Nine Sermons, Sermon 5
SERMON V.
Saul's Converſion.
Acts ix, 2….
But SAUL increaſed the more in Strength and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damaſcus, proving that this is very Chriſt
IT is an undoubted Truth, however it may ſeem a Parado… to natural Men, that Whoſoever will live godly in Chriſt Jeſus ſhall … Perſecution —And therefore it's very remarkable, that our bleſſed Lord, in his glorious Sermon on the Mount, after he had been pronouncing thoſe bleſſed, who were poor in Spirit, meek, … in Heart, and ſuch like, immediately adds (and ſpends no l…ſs than three Verſes in this Beatitude) Bleſſed are they which are perſecuted for Righteouſneſs Sake—For no one ever was, or ever will be endowed with the forementioned Graces in any Degree, but he will at the ſame Time be perſecuted for it … like Meaſure—The… is an irreconcileable … mity between the Seed of the Woman, and … Seed of the Serpent—And if we are not of … World, but ſhew by our Fruits, that we are … the Number of thoſe which Jeſus Chriſt … out of the World, for that very … the World will hate us—As this is true … every particular Chriſtian, ſo it is true of … Chriſtian Church in general—For ſome … paſt we have h…ard but little of a publick Per… cution. Why? Becauſe little of the Power of Godlineſs has prevailed amongſt all Denominations whatſoever—The ſtrong Man armed has had full Poſſeſſion of moſt Profeſſ…rs Heart… ▪ and therefore he has l…t them reſt in a fal…e Peace—But we may aſſure ourſelves, when Jeſus Chriſt … to gather in hi… … in my remarkable Manner, and opens an effectual Door for preaching the everlaſting Goſpel, Perſecution will flame out▪ and Satan and his Emiſſaries will do their utmoſt (tho' all in vain) to … the Work of God—Thus it was in the firſt Ages, thus it is in our Days, and thus it will be, till Time ſhall be no more.
Chriſtians, and Chriſtian Churche… muſt then expect Enemies—Our chief Concern ſhould be to learn how to behave towards them in a Chriſtian Manner—For, unleſs we take good … to ourſelves, we ſhall imbitter our … and act … the Followers of the Lord, … was reviled, … not again, whe…. … ſuffered, threatned …, and as a Lamb before … is … ſo opened … —But what Motive ſhall we make uſe of to bring … to this bleſſed Lamb-like Temper? Next to the immediate Operations of the Holy Spirit upon our Hearts, I know of no Conſideration more conducive to teach … Long ſuffering towards out moſt bitter Perſecutors, th…n … That, for all as we know to the contrary, ſome of thoſe very Perſons, who are now perſecuting, may be choſen from all Eternity by God, and hereafter called in Time to edify and build up the Church of Chriſt.
The Perſecutor Saul mentioned in the Word of the Text (and whoſe Converſion, God wi… ling, I propoſe to treat on in the following Diſcourſe) is a noble Inſtance of this Kind.
I ſay a Perſecutor, and that a bloody One … For ſee how he is introduced in the firſt Verſe of this Chapter—And Saul yet brea…ing … Threatnings and Slaughters againſt the Diſciples of our Lord, went … the High-Prieſt, (Ver. ….) and deſired of him Letters to Damaſcus to the Synagogues, that … any of THIS WAY▪ whether they were Men or Women, he might … them bound to Jeruſalem.
And Saul yet … —This implies … he had been a Perſecutor before—To … that, we need only look back to the 7th … when we ſhall find him ſo very … Stephen's Death, that the Witneſſes ſaid … their Cloaths at a young Man's … whoſe Name was Saul—He ſeems, tho' young, to be in ſome Authority. Perhaps for his Zeal againſt the Chriſtians, he was preferred in the Church, and was allowed to ſit in the great Council or Sani…drim—For we are told, Chap. 8. Ver. 1. That Saul was conſenting unto his Death; and again, at Ver. 3. he is brought in as excelling all in his Oppoſition; for thus ſpeaks the Evangeliſt—As for Saul, he made Havock of the Church, entering into every Houſe, and haling Men and Women, committed them to Priſon—One would have imagined, that this ſhould have ſatisfied, at leaſt abated the Fury of this young Zealot—No. Being exceedingly mad againſt them, as … himſelf informs Agrippa, and having made Havock of all in Jeruſalem, he now is reſolved to perſecute the Diſciples of the Lord, even to ſtrange Cities—And therefore yet breathing out Threatnings—Breathing out—The Words are very emphatical, and expreſive of his bitter Enmity.—It was as natural to him now to threaten the Chriſtians, as it was for him to breathe—He could ſcarce ſpeak, but it was ſome Threatnings againſt them—Nay, he not only breathed out Threatnings, but Slaughters alſo (for thoſe who threaten, would alſo ſlaughter, if it were in their Power▪) And againſt whom does he breathe … th…ſe Threatnings? Againſt the Diſciples … Lord—Inſatiable therefore as Hell, find … could not confute … ſtop the Chriſtians by Force of Argument, he is reſolved … by Force and Arms; and therefore were … High-Prieſt (for there never was a … yet, without a High-Prieſt at the … and deſired of him Letters, iſſued out of his ſpiritual Court, to the Synagogues or Eccleſi…tical Courts at Damaſcus, giving him Authority, that if he found any of THIS WAY, whether they were Men or Women, he might bring them bound unto Jeruſalem; I ſuppoſe to be arraigned and condemned in the High-Prieſt's Court there. Obſerve how he ſpeaks of the Chriſtians—St. Luke, who wrote the Acts, calls them Diſciples of the LORD, and Saul ſtiles them Men and Women of THIS WAY—I doubt not but he repreſented them as a Company of upſtart Enthuſiaſts, that had lately gotten into a … METHOD or Way of Living—That would not be content with the Temple Service, but they muſt be▪ righteous over-much, and have their private Meetings or Conventicles, and break Bread, as they called it, from Houſe to Houſe, to the great Diſturbance of the eſtabliſh'd Clergy, and to the utter Subverſion of all Order and Decency—I don't hear that the High-Prieſt makes any Objection—No, he was as willing to grant Letters, as Saul was to aſk them, and wonderfully pleaſed within himſelf to … had ſuch an active Zealot to employ … the Chriſtians.
