Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 251

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244 LIFE OF PAUL . leadhim torepentance,he eagerlysoughttodismiss thesedisagreeablereflections. The inter-view with Paul was cut short. " Go thy way for thistime," he said, " when I have a convenientseason,I willcallfor thee." How wide the contrast between the course of Felix and that of the jailerof Philippi! The servantsof the Lord were broughtin bondsto the jailer,as was Paul to Felix. The evidence theygave ofbeingsustainedby a divinepower, theirrejoicingundersufferingand disgrace,their fearlesscalmnesswhen the earth was reeling with the earthquake'sshock,and theirspiritof Christlikeforgiveness, sent convictionto the jailer'sheart. He did not, likeFelix, banish theseconvictions, but with tremblingand in deephumilityinquiredtheway ofsalvation;and having learnedtheway ,he walked in it, with allhis house. Felix trembled,but did not repent; thejailerwith tremblingconfessedhissins and foundpardon. Felixbade theSpiritofGod depart; the jailerjoyfullywelcomed it to his heart and to his house . The one cast his lot with theworkersof iniquity; theotherchoseto become a child of God and an heir of Heaven . For two years no further action was taken againstPaul,yethe remaineda prisoner. Felix severaltimesvisitedhim,and listenedattentively tohis words. But the realmotive forthisapparentfriendlinesswas a desireforgain,and he intimatedto Paulthatby thepayment ofa large sum of money he might securehisrelease. The apostle,however,was of too noble a natureto freehimself by a bribe. He was innocentof all crime,and he would not stoopto evade the law . Furthermore, he was himselftoo poor to pay