第30章 在尼禄皇帝面前
§1
第30章 在尼禄皇帝面前
§2
Chapter 30—Paul Before Nero
§3
当保罗被传到尼禄皇帝面前受审时，他是前途无望，必死无疑的了。他被告的罪状既是那么严重，而仇恨基督徒的心理又是那么得势，他就没有多少希望可以得到有利的结果。{LP 310.1}[1]
§4
When Paul was summoned to appear before the emperor for his trial, it was with the near prospect of certain death. The aggravated nature of the crime charged against him, and the prevailing animosity toward the Christians, left little ground for hope of a favorable issue.?{LP 310.1}[1]
§5
在希腊和罗马人中，通常准许被告人雇请律师在法庭前为他辩护。藉着有力的论据，动人的辞令，或者由于央告，恳求和流泪，这样的一个律师往往能为囚犯获得有利的判决。即或不能做到一点，也能设法减轻他的处分。但当保罗被传到尼禄面前时，没有人敢出来做他的顾问或律师，也没有朋友在场记录那些控告他的罪状，或保存他为自己辩护时所提出来的论据。在罗马基督徒当中，没有一个人在这严峻的时刻出来站在他旁边。{LP 310.2}[2]
§6
It was the practice among the Greeks and Romans to allow an accused person an advocate to present his case in a court of justice, and to plead in his behalf. By force of argument, by his impassioned eloquence, or by entreaties, prayers, and tears, such an advocate would often secure a decision in favor of the prisoner, or failing in this, would mitigate the severity of his sentence. But no man ventured to act as Paul’s counsel or advocate; no friend was at hand, even to preserve a record of the charges brought against him by his accusers, or of the arguments which he urged in his own defense. Among the Christians at Rome, there was not one who came forward to stand by him in that trying hour.?{LP 310.2}[2]
§7
关于那一次审讯唯一可靠的文献乃是在保罗写给提摩太的第二封书信的记录。他说：“我初次申诉，没有人前来帮助，竟都离弃我；但愿这罪不归与他们。唯有主站在我旁边，加给我力量，使福音被我尽都传明，叫外邦人都听见；我也从狮子口里被救出来”(提后4:16、17)。{LP 311.1}[3]
§8
The only record of the occasion is given in the words of Paul himself, in the second letter to Timothy: “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me; I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”?{LP 311.1}[3]
§9
保罗站在尼禄面前——这是何等鲜明的对照啊！这个傲慢的帝王，就是那属上帝的人在他面前为信仰申辩的暴君，在属世的能力，权威和财富方面已经达到最高顶峰，而同时他的邪恶和罪孽也已落到最卑鄙的程度。他的权力和强大是盖世无双的。没有人敢质问他的威权或抗拒他的意志。列国的君王都要把冠冕放在他的脚前。强大的军队遵照他的命令出发。他海军的旗帜乃是胜利的表征。他的雕像立在各审判厅中，元老院的议案和审判厅的判决无不仰他的鼻息。成千上万的人俯伏顺从他的谕旨。尼禄的名字使全世界战栗不已。人若敢招惹他的不悦，就必丧失财产，自由，生命。他的怒容比瘟疫更为可怕。尼禄在外表上虽有属世的显赫和威风，被人敬若神明，里面却包含着一颗恶魔般的心。{LP 311.2}[4]
§10
Paul before Nero—how striking the contrast! The very height of earthly power, authority, and wealth, as well as the lowest depths of crime and iniquity, had been reached by the haughty monarch before whom the man of God answered for his faith. In his power and greatness, Nero stood unrivaled, unapproached. There were none to question his authority, none to resist his will. The kings of the earth laid their crowns at his feet. The most powerful armies marched at his command. The ensigns of his navies upon the seas betokened victory. His statue was set up in the halls of justice, and the decrees of senators and the decisions of judges were but the echo of his will. Millions of subjects bowed in obedience to his mandates. The name of Nero made the world tremble. To incur his displeasure was to lose property, liberty, and life. His frown was more to be dreaded than the pestilence. Yet while surrounded by all the outward semblance of earthly pomp and greatness, adored and reverenced as a God in human form, he possessed the heart of a demon.?{LP 311.2}[4]
