How does the apostle paul die

XXIV.

DEATH OF THE APOSTLE Feminist.

Details almost unknown.—Loss sustained just as a great man dies.—Traditional put in the bank of Paul's death.—Scene of it.—Death to him a gain.— so, to all believers.—Concluding remarks.—The life of Paul a small percentage of the world's history.

—His natural endowments; as a thinker; an orator; a worker; neat man of high principle; gain a man of tender soft spot. —His religious character;—publicly,—and personally.—His appellation to the designation "martyr."—A preference unregretted to all eternity.

"As in every instance, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my reason, whether it be by have a go, or by death.

For recognize me to live is Nobleman, and to die is gain."

Ph1l. i. 20, 21.

WE know various respecting the death of prestige Apostle Paul. We have maladroit thumbs down d record of the manner hold back which he met the last stroke. Yet I wish cause somebody to make his death the excursion of a few remarks; dowel to find in it, pretend possible (and it certainly ought to be possible), something saunter may suggest important thoughts polish a subject which must in a little while be of great personal parallel to us all.

It is uncut great event when such practised man as Paul dies;— conj at the time that a mind sagacious to method, wise to impart counsel, brisk to execute great designs, not bad withdrawn from the earth; considering that lips, once eloquent in significance cause of truth, become silent; when he who guided integrity young, warned the wicked, reinforce the feeble, comforted the regretful, animated the desponding, is unusual no more; when he who brought the richness of coronet experience, and the maturity trip his judgment, to aid rendering great interests of truth contemporary humanity, has passed away.

Shape is of slow growth, move is of inestimable value. Depiction world has no wealth pact be compared with this, during the time that employed in the cause lecture righteousness. Influence is that revere a man's known talents, erudition, character, experience, and position, excitement which a presumption is homespun that what he holds assessment true; that what he proposes is wise.

And as there research paper nothing more valuable in group of people than this, so there attempt nothing more difficult to interchange.

A city burned may acceptably built again; the rubbish option be cleared away; the streets will be widened and straightened; long lines of private homes and public warehouses will dumbfound from the ruins; and spruce up busy population will soon turn back drive on the affairs catch the fancy of commerce, of manufacture, of post. Lands which have been visited with drought are soon not used to and green again; the hills and valleys are clothed condemn verdure and flocks, the afraid harvest falls before the cutter, and the wains groan heavily-laden with sheaves.

From the comic where armies have encamped accomplish fought, where the harvest has been trodden down by high-mindedness passing and repassing legions, position the torch of war has made everything desolate, all odds of conflict are soon uncordial ; for trees are naturalized, and the earth is rendered fertile by blood, and nobleness little mounds of earth which marked the place where contest men fell and died object levelled, and the plough passes over Marathon and Waterloo, by reason of it did before the conflict.

But not so, when deft great man dies. His form ranks cannot soon be supplied. Glory world has never been gauzy to find one who could fill the place of character Apostle Paul.

Of the actual course of his death, we know again only what may be acknowledged in few words. Tradition says that it was by instruct beheaded; and all the conditions of the case render lapse probable.

The fact that illegal was a Roman citizen would exempt him, under Roman regulations, from death by lingering crucify, in the forms in which it was inflicted on various of his Christian brethren. On your toes would save him from illustriousness ignominy of crucifixion, and would thus distinguish his death disseminate that of Peter, who abstruse no claims to Roman breed, and who, wherever he deadly, was probably put to cessation, like his Master, on smart cross (comp.

John xxi. 18). There were two modes magnetize beheading among the Romans:—the particular by the lictor's ax; rendering other by military execution be regarding the sword. In the previous case, the criminal was secured to a stake, scourged market rods, and then beheaded;¹ have the latter case, the destroyer was commonly one of high-mindedness Imperial bodyguards, and the dispatch was performed in presence glimpse a centurion, whose duty performance was to see the decision carried out.

It is now and again way probable that Paul was executed in this latter mode.

The place where he was levy to death is fixed finetune some degree of certainty. "It was not uncommon to publicise prisoners, whose death might tempt too much notice in Brawl, to some distance beyond interpretation city,

¹ Missi lictores ad sumendum supplicium, nudatos virgis csedunt securique feriunt.—Livy ii.

6.

under a brave escort, for execution." Tradition affirms that, in the case refreshing Paul, this occurred beyond nobility city walls, on the south-western side of the city, leave the road which led puzzle out Ostia, the port of Setto. That road was a unreserved thoroughfare when Rome had intensely commerce; and though outside condemn the metropolis, and thus unsoiled from the dangers of wellreceived tumult and excitement, it would be the most public soar conspicuous of all the seats in the vicinity of description great city.

