Acts 9:7

Verse 7. There it shall be told thee, and so forth The Almighty having established a Church, and ministry, the depositories of his doctrines, does not, even on this extraordinary occasion, transgress his own laws; but sends him to the ministers of religion, that instruction may be imparted through them, as through its proper channel. This observation is worthy the notice of the self-inspired of the present day, who pretend to receive their light direct from heaven. Nothing can be more opposite to the spirit of the gospel than such delusion. A.—Hear the great S. Augustin: “Paul, though with the divine and heavenly voice prostrated and instructed, yet was sent to a man to receive the sacraments, and to be joined to the Church.” De Doct. Chris. l. i. in prœm.—Hearing, and so forth This may be reconciled with what is said in the 22d chap. by supposing they heard only Saint Paul speak, or heard only a confused noise, which they could not understand. Calmet.