Acts 9

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. IX.—Some of God’s elected people may go the most fearful lengths in sin before their conversion, to manifest that it must be merely of free grace. Yes, great is their madness, their malice, against the Redeemer; and all at their own infinite hazard. How irrefragable are the proofs of our Saviour’s exaltation to his Father’s right hand! He has appeared and spoken from heaven with divine majesty and glory; and, through an authoritative use of his name by faith, has healed the sick and raised the dead;—even the dead in trespasses and sins. Victorious and sovereign also is his grace. It strikes the most daring sinner into trembling and astonishment, stops his career of wickedness, and makes him all concern, all resignation, all obedience to his will; gives him a heart to pray, and turns the furious persecutor into a zealous preacher of the faith which he had once destroyed. No wonder that both saints and sinners are amazed at the marvellous change. Through great distress and darkness the elect are sometimes brought into their new covenant state, to their spiritual comforts, and remarkable usefulness in the church. But the miraculous convert is gradually emboldened and strengthened, to the silencing and confounding of every opposer. With great caution ought church members to be admitted; but never should those whom Christ has marked with his grace and truth be rejected.—It is impossible for Christ ever to want instruments for carrying on his work. If he find them not he can make them, and can easily take away all their objections and discouraging difficulties. Nor can the most furious malice nor the most crafty plots cut off one of them till their work be finished. Whenever he pleases he can turn threatenings against, and slaughter of his people, into rest and peace, and can fill them with the comforts of the Holy Ghost, that they may be multiplied and edified. Pleasantly then do ministers visit churches, and impart benefits in the name of their Master.—Thrice happy are they when their faithful ministrations issue in the conversion of multitudes. And it is honourable for saints, and their profession, when their piety and charity render their life greatly desired, and their death as much lamented