Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 302
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CÆSAR'S HOUSEHOLD . 295 hadbornethetruthtomany lands; hehad proclaimeditingreatcities. Might notthischampion of the faithsucceedin winning soulsto Christ,even in the court of Nero ? But their anticipationswere crushedby the tidingsthat Paulhad gone toRome as a prisoner. They had confidentlyhoped to see the gospel,once establishedat thisgreatcenter,extendrapidlyto all nations,untilitshouldbecomea prevailingpower inthe earth. How greattheirdisappointment! Human calculationshad failed,but not thepurpose of God . Paul could not laboras he had hoped, yet beforethe closeof that two years' imprisonmenthe was abletosay, "My bonds in Christaremanifestin allthe palace,and in all otherplaces;" and among thosewho send greetingstothePhilippians,he mentionschieflythem that are of Cæsar's household . The zealand fidelityof Paul and hisfellowworkers, no lessthan the faithand obedienceof thoseconvertsto Christianity, under circumstancessoforbidding,shouldbe a rebuketoslothfulness and unbelief in the followers of Christ. Never letus,by ourhuman ,short-sightedjudgment,limitthe plansand work of God . Never let us excuse ourselves from effortsto win souls to Christ,even in the most unpromisingfields. The apostleand hissubordinateministersmight have arguedthattheservantsof Nero were subjectedtothefiercesttemptations,surroundedby the most formidablehindrances,exposedto the most bitteropposition,and that under such circumstances it would be in vain to call them to repentanceand to faithin Christ. Should they be convincedof thetruth,how couldtheyrender obedience? But the gospelwas presentedto