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men。 What the hands may do or the tongue may utter what the outer life
revealsbut imperfectly shows man's moral character。 The law searches his
thoughts； motives； and purposes。 The dark passions that lie hidden from the
sight of men； the jealousy； hatred； lust； and ambition； the evil deeds
meditated upon in the dark recesses of the soul； yet never executed for want
of opportunityall these God's law condemns。
Paul endeavored to direct the minds of his hearers to the one great
Sacrifice for sin。 He pointed to the sacrifices that were shadows of good
things to come； and then presented Christ as the antitype of all those
ceremoniesthe object to which they pointed as the only source of life and
hope for fallen man。 Holy men of old were saved by faith in the blood of
Christ。 As they saw the dying agonies of
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the sacrificial victims they looked across the gulf of ages to the Lamb of
God that was to take away the sin of the world。
God justly claims the love and obedience of all His creatures。 He has given
them in His law a perfect standard of right。 But many forget their Maker and
choose to follow their own way in opposition to His will。 They return enmity
for love that is as high as heaven and as broad as the universe。 God cannot
lower the requirements of His law to meet the standard of wicked men；
neither can man in his own power meet the demands of the law。 Only by faith
in Christ can the sinner be cleansed from guilt and be enabled to render
obedience to the law of his Maker。
Thus Paul； the prisoner； urged the claims of the divine law upon Jew and
Gentile； and presented Jesus； the despised Nazarene； as the Son of God； the
world's Redeemer。
The Jewish princess well understood the sacred character of that law which
she had so shamelessly transgressed； but her prejudice against the Man of
Calvary steeled her heart against the word of life。 But Felix had never
before listened to the truth； and as the Spirit of God sent conviction to
his soul； he became deeply agitated。 Conscience； now aroused； made her voice
heard； and Felix felt that Paul's words were true。 Memory went back over the
guilty past。 With terrible distinctness there came up before him the secrets
of his early life of profligacy and bloodshed； and the black record of his
later years。 He saw himself licentious； cruel； rapacious。 Never before had
the truth been thus brought home to his
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heart。 Never before had his soul been so filled with terror。 The thought
that all the secrets of his career of crime were open before the eye of God；
and that he must be judged according to his deeds； caused him to tremble
with dread。
But instead of permitting his convictions to lead him to repentance； he
sought to dismiss these unwelcome reflections。 The interview with Paul was
cut short。 〃Go thy way for this time；〃 he said； 〃when I have a convenient
season； I will call for thee。〃
How wide the contrast between the course of Felix and that of the jailer of
Philippi！ The servants of the Lord were brought in bonds to the jailer； as
was Paul to Felix。 The evidence they gave of being sustained by a divine
power； their rejoicing under suffering and disgrace； their fearlessness when
the earth was reeling with the earthquake shock； and their spirit of
Christlike forgiveness； sent conviction to the jailer's heart； and with
trembling he confessed his sins and found pardon。 Felix trembled； but he did
not repent。 The jailer joyfully welcomed the Spirit of God to his heart and
to his home； Felix bade the divine Messenger depart。 The one chose to become
a child of God and an heir of heaven； the other cast his lot with the
workers of iniquity。
For two years no further action was taken against Paul； yet he remained a
prisoner。 Felix visited him several times and listened attentively to his
words。 But the real motive for this apparent friendliness was a desire for
gain； and he intimated that by the payment of a large sum of money
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Paul might secure his release。 The apostle； however； was of too noble a
nature to free himself by a bribe。 He was not guilty of any crime； and he
would not stoop to commit a wrong in order to gain freedom。 Furthermore； he
was himself too poor to pay such a ransom； had he been disposed to do so；
and he would not； in his own behalf； appeal to the sympathy and generosity
of his converts。 He also felt that he was in the hands of God； and he would
not interfere with the divine purposes respecting himself。
Felix was finally summoned to Rome because of gross wrongs committed against
the Jews。 Before leaving Caesarea in answer to this summons； he thought to
〃show the Jews a pleasure〃 by allowing Paul to remain in prison。 But Felix
was not successful in his attempt to regain the confidence of the Jews。 He
was removed from office in disgrace； and Porcius Festus was appointed to
succeed him； with headquarters at Caesarea。
A ray of light from heaven had been permitted to shine upon Felix； when Paul
reasoned with him concerning righteousness； temperance； and a judgment to
come。 That was his heaven…sent opportunity to see and to forsake his sins。
But he said to the messenger of God； 〃Go thy way for this time； when I have
a convenient season； I will call for thee。〃 He had slighted his last offer
of mercy。 Never was he to receive another call from God。
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Chapter 40
Paul Appeals to Caesar
〃When Festus was come into the province； after three days he ascended from
Caesarea to Jerusalem。 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews
informed him against Paul； and besought him； and desired favor against him；
that he would send for him to Jerusalem。〃 In making this request they
purposed to waylay Paul along the road to Jerusalem and murder him。 But
Festus had a high sense of the responsibility of his position； and
courteously declined to send for Paul。 〃It is not the manner of the Romans；〃
he declared； 〃to deliver any man to die； before that he which is accused
have the accusers face to face； and have license to answer for himself
concerning the crime laid against him。〃 He stated that 〃he himself would
depart shortly〃 for Caesarea。 〃Let them there 。 。 。 which among you are
able； go down with me； and accuse this man； if there be any wickedness in
him。〃
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This was not what the Jews wanted。 They had not forgotten their former
defeat at Caesarea。 In contrast with the calm bearing and forcible arguments
of the apostle； their own malignant spirit and baseless accusations would
appear in the worst possible light。 Again they urged that Paul be brought to
Jerusalem for trial； but Festus held firmly to his purpose of giving Paul a
fair trial at Caesarea。 God in His providence controlled the decision of
Festus； that the life of the apostle might be lengthened。
Their purposes defeated； the Jewish leaders at once prepared to witness
against Paul at the court of the procurator。 Upon r