Well then, a judicial Proceſs is immediately iſſued out, with the High-Prieſt's … it—And now methinks I ſee the young … …nely equipped, and pleaſing … Thoughts, how triumphantly he ſhould … with the Men and Women of THIS … dragging after him to Jeruſalem.
What a Condition may we imagine the poor Diſciples at Damaſcus were in at this Time▪—No doubt they had heard of Saul's in pr…ſ…ning and making Havock of the Saints at Jeruſalem, and we may well ſuppoſe were appriſed of … Deſign againſt them—I am perſuaded this was a growing, becauſe a trying Time with theſe dear People—Oh! how did they wreſtle with God in Prayer, beſeeching him either to deliver them from, or give th…m Grace ſufficient to enable them to bear up under the Fury of their Perſecutors? The High-Prieſt no doubt, with the reſt of his Reverend Brethren, flattered themſelves, that they ſhould now put an effectual Stop to this growing Hereſy, and waited with Impatience for Saul's Return.
But He that ſitt…th in Heaven laughs them to ſcorn, the Lord has them in Deriſion. And therefore, Ver. 3. As SAUL journeyed, and came even near unto Damaſcus, perhaps to the very Gates, (our Lord permitting this to try the Faith of his Diſciples, and more conſpicuouſly to baffle the Deſigns of his Enemies) ſuddenly (at Mid-Day, … …e acquaints Agrippa) … ſhined round about him a Light from Heaven—A Light brighter than the Sun—And he fell … the Earth (and why not into Hell?) And … Voice ſaying unto him SAUL, SAUL, … perſecuteſt thou ME? The Word is …bled, Saul, Saul, like that of our Lord … Martha; Martha, Martha, or the … O Earth, Earth, Earth! Perhaps theſe Words came like Thunder to his Soul—That they were ſpoken audibly we are aſſured from Ver. 7 … Companions heard the Voice—Our Lord now arreſts the perſecuting Zealot, calls him by Name, Saul, Saul, for the Word never does us good, till we find it ſpoken to us in particular—Why perſecuteſt thou ME? Put the Emphaſis upon the Word Why, what Evil have I done? Put it upon the Word, perſecuteſt, why perſecuteſt? I ſuppoſe Saul thought he was not perſecuting, no, he was only putting the Laws of the Eccleſiaſtical Court into Execution. But Jeſus, whoſe Eyes are as a Flame of Fire▪ ſaw through the Hypocriſy of his Heart, that notwithſtanding his ſpecious Pretences, all this proceeded from a perſecuting Spirit, and ſecret Enmity of Heart againſt God, and therefore ſays, Why perſecuteſt thou ME? Put the Emphaſis upon the Word ME, Why perſecuteſt thou ME? Alas! Saul was not perſecuting Chriſt…, was he? He was only taking Care to prevent Innovations in the Church, and bringing a Company of Enthuſiaſts to Juſtice, who otherwiſe would overturn the eſtabliſhed Conſtitution—But Jeſus ſays, Why perſecuteſt thou ME? For what is done to Chriſt's Diſciples, he takes … done to himſelf, whether it be Good, or whether it be Evil—He … touches Chriſt's Diſciples, touches the Apple of his Eye—And they that perſecute the Followers of our Lord▪ …ould perſecute our Lord himſelf was he again … come and tabernacle amongſt us.