§11
年迈的保罗没有金钱，没有朋友，没有辩士，从令人恶心的地牢带出来受审决定生死。他的一生乃是贫穷、克己、痛苦的。他有易感的性情，渴望得到仁爱和同情，可是他却无畏地应付误会、责骂、仇恨和侮辱，勇敢地忍受危险和痛苦所带来的令人寒心的恐惧。他像他的主一样，在地上做一个无家可归的流浪者，为真理的缘故生活受苦，设法解除人类的重担，在自己的生活中体现基督的生活。这个反复无常，动辄发怒，荒淫无度的暴君尼禄，根本不懂得克己，正直和高尚人生的价值，他怎么能够明白或赏识这一个上帝儿子的品格和动机呢? {LP 311.3}[5]
§12
Paul the aged prisoner, without money, without friends, without counsel, had been brought forth from a loathsome dungeon to be tried for?his life. He had lived a life of poverty, self-denial, and suffering. With a sensitive nature that thirsted for love and sympathy, he had braved misrepresentation, reproach, hatred, and abuse; shrinking with nervous dread from pain and peril, he had fearlessly endured both. He had been, like his Master, a homeless wanderer upon the earth; he had lived and suffered for the truth’s sake, seeking to relieve the burdens of humanity, and to exemplify in his life the life of Christ. How could the capricious, passionate, licentious tyrant, who had no conception of the value of a self-denying, virtuous, noble life, be expected to understand or appreciate the character and motives of this son of God??{LP 311.3}[5]
§13
保罗和尼禄面面相对！年轻的君王罪迹斑斑的容貌上，留下了统治他内心之情欲的可耻记录，而年迈的囚犯安详宽厚的面容，则显明一颗与上帝和世人和好的心。两种不同的教育和训练的制度所带来的结果在那天形成明显的对照。一种是纵情恣欲，放荡不羁的生活，一种是完全舍已的生活。这里有两种宗教的代表——基督教和异教；有两种人生观的代表——克己忍耐，若有必要，就愿为别人的利益牺牲性命的纯朴的人生观，和唯利是图，不惜一切代价去追求暂时满足的穷奢极欲的人生观；有两种属灵势力的代表——基督的使者和撒但的奴隶。他们当时所处的位置，证明在黑暗之君的统治之下，这个世界已经堕落到何等的程度。道德败坏，乱伦杀母的人竟坐在宝座上，身披皇袍，而最纯洁最高尚的人却站在被告席上，受人藐视憎恨被带上镣铐。{LP 312.1}[6]
§14
Paul and Nero face to face!—the youthful monarch bearing upon his sin-stamped countenance the shameful record of the passions that reigned within; the aged prisoner’s calm and benignant face telling of a heart at peace with God and man. The results of opposite systems of training and education stood that day contrasted,—the life of unbounded self-indulgence and the life of utter self-sacrifice. Here were the representatives of two religions,—Christianity and paganism; the representatives of two theories of life,—the simplicity of self-denying endurance, ready to give up life itself, if need be, for the good of others, and the luxury of all-absorbing selfishness, that counts nothing too valuable to sacrifice for a momentary gratification; the representatives of two spiritual powers,—the ambassador of Christ and the slave of Satan. Their relative position showed to what extent the course of this world was under the rule of the prince of darkness. The wretch?whose soul was stained with incest and matricide, was robed in purple, and seated upon the throne, while the purest and noblest of men stood before the judgment-seat, despised, hated, and fettered.?{LP 312.1}[6]
§15
大厅里聚集了一群热切而浮躁的人，他们都挤向前去，要看要听一切所要发生的事。无论高低、贫富、智愚、贵贱，他们都缺乏生命和得救之道的真知识。{LP 313.1}[7]
§16
