Commentary on Acts, Part 2 · Chapter 25
CHAP. XXV.
1 THen when Festus was come into the prouince, after three dayes he went vp to Ieruſalem from the Citie of Ceſarea.
2 And the high Priſts and the chiefe Iewes enformed him of Paul, & beſought him,
3 Deſiring fauour against him, that he would ſende for him to Ieruſalem: laying await to kill him by the way.
4 But Festus anſwered, that Paul ſhould be kept at Ceſarea, & that he himſelf would goe thither ſhortly.
5 Therefore let them (ſaith he) which are able among you, go downe with me: and if there be any fault in this man let them accuſe him.
6 And after that he had ſtaid more than tenne dayes among them, he went down to Ceſarea: and on the morrow he ſate downe in the iudgement ſeat, and commanded Paul to be brought.
7 Who being come, thoſe Iewes which came, from Ieruſalem ſtoode about him, laying many and great crimes to Paule his charge, which they coulde not proue.
8 For as much as hee anſwered that hee had neither offended any thing against the Law of the Iewes, neither against the Temple, neither against Ceſar.
1 Then when Festus. The ſeconde action is deſcribed in this place, wherein Paul hath as hard a cumbate, and is in no leſſe daunger then in the firſt. Seing he was left in bondes, Feſtus might ſuſpect that the cauſe was doubtfull, and ſo gather an vniuſt preiudice. But there was another thing which was cauſe of greater daunger. Wee know that newe rulers, becauſe they will winne the fauour of thoſe who are in the prouinces, vſe to grant them many thinges at their firſt comming: ſo that it was to be thought that the death of Paul, ſhould be to Feſtus a fine meanes to winne fauour withall. Therefore the faith of the holy man is aſſailed afreſh with a newe triall, as if the promiſe had beene vaine whereto hee had hitherto truſted: but the grace of god doth ſo much the more plainly ſhewe it ſelfe in deliuering him, becauſe, contrarie to all hope, hee is deliuered out of the iawes of death. The Iewes preuent the gouernour with their falſe accuſations: yet they doe not as yet ſeeke to hauehave him puniſhed, but they doe onelyonly deſire, that hee may not bee brought into any forraine court to plead his cauſe. They deſire that ambitiouſly as a great benefite, which was to looke to equal. How is it then that they do not obtaine, ſaue onelyonly becauſe God doth holde the minde of Feſtus, ſo that he doth ſtoutly deny that, which he was afterward readie to graunt? And as the Lord did then holde his mind bound with the ſecreat bridle of his prouidence: ſo when hee graunted him freedome of will, he bounde his handes, that hee could not execute that which hee would. Let this confidence ſupport vsus in daungers, and let it alſo ſtirre vsus vp to call vppon God: and let this make our mindes quiet and calme, in that the Lord in ſtretching forth his hand and breaking ſuch a ſtrong conſpiracie, did ſhew an eternal example of his power in defending his.
5 Thoſe therefore. It is in the Greek worde forwarde, Thoſe who are mightie or able: yet he meaneth thoſe who can conueniently. Alſo wee may eaſily coniect, that they did obiect the trouble and charges, and beſought the Gouernour that he would not make weary with a ſuperfluous iourney ſo many of their chiefe men, and alſo certaine which were verie aged: b…t would rather (which hee might eaſily doe) commaund Paul to be brought by a fewe keepers. Therefore leaſt they complaine that he is burdenous vntounto them, hee vnloadeth them of this neceſſitie, and giueth them leaue to chooſe out from among themſelues ſuch as they will. In the meane ſeaſon he doth ſufficiently declare, that he doth not beleeue their falſe reports: and he profeſſeth that he will bee an vpright iudge, and will do nothing but according to the truth of the matter. The next ſentence alſo is diuerſly read among the Grecians. For ſome bookes hauehave the ſame which is in the olde interpreter, But eight or tenne dayes. If this reading like vsus, the ſenſe ſhalbe, that The gouernour came ſhortly after to Ceſarea, leaſt the Iewes ſhoulde be importunate vppon him vnderunder colour of his long tariance. The other reading which is more vſuall among the Grecians, ſhall hauehave another meaning: Though he ſtayed long inough at Ieruſalem to heare the matter, yet did hee not harken to their requeſtes, who woulde hauehave Paule brought thither, whence we may gather a probable coniecture, that hee alreadie knew of their laying await.
