Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 325
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318 LIFE OF PAUL . of the instrument was all that he could endure . As he threw it asidewith a groan of despair, horsemenwere heard approaching. His retreat was discovered; a few moments ,and he would be inthe power of hisenemies. Terrifiedalikeat thethoughtof tortureand suicide,he stillhesitated,and was compelledatlasttoletaslavehelp his trembling hand forcea dagger intohis throat. Thus perishedthe tyrantNero,at the earlyage ofthirty-two. God in hisinfinitemercy bearslong with the transgressorsof hislaw. In the days of Abraham he declared that the idolatrous Amorites shouldstillbe spareduntilthefourthgeneration; fortheiriniquitywas not yetfull,and he could not give command for theirdestruction. For more than four hundred yearshe sparedthem, but when,insteadof turningtorepentance,they hardenedtheirheartsininiquity,and made war upon his people,theirday of probationclosed, and the mandate went forth for their utter extinction. With unerring accuracy,the Infinite One keepsa recordoftheimpietyofnationsand individuals. Long ishismercy tenderedtothem, with callsto repentance; but when theirguilt reachesa certainlimit,which he has fixed,then mercy ceasesherpleadings,and the ministration of wrath begins. CHAPTER XXXI . PAUL'S LAST LETTER . FROM the judgment-hallof Cæsar, Paul returnedtohisprison-house,knowing thathe had gainedforhimselfonlya briefrespite;hisene