The apostolical history containing the acts, labours, travels, sermons, discourses, miracles, successes, and sufferings of the Holy Apostles from Christ's ascention to the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus : a brief description whereof is here inserted : also, a narration of the particular times and occasions upon which the apostolical epistles were written, together with a brief analytical paraphrase of them : to which is added (for the better understanding of this history) a map of the Apostle Paul's travels ... / by Samuel Cradock.

SECT. XXIV.

FIve days after, the High Priest and the Elders appear,* 1.1 with Tertullus(a) 1.2 their Advocate, before Fe∣lix(b) 1.3 at Cesarea; who sitting in judgment to hear the matter, their said Advocate after an insinuating preface to propitiate the Go∣vernour, (wherein he magnified his prudence and care for the good of their Nation), ac∣cuses Paul of three things, namely, of Sedi∣tion, Heresie, and Profanation of the Temple, [see Act. 21.28.]; acquainting him, that they intended to have proceeded against him in their own Court, and to have judged him there according to their Law, but were pre∣vented by Colonel Lysias, who took him out of their hands, and forced them, (who ought to have been his Judges), to come and im∣plead him before his Excellency. And those Jews whom they had brought with them for witnesses, attested this charge, saying, That those things were so.

Paul having now liberty given him to make his defence, he in the first place declares, how much it comforted him, that he was to answer before a Person whose long experience in govern∣ing the Jewish Nation, had furnished him with skill and abili∣ty to judg the more equally of such things as were now brought before him. Then he answers particularly to the three pretend∣ed Crimes laid to his charge. 1. For that of Sedition, he clears himself from it, by shewing, that there were but Twelve days since he came up to Jerusalem; and one end, among others, of his coming thither was, to declare himself a sincere wor∣shipper of the true God. Now these Twelve days were thus spent. The day after he came thither, he visited James, and the Bre∣thren, who perswaded him to purifie himself with those four men who had a Vow on them, [as we have seen Sect. 20. of this Chapter], which he consenting to do, and the day fol∣lowing,

(viz. on the third day, which was towards the end of the Feast, see ch. 21. v. 27.), entring into the Temple to perform those, the Jews there took him, but he was rescued out of their hands by Colonel Lysi••s. The day after being the fourth day, he pleaded his cause before the Council, [Act. 23.]. On the fifth day, the Jews conspired to take away his life, Act. 23.12. That night the Colonel sent him to Antipa∣tris, whither he came on the sixth day in the evening. The next day being the seventh, he came to Caesarea, where he had been now a Prisoner five days. So that having been so many of those days in the hands of the Romans, it was not imagina∣ble he could raise (if he had had a mind to it) any such Se∣dition, or tumult at Jerusalem as the Jews pretended, and char∣ged him with. Nay the contrary was very evident; for he had behaved himself very quietly, neither could any of them prove that he had raised any disturbance, either in the Temple, or in any of the Synagogues, or in the City whilst he was there. As to their second charge, viz. that of Heresie, he plainly con∣fesses▪ that after the way which they call'd Heresie, so he worship∣ped the God of his Fathers. For that way of worshipping the God of Abraham which Christ had taught, and the Christians now practised, was the way that he did use: yet therein neither he nor they set up any new Religion quite contrary to what was before owned and professed, but had the same Faith for substance, that the Patriarchs and Prophets had before them. And in particular, he declares, that he believed the Doctrine of the Resurrection, which the more prudent part of his Ad∣versaries, viz. those of the Pharisees, professed to believe also. And this firm belief of a resurrection, and a day of judgment en∣gaged him to endeavour always to keep a good Conscience to∣wards God and man. For the ••hird thing charged against him, viz. the Profanation of the Temple; he shews, he had not been of a long time at Jerusalem, before this, and now he came to bring Alms to the poor Jews there, that were converted to Christianity. He acknowledges indeed, that he went into the Temple at this time, but with no intent to profane it, but to perform t••••se Rites therein, which the Law of the Jews requi∣red of such as had the Vow of the Nazarites upon them; which some Asian Jews not understanding, but misapprehending his intent, affi••••ed, that he carried Trophimus a Gentile of Ephe∣sus into the Temple. But this was utterly false, neither was there any the least ground for it, but only this, that Trophi∣mus had been seen with him in the City, see Act. 21.29. As for his being in the Temple, he acknowledges, he was there, but not with any such company as could be thought to profane it, or that could bring him under suspition of any intent to raise a Sedition. And for t••e truth of these things he appeals to those t••••re present of their own Sanhedrim; and desires them to ••••s••••fie, whether w••••n ••e was brought before them, he was not dismissed with this testimony from themselves* 1.4,

that there was nothing of moment charged against him, except (which only the Sadduces will charge him with) that he pro∣fessed to believe the Resurrection of the dead, and Another life after this.

