the throne of universalempire. He had no personalknowledgeof Jesusof Nazarethor of hismission,but he readilyimbibed the scorn and hatred of the rabbistowardone who was sofarfrom fulfilling theirambitioushopes; and afterthe death of Christ,he eagerlyjoinedwith priestsand rulers inthepersecutionof hisfollowersas a proscribed and hated sect. The Jewishleadershad supposedthatthework of Christwould end with him ; that when his voicewas no longerheard,the excitementwould