7 Manie and greeuous crimes. So long as Paule liued vnderunder the Lawe his integritie was well knowne and famous. Againe when hee was conuerted to Chriſt, he was a ſingular patterne of innocencie. Yet wee ſee howe he is ſubiect to many ſlanders, cruel & falſe accuſations. And this is almoſt alwaies the eſtate of the ſeruants of Chriſt: wherfore they muſt be the more couragious to paſſe valiantly through euill report and good report: neither let them thinke it ſtrange to bee euill reported of where they hauehave done good.
In the meane ſeaſon they muſt do their indeuour, that they may not onelyonly hauehave a cleare conſcience before God, but that they may be verie well able to defende themſelues before men, when they hauehave time and place. For Paul doth not faile in his cauſe: but couragiouſly ſetteth the defenſe of his innocencie againſt their falſe crimes. Furthermore let vsus note that the wicked can neuer bee bridled, but they will ſpeake euill of good men, and will impudently ſlaunder them: for they reſemble the nature of Satan, by whoſe ſpirite they are led. Therefore where as wee be commanded to ſtoppe the mouth of the wicked, it muſt not be ſo taken, as if hee ſhall be free from all backbiting, whoſoeuer ſhall behaue himſelfe vprightly: but that our life may aunſwere for vsus, and may wipe away al blots of falſe infamie. So we ſee the aduerſaries of Paul, though they had a fauourable iudge, yet their ſlaunders were all in vaine, ſeing he did defende and auouch his innocencie by his deedes. And yet it is likely that they wanted not falſe witneſſes, neither were they ſlacke in ſuborning them: but becauſe the Lorde giueth his ſeruauntes inuincible ſtrength, ſo that the brightneſſe of honeſtie doeth driue away their vaine clouds: they are aſhamed, and at length they depart from the iudgement ſeat with this infamie, that they were falſe accuſars. But the defenſe of Paul doeth ſhewe what things the Iewes laide principally to his charge. The firſt crime was vngodlineſſe againſt God, that he ouerthrew the Lawe and polluted the Temple: the other, rebellion againſt Ceſar, and the Romane Empyre, becauſe hee raiſed tumultes eueriewhere. Hee was holpen by the ſingular grace of God to aunſwere and refute both, who maketh the innocencie of his as bright as the morning.
9 And Festus being willing to doe the Iewes a pleaſure, aunſwered Paule and ſaide, wilt thou goe vp to Ieruſalem and there bee iudged of theſe things before me?
10 But Paule ſaide, I ſtande before Caeſars iudgement ſeate, where I must bee iudged. To the Iewes hauehave I done no wronge, as thou thy ſelfe knowest full well.
11 And if I do iniurie, or hauehave committed any thing worthie of death, I refuſe not to die: but if there be nothing of theſe thinges whereof they accuſe mee, no man can deliuer me to them. I appeale to Caeſar.
12 Then ſpake Festus with the Councell and ſaide, Hast thou appealed to Caeſar? To Caeſar ſhalt thou goe.
9 And Festus. Whether Feſtus knew ſomwhat of their laying awaite (which we may well coniect,) or whether hee were altogither ignorant thereof: he dealeth vniuſtly with Paul: and we ſee how ſoone thoſe are drawne vntounto all corruption, which are not guided by the ſpirite of God. For Feſtus doeth not openly contemne or hate Paul: but ambition, and peraduenture alſo deſire of gain got the vpper hand, ſo that for pleaſing the other part, he doth vniuſtly bring him in danger of death: alſo it is likely that he was enticed with the ſmel of ſom reward to harkē ſo courteouſly to the prieſtes. Notwithſtanding I maruell that he giueth Paul leaue to chooſe, and doth not rather according to this authoritie commaund them to carry him whether he would or no. Surely wee gather that he was kept backe with feare, leaſt he ſhould infringe the priuilege of the citie of Rome, which was a very odious crime. Notwithſtanding he ſtudieth craftilie to perſuade Paul not to refuſe to be iudged at Ieruſalem. For he was not ignorant of that which indeed came to paſſe, that a citizen of Rome might lawfully appeale, ſo that he could then goe no farther. Neuertheleſſe it was no thanke to him that hee was not deliuered into the hands of murtherers.