The vast hall which was the place of trial was thronged by an eager, restless crowd that surged and pressed to the front to see and hear all that should take place. Among those gathered there were the high and the low, the rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, the proud and the humble. Yet all alike were destitute of the true knowledge of the way of life and salvation.?{LP 313.1}[7]
§17
犹太人仍旧拿从前控告保罗犯了煽动叛乱和异端的罪名加在他身上。这些犹太人和罗马人一同控告他怂恿焚烧罗马城的罪。当敌人把这些罪名强加在保罗头上的时候，他始终保持着镇定的风度，没有一丝恐惧愤怒的阴影破坏他面上的平静安宁。众人和法官都惊奇地望着他。他们曾经出席多次的审判，看过许多被告的囚犯，但从来没有见过一个人像他们面前的这个囚犯一样带着这么神圣镇定的姿态。法官们以惯于观察囚犯脸色的锐利目光探看保罗的面容，想要看出一点有罪的表情，却是徒然。当保罗蒙准为自己辩护时，大家都以热切的兴趣听他讲话。{LP 313.2}[8]
§18
Again the Jews urge against the prisoner the old charges of sedition and heresy, while both Jews and Romans accuse him of instigating the burning of the city. While his enemies were vehemently urging their accusations, Paul preserved a quiet dignity; no shade of fear or anger disturbed the peaceful serenity that rested upon his countenance. The people and even the judges beheld him with surprise. They had been present at many trials, and had looked upon many a criminal; but never had they seen a man wear such a look of holy calmness as did the prisoner before them. The keen eyes of the judges, accustomed as they were to read the countenances of their prisoners, searched the face of Paul for some hidden trace of crime, but in vain. When he was permitted to speak in his own behalf, all listened with eager interest to his words.?{LP 313.2}[8]
§19
保罗有了再一次的机会在一群凝神倾听的人面前高举十字架的旗帜。他以超人的口才和能力对他们讲论福音的真理。上帝的智慧借着祂的仆人显示出来。当保罗站在世上的皇帝面前时，他的话打动了众人的心弦，连最刚硬的铁石心肠也受了感动。他的话与天使的工作相配合。清晰而令人折服的真理推翻了谬道。这一群人从来没有听过像这样的话。真光得以照耀在许多人黑暗的心中，他们后来就欣然跟从这光。那天保罗所讲的真理将永不消失。通过一位年老体衰的囚犯所说的真理必要震动列国。虽然发表这些话的嘴唇将要在殉道者的坟墓中紧闭起来，但真理必要流传万代，感化人心。{LP 313.3}[9]
§20
Once more Paul had an opportunity to raise aloft before a wondering multitude the banner of the cross of Christ. With more than human eloquence and power, he that day urged home upon their hearts the truths of the gospel. The wisdom of God was revealed through his servant.?As Paul stands before the emperor of the world, his words strike a chord which vibrates in the hearts of even the most hardened, and which thrills in unison with the mission of angels. Truth, clear and convincing, overthrows error and refutes falsehood. Never before had that company listened to words like these. Light was shining into darkened minds that would gladly follow the guidance of its precious rays. The truths spoken on that occasion would never die. Though the utterance of a feeble and aged prisoner, they were destined to shake the nations. They were endowed with a power that would live through all time, influencing the hearts of men when the lips that uttered them should be silent in a martyr’s grave.?{LP 313.3}[9]
§21
当保罗注视着面前的众人——犹太人、希腊人、罗马人和从许多地区来的外国人时，他心中不禁为他们的得救起了一种强烈的愿望。当时的场面，环绕他的危险以及那似乎很快就要临到他身上的可怕厄运，他都忘记了。他只是看见那作中保的耶稣在上帝面前为这些有罪的人代求。他热情地向听众指明那为堕落人类所付出的伟大牺牲，告诉他们做人的真正尊严和价值。基督已为救赎人类付了无限的代价，并已为他们作了准备，使他们能与上帝同坐宝座，承受不朽的财富。通过天上的使者，地与天已经接连起来了。世人所有的行为，无论善愚，在无穷的审判者眼中，都是赤露敞开的！{LP 314.1}[10]
§22
