the convert went on his way rejoicing. And the reason is obvious. He was in a state of mind prepared to receive the engrafted word with gladness, by the previous discipline of God's holy Spirit. He was searching after truth when Philip found him; he was even then seeking for goodly pearls, and when he found the pearl of great price he rejoiced with exceeding joy. But with Saul it was otherwise. His mind had undergone no previous discipline; he had never once been humbled or subdued-never once been taught to feel that he was a sinner, and in need of mercy. At the very moment

when the Saviour's voice first reached him, he was boasting of his virtue and his merit, and glorying in his shame. Nay, he was arrested in the very attitude of rebellion against the truth-in a state of declared enmity to the anointed of the Father. A heart more opposed to the humbling doctrines of the cross-a mind more impervious to the offers of the

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gospel, can scarcely be imagined. Hence the process was more lengthened. The hour of rejoicing was indeed to come; but a season of gloom and deep penitence must be previously endured. A lofty superstructure was to be raised, and the foundation must be proportionably deep.

And is not the experience of Christ's disciples, in the present day, similarly diversified? Were every real Christian in this assembly to tell the history of his soul, we should hear from one that he was graciously and gently guided in his childhood or youth to the fold and bosom of his Saviour, and that he has been enabled, though with many short-comings, to hold on his way rejoicing. Whilst from another we should hear, that when the gospel first arrested his attention, it found him, if not a persecutor and injurious, yet a practical foe to Christ and his people, living in rebellion against his God, and following the corrupt customs of a wicked world.

But be the steps and the process of our recovery from a state of nature what they

may, great, unspeakably great, is the benefit received. Happy, thrice happy, the man who passes through however dark a valley to the regions of light and immortality-who finds at length that he has planted his foot upon a rock from which he can never be removed. If the intermediate steps have been unusually painful, and gloomy, and afflictive, the sweeter the rest, the more brilliant the light which ensues. Look at Saul the persecutor, enduring the untold agony of remorse, his soul bowed down within him, and then turn your eye to Paul, the great Apostle of the Gentiles, rejoicing in God his Saviour, with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

But, brethren, the question-the vital, the all-important question-relates not to the manner, but to the fact of our conversion. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." Examine yourselves, therefore, whether ye be in the faithprove your ownselves.

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LECTURE III.

ACTS ix. 10-19.

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.

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, 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,

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

Then Ananias answered, 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 on thy name.

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he i 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.

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, 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 Holy Ghost.

And immediately there fell from his eyes, as it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

THE situation in which we left Saul of Tarsus, at the close of our last lecture, was, in many respects, extremely melancholy. We witnessed his entrance into Damascus-not proudly leading the officers of the High Priest, puffed up with feelings of self-importance, and vaunting forth his prowess and his zeal-but cheerless, broken-hearted, and subdued-his strength departed his eye-sight completely gone, and dependent upon the humanity of those around him to lead him by the hand.

In this truly pitiable condition he traverses the streets of Damascus until he