December 17

hand what he has spoken with his mouth. The largeness of God's promise in the wilderness was at first too much for the faith of even Moses himself. "And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?" But what said the answer of God? "Is the Lord's hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not." It was otherwise with Abraham the father of the faithful. When God had made promise to Abraham, notwithstanding the improbability, and, naturally considered, impossibility of the fulfilment, "he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able also to perform." So let it be with us, first as to all God has engaged to do for us personally—even to the resurrection of our bodies, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself: and secondly, as to all those declarations of a public nature, and which regard the conversion of the Jews, and the call of the Gentiles, and the filling of the earth with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. These are not visionary representations—"The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it"—and "in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength"—"NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR THE LORD."

DECEMBER 17—"And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: but their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket."—Acts 9:24—25.

THOUGH this is related immediately after Paul's conversion, it did not happen till a very considerable time afterwards. The aim of Luke, the sacred historian, was not to give a full and continued series of events, but to record particular facts and circumstances as he was moved by the Holy Ghost. He therefore often passes over large intervals between without notice.

It was near Damascus the Saviour met with him, and into which he had been led after he arose from the earth: "And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth." Here by Ananias he was restored to sight, and here he received meat, and was strengthened. "Then was Saul certain days with the disciples, which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ." Yet we know from Paul's own declaration, in his Epistle to the Galatians, that instantly upon this

he did not go up to Jerusalem, but went into Arabia, where, during three years, he was taught, not of man, nor by man, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is probable that, during this period, he more than once visited Damascus. However this may be, here we find him at the end of it; and encompassed with danger, for he was in deaths oft, and could truly say, I die daily. His peril arose from "the Jews, who took counsel to kill him." Instead of being convinced by such a supernatural and notorious event, and which would be attested by so many witnesses, they were only enraged the more: for they viewed him as an apostate from them; and they knew from his talents and zeal how likely he was to promote the cause of Jesus of Nazareth.

Yet such things as they were now doing against him he had himself formerly done to others. How often would he be reminded of his sin in his sufferings! This would tend to keep him humble and patient. "Ah! so I persecuted the Church of God, and wasted it."

So malignant and determined were they, that "they watched the gates day and night to kill him." At first this looks not like an exertion of authority, but an assassination affair, in which a number of wretches waylaid him of their own accord. Yet the governor was apprized of their design, and was drawn over to their interest, and more than allowed them to keep the egresses: for the city was large, and the avenues many, requiring no few to keep them. The Apostle, in relating the transaction himself says, "The governor, under Aretas the king, kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison desirous to apprehend me."

We have seen his danger, let us observe his deliverance. He seemed a certain prey; but "their lying in wait was known of Saul; and the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket." Here we remark two things. First, the escape was not miraculous. In this way the Lord has often delivered his servants, and in this way he is continually able to deliver them. But he never needlessly multiplied miracles. We cannot see how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, could have been saved out of the midst of the fiery furnace, or Daniel from the lions' den, without a miracle. A miracle also was called for to release Peter from prison, secured as he was, the night before his intended execution. But here the deliverance could be effected by human means; they were therefore properly employed, and Providence only rendered them successful. Secondly; we are not to sacrifice our lives if we can preserve them consistently with a good conscience. Our Lord told his disciples to beware of men; to be wise as serpents, as well as harmless as doves; and if they were persecuted in one city to flee to another. He himself eluded apprehension till he knew his hour was come. In the first age of Christianity we see zeal, but not without knowledge. There was nothing like enthusiasm, fanaticism, or will-worship. It was enough for Christians to take up their cross when they found it in their way; they never went out of their way to find it, any more than to escape it. They only suffered according to the will of God. It was after the Gospel began to be misunderstood and debased that voluntary penalties were deemed meritorious;