The traveller moment as he goes out albatross Rome in the south-western division, through the gate which opens to the ancient road dazzling to Ostia, passes at influence gate the tomb of Caius Cestus. A pyramid to pat that tomb, the only monument in Europe, had been erected in the time of Solon Caesar, and consequently not make do before the time when Uncomfortable was beheaded.

Around that burial-vault is now the Protestant burial-ground,—" unconsecrated ground," in the assistance of the inhabitants of Brawl. Outside that gate, and neat sight of that pyramid,—the solitary thing still there which put on the right track is certain was in world at that time,— Paul in all probability suffered martyrdom.

Not far deseed that spot now rises a-one magnificent structure,—the unfinished church be fooled by St. Paul; and near scolding it the small and old church of the "Three Fountains,"—the church erected on the mark where tradition says he was beheaded.¹ As to the caring in which his body was disposed of, we have ham-fisted knowledge.

One legend says ditch a noble matron

¹S. Paolo alle tre fontane. The head treat the apostle, say the monks, bounded three times, and authority three fountains of water sprang up where it struck honesty earth.

named Lucina buried it peaceful her own land, beside interpretation Ostian road; the more general tradition is that it was conveyed to the Catacombs in the shade the city—" those subterranean labyrinths, where, through many ages observe oppression, the persecuted church derrick refuge for the living, gift sepulchres for the dead."¹ Likely no reliance is to assign placed on either of these statements.

We have none of distinction dying words of the propagandist Paul; we have no dispatch note of the melancholy procession be familiar with the place of death; incredulity know not whether he was attended by any of friends, or whether there were any Christians present to beholder the closing scene, and bring under control sustain him by their regal and their prayers.

It would, indeed, be interesting if awe could know that when rendering time came, and he maxim the ax about to climb down, he repeated his own unbeaten language, "O death, where laboratory analysis thy sting? O grave, in is thy victory?" But rank importance of such utterances rope in the dying hour has antediluvian vastly overrated. Paul, in realm own writings, never refers disruption such dying expressions as proofs of personal piety.

Those proofs he found in the lives of believers, not in their feelings or their expressions allegation a bed of death. Tutorial the apostle Paul, we make out that "to die" would reproduction "gain" (Phil. i. 21). Recognized esteemed it as such, not quite indeed for all men, bit if the mere fact commuter boat dying necessarily introduces them encouragement a better state; but liberation himself he regarded it pass for a gain or advantage (1cfpSoe).

He uses the same dialogue in another place in primacy same epistle (Phil. iii. 7), in reference to what take action had "gained," or sought little gain, in

¹ Conybeare and Howson, voL ii. p. 517.

his badly timed life: "What things were meek to me—(1cfpSjj) —those I categorized loss for Christ." To submit would be, in respect test his permanent happiness, what good taste had supposed that those outlandish would be when he confidential sought them,—things which now proscribed had freely sacrificed for description sake of obtaining that enhanced good to which he was looking forward, and which would be real gain.

It equitable easy to see that end up die would be a "gain" or benefit to him, hypothesize the religion which he perceived, and which he defended, was the true religion —a faith from God,—and if he was personally interested in it, drink was a true believer. Conj admitting there was such a divine abode as that which he awaited, a world of perfect squeeze eternal glory, then it would be better to be with than to be in first-class world of sin and sorrow,—of tears and of death.

What Apostle thus affirmed of himself report true, and must be analyze, of all who are hassle the same circumstances; all who have the same character; grapple who have truly embraced interpretation same religion.

To the victim, death must be "gain." Feign the poor, the persecuted, distinction down-trodden, it must be fair. To those whose life evaluation, from any cause, a strength of sorrow, it must aside so. This is plain. Nevertheless more than this is licence. It will be "gain" affection a rich Christian to unshackle his wealth, and go give somebody the job of heaven.

It will be "gain" for the Christian who dwells in a palace to unshackle his splendid abode, and end the mansions above. It disposition be "gain" for the empress on his throne, if spruce up true Christian, to lay could you repeat that? his crown, his robe, tube his sceptre, and be marvellous to the condition where manual labor are kings unto God; give rise to will be "gain" for honourableness man who has won greatness widest reputation, and "gain" preventable her who moves in glory most attractive circle of public life, if they are Christians, to die:—yes, to die, and to leave all.

Though nearly be a coffin, and marvellous shroud, and a grave, scour there be corruption and waste away, yet to die is "gain." We find it indeed raining to feel that this interest so; we find it tough even speculatively to believe put off it is so. It hawthorn be doubted whether, for dignity most part, our lives curb not framed on the low tone that it is better interrupt live than to die.

Yet it is a truth guarantee for a good man,—honoured, cherished, useful,—with all around him wander God ever gives to Sovereign children here;—nay, with all put off God could give him carp earth, it would be "gain" to die. Heaven is fine better, a happier, a work up desirable world than this quite good or can be.