When Felix discerned how things went, he would not pass any sentence for the present in this case, but put them off say∣ing, When I know more exactly the things that belong to this way, (viz. whether the Christian Religion be deroga∣tory to the Law of the Jews), and when Lysias the Comman∣der comes down (whose testimony will decide that matter con∣cerning the tumult), I will determine the business between you. But for the present he commanded the Captain of the Guard to keep Paul safe, though in free custody, so that any of his friends or acquaintants might have liberty to visit him.

Act. 24. v. 1. And after five days Ananias the high Priest descended with the elders, and with a certain Orator named Tertullus, who informed the Governour against Paul.

v. 2. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, say∣ing, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very wor∣thy deeds are done unto this Nation by thy providence:

v. 3. We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

v. 4. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldst hear us of thy clemency a few words.

v. 5. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedi∣tion among all the Jews thorowout the world, and a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarens.

v. 6. Who also hath gone about to profane the Temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our Law.

v. 7. But the chief Captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands:

v. 8. Commanding his accusers to come unto thee, by examining of whom thy self mayest take knowledg of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

v. 9. And the Jews also assented, saying, That these things were so.

v. 10. Then Paul, after that the Governour had beckned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a Judg unto this Nation, I do the more chearfully answer for my self:

v. 11. Because that thou mayest understand, that there are but yet twelve days, since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

v 12. And they neither found me in the Temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people neither in the synagogues, nor in the City.

v. 13. Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

v. 14. But this confess I unto thee, that after the way which they call heresie, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets.

v. 15. And have hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and un∣just.

v. 16. And herein do I ex••rcise my self, to have always a Conscience void of offence toward God, and towards men.

v. 17. Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my Nation, and offerings:

v. 18. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the Tem∣ple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

v. 19. Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.

v. 20. Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the Council,

v. 21. Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

22. And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledg of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief Cap∣tain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

v. 23. And he commanded a Centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister, or come unto him.

* 1.5 * 1.6 * 1.7

Notes

• * 1.1

  Christ. Nero. 59. 3.
• (a) 1.2

  Tertullus est nomen Italicum; & arguit hunc hominem non esse Judaeum sed Italum. Vocatur Rhetor, sive Orator, quia eloquentiae, & juri Romano studuerat ad causas in foro pro pretio dicendas, &, ut videtur, linguam suam elocavit ad suscipien∣dum quarumvis causarum patroci∣num. His hominibus quadrat illud, Isa. 5.20.
• (b) 1.3

  Historici tum Ethnici, tum Judaicus Josephus, nos docent hunc Faelicem fuisse pessimum praesidem, qui potentiâ fatris Pallantis qui erat in flagranti Caesaris gratiâ, subnixus sibi, omnia malefacta impuneratus est, ut ait Tacitus Annal. lib. 12. Et Josephus testatur quod promiscue insontes cum sontibus vexaverit, crudeles! patra∣verit lanienas, & summum sacerdo∣tem Jonathanem per sicarios opprimi curaverit.
• * 1.4

  See Chap. 23.9.
• * 1.5

  v. 5. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Sic Cicero dixit pestem civitatis, pro Rabirio; pestem patriae, pro Sestio.
• * 1.6

  v. 16. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Hebraismus, ubi: Saepe valet propter, i. e. Propter hanc fidu∣ciam exerceo meipsum, &c. i. e. omni, in id, studio incumbo; hoc unum prae om∣nibus meditor, ut conscientiam habeam sine offendiculo, ut conscientiam servem eam, quae nec Deum nec homines offendat, vid. 2 Cor. 6.3. & 2 Cor. 4.2. Haec 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, illa de qua mentio est, 2 Cor. 11.2. Haec 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, illa de qua suprà, cap 23.1. Haec 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, illa de qua ad Hebraeos, 13.18.
• * 1.7

  v. 18. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] in casto: Abstinentem scil. à vino aliisque rebus à quibus Nazaraei abstinent.