8. And Saul arose from the earth, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man, or, "saw nothing," i. e. he was blind; but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

During this time he was, no doubt, employed in deep reflections upon the vision, which he had just seen, upon the evidences of the divine origin of the Christian religion, upon his own guilt in opposing it, and in praying to God to forgive his offence. The result was, that he was convinced of the divine mission of Jesus, and that God heard his prayer, as appears from what follows. His fasting was the effect of the agitation of his mind.

10. 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.

11. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Strait, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus: for behold he prayeth,

12.

And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias, coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

Paul might well consider his blindness as a punishment inflicted upon him by Heaven, for the evil purpose which he had entertained; and therefore earnestly pray for the restoration of his sight, as a proof of the divine forgiveness. To assure him of this forgiveness, he was favoured with the above mentioned vision, and Ananias is sent to confer upon him a miraculous cure.

13. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem.

The word saints in this passage has no reference to moral character, but is used to denominate persons who, by the profession of faith in Christ, had become parties in that new covenant which God had now established with all believers in the divine mission of his. Son, as he had established the old covenant with the children of Israel. Christians were now become ceremonially clean and holy, as the Israelites were formerly, and were therefore called saints.

14.

And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name; or, "to bind all that call themselves by thy name."

As the disciples of Jesus were never directed to address their prayers to him, and as it does not appear that it was their common practice, whatever they might do on particular occasions, it is not likely that they should be characterised by this circumstance. The words, besides, admit of a different construction, such as has just been given*. That Christians should distinguish themselves from other Jews by the name of their master, at a very early period, is highly pro

* Lindsey's Dissert. on Praying to Christ, p. 93, &c.
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bable; although the name of Christian might not be current till some time afterwards.

15. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, rather, "before nations,” and kings and the children of Israel:

Christ here informs Ananias that Paul was not to be neglected, since he intended to employ him in the most important services, for the propagation of his religion in the world, and since he was well qualified for the purpose.

16. For I will show by him what ought to be suffered for my name's sake.

In this manner some good judges render this passage, supposing only that a single word has been added to the text, which is also omitted in a few manuscripts. It will then furnish a sense extremely well adapted to the occasion. For the meaning will be that Christ would give an example, in the sufferings which Paul would voluntarily endure, in promoting the gospel, of what every man ought to be willing to suffer for his sake. Accordingly, it appears by the subsequent history that the sufferings of Paul were more numerous and distinguished than those of any other of the apostles. If the common reading be retained, Christ declares that he will communicate to Paul a knowledge of the great sufferings which he should afterwards endure in his cause.

17. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house, and, putting his hands on him, said, Brother

See Markland in Bowyer, and Wakefield.

Saul, the Lord, (even Jesus, that appeared to thee in the way, as thou camest) hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

As Ananias was to tell Saul what he was to do, it is probable that he instructed him in the nature of the Christian religion, although it be not here mentioned.

18. And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received sight forthwith, and arose and was baptized.

19. And when he had received meat he was strengthened.

REFLECTIONS.

1. This story furnishes an example of a wonderful change produced in an individual in a very short

time.

He who was lately an inveterate enemy, is become a sincere and zealous friend. He who breathed out threatening and slaughter against the church, whose fury is not satiated with the havock which it makes at home, but pursues its victims into foreign countries, has assumed the mildness of the lamb, and breathes the spirit of benevolence and affection to those who were before detested and persecuted. He who was the inveterate agent of the High Priest and Jewish

Sanhedrim; he whose zeal would entitle him to what preferment he pleased, renounces all connection with his employers, abandons his ambitious projects, esteems it an honour to be ranked among the followers of Jesus, and is willing to be treated with the same contempt and injustice with which he treated Christians. He who blasphemed Jesus himself, by calling him an impostor, and compelled others to do so, now falls down before him, calls him Lord and master, and is happy to enlist himself in his service. How astonishing a change, and produced in three days only! Yet,

2. There is nothing unnatural or unaccountable in this change. It arose from a sufficient and adequate cause. It was the natural and genuine effect of truth upón an unenlightened and bigotted, but not vicious and hardened, mind. It was the result of conviction, produced by an evident miracle and undeniable fact, performed at mid-day, and not in the darkness of the night, when the senses are so liable to be deceived; before one who was not alone, when the imagination is most apt to be at work, but in company with his attendants; not coinciding with and inflaming his prejudices, but in direct opposition to them. In these circumstances he sees a light which nothing could counterfeit, he hears a voice which speaks to him in articulate sounds, and reproaches him for his folly and rashness; he has such full possession of himself as to be able to reply to what he hears. What could this appearance be but the miraculous interposition of Heaven, in behalf of a cause which he was bent upon ruining. Such he concluded it to be at the time, and as such he regarded it to the latest period of his life. To listen to such an admonition, to desist from his pursuit, and to abandon his prejudices, at such a call, was perfectly just and rational. It was doing no more than what every ingenuous and virtuous mind would have done in like circumstances.

3. How glorious a triumph for the gospel of Christ was the conversion of this persecutor! Far more hon