I do not find that Saul gives any Reaſon why he did perſecute. No, he was ſtruck dumb— As every Perſecutor will be, when Jeſus Chriſt puts this ſame Queſtion to them at the terrible Day of Judgment. But being pricked at the Heart, no doubt with a Senſe not only of thi…, but all his other Offences againſt the great God▪ he ſaid, Ver. 5. Who art thou Lord? See how ſoon God can change the Heart and Voice … his moſt bitter Enemies—Not many Days … Saul was not only blaſpheming Chriſt him… but, as much as in him lay, compelling … to blaſpheme alſo—But now he, who before … an Impoſtor, is now called Lord—Who … Lord?—This admirably points out the … how God's Spirit works upon the Hear… … firſt powerfully convinces of Sin, and of … damnable State, and then puts us upon … after Jeſus Chriſt—Saul being ſtruck … the Ground, or rather pricked to the Heart, cries ou… after Jeſus—Who art thou Lord? A… many of you that were never ſo far made ſenſible of your damnable State, as to be made feelingly to ſeek after Jeſus Chriſt, were never ye… truly convicted by, much leſs converted to God. May the Lord, who ſtruck Saul, effectually now ſtrike all my chriſtleſs Hearers, and ſet then▪ upon enquiring after Jeſus as their ALL in ALL!—Saul ſaid, Who art thou Lord? … the Lord ſaid, I am Jeſus whom thou perſecute … Never did any one inquire truly after … Chriſt, but Chriſt made a ſaving Diſcover … himſelf to his Soul—It ſhould ſeem … appeared to him in Perſon, for … wards ſays, the Lord who appeared … May which thou cam…, or that may only imply … meeting him in the Way—It is … …ch Matter—It is plain Chriſt here ſpeaks … him, and ſays, I am Jeſus whom thou perſe… —It is remarkable, how our Lord takes … the Name of Jeſus—For it is a Name … when he delights—I am Jeſus, a Saviour of … People, both from the Guilt and Power of th…r Sin… ▪—But a Jeſus whom thou perſecuteſt—This ſeem… to be ſpoken to convince Saul more and more of his Sin, and I doubt … but every Word was ſharper than a two edged Sword, and came like ſo many Daggers to his Heart—Oh, how did theſe Words affect him … a Jeſus! a Saviour! and yet I am perſecuting him! This ſtrikes him with Horror—But then the Word Jeſus, tho' …e was a Perſecutor, might give him ſome Hope—However, our dear Lord, to convince Saul that he was to be ſaved by Grace, and that … was not afraid of his Power and Enmity, tells him—"It is hard for thee to kick againſt the Pricks"—As much as to ſay, tho' he was perſecuting, yet he could not overthrow the Church of Chriſt—For he would ſit as King upon his holy Hill of Zion—The Malice of Men or Devils ſhould never be able to prevail againſt him.
And he, Ver. 6. Trembling and aſtoniſhed▪ ſaid, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Thoſe who think Saul had before a Diſcovery … Jeſus made to his Heart, think that this Queſtion is the Reſult of his Faith, and that he now deſires to know, what he ſhall do out of Gratitude for what the Lord had done for his Soul—In th… this Senſe it may be underſtood—*See my Sermon on, What think ye of Chriſt? And I have made uſe of it as an Inſtance to prove, that Faith will work by Love—But perhaps it may be more agreeable to the Context, if we ſuppoſe, that Saul had only ſome diſtant Diſcovery of Chriſt made to him, and not a full Aſſurance of Faith—For we are told, he trembling and aſtoniſhed, trembling at the Thoughts of his perſecuting a Jeſus, and aſtoniſhed at his own Vileneſs, and the infinite Condeſcenſion of this Jeſus, cries out, Lord, what wilt thou have me do?—For Perſons under Soul-Trouble, and …ore Conviction, would be glad to do any Thing, … comply on any Terms, to get Peace with God— Ariſe, ſays our Lord, and go into the City, and it ſhall be told thee what thou ſhalt do .
And here then will we leave Saul awhile, and ſee what is become of his Companions—But what ſhall we ſay? God is a ſovereign Agent—His ſacred Spirit bloweth when and where it liſteth—He will have Mercy upon whom he will have Mercy. Saul is taken, but, as far as we know to the contrary, his Fellow-Travellers are le…t to periſh in their Sins—For we are told, Ver. 7. That the Men which journyed with him ſtood indeed ſpeechleſs, and hearing a confuſed Voice—I ſay a confuſed Voice, for ſo the Word ſignifies, and muſt be ſo interpreted, in order to recon…le it with Chap. xxii. Ver. 9. where Saul, giving an Account of theſe Men, tells Agrippa—They … not the Voice of him that … to me—They heard a Voice, a confuſed No…e, but not the … Voice of him that ſpake to Saul, and therefore remained unconverted—For what … all Ordinances, all even the moſt … Diſpenſations of Providence, without … to the Soul in them▪—… it is now … the Word preached—Many, like … Companions, are ſometimes ſo ſtruck with the Outgoings of God appearing in the Sanctuary, that they even ſtand ſpeechleſs.—They hear the Preacher's Voice, but not the Voice of the Son of God, who perhaps at the ſame Time is ſpeaking effectually to many other Hear…—This I have known often—And what ſhall we ſay to theſe Things! Oh the Depth of the Sovereignty of God! Its paſt finding out—Lord, I deſire to adore what I cannot …—… ſo, Father, for ſo it ſeemeth good … Sight.
