按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Nero was more debased in morals；
486
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 entrusted to a more despotic ruler。 The first year of his
reign had been marked by the poisoning of his young stepbrother； the
rightful heir to the throne。 From one depth of vice and crime to another；
Nero had descended； 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 only abhorrence and
contempt。
The details of the iniquity practiced in his court 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。 More than
this； he was made the recipient of divine honors and was worshiped as a god。
From the viewpoint of human judgment； Paul's condemnation before such a
judge was certain。 But the apostle felt that so long as he was loyal to God；
he had nothing to fear。 The One who in the past had been his protector could
shield him still from the malice of the Jews and from the power of Caesar。
And God did shield His servant。 At Paul's examination the charges against
him were not sustained； and； contrary to the general expectation； and with a
regard for justice
487
wholly at variance with his character； Nero declared the prisoner guiltless。
Paul's bonds were removed； he was again a free man。
Had his trial been longer deferred； or had he from any cause been detained
in Rome until the following year； he would doubtless have perished in the
persecution which then took place。 During Paul's imprisonment the converts
to Christianity had become so numerous as to attract the attention and
arouse the enmity of the authorities。 The anger of the emperor was
especially excited by the conversion of members of his own household； and he
soon found a pretext to make the Christians the objects of his merciless
cruelty。
About this time a terrible fire occurred in Rome by which nearly one half of
the city was burned。 Nero himself； it was rumored； had caused the flames to
be kindled； but to avert suspicion he made a pretense of great generosity by
assisting the homeless and destitute。 He was； however； accused of the crime。
The people were excited and enraged； and in order to clear himself； and also
to rid the city of a class whom he feared and hated； Nero turned the
accusation upon the Christians。 His device succeeded； and thousands of the
followers of Christmen； women； and children were cruelly put to death。
From this terrible persecution Paul was spared； for soon after his release
he had left Rome。 This last interval of freedom he diligently improved in
laboring among the churches。 He sought to establish a firmer union between
the Greek and the Eastern churches and to fortify the minds
488
of the believers against the false doctrines that were creeping in to
corrupt the faith。
The trials and anxieties that Paul had endured had preyed upon his physical
powers。 The infirmities of age were upon him。 He felt that he was now doing
his last work； and； as the time of his labor grew shorter； his efforts
became more intense。 There seemed to be no limit to his zeal。 Resolute in
purpose； prompt in action； strong in faith； he journeyed from church to
church； in many lands； and sought by every means within his power to
strengthen the hands of the believers； that they might do faithful work in
winning souls to Jesus； and that in the trying times upon which they were
even then entering； they might remain steadfast to the gospel； bearing
faithful witness for Christ。
（489）
Chapter 47
The Final Arrest
Paul's work among the churches after his acquittal at Rome； could not escape
the observation of his enemies。 Since the beginning of the persecution under
Nero the Christians had everywhere been a proscribed sect。 After a time the
unbelieving Jews conceived the idea of fastening upon Paul the crime of
instigating the burning of Rome。 Not one of them thought for a moment that
he was guilty； but they knew that such a charge； made with the faintest show
of plausibility； would seal his doom。 Through their efforts； Paul was again
arrested； and hurried away to his final imprisonment。
On his second voyage to Rome； Paul was accompanied by several of his former
companions； others earnestly desired to share his lot； but he refused to
permit them thus to imperil their lives。 The prospect before him was far
less favorable than at the time of his former imprisonment。 The persecution
under Nero had greatly lessened the number of Christians in Rome。 Thousands
had been martyred for their
490
faith； many had left the city； and those who remained were greatly depressed
and intimidated。
Upon his arrival at Rome； Paul was placed in a gloomy dungeon； there to
remain until his course should be finished。 Accused of instigating one of
the basest and most terrible of crimes against the city and the nation； he
was the object of universal execration。
The few friends who had shared the burdens of the apostle； now began to
leave him； some by desertion； and others on missions to the various
churches。 Phygellus and Hermogenes were the first to go。 Then Demas；
dismayed by the thickening clouds of difficulty and danger； forsook the
persecuted apostle。 Crescens was sent by Paul to the churches of Galatia；
Titus to Dalmatia； Tychicus to Ephesus。 Writing to Timothy of this
experience； Paul said； 〃Only Luke is with me。〃 2 Timothy 4：11。 Never had the
apostle needed the ministrations of his brethren as now； enfeebled as he was
by age； toil； and infirmities； and confined in the damp； dark vaults of a
Roman prison。 The services of Luke； the beloved disciple and faithful
friend； were a great comfort to Paul and enabled him to communicate with his
brethren and the world without。
In this trying time Paul's heart was cheered by frequent visits from
Onesiphorus。 This warmhearted Ephesian did all in his power to lighten the
burden of the apostle's imprisonment。 His beloved teacher was in bonds for
the truth's sake； while he himself went free； and he spared himself no
effort to make Paul's lot more bearable。
491
In the last letter that the apostle ever wrote； he speaks thus of this
faithful disciple： 〃The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus； for
he oft refreshed me； and was not ashamed of my chain； but； when he was in
Rome； he sought me out very diligently； and found me。 The Lord grant unto
him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day。〃 2 Timothy I：16…18。
The desire for love and sympathy is implanted in the heart by God Himself。
Christ； in His hour of agony in Gethsemane； longed for the sympathy of His
disciples。 And Paul； though apparently indifferent to hardship and
suffering； yearned for sympathy and companionship。 The visit of Onesiphorus；
testifying to his fidelity at a time of loneliness and desertion； brought
gladness and cheer to one who had spent his life in service for others。
（492）
Chapter 48
Paul Before Nero
When Paul was summoned to appear before the emperor Nero for trial； it was
with the near prospect of certain death。 The serious nature of the crime
charged against him； and the prevailing animosity toward Christians； left
little ground for hope of a favorable issue。
Among the Greeks and Romans it was customary to allow an accused person the
privilege of employing an advocate to plead in his behalf before courts of
justice。 By force of argument； by impassioned eloquence； or by entreaties；
prayers； and tears； such an advocate often secured a decision in favor of
the prisoner or； failing in this； succeeded in mitigating the severity of
the sentence。 But when Paul was summoned before Nero； no man ventured to act
as his counsel or advocate； no friend was at hand even to preserve a record
of the charges brought against him； or of the arguments that he urged in his
own defense。 Among the
493
Christians at Rome there was not one who came forward to stand by him in
that trying hour。
The only reliable record of the occasion is given by Paul himself； in his
second letter to Timothy。 〃At my first answer；〃 the apostle wrote； 〃no man
stood with me； but all men forsook me： I pray God that it may not be laid to
their charge。 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me； and strengthened me；
that by me the preaching might be fully known； and that all the Gentiles
might h