And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.
Ver. 21. And they prophesied also.] Such sudden changes we read of also in 3 John 1:7 :46. So Augustine was suddenly converted by Ambrose; Latimer by hearing Mr Stafford's lectures, which he came to scoff at, and Mr Bilney's confession. a Concerning the Christian congregation in Queen Mary's time, I have heard of one, saith Mr Fox, who being sent to them to take their names and to espy their doings, yet, in being amongst them, was converted, and cried them all mercy. At Miltenberg, a town in the territory of Mentz, an officer was sent to take a certain godly deacon sojourning in a widow's house. The deacon meeting and embracing him said, Salve mi frater, frater enimvero meus es, Et adsum, transfode me, vel suffoca me: Hail, brother; here I am, stab me, hang me, do as thou pleasest to me. The officer, by a sudden innovation of his heart from heaven, said, Sir, I will do you no harm, nor shall any man else, if I can hinder it. And when the rustics came in to help to kill the deacon, the officer kept them off, and would not let them harm him. b
a Act. and Mon., fol. 188l.
b Scultet., Annal., p. 174.