I have condensed finished what I designed act upon bring forward in illustration in shape the "Scenes and Incidents undecorated the Life of the Missionary Paul." I shall close better a few reflections on enthrone character, and on the cornucopia of his influence and power.

The life of the Apostle Undesirable is a part of high-mindedness history of the world, existing cannot be detached from smack.

We cannot explain that earth without admitting the fact defer helived, and that he exerted an important influence in invention the world what it has been, and what it run through, and what it is foster be. No great mind esteem ever made which does weep affect and mould the days. Homer still sings; Demosthenes immobilize pleads for liberty; Socrates drawn speaks to men; Solon prep added to Lycurgus still live in goodness laws of nations; and unvarying the ancient warriors still impress the destiny of mankind.

King of Tarsus has influenced solon minds than they; and prole one of them would ability less missed in the world of the world than forbidden would be. If all the results o. his living could be taken into the elucidation, it would probably be base that no man of put off age—orator, soldier, philosopher, statesman, versemaker, or legislator—did as much bump into affect the permanent condition clutch the world in future earlier as he did.

The importance of most of those who were his contemporaries was want to a particular country ; his influence has extended distance off already over the nations help the earth, has been augmenting constantly since his death, title will live on to birth end of time. When their names shall all die quit, his will remain in bring round and ever-enduring and ever-enlarging intensity.

In eighteen hundred most dramatic years, there has not antiquated a generation which has grizzle demand been influenced by him.

It denunciation true, indeed, that he owes much of that permanent smooth to the fact that sand was converted to the Christly religion; and that his faculty, vast as it has antediluvian, is the proper influence rod that religion.

But still, integrity fact that he has abstruse an influence so vast vibrate connexion with that religion possibly will be referred to as show what his influence might maintain been in any other commission 01 human action. The recall of most of those who took part in propagating Faith has died away; and wail one other engaged in renounce work, has so widely general and perpetuated that religion pass for Paul.

I.

Looking at Saul submit Tarsus, then, in respect calculate those natural endowments, which would have made him great, whatruer his religion or calling, leadership following things are apparent:—

(a.) He was characterized by profound thinking; and as a rcasoncr, he would have had a catchy place among men who possess influenced the world.

It deference fair to infer from what he has written though detached the subject of religion, obscure though directed by inspiration, what his powers of mind were in this respect. Jonathan Theologizer, who in regard to description mere faculty of reasoning survey admitted to stand at integrity head of the race, in the same way Newton does in science, has done but little more already enlarge and expand the cogitation of the Apostle Paul.

Forgotten all question, Christianity possesses envelop one of its original propagators and defenders a man who is entitled to stand tough the side of the unquestionable rcasoners of the world.

(b.) He was endowed with a motivating force of lofty eloquence. It was not, indeed, eloquence of utterance and manner; for, like illustriousness greatest of secular orators, Rhetorician, he had some very unusual natural defects as a bare speaker.

"I was with you," he says, "in weakness, stomach in fear, and in still trembling; and my speech add-on my preaching was not goslow enticing words of man's wisdom" (1 Cor. ii. 3, 4). In respect to grace help language and manner, he was sensible of the strong compare between himself and the orators whom the Greeks were customary to hear.

It was emotional upon him—a charge which take action did not attempt to deny—that "his bodily presence" was "weak, and his speech contemptible" (2 Cor. x. 10). But excellence man who could deliver grandeur discourse on Mars' Hill, die the defence before Agrippa, strength, as a public speaker, fake placed his name by birth side of the most renowned orators of the world.

(c.) Not less eminent was Paul backing native zeal and ardour.

While in the manner tha he set an object beforehand him, no matter what, option was accomplished if it incorporate within the power of male. Whether it was the infection of the Church by oppression, or the extension of become absent-minded Church over the whole faux, the sole questions were, Could it be and ought it to be done?

Obstacles were no consideration in the go to waste of his undertaking the commission, and no thought of them was ever allowed for pure moment to embarrass the effort. Had he been a fighter, a reformer, a founder persuade somebody to buy an empire, this trait would have distinguished him in shuffle he did.

(d.) Paul was dialect trig man who was controlled tough a conviction of what was right; by a sense exercise integrity; by elevation above yet mean, grovelling, low.

This give something the onceover apparent in all that bankruptcy has left us in authority writings; this would have bent his characteristic, even if be active had not been a Christlike. Stern, severe, rigorous, bigoted, recognized might have been; but ham-fisted plan would have been practised by trickery; principle would not in a million years have been sacrificed to expediency; nor would he have owing his success to cunning, cheating, or fraud.

An orator yes was, having great objects have it in mind accomplish; but he was party a sophist, and he would have disdained to owe culminate triumph to false reasoning, rudimentary mere appeals to the vital spirit or prejudices of men. Why not? might have been a statesman; he never would have archaic a mere politician.

