Page:Life and voyages of the Apostle Paul.pdf/5

Rh a commission to go to Damasens to apprehend what Christians he could find in that city, and bring them bound to Jerusalem, set out upon his persecuting mission. But when travelling towards Damascus, a miraculous interposition of providence stopped him in his journey. A refulgent light, far exceeding the brightness of the sun, darted upon him: at which both he and his companions were terribly amazed and confounded, and immediately fell prostrate on the ground. While they lay in this state, a voice was heard in the Hebrew language, saying, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” To which Saul replied, “Who art thou, Lord?” And was immediately answered, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

Saul was sufficiently convinced of his folly in having acted against Jesus, and asked, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” On which Jesus replied, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

The company which were with him heard the voice, but did not see the person who spake from heaven. In all probability they were ignorant of the Hebrew language, and therefore only heard a confused sound: for the apostle himself tells us that, they heard not the voice of him that spake; that is, they did not understand what was spoken.

The apostle now arose from the earth, but found himself deprived of sight, the resplendent brightness of the vision being too intense for mortal eyes to behold. His companions, therefore, led him by the hand to the city of Damascus, when he entered the house of Judas, and remained there three days without sight, nor did he either eat or drink, but spent his time in prayer to the Almighty, beseeching him to pardon the sins of his ignorance and blinded zeal.

In the meantime, Christ appeared in a vision to Ananias, a devout man, commanding him to go into a certain street, in the city of Damascus, and inquire in the house of Judas for one Saul of Tarsus, then offering up fervent prayers to the throne of grace. Ananias, though always ready to obey the divine commands, had some suspicion that the conversion of Saul was a snare artfully laid by him against the Christians, and he therefore hesitated. But his fears were quieted by the Saviour himself, who assured him that He had chosen Paul to preach the gospel to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles. Ananias then obeyed the heavenly vision, repaired the house of Judas, and, laying his hand upon Saul, addressed him in words to this effect:—“That Jesus,” said he, “that appeared to thee in the way, hath sent me to restore thy sight, and by the infusion of his spirit, to give