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. XXVI.

FEstus being come to the Government,* 1.1 and going up to Je∣rusalem, the High Priest and Rulers of the Jews quickly began to inform him against Paul, and besought him that he might be sent for thither, to answer for himself before his Ex∣cellency there, intending to lay some Villains by the way to kill him as he came. But Festus (the divine providence so over∣ruling him) would not consent to that, but ordered that the chief Priests, and the rest in authority among them, should come to Cesarea, and accuse him, whither he intended after a short stay at Jerusalem to go. And accordingly after a few days he went down to Cesarea; whither being come, soon after his arrival there, he sate on his Judgment Seat, and command∣ed Paul to be brought before him. The Jews now bring in such a kind of charge against him as they did before, namely, that he had offended against the Mosaical Law; that he had pro∣faned the Temple; and that he had raised Sedition against the Roman gove••nment. But none of these things could they prove against him, so that Paul easily cleared himself of them all. However, Festus being willing to gratifie the Jews, ask'd Paul if he would go to Jerusalem, and be tryed there in the Jewish Court about these matters. The Apostle perceiving that the Governour inclin'd to send him to Jerusalem, (which course might have expos'd him to extreme hazzards), he tells him, that he was his prisoner, and that his Excellency was his pro∣per Judg; under the Roman Emperor, and not the Jews, (whom he had not wronged), and therefore it would be a piece of high injustice, to deliver him up to his enemies to be his Judges. Moreover, he tells him, that he was a Roman, and therefore might claim the priviledg of a Roman, which accordingly he

now did, and appealed unto Caesar(a) 1.2. Festus hearing this, (af∣ter he had consulted with his Councel), admitted his appeal, and told him he should accordingly go to Caesar.

Act. 25. v. 1. Now when Festus was come into the Province, after three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem.

v. 2. Then the high Priest, and the chief of the Jews informed him a∣gainst Paul, and besought him.

v. 3. And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Je∣rusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

v. 4. But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

v. 5. Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

v. 6. And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cesarea, and the next day sitting in the judgment seat, commanded Paul to be brought.

v. 7. And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusa∣lem, stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

v. 8. While he answered for himself, neither against the Law of the Jews, neither against the Temple, nor yet against Cesar, have I offended any thing at all.

v. 9. But Festus willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

v. 10. Then said Paul, I stand at Cesars judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

v. 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 where∣of these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal un∣to Cesar.

v. 12. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the Councel, answer∣ed, Hast thou appealed unto Cesar? unto Cesar shalt thou go.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Christi Neronis 60 4
• (a) 1.2

  Caesares legem fece∣rant, ut Civi∣bus Romanis ab omnibus tribunalibus inferiorum Magistratuum liceret apellare ad ipsum Caesaris tribunal.