Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 228

Scan transcription helps with searching and selection. Use the printed page above for exact spelling and punctuation.

PAUL A PRISONER . 221 thismanner atall. The chiefcaptainwellknew how stringentwerethelawsprotectingtherights of citizenship, and that if the statement were true he had, in his proceedingsagainstPaul, violated these laws . He immediatelywent in personto the prisoner,and questionedhim concerningthe truth of the centurion'sreport. Paul assuredhim that he was indeed a Roman citizen; and when the officerexclaimed, " With a great sum obtainedI this freedom," Paul declared, " But .I was free born." The preparationfor torturewent no farther, and those commissioned to conduct his examination lefthim . Paul was ,however , still heldin custody, as the nature of his offense had not yet been inquiredinto. On the nextday thechiefcaptainsummoned a meeting of the Jewish Sanhedrim, with the high priest, and brought Paul down from the castle,undertheprotectionofa sufficientforceto guard againstany attemptupon hislife. The apostlenow stoodin thepresenceof thatcouncil of which he himself had been a member ,-that councilby which Stephen had been condemned . The memory of that scene,and of hisown efforts to secure the condemnation of the servant of Christ, came vividly before his mind . As he lookedupon thosewho wereto be hisjudges,he recognizedmany who had been hisassociatesin the schoolof Gamaliel, and who had alsounited with him inpersecutingthedisciplesof Jesus. They were now as eagertoput Paul todeathas theyhad beentodestroyStephen. The apostle'sbearingwas calm and firm. The peaceofChrist,rulinginhisheart,was expressed upon hiscountenance. But hislookofconscious