But to return to Saul—The LORD, Ver. 6. … him … and go into the City—And we are … Ver. 8. that SAUL … from the Earth; and when his …, …he was ſo overpowered with the … of the Light that … upon them … no Man, but they led him by the … him into Damaſcus. That very … which was to be the Place of his executing or impriſoning the Diſciples of the Lord. And … (Ver. 9.) three Days without Sight, and neither … eat or drink.—But who can tell what Horrors of Conſcience, what Convulſions of Soul, what … and pungent Convictions of Sin he under went during theſe three long Days—It was this took away his Appetite (For who can eat or drink when under a Senſe of the Wrath of God for Sin?) and being to be greatly employed hereafter, … muſt be greatly humbled now—And therefore the Lord leaves him three Days groaning under the Spirit of Bondage, and buffeted no doubt with the fiery Darts of the Devil, that being tempted like unto his Brethren, he might be able hereafter to ſuccour thoſe that were tempted.—Had Saul applied to any of the blind Guides of the Jewiſh Church under theſe Circumſtances, they would have ſaid he was mad or going beſides himſelf, as many carnal Teachers and blind Phariſees now deal with, and ſo more and more diſtreſs poor Souls labouring under awakening Convictions of their damnable State—But God often at our firſt Awakenings viſits us with ſore Trials, eſpecially thoſe who are like Soul to ſhine in the Church, and to be uſed as Inſtruments in bringing many Sons to Glory—Thoſe who are to be highly exalted, muſt firſt be deeply humbled.—And this I ſpeak for the Comfort of ſuch who may be now groaning under the Spirit of Bondage, and perhaps like Saul, can neither eat nor drink, for I have generally obſerved, that thoſe who have had the deepeſt Convictions, have afterwards been …avoured with the moſt precious Communications▪ and enjoyed … of the divine Preſ…nce in their Souls—This was afterwards remarkably exemplified in Saul, who was now three Days without Sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
But will the Lord leave his poor Servant in this Diſtreſs? No, his Jeſus (tho' Saul perſecuted him) promiſed (and he will perform) that it ſhould be told him what he muſt do—And there was (Ver. 10.) a certain Diſciple at Damaſcus, named Ananias, and unto him ſaid the Lord in a Viſion, Ananias—And he ſaid, Behold I am here, Lord.—Oh what a holy Familiarity is there between Jeſus Chriſt and regenerate Souls—Ananias had been uſed to ſuch Love-Viſits, and therefore knew the Voice of his Beloved—The Lord ſays Ananias. Ananias ſays, Behold I am here, Lord—Thus it is that Chriſt now, as well as formerly, often talks with his Children at ſundry Times and after divers Manners, as a Man talketh with his Friend—But what has the Lord to ſay to Ananias?
Ver. 11. And the Lord ſaid unto him, Ariſe and go into the Street which is called STREIGHT, and inquire in the Houſe of Judas, for one called Saul of Tar…is (… here for your Comfort, O Children of the moſt high God, what Notice Jeſus Chriſt takes of the Street and the Houſe where his own dear Servants lodge) for Behold, he prayeth—But why is this uſher'd in with the Word Behold! What, was it ſuch a Wonder, to hear that Saul was praying! Why Saul was a Phari…e, and therefore, no doubt, faſted and made long Prayers—And ſince we are told that he profited above many of his Equals, I doubt not but he was taken notice of for his Gift in Prayer. And yet it ſeemed before theſe three Days Saul never prayed in his Life—And why? Becauſe, before theſe three Days, he never felt himſelf a condemned Creature—He was alive in his own Opinion, becauſe without a Knowledge of the ſpiritual Meaning of the Law, he felt not a want of, and therefore before now, cried not after a Jeſus, and conſequently, tho' he might have ſaid or made a Prayer (as many Phariſees do now a-days) he never prayed a Prayer.—But now, Behold! he prayeth indeed—And this was urged as one Reaſon why he was converted.—None of God's Children, as one obſerves, come into the World ſtill-born—Prayer is the very Breath of the new Creature, and therefore if we are Prayerleſs we are Chriſtleſs—If we never had the Spirit of Supplication, it is a ſad Sign that we never had the Spirit of Grace in our Souls; and you may be aſſured you never did pray, unleſs you have felt your ſelves damnable Sinners, and the Want of Jeſus to be your Saviour.—May the Lord, whom I ſerve in the Goſpel of his dear Son, prick you all to the Heart, and may it be ſaid of you all as it was of Saul, Behold, they pray!
