+I. Its causes.+--1. Paul was chosen by God before his birth to be a vessel of honour. "It pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb." Are not all genuine Christians addressed as "elect of God" or chosen of God, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ? Why should not the real Christian give scope to those emotions of gratitude which such reflections will inspire? 2. The more immediate cause was the call of Divine grace. "And called me by His grace." There is a general call in the Gospel addressed to all men indiscriminately. There is, in every instance of real conversion, another and inward call, by which the Spirit applies the general truth of the Gospel to the heart. By this interior call Christ apprehends, lays hold on the soul, stops it in its impenitent progress, and causes it to hear His voice. +II. The means by which conversion is effected.+--"To reveal His Son in me." The principal method which the Spirit adopts in subduing the heart of a sinner is a spiritual discovery of Christ. There is an outward revelation of Christ--in the Scriptures; and an internal, of which the understanding and the heart are the seat. 1. The Spirit reveals the greatness and dignity of Christ. 2. The transcendent beauty and glory of Christ. 3. The suitableness, fulness, and sufficiency of Christ to supply all our wants and relieve all our miseries. +III. The effect of conversion on St. Paul.+--"Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood." He set himself without hesitation or demur to discharge the duties of his heavenly vocation. 1. His compliance with the will of Christ was immediate. 2. Universal and impartial. 3. Constant and persevering.--_Robert Hall._ Ver. 16. _The Qualification of the True Minister_-- +I. Begins in an unmistakable revelation of Christ to his own soul.+--"To reveal His Son in me." +II. Urges him to declare the Gospel to the most needy.+--"That I might preach Him among the heathen." +III. Raises him above the necessity of mere human authority.+--"Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood."