its baths and temples,- its palaces and theatres studding its
seven hills, presented an architectural splendour which was
darkly fringed with scenes of squalor, poverty, and vice. It
was the world in miniature. Africa and Britain, India
and Spain met in it, with sailors from every country, and
captives from every province. All lands were tributary to
it, and the names of its consuls, praetors, and Ca?sars had
reproduced themselves in barbarous tongues. The earth
bowed at the throne of Nero, and his will was felt over
myriads of many colours and climes. Mighty tides of influ-
ence streamed out from the city on all sides, and struck on
the most distant shores. Therefore, vital evangelical
power established in it would soon radiate to the ends of
the empire. Pilgrims would carry it in their treasure.
452 PAUL IN HOME.
it would march with the legions, and returning prisoners
would bring back the gladsome news. The apostle aimed
at such an end; and though a cause was usually heard
within a week of the appellant's arrival, for " two whole
years " was the apostle permitted to labour "with all confi-
dence, no man forbidding him." Then was laid the
foundation of many churches in the Italian peninsula and
over Europe, a vast network of missionary operations,
connecting itself with the Jewish bondman at Home a
prisoner, and yet the apostle of the Gentiles. They who
saw him and conversed with him caught his spirit and
carried away his words, carried them beyond the Campagna
and up the slopes of the Alban and Sabine hills, over the
Alps into Gaul, and across the channel to our native isle.
The book of the "Acts" closes with this account of
Paul's imprisonment. The gospel is at length preached in
Rome by an apostle an earnest of its universal diffusion,
and of the fulfilment of the Lord's own promise. Critics
and historians vary as to the period of the apostle's death
some holding that he was released, and that, after more
missionary labours and travels, he was again apprehended,
brought to Rome, tried, and executed ; and others main-
taining that soon after the period specified in the conclusion
of the "Acts," he was put to death by Nero ; tradition
placing its time on the 29th of June, and its scene at Aquas
Salviae, ofi the Ostian road, about two miles from the city.
Thus he who had been " apprehended of Christ Jesus," and
" separated unto the gospel ;" who had " lived by the faith
of the Son of God," and by His grace had " laboured more
abundantly" than his colleagues; who had "filled up that
HIS MARTYRDOM.
453
which was behind of the afflictions of Christ in his flesh for
His body's sake," and entered into " the fellowship of His
sufferings," received at length his heart's desire in "being-
made conformable unto His death."
THE END.
Printed by William Mackenzie, Glasgow
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