The Lord goes on to encourage Ananias to go to Saul—For, ſays he Ver. 12. he hath ſeen in a Viſion a Man named Ananias, coming in, and putting his Hand on him, that he might have his Sight.—So that though Chriſt converted Saul immediately by himſelf, yet he will carry on the Work thus begun by a Miniſter—Happy they who under Soul-Troubles have ſuch experienced Guides, and as well acquainted with Jeſus Chriſt as Ananias was—You that have ſuch, Oh! make much of and be thankful for them—And you that have them not, truſt in God—He will carry on his own Work without them.
Doubtleſs, Ananias was a good Man; but ſhall I commend him for his Anſwer to our Lord? I commend him not—For ſays he, Ver. 13. Lord, I have heard by many of this Man, how much Evil he hath done to thy Saints at Jeruſalem: And here, Ver. 14. he hath Authority from the Chief Prieſts to bind all that call upon thy Name.—I fear this Anſwer proceeded from ſome Relicks of Self-Righteouſneſs, as well as Infidelity, that lay undiſcovered in the Heart of Ananias.—Ariſe, ſays our Lord, and go into the Street which is called Streight, and inquire in the Houſe of Judas, for one called Saul of Tarſus; for behold, be prayeth!—One would think this was ſufficient to ſatisfy him—But ſays Ananias, Lord, I have heard by many of this Man—(he ſeems to ſpeak of him with much Contempt; for even good Men are apt to think too contemptuouſly of thoſe who are yet in their Sins) how much Evil he hath done to thy Saints in Jeruſalem: And here he hath Authority from the Chief Prieſ…s▪ to bind all that call upon thy Name—And what then Ananias? Is any Thing too hard for the Lord▪ Who made thee to differ? May not he who converted thee, convert him alſo? Surely Ananias here forgets himſelf, or perhaps fears, left this Man who had Authority from the Chief Prieſts, to bind all that call upon Chriſt's Name, ſhould bind him alſo, if he went unto him—But the Lord ſilences all Objections with a Go thy Way. Ver. 15. For he is a choſen Veſſel unto me, to …ear my Name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the Children of Iſrael—For I will ſhew him (Ver. 16) how great Things he muſt ſuffer for my Name's Sake—Here God ſtops his Mouth immediately, by aſſerting his Sovereignty, and preaching to him the Doctrine of Election—And the frequent Converſion of notorious Sinners to God, to me is one great Proof, amongſt a thouſand others, of that precious, but too much exploded, and …adly miſrepreſented Doctrine of God's electing Love—From whence is it that ſuch are taken, whilſt thouſands not near ſo vile die ſenſeleſs and ſtupid? All the Anſwer that can be given is, They are choſen Veſſels—Go thy Way, ſays God, for he is a choſen Veſſel unto me, to bear my Name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the Children of Iſrael—For I will ſhew him how great Things he muſt ſuffer for my Name's Sake—Obſerve, what a cloſe Connection there is between Doing and Suffering for Chriſt—If any of my Brethren in the Miniſtry are preſent, let them hear what Preferment we muſt expect, if we are called out to work remarkably for God—Not great Prebendaries or Biſhopricks, but great Sufferings for our Lord's Name Sake—Theſe are the Fruits of our Labour; and he that will not contentedly ſuffer great Things for preaching Chriſt, is not worthy of him—Suffering will be found to be the beſt Preferment, when we are called to give an Account of our Miniſtry at the Great Day.
I do not hear Ananias quarrelling with God concerning the Doctrine of Election. No: (Oh that all good Men would in this learn of him!) He went his Way, (Ver. 17.) and entered into the Houſe; and put his Hands on him, and ſaid, Brother Saul—Juſt now 'twas this Man▪ Now it is Brother Saul—For it's no Matter what a Man has been, if he be now a Chriſtian—The ſame ſhould be our Brother, our Siſter and Mother. God blots out every Convert's Trangreſſions, as with a thick Cloud, and ſo ſhould we—The more vile a Man has been, the more ſhould we love him when believing on Chriſt, becauſe Chriſt will be more glorified on his Behalf—I doubt not but Ananias was wonderfully delighted to hear that ſo remarkable … Perſecutor was brought home to God—I am perſuaded he felt his Soul immediately united to him by Love, and therefore addreſſes him not with, Thou Perſecutor, Thou Murderer, that cameſt to Butcher me and my Friends, but Brother Saul—'Tis remarkable that the primitive Chriſtians much uſed the Word Brother and Brethren—I know it's a Term now much in Reproach, but thoſe who deſpiſe it, I believe would be glad to be of our Brotherhood, when they ſee us ſitting at the Right-hand of the Majeſty on High… ▪ Brother Saul—The Lord (even Jeſus that appeared unto thee in the Way as thou cameſt) hath ſent me, that thou mighteſt receive thy Sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghoſt—At this Time me may ſuppoſe, he laid his Hands upon him. See the Conſequences.
