Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 320
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PAUL BEFORE NERO . 313 לו whose soulwas stainedwithincestand matricide, was robedinpurple,and seatedupon thethrone, while the purest and noblestof men stoodbefore thejudgment-seat, despised,hated,and fettered.The vasthallwhich was theplaceoftrialwas throngedby an eager,restlesscrowd thatsurged and pressedtothefronttoseeand hear allthat shouldtakeplace. Among thosegatheredthere were thehigh and thelow,therichand thepoor, thelearnedand theignorant,the proud and the humble . Yet all alike were destituteof the true knowledgeof theway of lifeand salvation. Again theJews urgeagainstthe prisonerthe old chargesof seditionand heresy, whileboth Jews and Romans accusehim of instigatingthe burning of the city. While his enemieswere vehementlyurgingtheiraccusations, Paul preserveda quietdignity;no shadeoffearoranger disturbedthepeacefulserenitythat restedupon hiscountenance. The peopleand eventhejudges beheldhim with surprise. They had beenpresentat many trials,and had lookedupon many a criminal; but never had they seen a man wear sucha lookof holycalmnessas didthe prisoner beforethem. The keen eyes of the judges,accustomedas theywere to readthe countenances of theirprisoners,searchedthe faceof Paul for some hidden trace of crime,but in vain. When he was permittedto speak in hisown behalf, alllistenedwith eagerinteresttohiswords. Once more Paul had an opportunityto raise aloftbeforea wonderingmultitudethebannerof the cross of Christ. With more than human eloquenceand povpower, he thatday urgedhome upontheirheartsthetruthsofthegospel. The wisdom of God was revealedthrough hisservant.