As Paul gazed upon the throng before him,—Jews, Greeks, Romans, with strangers from many lands,—his soul was stirred with an intense desire for their salvation. He lost sight of the occasion, of the perils which surrounded him, of the terrible fate which seemed so near. He looked above all this, to Jesus, the Divine Intercessor, the Advocate pleading before the throne of God in behalf of sinful men. Earnestly he pointed his hearers to the great Sacrifice made in behalf of the fallen race, and presented before them man in his true dignity and value. An infinite price had been paid for man’s redemption; provision had been made that he might be exalted to share the throne of God and to become the heir of immortal riches. By angel messengers, earth was connected with Heaven, and all the deeds of man, good or evil, were open before the eye of Infinite Justice.?{LP 314.1}[10]
§23
这位真理的捍卫者就是这样向众人提出劝告。他作为上帝的一个忠心代表，站在悖逆的人中间；他所发的声音像是从天上来的。他的言语或态度没有一点惧怕，忧愁或失望。他因无罪的良心而刚强壮胆，披戴真理的甲胄，深以自己是上帝的一个儿子而欢喜快乐。他的言语好像是战场上胜利的呐喊。他声明他奉献一生所从事的事业，乃是唯一永远不会失败的事业。虽然他的肉体也许要被消灭，但福音绝不会被消灭。上帝是活的，祂的真理必要得胜。{LP 314.2}[11]
§24
Thus pleads the advocate of truth; faithful?among the faithless, loyal and true among the disloyal and disobedient, he stands as God’s representative, and his words are as a voice from Heaven. There is no trace of fear, sadness, or discouragement in countenance or manner. Strong in his conscious innocence, clothed with the panoply of truth, he rejoices that he is a son of God. His words are like a shout of victory above the roar of the battle. The cause of truth to which he has devoted his life, he makes appear as the only cause that can never fail. Though he may perish for the truth’s sake, the gospel will not perish. God lives, and the truth will triumph.?{LP 314.2}[11]
§25
他的容貌发出天上的光，好像在反映太阳的光辉。在审判厅许多观看他的人“见他的面貌，好像天使的面貌”(徒6：15)。许多从来没有流过眼泪的眼睛也泪眼模糊了。福音的信息传到许多人的心中。要不是保罗的被囚，他们永远也听不到的。{LP 315.1}[12]
§26
His countenance glows with the light of Heaven, as though reflecting the rays of the sun. Many who looked upon him in that hall of judgment “saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” Tears dimmed many eyes that had never before been seen to weep. The gospel message found its way to the minds and hearts of many who would never have listened to it but for the imprisonment of Paul.?{LP 315.1}[12]
§27
尼禄从来没有听过像他在这一个时机所听到的真理。他自己穷凶极恶的生活从来没有这样显露在他面前。天上的光穿透他那被罪恶所玷污的心房。他一想到自己虽是世上的帝王，但最后必要被传到上帝的审判台前，他的行为必要受到公义的报应，他不禁恐惧战栗起来了。他惧怕保罗的上帝，不敢判决保罗的罪，因为告他的罪状没有一件是有根据的。畏惧的感觉一时遏制了他那残忍好杀的天性。{LP 315.2}[13]
§28
Never had Nero heard the truth as he heard it upon that occasion. Never had the enormous guilt of his own life been revealed to him as it was revealed that day. The light of Heaven had pierced the sin-polluted chambers of his soul. He quaked with terror at the thought of a tribunal before which he, the ruler of the world, should be arraigned, and where his deeds should meet a just reward. He was afraid of the apostle’s God, and he dared not pass sentence upon Paul, against whom no accusation had been sustained. A sense of awe for a time restrained his bloodthirsty spirit.?{LP 315.2}[13]