Ver. 18. Immediately there ſell from his … as it had been Scales, and he received Sight forth with, not only bodily but ſpiritual Sight—He immerged as it were into a new World—He ſaw and felt too, Things unutterable—He felt a Union of his Soul with God—He received the Spirit of Adoption—He could now, with a full Aſſurance of Faith, cry Abba, Father—Now was he filled with the Holy Ghoſt—Now was he filled with the Love of God ſhed abroa… in his Heart—Now were the Days of his Mourning ended—Now was Chriſt formed in his Soul—Now he could give Men and Devils the Challenge, knowing that Chriſt had juſtified him▪—Now he ſaw the Excellencies of Chriſt▪ and eſteemed him the faireſt among ten Thouſand. You only know how to ſympathize with the Apoſtle in his Joy, who, after a long Night of Bondage, have been ſet free by the Spirit, and have received Joy in the Holy Ghoſt—May all that are now mourning, as Saul was, be comforted … like Manner!
The Scales then are now removed from the Eyes of Saul's Mind, Ananias has done that for him under God, he muſt now do another Office, viz. baptize him, and ſo receive him into the viſible Church of Chriſt—A good Proof … of the Neceſſity of Baptiſm where it may be had—For I find here, as well as elſewhere, that Baptiſm is adminiſter'd even to thoſe who had received the Holy Ghoſt.—Saul was convinced of this, and therefore ar…e and was baptized—And now it is Time for him to recruit the outward Man, which by three Days Abſtinence and ſpiritual Conflicts, had been much impaired—We are therefore told, (Ver. 19.) when he had received Meat he was ſtrengthened.
But Oh, with what Comfort did the Apoſtle … eat his Food▪—I am ſure it was with Singleneſ… ▪ I am perſuaded alſo with Gladneſs of Heart—And why? He kn…w that he was reconciled to God—And for my own Part, did I not know how blind and flinty our Hearts are by Nature, I ſhould wonder how any one could eat even his common Food with any Satisfaction, who has not ſome well-grounded Hope of … being reconciled to God—Our Lord intimates thus much to …—For in his glorious Prayer, after he has taught us to pray for our daily Bread, immediately adds that Petition, Forgive … our Treſpaſſes—As tho' our daily Bread would do us no Service, unleſs we were ſenſible of having the Forgiveneſs of our Sins.
To proceed: Saul hath now received Meat, and is ſtrengthened. And whither will he go now? To ſee the Brethren—Then was Saul certain Days with the Diſciples that were at Damaſcus—For i… we know, and love Chriſt▪ … ſhall alſo love, and deſire to …e acquainted with the Brethren of Chriſt—We may generally know a Man by his Company. And tho' all are not Saints that aſſociate with Saints (for …ares will be always ſpringing up amongſt the Wheat till the Time of Harveſt … we … keep Company, but are ſhy and aſhamed of the deſpiſed Children of God, it's a certain … we have not yet experimentally learnt Jeſus, or receiv'd him into our Hearts—My dear Friend—Be not deceived—If we are Friends to the Bridegroom, we ſhall be Friends to the Children of the Bridegroom—Soul, as ſoon as he … filled with the Holy Ghoſt, was certain Day with the Diſciples that were at Damaſcus.
But who can tell what Joy theſe Diſciples felt when Saul came amongſt them! I ſuppoſe holy Ananias introduced him—Methinks I ſee the once preſecuting Zealot, when they came to ſalute him with a holy Kiſs, throwing himſelf upon each of their Necks, weep…g over them with Floods of Tears, and ſaying, O my Brother, O my Siſter, Can you forgive me▪ Can you give ſuch a Wretch as I the Right-hand of Fellowſhip, who intended to drag you behind me bound unto Jeruſalem … Th…s I ſay we may ſuppoſe Saul addreſſed himſelf to his n…w Fellow-Diſciples, and I doubt not but they were as ready to forgive and forget as Ananias was, and ſaluted him with the … learin… ▪ Title of Brother Saul—Lovely was this Meeting, ſo lovely, that it ſeemed Saul continued certain Days with them, to communicate Experiences, and to learn the Way of God more per…ectly, to pray for a Bleſſing on his … Miniſtry, and to praiſe Chriſt Jeſus for what he had done for their Souls—Saul perhaps had …at certain Years at the Feet of Gam…li…l, but undoubtedly learnt more there certain Days, than … had learnt before in all his Life—It pleaſes … to think how th… great Scholar is transform'd … the renewing of his Mind, what a mighty Change was here▪—That ſo great a Man as Saul was, both as to his Station in Life, and internal Qualifications, and ſuch a bitter Enemy … the Chriſtians; for him I ſay, to go and be … Days with the People of THIS mad WAY, and to ſit quietly, and be taught of unle…ned and …literate Men, as many of theſe Diſciples we may be ſure were▪ What a ſubſtantial Proof was this of the Reality of his Converſion?
