UPON THE HISTORY OF ST. PAUL, DELIVERED DURING LENT, 1831, AT THE CHURCH OF THE PART I. BY THE LATE REV. HENRY BLUNT, A.M., RECTOR OF STREATHAM, SURREY; LATE FELLOW OF PEMBROKE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE; ELEVENTH EDITION. AND LONDON: HATCHARD, PICCADILLY ; HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO., PATERNOSTER ROW. 1851. PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. IN continuing the series of Scriptural Histories, which the author has now for some years past made the subject of his weekly ministrations during the season of Lent, he finds the difficulties increase upon him. There are, in the life of every man. of God, recorded in Holy Writ, so many situations, temptations, and trials, of which he partakes in common with his brethren, that in minutely dwelling upon each as it occurs, the author feels there is an impossibility, at least with his contracted powers, of avoiding repetitions which may become wearisome to his readers. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, there is still so much of interest, and so much of instruction, in all that was done, and said, and written, by these great exemplars of our faith, that it is impossible not to take delight in following up the inquiry, so far as the light of God's Word shall guide us, into the most minute transactions of their lives, and the most secret workings of their souls. After the favourable manner in which the other similar productions of the author have been received, it may be supposed that he feels less hesitation in committing the present volume to the press; the contrary is, however, the fact every successive attempt of this kind only convincing him how much more is needed than he is able to supply, to render these specimens of scriptural biography the invaluable vehicles of Divine truth, which, in other and abler hands, they might unquestionably become. That it may please the great Lord of the harvest to shed upon the seed sown the life-giving dews of His quickening Spirit, that in His good time it may bring forth fruit, and minister spiritual food and sustenance to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, among the souls committed to his charge, is the earnest prayer with which the author accompanies this little work. And if he may look to a still wider circulation of it, he would pray that all, into whose |