And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
I should not have thought it necessary to have paused over those verses, with any other remarks, than merely to have observed, that the Lord's account of the manner in which those days were spent by Saul, was in prayer, see verse 11 (Acts 9:11.) But as from hence, it hath been argued by some, that in every saving conversion of the heart to the Lord, there must be, according to Saul's example, three days fasting and agonizing, (as it is called;) I conceive that it would be proper, rather to enquire what God the Holy Ghost hath said on this important subject, than what man teacheth; and here also, as in other cases, to compare spiritual things with spiritual.
Now very certain it is, that though Saul, and it may be many beside, have lain a longer time than others in the pangs of the new birth; yet God the Holy Ghost hath caused to be recorded many instances of an act of grace producing an immediate change of heart, from death to life, and from the power of Satan to the living God. Matthew the publican, yea all the Apostles at once followed Jesus at his call. Lydia's heart was instantly opened by the Lord, and we hear of no delay, nor pangs of the new birth. Even the Jailor at Philippi, though convulsed at midnight, was made joyful in Christ before the morning, Acts 16:25-34; Acts 16:25-34. And the Church of the Philippians are said to have been in the fellowship of the Gospel from the first day until now, Philippians 1:5. And the Church of the Thessalonians in like manner are said to have received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost, 1 Thessalonians 1:6. So that, whatever men may say of such things, very evident it is, that the Lord hath not said it. The Lord the Holy Ghost works as an Almighty Sovereign, when he calls any by his grace. And while some are long in the state of unawakened nature; and others, early called to the knowledge of the Lord; yet in every case of a saving conversion of the heart to God; all these worketh that One and the self same Spirit dividing to every man severally as he will. For as in the birth of nature, it is not the violent pains or the ease which determine the child to be born; but the safe delivery and the reality of life in the babe which constitutes the birth; so in grace, the cry of the soul, and the hungering and thirsting for Christ; these are the sure signs of the new birth, in which the Spirit witnesseth to the spirits of the Lord's people, that they are the children of God, Romans 8:16.