What a Hurry and Confuſion may we ſuppoſ… the Chief Prieſts were in! Now I warrant they were ready to cry out, What is …e alſo deceived? As for the common People, who knew not the Law, and are accurſed, for them to be carried away, is no ſuch Wonder—But for a Man bred up at the F…et of …, for ſuch a Scholar, ſuch an Enemy to their Cauſe as Saul, for him to be led away with a Company f…ly, deceived Men and Women, ſurely it's impoſſible▪ We cannot believe it▪But Saul ſoon convinces them of the Rea…y of his becoming a Fool for Chriſt's Sake—For ſtr…ightway (Ver. 20.) inſtead of going to deliver the Letters from the High Prieſts, as they expected, in order to bring the Diſciples that were at Damaſcus bound to Jeruſalem, He preached Chriſt in the Synagogues, that he is the Son of God—This was another Proof of his being converted—He not only converſed with Chriſtians in private, but he preached Chriſt publickly in the Synagogues Eſpecially he inſiſted on the Divinity of our Lord, proving, notwithſtanding his Humiliation, that he was really the Son of God.
But why did Saul preach Chriſt thus? Becauſe he had felt the Power of Chriſt upon his own Soul—And here's the Reaſon why Chriſt is ſo ſeldom preached, and his Divinity ſo ſlightly inſiſted on in our Synagogues, 'tis becauſe the Generality of thoſe that pretend to preach him, never felt a ſaving Work of Converſion upon their own Souls—How can they preach, unleſs they are firſt taught of, and then ſent by God? Saul did not preach Chriſt before he knew him, no more ſhould any one elſe.—An unconverted Miniſter, tho' he could ſpeak with the Tongues of Men and Angels, will be but as a ſounding Braſs and tinkling Cymbal to thoſe whoſe Senſes are exerciſed to diſcern ſpiritual Things—Miniſters that are unconverted, may talk and declaim of Chriſt, and prove from Books that he is the Son of God, but they cannot preach with the Demonſtration of the Spirit and with Power, unleſs they preach from Experience, and have had a Proof of his Divinity, by a Work of Grace wrought upon their own Souls—God forgive thoſe, who lay Hands on an unconverted Man, knowing that he is ſuch—I would not do it for a thouſand Worlds—Lord Jeſus keep thy own faithful Servants pure, and let them not be then Partakers of other Men's Sins.
Such an Inſtance as Saul's Converſion was, we may be aſſured muſt make a great deal of Noiſe, and therefore no Wonder we are told, Ver. 21. But all that heard him were amazed, and ſaid, Is not this …e that deſtroyed them which called on his Name in Jeruſalem, and came hither for that Intent, that he might bring them bound to the Chief Prieſts?
And thus it will be with all that appear publickly for Jeſus Chriſt; and it's as impoſſible for a true Chriſtian to be hid, as a City built upon a Hill—Brethren, if you are faithful to, you muſt be reproached, and have Remarks made on you for Chriſt; eſpecially if you have been remarkably wicked before your Converſion. What, (will your Friends ſay) is not this he, or ſhe, who a little while ago would run to as great Exceſs of Riot and Vanity as the worſt of us all? What has turned your Brain? Or if you have been cloſe, falſe, formal Hypocrites as Saul was, they will wonder that you ſhould be ſo deceived, as to think you were not in a ſafe State before—As, no doubt, Numbers were ſurprized to hear Saul, who was touching the Law blameleſs, affirm that he wa… in a damnable Condition, (as in all Probability he did) a few Days ago.
Brethren, you muſt expect to meet with many ſuch Difficulties as theſe—the Scourge of the Tongue is generally the firſt Croſs we are called to bear for the Sake of Chriſt—Let not therefore this move you—It did not intimidate, no…, it rather encouraged Saul.
But SAUL, ſays the Text, increaſed the more in Strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damaſcus, proving that this is very Chriſt.—Oppoſition never yet did, nor ever will hurt a ſincere Convert—Nothing like Oppoſition to make the Man of God perfect—None but a Hireling, who careth not for the Sheep, will be affrighted at the Approach or Barking of Wolves—Chriſt's Miniſters are as bold as Lions—It is not for ſuch Men as they to flee.
