province he was.

And when he learned that he was of Cilicia; I will hear thee fully, said he, when thine accusers also shall have arrived. And he commanded him to be kept in the castle of Herod.*

QUESTIONS ON LESSON XXI.

WHAT did the chief captain do on the morrow, and why? How did Paul begin his defence?

What did Ananias command to be done to him?

What answer did Paul make?

What did they that stood by say; and how did Paul reply? What did Paul then say to the council?

Why did he say so?

What was the effect of his saying so?
How did he get away from the council?
What happened to him the night following?
What did the Jews do the day following?
Who found out their plot?

To whom did he tell it?

What did Paul do?

What did the chief captain do?

Where was Cesarea? (See former Lesson.)

LESSON XXII.

The Jewish rulers, with Tertullus a pleader, go down to Cesarea to accuse Paul before FelixPaul's defence-the case is deferred till Lysias should come down-Paul is committed to the care of a centurion-Felix, with Drusilla his wife, hear Paul concerning the faith-Felix trembles, and dismisses him-Felix is succeeded by Festus.

FROM ACTS XXIV.

Now, after five days, Ananias the high priest went down with elders, and with a certain

*Castle of Herod.-A building which, in an age of almost constant warfare, served at once for palace, fortress, and prison. Such were many of the residences of the kings and nobility of these islands, a few centuries ago.

orátor, named Tertullus. And they made their statement to the governor against Paul. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that, by thee we enjoy much peace, and much prosperity, which has come to this nation through thy providence,† we accept it at all times, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. But not to be further tedious to thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldest hear us with thy accustomed condescension a few words. For we found this man a pest and a fomenter of disturbance among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes: who also hath attempted to profane the temple. And we took him, and wished to judge him according to our own law. But the chief captain Lysias came upon us with great violence, and took him away out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come before thee; and from him thou mayest thyself, by examining him, gain a knowledge of all these things of which we accuse him.

And the Jews also assented, saying, that these things were so.

Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been for many years a judge to

* A certain orator.—The Jewish rulers having to conduct their cause before a Roman magistrate, employed a Roman lawyer to plead for them.

Felix had so far promoted the peace of the country, as to have suppressed bands of robbers and rebels, by whom it was infested. He doubtless valued himself upon these services, and the wily orator knew how to work upon his vanity. Tertullus was also about to charge Paul as a disturber of the peace, one of the very class of persons whom Felix had so well suppressed; and therefore seeks to render Paul odious to him, as one who was withstanding all his efforts to keep the province tranquil.

this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself; especially as thou mayest ascertain, that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And they neither found me in the temple, disputing with any man, nor causing a multitude to collect together, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me: but this I confess to thee, that according to the way which they call heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets: having a hope toward God, which they themselves also are looking for, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I labour, to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men continually. Now, after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. While thus engaged, they found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. But it was certain Jews from Asia, and they ought to have been here before thee, and accuse me, if they had any thing against me. Or let these themselves say, if they found any offence in me, while I stood before the council; except it be for this one expression, that I cried standing among them, Concerning the resurrection of the dead, I am called in question by you this day. And Felix deferred them, having somewhat of an exact knowledge of that way, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will enquire fully into your business. He also commanded

the centurion to keep Paul in custody, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to attend upon him, or to visit him.

* Purified.—Under a vow of separation.

Now, after some time, when Felix was come [to Cesarea] with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he discoursed concerning righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix became terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I shall have a convenient opportunity, I will call for thee. He hoped also that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he sent for him the oftener, and conversed with him. But after two years, Felix received as his successor, Portius Festus; and Felix, willing to oblige the Jews, left Paul bound.

*

QUESTIONS ON LESSON XXII.

WHEN Paul was taken to Cesarea, what did the Jewish rulers do?

Whom did they employ?

What did Tertullus say of Felix?

What did he say of Paul?

What did Paul say respecting Felix?

What account did he give of himself?

Whom did he say ought to have been present, and why?

What did Felix do?

What directions did he give respecting Paul?

Who arrived at Cesarea after this?

When Paul was called before Felix what did he discourse

upon?

How was Felix affected by his discourse?

What did he do?

Did he send for him again, and with what view?

How long did Paul continue in this state at Cesarea?
What change took place then?

In what condition did Felix leave Paul; and why?

* That money would be given.-It may seem surprising that Felix should have expected money from Paul, seeing he was in such deep poverty. But he probably viewed Paul as the head of a sect, and expected that his party would pay for him

LESSON XXIII.

The Jews solicit Festus to send Paul to JerusalemPaul appeals to Cæsar-Agrippa and Bernice arrive, and are informed by Festus respecting Paul -they desire to see him-Paul is brought before them, and gives an account of his life, especially the manner of his conversion to Christianity, and his subsequent preaching of the gospel.

FROM ACTS XXV.

But

Now, when Festus was come into the province,* after three days he went up from Cesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews made a statement against Paul, and requested him, and desired a favour concerning him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying a plot to kill him by the way. Festus answered, that Paul was kept in custody at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. Let those therefore, said he, who among you are persons of weight, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any fault in him. And when he had tarried among them not more than ten days, he went down to Cesarea; and the next day he took his place on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was come, the Jews who came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and heavy accusations against Paul, which they could not prove. While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I committed any offence. But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favour, answered Paul, and said, Art thou willing to go up

*Was come into the province.-Had assumed the government of the Province.