A. D. 61. vour against him, that he would fend for him to Jerufalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. 4. But Festus an- himself would depart 5. Let them there- Cæfarea, and try him before their Council at Jerufalem. But their secret Intent was to way-lay him, and murder him upon the Road. 4 & 5. Festus told them, he knew no Reason why he should not be try'd where he was; and as he himself was shortly going thither, where he kept his Refi dence, if they would send their among you are able, should have him tried. accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. 6. And when he 6. About ten Days after he had tarried among 7. And when he 7. The Deputies of the HighPriest and Council fell again to their old Charge, but could prove nothing of it. complaints against Paul, which they 8. While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, fended any thing at all. 9. But Feftus wil- salem, and there be 8. Paul making the same Defence he had done before to Felix. (Chap. xxiv.) nor yet against Cæfar have I of 9. And the Festus saw plainly they could make nothing out against him, yet, upon fresh Importunities, willing to gratify the Jewish Court, confented to have him carried to Jerufalem; but as by the Roman Laws he could not not do it without his own Consent, asked Paul if he A. D. 6г. were willing to go thither? 10. Then faid Paul, I stand at Cæfars judgment feat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest 10. But Paul knew the implacable Malice of his Jewish Adversaries too well, to consent to such a Proposal; and therefore told Feftus, That as a Roman Citizen, he was subject to be tried by no Laws but those of the Empire, and so infifted upon that Privilege. Nay, (fays he) if I were liable to their Court, yet, as you yourself must own, they have proved me guilty of no Breach of the Jewish Law, and therefore there can be no Occafion for my going thither. 11. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them: I appeal unto Cæfar. 12. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cæfar? unto Cæfar fhalt thou 11. If I have committed any capital Crime against the Imperial Laws, I am free to submit to the Punishment of it: But if not, it would be a barbarous and illegal Thing in you to throw me into the Hands of a Court that are my professed Enemies; and to prevent your Design, I appeal to the Emperor. 12. Upon which, Feftus confulted with the Roman Officers about him, and knowing that this Appeal to the Emperor, had put a Stop to all further Proceedings against Paul, in either his or the Jewish Court, told him his Privilege could not be denied him, and so he must go to Rome and be judged by the Emperor himself. go. 13. And after cer tain days, king Agrippa, and Bernice came unto Cæfarea to falute Festus. 14. And when they had been there many 13 & 14. Some Time after this, Agrippa the Tetrarch of Galilee, and his Sifter Bernice, came to pay Festus a Compliment upon his Acceffion to his Government, and he acquainted him with Paul's Cafe; N days, A. D. 61. days, Festus declared Pauls cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: 15. About whom, and the elders of the defiring to have judg ment against him. 16. To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Ro 15 & 16. How the Jewish Council would have perfuaded him to have passed Sentence of Death upon the Man without a fair Tryal, and meerly upon their verbal Accusation. But that he could not answer to do so by the Roman Laws. mans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused, have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. 17. Therefore when they were come hither, without any delay, on the morrow I fat on the judgment feat, and com- 18. Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I suppofed: 17, 18 & 19. And that he had given him a Tryal, expecting they could have proved fome notorious Crime or other against him; but found upon the Hearing, it was nothing but a Quarrel about fome Points of the Jewish Religion; and particularly about a Matter of Fatt, whether one JESUS, whom the Jews had crucified, were risen from the Dead again, as Paul affirmed he was. 19. But had certain questions against him of their own fuperstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20. And because I he would go to Je per Judges of fuch 21. But when Paul 20. Now I thought these Difputes did no Way concern me, nor the Peace of the Government, but related wholly to the Jewish Religion; and therefore I asked the Prisoner, whether he would be tried by the HighPrieft's Court, who were the proMatters? 21. But I perceive the Man has no Opinion of the Justice of served unto the hear ing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept that I might send him to Cæfar. had appeal'd to be referved that 22. Then Agrippa faid unto Feftus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, faid he, thou shalt hear him. 23. And on the morrow when Agrip pa was come, and Bernice with great pomp, and were entred into the place that Bench, and, to be sure to A. D. 61. 22. Agrippa having a Mind to hear what Paul could say for himself: To Morrow, fays Feftus, you shall. 23. Accordingly next Day, A- of hearing, with the 24. And Festus faid, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about 24 & 25. Festus opened the Cafe, as it had passed between the Jews and him; the Conclufion whereof was, That Paul had appealed to Cæfar, and must be fent to Rome. whom all the multi- 25. But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I have determined to fend him. 26. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord: wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that after examination had, 26 & 27. Now (says he) I can't fend him without the State of his Cafe along with him; and I had a mind Agrippa should hear him, and give me his Advice, how, and what I should write to the Emperor, about a Man that was really convicted of no Crime. I might have somewhat to write. N2 27. For d 27. For it seemeth to me unreasonable, to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him. CHAP. XXVI. The CONTENTS. Paul's Defence of himself before King Agrippa. His Ac- A. D. 62. 1.THEN Agrippa faid unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thy felf. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself, 2. I think my self for my self this day 3. Especially, be I. F ESTUS having represented the Matter to Agrippa and the Court, (Chap. xxv. 15, &c.) Agrippa bad Paul give him the Particulars of his Defence. 2 & 3. Paul began with Expressions of the great Satisfaction it was to him, to have an Opportunity of pleading his Cause before a Person so well skilled in the Jewish Religion and Laws, and who, upon a patient Hearing, could not fail to judge and declare his Innocency. cause I know thee to 4. My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own 4 & 5. Now these very Jews (says he) that have so unjustly accused me for an Enemy of their Law, if they had been so nation at Jerufalem, fair as to dare to speak the know all the Jews, Truth, could themselves have 5. Which knew me from the beginning testified, that I was born and (if they would tefti- educated a Pharisee, the most fie) fevere |