And therefore (that I may draw towards a Concluſion) let the Miniſters and Diſciples of Chriſt, learn from Saul, not to fear Men or their Revilings, but, like him, increaſe in Strength, the more wicked Men endeavour to weaken their Hands.—We cannot be Chriſtians without being oppoſed—No—Diſciples in general muſt ſuffer—Miniſters in particular muſt ſuffer great Things—But let not this move any of us from our Stedfaſtneſs in the Goſpel—He that ſtood by and ſtrengthned Saul, will alſo ſtand by and ſtrengthen us. He is a God, mighty to ſave all that put their Truſt in him—If we look up with an Eye of Faith, we, as well as the firſt Martyr St. Stephen, may ſee Jeſus ſtanding at the right Hand of God, ready to aſſiſt and protect us—Tho' the Lord's Seat is in Heaven, yet he has Reſpect to his Saints in an eſpecial Manner when ſuffering here on Earth—Then the Spirit of Chriſt and of Glory reſts upon, their Souls. And, if I may ſpeak my own Experience, I never enjoy more rich Communications from God, than when deſpiſed and rejected of Men for the Sake of Jeſus Chriſt. However little they may deſign it, my Enemies are my greateſt Friends—What I moſt fear is a Calm; but the Enmity which is in the Hearts of natural Men againſt Chriſt, will not ſuffer them to be quiet long—No. As I hope the Work of God will increaſe, ſo the Rage of Men and Devils will increaſe alſo—Let us put on therefore the whole Armour of God—Oh! let us not fear the Face of Men—Let us fear him only, who can deſtroy both Body and Soul in Hell—I ſay unto you, let us fear him alone—You ſee how ſoon God can ſtop the Fury of his Enemies—You have juſt now heard of a proud, powerful Zealot ſtop'd in his full Career ſtruck down to the Earth with a Light from Heaven, converted by the Almighty Power of efficacious Grace, and thereupon zealouſly promoting, nay reſolutely ſuffering for the Faith which once with Threatnings & Slaughters he endeavour'd to deſtroy—Let this teach us to pity and pray for our Lord's moſt inveterate Enemies—Who knows, but in Anſwer thereunto, our Lord may give them Repentance unto Life? Moſt think, that Chriſt had Reſpect to Stephen's Prayer, when he converted Saul—Perhaps for this Reaſon God ſuffers his Adverſaries to go on, that his Goodneſs and Power may ſhine more bright in their Converſion—But let no… the Perſecutors of Chriſt take Encouragement from this to continue in their Oppoſition—Remember, tho' Saul was converted, yet the High Prieſt and … Companions were left dead in Treſpaſſes and Sins. And if this ſhould be your Caſe, you will of all Men be moſt miſerable—For Perſecutors have the loweſt Place in Hell. … Saul was ſtruck to the Earth by a Light from Heaven, how will you be able to ſtand before Jeſus Chriſt, when he comes in terrible Majeſty to take Vengeance on all thoſe who have perſecuted his Goſpel?—Then the Queſtion, Why perſecuteſt thou me? will cut you through and through—The ſecret Enmity of your Heart ſhall then be detected before Men and Angels, and you ſhall be doomed to dwell in the Blackneſs of Darkneſs for evermore—Kiſs the Son therefore, leſt he be angry—For even you may yet find Mercy, if you believe on the Son of God—Tho' you perſecute him, yet he will be your Jeſus—I cannot deſpair of any of you, when I find a Saul among the Diſciples at Damaſcus—What tho' your Sins are as Scarlet, the Blood of Chriſt ſhall waſh them as white as Snow—Having much to be forgiven, deſpair not, only beelieve, and like Saul, of whom I have now been ſpeaking, love much—He counted himſelf the chiefeſt Sinner of all, and therefore laboured more abundantly than all. Who is there among you fearing the Lord? Whoſe Hearts hath the Lord now opened to hearken to the Voice of his poor unworthy Servant?—Surely the Lord will not let me preach in vain—Who is the happy Soul that is this Day to be waſhed in the Blood of the Lamb? Will no poor Sinner take Encouragement from Saul to come to Jeſus Chriſt? You are all thronging …nd about, but which of you will touch the Lord Jeſus▪ What a Comfort will it be to Saul, and and to your own Souls, when you meet him in Heaven, to tell him, that hea…ing of his, was a Means, under God, of your Converſion. Doubtleſs, it was written for the Encouragement of all poor returning Sinners—He himſelf tells us ſo, for in me, ſays he, God ſhewed all Long-ſuffering, that I might be an Example … them that ſhould hereafter believe—Was Saul here himſelf he would tell you ſo—Indeed he would; but being dead, by this Account of his Converſion, he yet ſpeaketh—Oh, that God may ſpeak by it to your Hearts! Oh, that the Arrows of God might this Day ſtick faſt in your Souls, and you were made to cry out—Who art thou Lord? Are there any ſuch among you? Methinks I feel ſomething of what this Saul fel… when he ſaid, … vail in Birth again for you, till Chriſt be formed again in your Hearts—O come, come away to Jeſus, on whom Saul believed, and then I care not if the High Prieſts iſſue out never ſo many Writs of Indictments, or injuriouſly drag me to a Priſon.—The Thoughts of being inſtrumental in ſaving you, will make me ſing Praiſes even at Midnight—And I know you will be my Joy and Crown of rejoicing, when I am delivered from this earthly Priſon, and meet you in the Kingdom of God hereafter.
Now to God, &c.