In this state of things then, which is expressly asserted by Paul to have been, and appears indubitably to have been, a real one,--considerations of an ordinary nature being sufficient--to produce--not only the effect actually produced--but, in the case of many a man, much more than the effect actually produced,--there was no demand, at that time, for a miracle: no demand for a miracle, for any such purpose, as that of working, upon the minds of the Apostles, to any such effect as that of their maintaining, towards the new convert, a conduct free from hostility, accompanied with a countenance of outward amity. But, for other purposes, and in the course of his intercourse with persons of other descriptions, it became necessary for him to have had these visions: it became necessary--not only for the purpose of proving connection on his part with the departed Jesus, to the satisfaction of all those by whom such proof would be looked for,--but, for the further purpose, of ascribing to Jesus, whatsoever doctrines the prosecution of his design might from time to time call upon him to promulgate;--those doctrines, in a word, which, (as will be seen), being his and not Jesus's--not reported by anyone else as being Jesus's--we shall find him, notwithstanding, preaching, and delivering,--so much at his ease, and with unhesitating assurance. A miracle having therefore been deemed necessary (the miracle of the conversion-vision), and reported accordingly,--thus it is, that, by the appearance of suddenness, given to the sort and degree of confidence thereupon reported as having been bestowed upon him by the Apostles, a sort of confirmation is, in the Acts account, given to the report of the miracle: according to this account, it was not by the three or four years passed by him in the prosecution of their designs, or at least without obstruction given to them;--it was not by any such proof of amity, that the intercourse, such as it was, had been effected:--no: it was by the report of the vision--that report which, in the first instance, was made to them by their generous benefactor and powerful supporter, Barnabas; confirmed, as, to every candid eye it could not fail to be, by whatever accounts were, on the occasion of the personal intercourse, delivered from his own lips. "But Barnabas (says the author) took him and brought him to the Apostles, and declared unto them how he had _seen_ the Lord by the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus." Acts 9:27.