10 I ſtand at Caeſars iudgement ſeat. Becauſe Paul ſeeth that hee is betraied into the handes of the Iewes through the ambition of the gouernour, he obiecteth the priuiledge of the citie of Rome. Hee had ſubmitted himſelfe modeſtly, if he had cmomaunded him to do that which was iuſt and equall. Nowe becauſe the gouernour doeth not his duetie willingly: neceſſitie compelleth the holy man to defend himſelf by law: and by this meanes the Lorde deliuereth him nowe againe euen when he was almoſt giuen ouer into the hands of the enemies. And wheras he deſireth to hauehave his matter handled before Caeſars iudgement ſeat: he doth not therefore make the doctrine of the Goſpell ſubiect to the iudgement of a profane and wicked man: but beeing readie to giuegive an account of his faith eueryevery where: he appealeth from that court where he could no longer hope for equitie. Furthermore though the Citizens of Rome did retaine their priuiledge: yet the order was then altered: becauſe the Ceſars had taken into their owne handes the iudging of the people, as if they would bee good maintainers and patrons of common libertie.
To the Iewes hauehave I done. Becauſe thoſe whoſe conſciences do accuſe them, and which miſtruſt their matter, flie vntounto certaine odde excuſes and exceptions. Paul turneth away from himſelf this opinion. And ſurelie the miniſters of Chriſt, ought to hauehave no leſſe care to make their innocencie knowen, then to ſaue their life. If Paul had flatly denied to anſwere for himſelfe, the enemies would hauehave triumphed, and the doubtfulneſſe of an euill conſcience ſhould hauehave been obiected to him to the reproch of the Goſpell. But now when he citeth the gouernour himſelfe to be a witneſſe of his integritie, and doth refuſe no puniſhment, if hee ſhall be found gyltie, he cutteth of all occaſion of ſlaunderous reportes. Therefore he ſheweth that he doth not ſeek to ſaue himſelfe by turning his back, but flieth vntounto the fortreſſe of a iuſt defence, that he may ther ſaue himſelfe from iniurie, ſeeing his aduerſaries hauehave hitherto handeled him vniuſtly: and now refuſing to deale with him any longer by law they goe about to hauehave him murthered. Neither doth Paul go behinde the Preſidents back to tell him that he doth vniuſtly, in that he doth ſo dally with his accuſers: and therewithal he doth as it were bridle his luſt ſo that he dare goe no further.
11 I appeale vntounto Caeſar. After that he hath profeſſed that hee doth not refuſe to die if hee bee found giltie, hee freely vſeth ſuch helpes as he coulde finde at the hands of men. Wherefore if wee bee at any time brought into like ſtraits, we muſt not be ſuperſtitious, but we may craue help of the lawes and pollitike order. Becauſe it is written that magiſtrates are made and appointed by God to the praiſe of the godly. Neither was Paul afraid to goe to law vnderunder an vnbeleeuing iudge:Rom. 13.3. & 1. Pet. 2.14. for hee which appealeth commenceth a new action.
Therfore let vsus know that God who hath appointed iudgement ſeats doth alſo graunt libertie to his to vſe the ſame lawfully. Therfore thoſe miſtake Paul,1. Cor. 6.1. who think that he doth flatly condemne the Corinthiās, bicauſe they require help of the magiſtrate for defence of their right, ſeeing he reproueth in that place a manifeſt fault, to wit, becauſe they could ſuffer no wrong, and becauſe they were too much ſet vponupon ſueing one another, whereby they cauſed the goſpell to be euill ſpoken of.
12 Feſtus hauing talked with the councell. The gouernours did vſe to hauehave certain of the chief citizens which did attend vponupon them, & ſate with them in iudgement: that they might decree nothing without the conſent of the councell. Furthermore it doth ſeeme that Feſtus pronoū ced this with indignation, when hee ſaid interrogatiuely, haſt thou appealed to Caeſar? to wit, becauſe it greeued him that he coulde not doe the Iewes ſuch a pleaſure as he deſired: though I leaue that indifferent becauſe it is neither of any great importance, and it leaneth only to a coniecture.
13 And after certaine dayes, king Agrippa and Bernice came to Ceſarea, to ſalute Festus.
14 And when they had ſtayed there many dayes, Feſtus rehearſed Pauls cauſe to the king, ſaying, There is a certaine man left in bonds of Felix.
