Chapter XXVIII. - Paul at Liberty.
While Paul's labours were blessed to the conversion of many
souls and the strengthening and encouragement of the believers, clouds were
gathering that threatened his own safety as well as the prosperity of the
church. When, on his arrival at Rome, he was placed in charge of the captain of
the imperial guards, the office was filled by a man of justice and integrity, by
whose clemency he was left comparatively free to pursue the work of the gospel.
But before the close of the two years' imprisonment, this man was replaced by an
official whose vice and tyranny rendered his name infamous. The apostle could
expect no favour from this slave of lust and cruelty. {LP 301.1}
The Jews were now more active than ever before in their
efforts against Paul. They had found an able helper in the profligate woman whom
Nero had made his second wife, and who, being a Jewish proselyte, would lend all
her influence to second their murderous designs against the Christian champion.
{LP 301.2}
Paul had little reason to hope for justice from the Caesar to
whom he had appealed. Nero was more debased in morals, more frivolous in
character, and at the same time capable of more atrocious cruelty, than any
ruler who had preceded him. The reins of government could not have been
intrusted to a more inhuman despot. The first year of his reign had been marked
by the poisoning of his young step-brother, who was the rightful heir to the
throne. He had steadily
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descended from one depth of vice and crime to another, until
he had murdered his own mother, and then his wife. There was no atrocity which
he would not perpetrate, no vile act to which he would not stoop. In every noble
mind he inspired abhorrence and contempt. {LP 301.3}
The details of iniquity practised in the court of this
prodigy of vice are too degrading, too horrible, for description. His abandoned
wickedness created disgust and loathing, even in many who were forced to share
his crimes. They were in constant fear as to what enormities he would suggest
next. Yet even such crimes as Nero's did not shake the allegiance of his
subjects. He was acknowledged as the absolute ruler of the whole civilized
world. And more than this, he was made the recipient of divine honours, and
worshipped as a god. {LP 302.1}
From the stand-point of human judgment, Paul's condemnation
before such a judge was certain. But the apostle felt that he had nothing to
fear, so long as he preserved his loyalty and his love to God. His life was not
in the hands of Nero, and if his work was not yet done, the Roman emperor would
be powerless to destroy him. He who had hitherto been his protector could shield
him still from the malice of the Jews, and from the power of Caesar. {LP 302.2}
And God did shield his servant. At Paul's examination the
charges against him were not sustained, and, contrary to the general
expectation,-- with a regard for justice wholly at variance with his
character,--Nero declared the prisoner guiltless. Paul's fetters were struck
off, and he was again a free man. {LP 302.3}
Had his trial been longer deferred, or had he
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from any cause been detained in Rome during the following
year, he would have perished in the dreadful persecution which then took place.
The converts to Christianity had become so numerous during Paul's imprisonment
as to attract the attention and arouse the enmity of the authorities. The ire of
the emperor was especially excited by the conversion of members of his own
household; he still thirsted for blood, and soon found a pretext to make the
Christians the objects of his merciless cruelty. A terrible fire about this time
occurred in Rome, by which nearly one-half the city was consumed. Nero himself
caused the flames to be kindled, and then, to avert suspicion, he made a
pretence of great generosity in assisting the homeless and destitute. He was,
however, accused of the crime. The people were excited and enraged, and Nero
determined to clear himself, and also to rid the city of a class whom he feared
and hated, by charging the act upon the Christians. {LP 302.4}
The Satanic device succeeded. Thousands of the followers of
Christ--men, women, and children--were put to death in the most cruel manner.
Some were crucified, some covered with the skins of wild beasts, and torn in
pieces by dogs, others were clothed in garments of inflammable material, and set
on fire at night to illuminate the circus of the Vatican and the pleasure
gardens of Nero. Thus this monster in human form amused the public by exhibiting
his victims in their dying agonies, while he himself stood by, taking the
keenest delight in their misery. Degraded and hardened as were the Romans, and
bitter as was their prejudice against the Christians, the constant repetition of
these horrible,
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heart-sickening scenes excited even their
compassion. {LP 303.1}
From this terrible ordeal, Paul was spared, having left Rome
soon after his release. This last precious interval of freedom was earnestly
improved in labouring among the churches. He sought to establish a firmer union
between the Greek and Eastern churches which he had raised up, and to guard them
against the subtle heresies that were creeping in to corrupt the faith. The
trials and anxieties which he had endured, had preyed upon his physical and
mental energies. The infirmities of age were upon him. He felt that his work was
nearly accomplished. {LP 304.1}
At Jerusalem and at Antioch he had defended Christianity
against the narrow restrictions of Judaism. He had preached the gospel to the
pagans of Lycaonia, to the fanatics of Galatia, to the colonists of Macedonia,
to the frivolous art-worshippers of Athens, to the pleasure-loving merchants of
Corinth, to the half-barbarous nations of Dalmatia, to the islanders of Crete,
and to slaves, soldiers, and men of rank and station, in the multitudes at Rome.
Now he was doing his last work. {LP 304.2}