An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

2. The work of grace was admirable and wonderful. Twice the Apostle himself ¹relateth it, while he was in the way, breathing out threatenings to the Church of God, even in this his wicked posture, He was stricken to the ground, and a glorious light shone round about him. That as they say of some lightning, it melteth the sword; while it doth not hurt the scabbard at all: Thus Paul's body not being any way hurt in this miraculous Vision, his soul was wonderfully melted and changed, insomuch that he crieth out, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? This instance of Paul's conversion is an hammer to beat down the Arminian Doctrine: here they labour and sweat to give a clear answer. Some of them confess, that Paul was peremptorily elected, and that we are not to judge of mens ordinary conversion, by that which was extraordinary. Indeed we grant, that many things were wonderful and extraordinary in Paul's conversion. It is not for men now to expect such a Vision and voice from Heaven immediately speaking to them; but this we urge, That if God could do thus on Paul's heart, insuperably and irresistibly working on it, making it of unwilling, willing, and yet not the natural liberty of Paul's will destroyed, then God may still demonstrate the same efficacy of grace, and yet man in conversion not be turned into a stock or stone, as they charge the Orthodox. As Paul then had been a sinner above measure, so he had also grace exceeding gracious in an overflowing manner to him. Therefore how frequently and joyfully doth Paul speak of the riches of grace, and Gods unspeakable grace to him, always debasing himself, as the greatest of sinners, and the least of all Saints, not worthy to be called an Apostle, and magnifying grace always running out like the Sea, when he comes to speak of Christ and grace.

2. The work of grace was admirable and wonderfull. Twice the Apostle himself ¹relateth it, while he was in the way, breathing out threatnings to the Church of God, even in this his wicked posture, He was striken to the ground, and a glorious light shone round about him. That as they say of some lightning, it melteth the sword; while it doth not hurt the scabbard at all: Thus Paul's body not being any way hurt in this miraculous Vision, his soul was wonderfully melted and changed, insomuch that he crieth out, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? This instance of Paul's conversion is an hammer to beat down the Arminian Doctrine: here they labour and sweat to give a clear answer. Some of them confess, that Paul was peremptorily elected, and that we are not to judge of mens ordinary conversion, by that which was extraordinary. Indeed we grant, that many things were wonderfull and extraordinary in Paul's conversion. It is not for men now to expect such a Vision and voice from Heaven immediately speaking to them; but this we urge, That if God could do thus on Paul's heart, insuperably and irresistibly working on it, making it of unwilling, willing, and yet not the natural liberty of Paul's will destroyed, then God may still demonstrate the same efficacy of grace, and yet man in conversion not be turned into a stock or stone, as they charge the Orthodox. As Paul then had been a sinner above measure, so he had also grace exceeding gracious in an overflowing manner to him. Therefore how frequently and joyfully doth Paul speak of the riches of grace, and Gods unspeakable grace to him, alwayes debasing himself, as the greatest of sinners, and the least of all Saints, not worthy to be called an Apostle, and magnifying grace alwayes running out like the Sea, when he comes to speak of Christ and grace.