Acts 20:25-27 And now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.… The Pope requests a Dominican bishop to repair to Florence and answer the abbot's ( Savonarola's) sermons. "Holy Father, I will obey; but I must be supplied with arms." "What arms?" "This monk," replied the bishop, "says we ought not to keep concubines, commit simony, or be guilty of licentiousness. If in this he speaks truly, what shall I reply?" "What shalt we do?" said the Pope. "Reward him, give him a red hat, make a Cardinal and a friend of him at once." Savonarola kindly receives the papal messenger, and for three days listens to his arguments, but is unconvinced. The tempting bribe is then offered. "Come to my sermon tomorrow morning, and you shall hear my answer." How great was the emissary's surprise at hearing more daring denunciations than ever from Savonarola, who exclaimed, "No other red hat will I have than that of martyrdom, coloured with my own blood." (Newman Hall, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. |
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