Part 16 (1/2)
”Yet still more terrible is the wrath of the Lamb.”
”You speak an unintelligible language. What is the wrath of the Lamb?
You do not think on what is before you.”
”My companions and friends have already endured all that you can inflict. I trust that I may have like fort.i.tude.”
”Can you endure the terrors of the arena?”
”I hope to have more than mortal strength.”
”Can you face the savage lions and tigers that will then rush upon you?”
”He in whom I trust will not desert me in my time of need.”
”You are confident.”
”I confide in Him who loved me and gave himself for me.”
”Have you thought of the death by fire? Are you ready to meet the flames at the stake?”
”Alas! If I must bear it I will not shrink. At the worst it will soon be over, and then I shall be forever with the Lord.”
”Fanaticism and superst.i.tion have taken complete possession of you. You know not what awaits you. It is easy to face threats, it is easy to utter words and make professions of courage. But how will it be with you when the dread reality comes upon you?”
”I will look to Him who never deserts his own in their hour of need.”
”He has done nothing for you thus far!”
”He has done all for me. He gave his own life that I might live. Through him I receive a n.o.bler life than this which you take from me.”
”This is but a dream of yours. How is it possible that a miserable Jew can do this.”
”He was the fullness of the G.o.dhead; G.o.d manifest in the flesh. He suffered death of the body that we might receive life for the soul.”
”Can nothing open your eyes? Is it not enough that thus far your mad belief has brought you nothing but misery and woe? Must you still hold on to it? When you see that death is inevitable will you not turn away from your errors?”
”He gives me strength to overcome death; I fear it not. I look upon death itself as but a change from this life of sorrow to an immortality of bliss. Whether I die by the wild beasts or by the flames it will be all the same. If I continue faithful he will support me and lead my soul at once to immortal life in heaven. The death which you threaten me with has no terrors; but the life to which you invite me is more terrible to me than a thousand deaths.”
”For the last time we give you an opportunity. Rash youth, pause for one moment in your mad career of folly. Forget for an instant the insane counsels of your fanatical teachers. Think of all that has been said to you. Life is before you; life full of joy and pleasure; a life rich in every blessing. Honor, friends, wealth, power, all is yours. A n.o.ble name, and the possessions of your family, await you. They are all yours.
To gain them you have but to take this goblet and pour the libation on yonder altar. Take it. It is but a simple act. Perform it quickly. Save yourself from a death of agony.”
Every eye was fixed upon Pollio as this last offer was held out to him.
Amazement had filled the minds of the spectators to find him thus far so unmoved. They could not account for it.
But even this last appeal had no effect. Pale but resolute, Pollio motioned away the proffered goblet.
”I will never be false to my Saviour.”
At these words there was a moment's pause. Then the chief magistrate spoke: