five be famously specified in Paul's Commission from a greater High-Priest (The Lord Jesus) to preach the Gospel, than the whited wall Ananias was, who had before given him a Commission to persecute the Preachers of it, and who now did persecute Paul for Preaching it, as Paul tells King Agrippa here, after he had given him the whole narrative of his wonderful Conversion, (whereon Remarks have been already made upon Acts 9.3, &c. And upon Acts 22.6. As also upon Acts 8.3.) from Acts 26.9, 10, 11, &c. to verse 18. where this excellent discription is: N. B. Now tho' these five great works of Conversion &c. be properly, and principally, yea only, the work of Christ (who alone can open the eyes of the blind both of souls and bodies, as he had opend Pauls, &c.) yet is he pleased to put this great honour upon his poor Instru∣ments in his ministry's, by whom he ordinarily works them, and hence are they called co∣workers with God. 1 Cor. 3, 5, 6. And 2 Cor. 6.1.
The sixth Remark is; How abominable it is, that among those that profess, them∣selves to be God's peculiar people, True obedience to the Great God should be reckon∣ed no better than real Rebellion and Treason against sorry mortal man: Thus Paul tells Agrippa, verse 19. the Jews (who pretend themselves to be God's peculiar people) can find no other fault in me, but that I durst not be disobedient to this heavenly Vi∣sion, but I preached the Gospel at God's command. verse 20, 21. from whose fury God hath hitherto preserved me. verse 22, 23. Intimating for his own vindication, that he had done nothing but what became a man grateful to God for his daily preservation, (which is not granted to nourish Idleness, but labour) as also, that the truths of the Gospel concern'd Agrippa, himself and all princes, as well as the meanest people, for all are one in Christ. Gal. 3.28. Col. 3.11.
The seventh Remark is; Carnal minds, even of mighty men, do pass very uncharitable Cen∣sures upon spiritual persons and things. Thus the Pagan Judge Festus Judged Paul a mad man verse 24. as the Captains did Gods prophet that came to Jehu. 2 Kings 9.11. and the Friends of Christ, did Christ himself. Mark 3.21. Nor can it be otherwise because of contrary apprehensions, for bad men call evil good, and good evil, Isaiah 5.20, 21. They blasphemously conceive the Gospel to be the foolishness of preaching. 1 Cor. 1.18 It seemeth so to them that perish, but to them that shall be saved, it is the power and wisdom of God, Rom. 1.16. 2 Cor. 4.3, 4. Therefore is it a most dangerous symp∣tome thus profanely to mistake and to distast the Gospel of Christ, as Festus did here, thinking that Paul had over-studied himself, and by meddling with matters too high for his Capacity, and too deep for his understanding, he had brought himself into a mad melancholy, so he broke forth into this idle and long Tittle-Tattle &c.
The eighth Remark is; 'Tis a blessed Attainment for a man to be master of himself when highly provoked, and to be regulated by right reason only, and not hurryed by unruly passions. Thus it was with Paul here, verse 25. making his answer with all meek∣ness, with due terms of respect to a Revileing Judge, wherein he well observed Solo∣mon's saying [a soft answer turns away wrath] Prov. 15.1. Festus had spoke truly so far as to say [Paul had much learning] for he was reckoned an excellent linguist, being skilful by his acquired learning, besides that infused by the Holy Ghost (in the Hebrew) Syraick, Greek, and Latine Tongues, well acquainted with the Pagan Poets, and a most fluent and Charming Orator, speaking and writing Greek in such a Compt, florid and ele∣gant style, so that Demosthenes's Orations are but dull pieces compared to some of his Epistles yet Festus was extravagant in censuring that [Paul's much learning made him mad] perhaps he might feel some strange Infleunce upon Paul's Discourse, and could not ascribe it to the Right cause, the Holy Spirit, but to the spirit of madness, &c. N. B. 'Tis true indeed Paul himself confesseth that he had been exceeding mad, in persecut∣ing the Truth, Acts 26.11. And there were some (besides this Pagan Governor) who Judged him as mad in preaching it 2 Cor. 5.13. and in pressing towards the prize which he now persecuted (so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies) Phil. 4.13. with as much eagerness, as ever he had persecuted or prosecuted the poor saints and servants of Christ, while he made havock of them, Acts 8.3.
The ninth Remark is; 'Tis likewise highly honourable and greatly comfortable when a prisoner at the bar can (beside the testimony of his own conscience) make a solemn Appeal to the consciences of his Judges, that he speaks nothing but the words of truth and soberness: Thus Paul makes his appeal 1. To Festus with all modesty, waving the reflection, he reviled him not (as Christ had taught him, 1 Pet. 2.23.) nor call∣ed him whited wall (as he had done Ananias the intruder into the High-Priest's office) but gives him his Noble Title tho' his person was unworthy, Yet for God's ordinance of magistracy's sake, mildly minding, him according to his own advice, 2 Tim. 2.24,