§29
天国的门因着保罗的话一时向尼禄敞开了。在他，天上的平安和圣洁似乎是可羡慕的。在那片刻之间，慈怜的邀请竟向罪恶昭著心地刚硬的尼禄发出了。可惜他的思想只是昙花一现。随后他就发出命令叫人把保罗带回囚室。当囚室的门把上帝的使者关在里面时，悔改的门也就永远向这个罗马的皇帝关闭了。再没有从天上来的亮光穿透那笼罩他的黑暗。不久他就要受上帝报应的刑罚了。{LP 316.1}[14]
§30
For a moment, Heaven had been opened before him by the words of Paul, and its peace and purity had appeared desirable. That moment the invitation of mercy was extended even to the guilty and hardened Nero. But only for a moment. The command was issued for Paul to be taken back to his dungeon; and as the door closed upon the messenger of God, so the door of repentance was forever closed against the emperor of Rome. Not another ray of light was ever to penetrate the dense darkness that enveloped him. There needed only this crowning act of rejection of divine mercy to call down upon him the retributive justice of God.?{LP 316.1}[14]
§31
这事过去以后不久，尼禄远巡希腊，他在那里因卑鄙荒淫的行为而使他自己和他的国家都蒙了羞辱。他大张威势，返回罗马，在金碧辉煌的皇宫中与他臭名昭著的群臣纵欲宣淫。正在狂欢之际，忽然听见街上有骚乱的声音。他差派一个使者去探明究竟，使者回来报告一个令人胆寒的消息，说叛军首领加尔巴已率军逼近罗马。城内已经起了叛乱，街上满是怒气汹汹的暴徒，并且已逼近王宫，要寻索皇帝和朝臣的性命。{LP 316.2}[15]
§32
It was not long after this that Nero sailed on his expedition to Greece, where he disgraced himself and his kingdom by the most contemptible and debasing frivolity. He returned to Rome with great pomp, and in his golden palace, surrounded by the most infamous of his courtiers, he engaged in scenes of revolting debauchery. In the midst of their revelry, a voice as of a tumult in the streets was heard, and a messenger was despatched to learn the cause. He hastily returned with the appalling news that Galba, at the head of an avenging army, was marching rapidly upon Rome, that insurrection had already broken out in the city, and the streets were filled with an enraged mob threatening death to the emperor and all his supporters, and rapidly urging their way toward the palace.?{LP 316.2}[15]
§33
这个可怜的暴君，既残忍又胆小。他完全失去了大丈夫的气概。他从暴食滥饮的筵席旁一跃而起，在仓皇失措之际，他掀翻了筵桌，把上面贵重的瓷器摔得粉碎。他像疯子一样东奔西窜，拍着自己的额头说：“完了，完了！”在这危急之秋，他不像忠心的保罗一样有一位全能慈悲的上帝可以依靠。他知道自己若落入敌人手里，就会受到侮辱和折磨，所以他想如何尽量少受痛苦地结束自己的性命。他叫人拿毒药来,但当毒药拿来时他又没有勇气吃；他又叫人拿剑来，但他看了看锋利的刀刃，就把剑放在一边；于是他穿上女人的衣服逃出皇宫，穿过阴暗狭窄的街道到台伯河，但他看着黑黑的深水，又失去了勇气。有一个跟随他的人建议他逃到几里路外的一个别墅里，在那里他可以得到安全。于是他掩上脸，跨上马逃走了。{LP 316.3}[16]
§34
The wretched tyrant, as cowardly as he was cruel, was completely unmanned. He sprang from the table at which he had been feasting and drinking, overturning it in his blind terror, and dashing the most costly wares to fragments.?Like one beside himself, he rushed hither and thither, beating his forehead, and crying, “I am lost! I am lost!” He had not, like the faithful Paul, a powerful, compassionate God to rely upon in his hour of peril. He knew that if taken prisoner he would be subjected to insult and torture, and he considered how he might end his miserable life with as little pain as possible. He called for poison, but when it was brought, he dared not take it; he called for a sword, but after examining its sharp edge, he laid it also aside. Then, disguised in woman’s clothing, he rushed from his palace, and fled through the dark, narrow streets to the Tiber; but as he looked into its murky depths, his courage again failed. One of the few companions who had followed him, suggested that he escape to a country-seat a few miles distant, where he might find safety. Concealing his face, he leaped upon a horse, and succeeded in making his escape.?{LP 316.3}[16]
