Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 287
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280 LIFE OF PAUL . CHAPTER XXV I. SOJOURN AT ROME . ACCORDING to Roman law , the trialof Paul couldnottakeplaceuntilhisaccusersshouldbe presentin personto statetheirchargesagainst him. They had not yet come from Palestine, nor was it known at Rome whether they had even startedon the long journey. Therefore thetrialmightbe postponedindefinitely. Little regard was shown forthe rightsof thosesupposedtohaveviolatedthelaw. Itwas oftenthe casethat an accusedpersonwas keptinprisona longtime,by thedelayof theprosecutorstoprefertheircharges; orhistrialmight be deferred by the capriceof those in power. A corrupt judgecouldholda prisonerin custodyforyears, asdidFelixinthecaseof Paul,togratifypopularprejudice, or in hope of securinga bribe. These judges were, however, amenable to a highertribunal,and thiswould in some measure serveasa restraintupon them. But theemperor was subjectedto no suchrestraint. His authoritywas virtuallyunlimited, and he oftenpermittedcaprice,malice,oreven indolence,tohinderor preventtheadministrationof justice. The Jews of Jerusalem were in no haste to presenttheiraccusationsagainstPaul. They had been repeatedlythwarted in theirdesigns, and had no desiretoriskanotherdefeat. Lysias, Felix,Festus,and Agrippahad alldeclaredtheir beliefin his innocence. His enemies could hope forsuccessonlyin seekingby intrigueto influence the emperor in theirfavor. Delay would furthertheirobject,asitwould affordthem time toperfectand executetheirplans.