The Life and Epistles of St. Paul (Volume 1-2) (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1869. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... fimotheus render it probable that this arrest took place not later than mid-winttr, and the authorities may have thought to gratify the Emperor by forwarding so important a criminal immediately to Rome. It is true that the navigation of the Mediterranean wus in those times suspended during the winter; bnt this rule would apply only to longer voyages, and aot to the short passage1 from Apollouia to Brundisium. Hence, it ig not unlikely that St. Paul may have arrived at Rome some time before spring. In this melancholy journey he had but few friends to cheer him. Titus had reached Nicopolis, in obedience to his summons; and there were others, also, it would seem, in attendance on him; but they were scattered by the terror of his arrest. Demas forsook him, " for love of this present world,"3 and departed to Thessalonica; Cresccns* went to Galatia on the same occasion. We are uuwilliug to suppose that Titus could havo yielded to such unworthy fears, and may be allowed to hope that his journey to the neighbouring Dalmatia5 was undertaken by the desire of St. Paul. Luke, - at any rate, remained faithful, Accompanied bis master once more over the wintry sea, and shared the dangers of his imprisonment at Rome. This imprisonment was evidently more severe than it had been five years before. Then, though necessarily fettered to his military guard, he lad been allowed to live in his own lodgings, and had been suffered to preach the Gospel to a numerous company who came to hear him. Now, he is not only chained, but treated" as a malefactor."' His friends, indeed, are still suffered to visit him in his confinement, but we hear nothing of his preaching. It is dangerous and difficult8 to seek his prison, so perilous to show any public sympathy with him, that no Christian ven...