Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 242
Inspect scan 242 of the original 1883 publication. Follow the printed page below, move through the complete book, or open its searchable scan text.
Read the original 1883 scan 242
Page numbers count the PDF scans, including covers and preliminary leaves. Scroll to read and turn pages at the edge; drag to pan; use Ctrl+scroll to zoom. Recenter restores the fitted width.
Read and select the searchable scan text
Scan transcription helps with searching and selection. Use the printed page above for exact spelling and punctuation.
TRIAL AT CÆSAREA . 235 thatby theewe enjoygreatquietness,and that veryworthýdeedsaredoneuntothisnationby thyprovidence,we acceptitalways,and in all places,most nobleFelix,with allthankfulness." Tertullus here descended to bare -faced falsehood . The character of Felix was base and contemptible. It was saidthathe "practicedall kinds of lustand crueltywith the power of a king and thetemperof a slave." Itistruethat he had renderedsome serviceto the nationby hisvigilancein riddingthe countryof robbers, and he pursuedand droveaway theEgyptian rebelforwhom ClaudiusLysiashad hastilymistakenPaul; but hisactsof crueltyand oppressioncausedhim to be universallyhated. The treacherouscrueltyof hischaracterisshown by hisbrutal murder of the high priestJonathan , to whom he was largelyindebtedfor his own position. Jonathan, though reallylittlebetter than Felix himself,had ventured to expostulate with him forsome of his actsof violence,and for this,the procuratorhad caused him to be assassinatedwhileemployedinhisofficialdutiesinthe temple. An example of the unbridledlicentiousness that stained his character is seen in his alliance with Drusilla,which was consummated about this time. Through the deceptivearts of Simon Magus , a Cyprian sorcerer, Felix had induced thisprincesstoleaveherhusband and to become his wife. Drusillawas young and beautiful, and, moreover, a Jewess. She was devotedly attachedto her husband ,who had made a great sacrificeto obtain her hand . There was little indeedtoinduceher toforegoherstrongestprejudicesand tobring upon herselfthe abhorrence