Doubtless, _Ananias_ was a good man; but shall I commend him for his answer to our LORD? I commend him not: for says he, verse 13. “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 upon thy name.” I fear this answer proceeded from some relicks of self-righteousness, as well as infidelity, that lay undiscovered in the heart of _Ananias_. “Arise, (said our LORD) and go into the street, which is called _Straight_, and enquire in the house of _Judas_, for one called _Saul_ of _Tarsus_; for behold, he prayeth!” One would think this was sufficient to satisfy him; but says _Ananias_, “LORD, I have heard by many of this man (he seems to speak of him with much contempt; for even good men are apt to think too contemptuously of those who are yet in their sins) how much evil he hath done to thy saints in _Jerusalem_: And here, he hath authority from the chief priests, to bind all that call upon thy name.” And what then, _Ananias_? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? Who made thee to differ? Could not he who converted thee, convert him also? Surely _Ananias_ here forgets himself, or perhaps fears, lest this man, who had authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon CHRIST’s name, should bind him also, if he went unto him; but the LORD silences all objections, with a “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 shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” Here GOD stops his mouth immediately, by asserting his sovereignty, and preaching to him the doctrine of election. And the frequent conversion of notorious sinners to GOD, to me is one great proof, amongst a thousand others, of that precious, but too much exploded and sadly misrepresented, doctrine of GOD’s electing love; for whence is it that such are taken, whilst thousands, not near so vile, die senseless and stupid? All the answer that can be given, is, _they are chosen vessels_; “Go thy way, (says GOD) 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 shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” Observe what a close connection there is between doing and suffering for CHRIST. If any of my brethren in the ministry are present, let them hear what preferment we must expect, if we are called out to work remarkably for GOD: not great prebendaries or bishopricks, but great sufferings for our LORD’s name sake; these are the fruits of our labour: and he that will not contentedly suffer great things for preaching CHRIST, is not worthy of him. Suffering will be found to be the best preferment, when we are called to give an account of our ministry at the great day.
I do not hear, that _Ananias_ quarrelled with GOD concerning the doctrine of election; no, (O that all good men would, in this, learn of him!) “He went his way, and entered into the house; and put his hands on him, and said, Brother _Saul_;” just now, it was _this man_; now it is _brother Saul_: it is no matter what a man has been, if he be now a christian; the same should be our brother, our sister and mother; GOD blots out every convert’s transgressions as with a thick cloud, and so should we; the more vile a man has been, the more should we love him when believing in CHRIST, because CHRIST will be more glorified on his behalf. I doubt not, but _Ananias_ was wonderfully delighted to hear that so remarkable a persecutor was brought home to GOD: I am persuaded he felt his soul immediately united to him by love, and therefore addresses him not with, thou persecutor, thou murderer, that camest to butcher me and my friends; but, “brother _Saul_.” It is remarkable that the primitive christians much used the word _brother_ and _brethren_; I know it is a term now much in reproach; but those who despise it, I believe, would be glad to be of our brotherhood, when they see us sitting at the right-hand of the Majesty on high. “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.” At this time, we may suppose, he laid his hands upon him. See the consequences.