Compassed with His Favour as with a Shield

“And -when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul,” etc. — Acts xxttt. 12-35.

THE conspiracy formed to assassinate Paul and the means by which it was defeated are narrated with considerable minuteness. The history is perhaps given the more fully that it contains and exhibits a decisive example of the actual union and harmony between the prescient purpose of God and the responsibility of men for duty on their own sphere. It was determined that Paul’s life should be saved from these dangers, and that determination was made known to him. He knew for certain that these schemers could not take his life; he knew for certain that the power of God was pledged effectually to frustrate their designs; yet with this knowledge Paul laid his plans anxiously and skilfully, and executed them with secrecy and energy, for the preservation of his own life, precisely as if he had thought that all depended on his own skill and promptitude. This shows conclusively that in Paul’s mind a belief in the decrees of God did not conflict with the obligation to diligent duty on the part of men. He framed and conducted a counterplot to defeat the conspiracy of the Jewish priesthood with as much zeal and care as if he had not obtained previous assurance of his safety. This simple history is most precious as an inspired commentary on some difficult doctrines. It does not indeed make the doctrines easy of comprehension; it does not relieve them of mystery to our minds; but it is fitted to accomplish very great practical good in two distinct yet related aspects. It is fitted first of all to show us that no view of the Divine purposes can be right that in any measure tends to slacken human zeal and energy; and, in the second place, it ought to make men very guarded, who, either from the Christian or non-Christian view-point, are disposed to attribute to the adherents of so-called Calvinistic doctrines consequences which Paul and Calvin would have repudiated. Scriptural views of the Divine prescience and sovereignty, by whatever name they may be called, stimulate and do not sopite the watchfulness and energy of disciples. To be assured that it is God that worketh in them, is the best of all motives to induce intelligent Christians to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. ii. 12, 13).

The Jewish leaders easily found a band of desperadoes, who for fitting consideration should act the part of assassins. The rule of a superstitious and corrupt priesthood will produce an abundant crop of such instruments in any age and in any land. In connection with this plot an incidental glimpse is afforded of the apostle’s family circle. A married sister, probably a Christian, and having her residence in Asia Minor, or in some region remote from Jerusalem, deputes her adult son to perform a service which she could not personally render to her brother — to wait upon him, and render him assistance in his struggle with the priest party in Judaea. This young man discovers the plot and reveals it to his uncle. Paul, enjoining secrecy on the informer, loses no time in getting him introduced to the Roman commander. The result is that the prisoner is sent under a strong guard to Caesarea, on the coast, and the conspiracy is completely frustrated.

The letter addressed by the tribune commanding in J emsalem to his superior, Felix the governor, is preserved entire. It is a most interesting ancient document. It is in complete accord with the forms and the spirit of the time. Lysias simply and briefly recites the facts of the case, and leaves it in the hands of his chief.

Paul is now in the hands of a thoroughly bad man; but the Roman laws are around him, and these suffice to protect him, in the meantime, alike from the foul treachery of the Jews, and the mean avarice of Felix. The law will not permit him to be tried, far less to be condemned, until he and his accusers are brought face to face before a regular tribunal. Paul is placed under arrest indeed; but it is for the protection of his life, rather than for the restraint of his liberty. Herod’s judgment-hall, the place of his confinement, is not precisely the cell in which they would immure a criminal. In that hall, with a Roman sentinel pacing up and down its corridors night and day, the missionary will be in safe keeping, until the preliminaries for his trial can be arranged. Signal, meantime, unseen by human eye, is displayed to ministering angels, that this man must be preserved unharmed, for the word of the Lord is pledged that he shall preach yet in Rome. Lie down, Paul, and rest a while: give some repose to thy weary limbs and anxious heart. Thy course is almost run: but a little while, and thou shalt enter into rest. A few more tossings on the sea of time, and thou shalt be sentinelled, not by Roman legionaries, but by ministering spirits who attend upon the heirs of salvation. One city more to be visited, one ruler of this world more to be confronted, one trial more to be endured before a human judgment-seat, and then thou shalt be permitted to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better.

But such faith and such hope belong not exclusively to a great apostle, or to the supreme crisis of an eventful life. These may become the every- day attainments of commonplace people. A disciple who has never stood before kings, who has never been a bone of contention between rival factions, whose life has been spent in a private sphere, and whose name has never been heard of half-a-mile from home, may participate in the grand inheritance which Paul enjoyed. “My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” The simplest and the humblest who is found in Christ may lie down and awake with God, day by day through life, until, after falling asleep for the last time here, he awake in the presence of his Lord.

The air — the atmosphere which surrounds this globe — is a limited quantity. Its measurements are known. It can be weighed even in our balances, and fathomed by our laws; yet that body touches at the same moment all living. It enfolds all vegetable and animal life in one comprehensive embrace, and touches, presses gently on every flower of the field and every face of man. It supplies the breath of life to all, not only those who stand on a mountain-top and consciously inhale the blessing, but also, and equally, those who sleep in the gallery of a mine, and know not the value of the omnipresent boon. We can understand this fact of nature: we can realise and appreciate its truth and value. Might we not by faith as clearly realise that the love of God, unlike the atmosphere, his creature, infinite, compasses about always all his children, great and small, of every language, in every clime, clasping them round continuously, and supplying them with life!

The same atmosphere, God’s creature, that was suffused round the head of Paul, when he slept in Herod’s judgment-hall at Csesarea, surrounds our heads to-day, supplying us with the breath of life: the same Divine love, Christians,

The Parties at the Bar. that sustained Paul’s faith and refreshed his spirit, when he was afflicted, persecuted, and forsaken, compasses us about to-day, for life in the Lord, a life eternal. Rejoice in the Lord always. 0 thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

“And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,” etc. — Acts xxrv. 1-23.

I HE comfort given to the missionary in his extremity

I consists in an assurance, not that his troubles should cease, but that his witness-bearing should continue. The Lord knew what grieved his servant’s heart; and in order to gladden it, announced, Thou shalt bear witness of me at Rome. This was the promise, and it must be fulfilled. Many and various agents will be pressed into the service in order to accomplish it. The bloodthirsty enmity of the Jewish priesthood, and the impartial dignity of Roman law; the plot of assassins, and the sharp-sighted love of kindred; the avarice of a profligate governor, and the discipline of the imperial legions, — all conspired, like the several parts of a machine in motion, to preserve the missionary’s life and transplant him to the metropolis of the world.

At Csesarea the distinguished prisoner was kept, for protection as much as for restraint, until his accusers should arrive. In five days the prosecutors were on the spot, and the case was called. The high priest in person, with several of his confederates, represented the Sanhedrim. The priests