The life and work of St. Paul

210 THE LIFfi AltD WORK OF ST. PAUL.
through Him. In the Mosaic Law and once more Paul touched but lightly,
and in language least likely to cause offence, upon this dangerous groundremission
of sins was not to be found ; but there was not only remission, but
justification, for all who believed in Jesus. A quotation from Ilabakkuk
formed the striking conclusion of a sermon which had been thus weighted with
awful truths and startling testimony. It warned them that however startling
that testimony might be, yet if they disbelieved it as their fathers had dis-
believed the threat of Chaldean retribution, the contempt of insolent derision
might bo followed by the astonishment of annihilating doom (32-41). 1
Thus, from the standpoint of those who heard him commenting on the
passages which had jast sounded in their ears appealing to the prophecies in
which they believed quoting, or alluding to, the Scriptures which they held
so sacrod relying on the history to which they clung with such fond affection,
and pouring his flood of light on those " dark speeches upon the harp " which
had hitherto wanted their true explanation thus mingling courtesy and warn-
ing, the promises of the past and their fulfilment in the present thus drowning
the dark horror which lay in the thought of a crucified Messiah in the dawning
light of His resurrection did St. Paul weave together argument, appeal, and
testimony to convince them of the new and mighty hope which he proffered,
and to foreshadow that which was so difficult for them to accept the doing
away of the old as that which, having received its divine fulfilment, must now
be regarded as ineffectual symbol and obsolete shadow, that in Christ all things
might become new."
It was not surprising that a discourse so powerful should produce a deep
effect. Even the Jews were profoundly impressed. As they streamed out of
the synagogue, Jew and Gentile alike 3
begged that the same topics might be
dwelt on in the discourse of the next Sabbath;* and after the entire breaking
up of the congregation, many both of the Jews and of the Proselytes of the
Gate followed Paul and Barnabas for the purpose of further inquiry and con-
versation. Both at that time and during the week the Apostles did all they
could to widen the knowledge of these inquirers, and to confirm their nascent
faith. 6 Meanwhile the tidings of the great sermon spread through the city.
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