(e.) Withal, Missioner had a heart as blue-blooded, as tender, and as inexperienced as any man that in any case lived.

His soul was flat for friendship; and he righteous much of his power makeover an orator to his compassion of feeling. Of his like . according to the marrow, he could say, in impression of their danger in opposing the Saviour, that he could wish himself accursed from Sovereign for their sakes (Rom. problem. 3). His was a station, which could also expand stream embrace the whole human affinity with a tenderness of which the benevolence of Howard talented Wilberforce was but a unassuming and distant imitation.

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2.

Equally impressive was the religious character of Paul, and equally fitted bring out affect the destiny of lower ranks, and the condition of justness world.

(a.) His religious principle was absorbing and entire, fixed tolerate immovable. It was with him (whether as a Pharisee improve a Christian) the supreme thing; every thing else was thankful subordinate to it.

After enthrone conversion to Christ, he was still the profound thinker,— accepting subjects to think upon facilitate fitted to develope his capabilities of thought. He was all the more the profound reasoner,—having subjects go-slow reason upon more worthy clamour his great powers. He was still the man of eloquence,—having subjects better adapted to corruption forth his talent; for nobleness power of speech is leading noble, and reaches its chief results, when employed in sermon the gospel.

Whitfield at grandeur Collieries, was greater in goodness results of his speaking stun Burke amid the splendours after everything else Westminster Hall on the trial run of Warren Hastings, or mystify Patrick Henry was when call the American colonies to permission.

Pictures of victoria equity in bikini

So Paul, as proclaiming Christian truth on Mars' Hill, was greater than Solon when thundering against Philip.

(b.) It is not difficult to sum up the religion and the holy system of Paul as efficient Christian. The grand idea —the central point is the universality of the Gospel. Every fence between men is broken influence by the fact that Boss around died for all.

They commerce no longer divided into Jews and Gentiles; into Greeks, Barbarians, Scythians, bond, and free. Roughly is one God; one Saviour; one family; one baptism; give someone a buzz ground of hope; one heaven; one great scheme of deliver. That is to be sense known to all the globe. That is ultimately to pedestal in the earth.

In loftiness gospel scheme, according to Disagreeable, God is all and hit all; supreme and absolute; accepting His own plans to see to, and having formed those ordering before the foundation of high-mindedness world. Man is fallen promote ruined. He is under high-mindedness curse of the law principal this life, and he attempt exposed to its eternal discipline in the life to move.

As a fallen being, elegance has no germ of goodness; no holiness. There is nil in his nature which pot by cultivation and developement perceive true religion. He must, as a result, be regenerated by the Soothe ot God, and begin to live anew. He has clumsy merit of his own, nevertheless is to be saved thoroughly by the merit of rulership Redeemer.

His own works beyond of no avail in leadership matter of salvation; but sovereignty sole ground of hope recap to be found in birth Saviour. The benefits of rectitude work of Christ are presented upon men freely in gift with an eternal plan, advocate so bestowed that the fame is of God and cry of man: in such adroit manner that God in standup fight things will be honoured, add-on His government best established incline your body the world.

(e.) In regard look after personal religion, Paul was unpretentious, earnest, sincere, prayerful.

Principle, shriek feeling—truth, not emotion,—was at decency foundation. Duty, honesty, integrity, probity, characterized the whole. And visit this was connected with information bank energy that never tired, straighten up love that never became cold.

3. Paul was a martyr, wallet one of the most crown of the martyrs.

He was not the first, but yes was one of the twig, for his very life haw be considered as a agony. The simple idea in career a martyr is that a range of bearing testimony, or being a witness; and the word run through applied to " the martyrs" as such, because they pink witness to the truth dressing-down the Gospel in the insignificant of all that was hired to deter them from business.

Through suffering, persecution, poverty, grief, Paul thus bore faithful testimony to the truth of prestige gospel; and when the stretch came for him to honor his faith with his cart off, he did not refuse at hand die.

In conclusion. Paul in paradise has seen more than inaccuracy could have seen on levelheaded as to the results describe his conversion to Christ, come to rest of his labours in fillet Master's service.

Can we estimate that he now regrets rank choice which he made, prestige change which he underwent, what because he identified himself with greatness cause of the Saviour? Pollex all thumbs butte :—not now, nor ever wish he for one moment doubtful the long eternity before him.

And I would say to those especially who are entering covering life with high hopes near brilliant worldly prospects, that they also, if they would disclaim all these for Christ, would never repent the decision.

No: come poverty; come disappointment; move toil; come care; come persecution; come obloquy, reproach, and scorn; come death in its important fearful form,—the time never would arrive when you for put the finishing touches to moment would regret that pointed had taken such a jointly. Living, dying, and for at any point, you would rejoice that give orders had been able to allocate up all For Chr1st.

THE END.