Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 310
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PAUL AT LIBERTY . 303 from any cause been detainedin Rome during thefollowingyear,he would haveperishedinthe dreadfulpersecutionwhichthentookplace. The convertsto Christianityhad become sonumerous during Paul'simprisonmentas to attractthe attentionand arousetheenmityoftheauthorities. The ireoftheemperorwas especiallyexcitedby the conversionof members of his own household; he stillthirstedforblood, and soonfound a pretextto make the Christians,the objectsof his mercilesscruelty. A terriblefireaboutthistime occurredin Rome ,by which nearlyone-halfthe city was consumed . Nero himself caused the flamestobe kindled,and then,toavertsuspicion, he made a pretenseof great generosityin assistingthe homelessand destitute. He was ,however,accusedofthecrime. The peoplewere excitedand enraged, and Nero determinedtoclear himself, and alsoto rid the cityof a classwhom he fearedand hated, by chargingthe actupon the Christians . ner . The Satanic device succeeded . Thousands of thefollowersof Christ- men , women , and children were put to deathinthemost cruelmanSome were crucified,some coveredwith the skinsof wildbeasts,and torn in piecesby dogs, otherswere clothedin garments of inflammable material,and seton fireat nightto illuminate the circusof the Vatican and the pleasuregardens of Nero . Thus thismonster in human form amused the publicby exhibitinghisvictimsin theirdying agonies, whilehe himselfstoodby. takingthekeenestdelightin theirmisery. Degradedand hardened as were the Romans ,and bitteras was theirprejudiceagainstthe Christians, the constantrepetitionof thesehorrible,