Acts 22

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXII.—With great prudence, temper, courage, and faithfulness, ought the cause of Christ to be maintained against its most malicious opposers.—Blind bigots are in general inflamed against it and its candid professors with the most outrageous and murderous zeal. But God’s grace strangely changes the most furious and obstinate tempers. And yet men often have gospel light shining all around them, and are never thereby converted to Christ, or instructed in his truth.—Even when conversion is begun in a miraculous manner, God leads to the ordinary means of his own appointment to carry it on and render such persons acquainted with his will and their work. And, while baptism solemnly admits them into his church, effectual fervent prayer recommends them to God.—When notorious sinners are converted, their former opposition to Christ sticks fast in their remembrance, and lies heavy on 129 144* their heart: and sometimes God, in merciful chastisement, returns it on their head.—But, if Jesus instal ministers in their office, he will take care of them, and direct their course where they shall be truly successful, when others would have rejected them. And wonderful is the sovereignty of his grace in converting the most distant and unlikely, while others are left to harden themselves in their sins.—Great is their wickedness who are enraged at the extending of God’s redeeming kindness, even to the most despicable and infamous sinners;—and who shut their eyes against the most evident appearances of God’s word and Spirit.—Seasonably he raises up protectors where his servants are in imminent danger.—And, for their own safety, saints ought to insist on their civil privileges, that, while they stand up for his truth, God may own them, and give them further opportunities of defending his and their righteous cause. 12 D