can picture him preaching the
Gospel of Jesus with the same boldness in his bonds as when at freedom,
glorying in the cross of his Master, and rejoicing that he is permitted
to enter into the fellowship of His sufferings. We can fancy even the
stern Roman soldier watching with admiration, as the old man exhorts
his hearers to show themselves good soldiers of Jesus Christ, to fight
the good fight, to take unto them the whole armour of God. Whilst many
a Christian's heart must have swelled with emotion as the fettered
hands were lifted in earnest exhortation, and the blessing was given
amid the clanking of the Apostle's chains. And thus all the hearers of
S. Paul must have been struck with the wonderful faith and patience of
the man; just as we are struck when we read his words to-day. Although
he was an exile, a prisoner, waiting for a trial where he would have
little chance of justice, knowing that the sword hung above his head
ready to fall at any moment, S. Paul utters no complaint, no murmur of
discontent. On the contrary, he bids his hearers rejoice in the Lord
alway; he himself thanked God, and took courage; he tells his disciples
that he has learnt in whatsoever state he is, to be content. He is
poor, yet making many rich. He has nothing, yet possesses all things.
He has that peace of God which passeth all understanding, that good
part which shall not be taken away. The heathen tyrant can make him a
prisoner, but his chains cannot keep him from the glorious freedom of
the sons of God. Persecution may drive him from his home, but nothing
can rob him of his home eternal in the Heavens. The sword of the Roman
may slay him, but to him to die is gain, and he is ready to be offered.
He has suffered want, and sorrow, and loss; he has endured perils by
land and by sea, by robbers, by shipwreck, by the heathen, and by his
own countrymen, but for this S. Paul cares not, he has kept the faith,
he has run the race set before him, looking unto Jesus, and he knows
that the crown of glory is laid up for him. A great preacher of our
day tells us how they brought the news to Athens that the battle of
Marathon was won. The swiftest runner had come panting and exhausted
with the glad tidings of victory, and worn out with exertion, he
dropped, and died on the threshold of the first house he reached,
sobbing out with dying breath the words--"Farewell, and rejoice ye, we,
too, rejoice." So the Apostle, the prisoner of the Lo