The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 312

his cross to .the sinner's he&rt, and if he is refused, then finally all is refused, Hence the awful trembliug emphasis which Scripture lays on the pleading exhortation that. we slight not, grieve not, quench not, the Spirit. And hard indeed it must be counted to" kick against him." (1) He is so silent a Friend. (2) He is so gentle a Friend, (3) He is so close a Fnend. (4) He is so seasitive a Friend. (5) He is so condescending a Friend-in him it is that God dwells in the humble and contrite sinner's heart. (G) He is so cheerful and gladdening and sanctifying a Friend, (7) He more than halves our griefs-he dries them up. He more than doubles our joy-he multiplies it a millionfold, till it is already "full of glory." His sympathy is perfect. (8) He is our indispensable Friend, if we are to be loosed irom sin, to be created anew, to take hold of Jesus, and to find salvation. Against the united, lovini, determined, and pre- determined force of Jesus and the Spirit, 'twas hard indeed for Saul to strive. Love and power-amazing grace I-have bold upon him, nor mean to relax their gracious grasp. If he struggles, he but prolongs his own fierce inner conflict, multiplies his own sub- sequent pangs of memory and conscience. So Saul and every converted man a.re in a hand from which no power shall ever pluck them,-B. Ver. 6.-The act of capitulation. The moment had come for Saul. His conversion is a fact accomplished. He speaks to it by speaking its reliable evidences. Short, undoubtedly sharp, and as it now appears decisive, had the conflict within been, but it is now over. And the fight over finds out the two results-the soldier unwounded and the victory won. The moment had come also for Jesus. What preparations his had been I What work he had accomplished I What" sufferings" he had endured I What shame he had borne! And his mighty power and mightier love have now triumphed. He too has his victory, has taken, and without blood, his captive, and has bound that captive to him, a willing captive for ever and ever. That moment of double victory- of Jesus over the human heart, and of a man's better over his worse self by the grace of the Spirit-two victories, yet but one, is described by one of the best of our sacred hymn-writers, and could scarcely be better set forth- • 'Tia done I the great transaction's done I I em my Lord's and he ill mine I He called me and I followed on, Glad to confess the voice Divine.• The question on Saul's lip (in the text) speaks, we say, the sure moment of his con- version. Much may prepare the way for that moment-thought and feeling, honest doubt and dishonest, fear and shame and strife, convictions stifled, purposes dishonoured, resolutions broken, and perversest kicking against the pricks. But these are but the always mournful, often shameful. last show of sword-play of the wicked one, who knows no pity for the subject he is so soon to lose, and when he must leave his old abode would then most discredit it. And therefore in this question, may we not find in simplest, clearest outline, the suggestions of what are the real facts involved in conversion? They a.re-- I. THB DISTINCT RESIGNING 01' TBUBT DI BELi', That surrender will mean the surrender of: 1. Self-guidance. 2. Much more of self-will, the determination that self 4ihall rnle and shape all 3. The work, of self. 4. The loved ends that have only self ar self supremely in view. 5. Most of all, the last remnant of an idea that self can procure its own salvation. For here is a man who possibly less leaned on fellow- cnm.ture than any other man who ever lived. But let him come to know Jesus, and his first question thereupon is the childlike, leaning, humble question, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Il. THE '!'AXING tJl' Am> PLADr PBOJ.1'1!18aI0N 01' tJNDIVIDED ALLEGIANCE TO THJ!I LoBD JB11t1s Cmi.mT. The converted is not a.11 at sea. That is what he once was, but nol what he is now. He has not to seek and calculate between different and competing matters. That wu once large part of his deep-seated unease and dissatisfaction, when "other lords many had dominion over him." But now he knows to whom his undivided allegiance belongs. That undivided allegiance takes him to Jesus Christ u: 1. Unriva,l,led MMl lffldiBputed Teacher. He sees, knows, feels, that Jesus has won tbii place all hia owu-the one grand Revealer of the deepest things of the Spirit In on. 11:. 1-43.J THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 809