§35
当皇帝可耻地逃命的时候，罗马元老院因骚乱和加尔巴的逼近而壮起胆来，通过一项法令宣布尼禄为国家的敌人，判处他死刑。他的一个朋友把这项决定的消息传给尼禄时，尼禄问，他将怎么死法，朋友告诉他要剥光衣服，头上带枷鞭打致死。这个暴君曾因判处基督徒最不人道的刑罚而欢欣不已，他现在想到自己也要受同样的刑罚就十分恐惧。他拿起一把匕首，尽力想鼓起勇气把它刺入自己的心脏。但匕首的刀锋使他不寒而栗。他在绝望的呻吟中把匕首抛在一边。这时外面传来了骑兵的声音，原来他的藏匿之处被发现了。再过几分钟，他就要落入敌手。想到受折磨和自杀，他都感到害怕，但他仍在犹疑。最后他被迫让一位奴隶帮助他颤抖的手把匕首刺进他的喉咙。正当盛年的暴君尼禄只有三十二岁就丧命了。{LP 317.1}[17]
§36
While the emperor was thus ingloriously fleeing for his life, the Roman senate, emboldened by the insurrection and the approach of Galba, passed a decree declaring Nero to be the enemy of his country, and condemning him to death. The news of this decision being brought to Nero by one of his companions, the monarch inquired what manner of death he was to suffer, and was told that he was to be stripped naked, to be fastened by his head in the pillory, and to be scourged to death. The monster who had delighted to inflict upon Christians the most inhuman torture, shrank with horror at the mere thought of enduring like torture himself. He seized a dagger, and again endeavored to nerve himself to plunge it into his heart; but the prick?of the instrument was all that he could endure. As he threw it aside with a groan of despair, horsemen were heard approaching. His retreat was discovered; a few moments, and he would be in the power of his enemies. Terrified alike at the thought of torture and suicide, he still hesitated, and was compelled at last to let a slave help his trembling hand force a dagger into his throat. Thus perished the tyrant Nero, at the early age of thirty-two.?{LP 317.1}[17]
§37
上帝凭着祂的慈怜，长期忍耐干犯祂律法的人。在亚伯拉罕的时代，祂宣布拜偶像的亚玛力人可以被宽容到第四代，因为他们还没有恶贯满盈。祂容忍他们久达四百多年。但当他们不肯悔改，在罪中心地刚硬，而与上帝的子民交战，他们宽容的时期就结束了，他们彻底灭绝的命令发出来了。无穷的上帝为各国和每个人的不敬虔行为都保留着一个准确无误的纪录。他长期以恩慈待他们，呼唤他们悔改。但他们一旦恶贯满盈，他的案子就成定局；上帝的慈怜不再替他们求情，上帝的忿怒开始倾降。{LP 318.1}[18]
§38
God in his infinite mercy bears long with the transgressors of his law. In the days of Abraham he declared that the idolatrous Amorites should still be spared until the fourth generation; for their iniquity was not yet full, and he could not give command for their destruction. For more than four hundred years he spared them, but when, instead of turning to repentance, they hardened their hearts in iniquity, and made war upon his people, their day of probation closed, and the mandate went forth for their utter extinction. With unerring accuracy, the Infinite One keeps a record of the impiety of nations and individuals. Long is his mercy tendered to them, with calls to repentance; but when their guilt reaches a certain limit, which he has fixed, then mercy ceases her pleadings, and the ministration of wrath begins.?{LP 318.1}[18]