_Saul_’s Conversion.
ACTS ix. 22.
_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 paradoxical it may seem to natural men, that “whosoever will live godly in CHRIST JESUS, shall suffer persecution.” And therefore it is 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, pure in heart, and such like, immediately adds (and spends no less than three verses in this beatitude) “Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake.” No one ever was, or ever will be endowed with the forementioned graces in any degree, but he will be persecuted for it in a measure. There is an irreconcileable enmity between the seed of the woman, and the seed of the serpent. And if we are not of the world, but shew by our fruits that we are of the number of those whom JESUS CHRIST has chosen out of the world, for that very reason the world will hate us. As this is true of every particular christian, so it is true of every christian church in general. For some years past we have heard but little of a public persecution: Why? Because but little of the power of godliness has prevailed amongst all denominations. The strong man armed has had full possession of most professors hearts, and therefore he has let them rest in a false peace. But we may assure ourselves, when JESUS CHRIST begins to gather in his elect in any 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 (though all in vain) to stop 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 churches 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 heed to ourselves, we shall imbitter our spirits, and act unbecoming the followers of that LORD, “who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatned not; and, as a lamb before his shearers is dumb, so opened he not his mouth.” But what motive shall we make use of to bring ourselves to this blessed lamb-like temper? Next to the immediate operation of the Holy Spirit upon our hearts, I know of no consideration more conducive to teach us long-suffering towards our most bitter persecutors, than this, “That, for all 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 words of the text, (and whose conversion, GOD willing, 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 beginning of this chapter; “And _Saul_ yet breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the disciples of our LORD, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to _Damascus_ to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to _Jerusalem_.”