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power, the wretchedness of our condition, and the glory of Emmanuel ?

Have we been brought in humble submission to the foot of the cross, and there, found pardon and peace, and joy, and rest to our souls?

Until this great work be done, we are exposed to the curses of the Law, and the eternal vengeance of a Holy God. But love invites us to his throne, and all who touch the sceptre of his grace shall live.

To prepare the way for Saul's admission into the Christian Church, Jesus appeared in a vision to Ananias, a disciple dwelling at Damascus, and commanded him to enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, that he might put his hand on him, and restore him to sight. Ananias, dreading the interview, replied: “Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem, and here, he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name." Jesus graciously dissipated his fears: "Go thy way, 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 show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake."

Then Ananias went his way, and entered into the house, and putting his hands on him, said: "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. The God of our

fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that JUST ONE, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For, thou shalt be his witness unto all men, of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. And immediately there fell from his eyes, as it had been scales, and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."

Saul, thus adopted into the family of God, through faith in Jesus, was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. "He straightway preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God; showing first unto them at Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things, than those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come: that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles."

Can we then be surprised that all who heard him preach the unsearchable riches of Christ should be amazed, saying: "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 ?"

The conversion of the heart to God is the work of Omnipotence. It is described in Scripture by the boldest figures, being compared to a transition from darkness to light, from death to life; to

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a new birth, and a new creation. The heart of stone is changed into a heart of flesh, and the haughty rebel is converted into an obedient child.

O let us adore the infinite loving-kindness of our God and Saviour, who delighteth in mercy, not desiring the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his way and live.

Lord! what is man, that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visitest him. Wretched fallen man, whose heart rises in rebellion against thee, might justly have been left to perish in his sins. But oh! how infinite is the love which rescues us from deserved woe, and raises us to the highest seat in glory.

Can we meditate on this grace and not feel humbled and thankful? Alas! so hard are our hearts, that even the agony and bloody sweat, the cross and passion of our loving Saviour, can be viewed without emotion. Grace alone can melt the rocky heart. Saul was softened, his obduracy was removed, and his darkness dissipated by the beams of the Sun of Righteousness.

Who then need despair, when the bloody Saul is accepted and saved? Oh! that the Eternal Spirit may descend in all his saving influence on this ruined world; then will earth once more resemble heaven, where Jehovah is loved, and honoured, and obeyed with constancy and delight.

Lord! look upon the covenant of peace, that bow which surrounds thy throne of mercy, for the earth is full of darkness and cruel habitations. Stir up the wills of thy faithful people, subdue the wills of thine enemies; draw all hearts to thyself,

till all the kingdoms of this world shall acknowledge Christ to be the Lord.

The sacred historian informs us that Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that Jesus is very Christ.

Thus his growth in grace, and in the knowledge of his God and Saviour, evidenced the soundness of his conversion, and the reality of his faith. The scriptural evidence of saving faith is love,— love to Christ, and love to his people. How heart-searching was the question of Jesus to Peter: "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" How distinctive the badge which he has given us of our discipleship: "By this shall all men know that are my disciples if ye have love one to another."

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The conversion of Saul of Tarsus to the faith of the Gospel is a standing testimony to the truth of Christianity; and will remain, to the end of time, a monument of Almighty Power.

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With gratitude, he himself declared to the Galatian church this act of the divine sovereignty: certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me, is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

The whole was from Him, who will be gracious to whom he will be gracious. God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness can alone shine into our hearts, to give us the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Like Saul, we may be zealous for our own views, and jealous for the interests of our own

party like him, we may blindly attach merit to a spirit of persecution, and think that to exterminate those who differ from us, is to do God service; but is this the spirit which should dwell and rule in the children of God? Would not such a state of heart prove us to be carnal, however flaming our religious profession might be?

Nothing could be less prepared for a cordial reception of the Gospel than the mind of Saul, when journeying toward Damascus. At this memorable period, he was utterly destitute of true repentance and saving faith. He saw in Christ no beauty that he should desire him.

The Lambs were daily sacrificed upon the temple-altar, but he never felt the need of a better sacrifice to take away sin, and bring in everlasting righteousness.

The high-priest entered every year into the holy place with the blood of others, but he never looked beyond the type to the true Melchisedec, whose atonement and intercession alone could open the gates of heaven, and procure for him an admittance there.

The Scriptures were read every Sabbath-Day, but to him they were a sealed book.

Expecting a temporal Prince, whose reign should surpass that of David in victories, and that of Solomon in splendour, he spurned at the claims of Jesus of Nazareth to the office of Messiah.

Full of overweening thoughts of his own excellence, he could not brook the idea of being saved through the righteousness of another, and especially through him, whom the Rulers had

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