Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 299
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292 LIFE OF PAUL . 1 parentlycutofffrom publiclabor,thatthisgreat victorywas won forthetruth,and members were gainedtothechurchfrom theveryhouseholdof the king . In hisEpistleto thePhilippians,Paul ascribes tohisown imprisonmenthissuccessinbringing converts to the faith from Nero's household . He expresseshimselfas fearfullestthePhilippians have thought that his afflictionshave impeded theprogressofthegospel. He assuresthem that thecontraryeffecthas beenproduced: " I would ye shouldunderstand, brethren, thatthethings which happened unto me have fallenout rather untothe furtheranceof the gospel; so thatmy bonds in Christare manifestin allthepalace, and in allotherplaces." Itwas notby thesermonsofPaul,but by his bonds , that the attention of the court had been attractedto Christianity. It was as a captive thathe had conquered rulers. It was with his chain that he had broken from so many soulsthe bonds thatheld them in the slaveryof sin. Nor was thisall. He declares: "And many of the brethrenin the Lord, waxing confidentby my bonds, are much more bold to speak theword without fear ." The patienceand meekness with which he submittedtoa long and unjustimprisonmentdrew the attentionof the public, and forcedthe convictionupon many minds that where there was such a willingnesstosuffer,theremust bean unwavering faith in the doctrines advocated. His cheerfulnessunder afflictionand imprisonment was so unlike the spiritof the unfortunate and afflictedof the world, that they couldbut seethata power higherthan any earthlyinflu-