Part 274 (1/2)

But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, ”When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.”

And he gave order to the centurion that Paul should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.

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But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, ”Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.”

He hoped moreover that money would be given him by Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

VII

A NEW EXAMINATION BEFORE GOVERNOR FESTUS

”_I Appeal unto Caesar_.”

Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the princ.i.p.al men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him, asking as a favor that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way. Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly. ”Let them therefore,” said he, ”who are influential among you, go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him.”

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[Ill.u.s.tration]

”FAIR HAVENS,” ISLAND OF CRETE.

From an old print in the possession of the Springfield Public Library, and used by kind permission.

It was in the small harbor that Paul's s.h.i.+p anch.o.r.ed, and where he wished the captain to remain all winter. It was in the island of Crete that the famous labyrinth of King Minos, with its minotaur, was fabled to exist.

[End ill.u.s.tration]

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And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was come, the Jews which had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges, which they could not prove; while Paul said in his defense, ”Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.”

But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul, and said, ”Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?”

But Paul said, ”I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest. If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if none of those things is true, whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them.

”I Appeal Unto Caesar.”

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, ”Thou hast appealed unto Caesar: unto Caesar shalt thou go.”

VIII

PAUL MAKES HIS DEFENSE BEFORE KING AGRIPPA AND QUEEN BERNICE.

”_This Man Doeth Nothing Worthy of Death or of Bonds_.”

Now when certain days were pa.s.sed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and saluted Festus. And {456} as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, ”There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix: about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against him. To whom I answered, 'that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.' When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat down on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought. Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed; but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Caesar.”

And Agrippa said unto Festus, ”I also could wish to hear the man myself.” ”To-morrow,” saith he, ”thou shalt hear him.”