Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 2.djvu/257

Rh justified, nor enlightened. He had been suddenly told his sin in persecuting, and he asked, under this conviction, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" But tells him not: He neither immediately pronounces his forgiveness nor teaches him how it may be obtained, but informs him solely that He has a work for him to perform, that he is now simply to obey, and what he is to do he shall know hereafter. Thus He sends him, his bodily blindness as an emblem of that of his mind, to tarry the Lord's leisure (Acts ix. 6. xxii. 10.) What took place during those three days and nights of bodily and mental darkness, during which, doubtless, in intense anxiety, (through which he "did neither eat nor drink"), with one only cheering look into the future, he reviewed the course of his past life, guidance, and his own wilfulness, we are not told; nor how this probation of acute suffering was necessary for the framing of this "chosen vessel:" but it is at least implied, that, as yet, in answer to his prayers, there had been conveyed only a general intimation of  good intentions toward him, of His purpose to remove the outward sign of His displeasure: "Behold, he prayeth, and hath seen, in a vision, a man named Ananias, coming and putting his hand upon him, that he might receive his sight." But as yet neither were his sins forgiven, nor had he received the ; and consequently was not born again of the, before it was conveyed to him through his Sacrament. "And now, why tarriest thou?" says Ananias; "arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins." (Acts xxii. 16.) "The