15 About whom, when I came to Ieruſalem, the high prieſtes and Elders of the Iewes enformed me, requiring iudgement againſt him,
16 To whom I anſwered, It is not the cuſtome of the Romanes, for fauour to deliuer any man, that he ſhould periſh, before he that is accuſed hauehave his accuſers face to face, and hauehave licence to anſwere for himſelfe, concerning the crime laid againſt him.
17 Therefore when they were come hither without delay, on the morow I ſate on the iudgement ſeat, and commaunded the man to be brought.
18 Againſt whom when the accuſers ſtood vp, they brought none accuſation concerning ſuch things as I ſuppoſed:
19 But they had certain queſtions concerning their“Or Religion. ſuperſtition againſt him, and concerning one Ieſus which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to bee a liue.
20 And becauſe I doubted of this queſtion, I asked him if he would goe to Ieruſalem, and there be iudged of theſe things.
21 And when Paul had appealed, that he might be kept vntounto the knowledge of Auguſtus, I commanded him to be kept vntil I might ſend him vntounto Caeſar.
13 And after certaine dayes. This long narration tendeth to this end, that we may know, that though the handeling of the cauſe were broken of, yet were Pauls bands famous: and that he was neuertheleſſe brought out of priſon, that he might make profeſſion of his faith, & diſpute touching the Goſpell before a famous auditorie, and againe that though he were contemned, yet was he not counted a wicked perſon, leaſt the glory of Chriſt ſhuld be abaſed by his ſlaunder and reproch, yea that he had more libertie to preach the goſpell being in priſon, then if hee had liued free in a priuate houſe.
King Agrippa and Bernice, It is certaine that this Agrippa was ſonne to Agrippa the elder, whoſe filthie and deteſtable death was ſet downe in the twelfth chapter. When this man was made king of Chalcis in his vncles ſteed after the deceaſe of his father: hee did afterward obtaine a more large dominion. Bernice, of whom mentiō is made in this place, was his owne naturall ſiſter, which was firſt married to Herod king of Chalcis her vncle, and did keep her ſelf widdow a certaine ſeaſon after his death, yet ſhe did not liue honeſtly & chaſtly during that time: for her too great familiaritie with her brother Agrippa was ſuſpected. And to the end ſhe might not be counted an inceſtuous perſon, ſhe married with Polemon king of Cilicia. Notwithſtāding becauſe ſhe gaue herſelf more to luſt than chaſtitie, ſhe forſooke him. The hiſtoriographers doe no where ſay, that ſhe was her brothers wife: and Ioſephus in his life aſſigneth her a dominion of her owne in a part of Galilee. Therefore it is to be thought that foraſmuch as they were hardened in their wickedneſſe, they dwelt together not regarding what men did ſay: yet did they abſtain from marriage, leaſt their inceſtuous marriage ſhoulde bewray and alſo augment their crime. Neither is it any maruell that hee came for honours ſake to ſalute the gouernour, who did reigne only at the wil and pleaſure of another, and did depend vppon the necke and fauour of the Emperour of Rome, which he was to retain and nouriſh by meanes of the gouernour.
14 When many dayes. Therefore when (after ſome time was ſpent) they wanted matter of talk, as idle men vſe to inuent ſomewhat whereon they may talke, mention was made of Paul, for Luke meant to note that, when he ſaid that after many dayes wer idly ſpent, Feſtus told the king of a certaine man which lay bound. And although hee doth heere both touch the malice of the Prieſts, and alſo make a ſhew of wonderfull equitie on his part, yet in that hee ſhortly after cleareth the partie which was accuſed, he condemneth himſelfe vnawares, when as he cō feſſeth that he was enforced to appeale that he might not be carried to Ieruſalem.
But when Feſtus commendeth the Romanes, he ſheweth what doth beſeeme iudges. And if nature did tel profane men thus much, that they muſt admit no ſuch fauour as may oppreſſe the giltleſſe: howe muche more muſt iudges, (who hauehave the light of the word of God) be carefull to auoide all corruption.
18 They laid no ſuch crime to his charge. I maruell why Feſtus doeth ſay that there was no ſuche crime obiected to Paul as hee ſuppoſed, ſeeing he was accuſed of ſedition: but we may againe coniect by this, yea, plainly know that their accuſations were ſo vaine, that they ought not to hauehave been brought before the iudgement ſeat: as if a man did vtter a ſlaunderous ſpeech vnaduiſedly. For which cauſe he ſaith that the ſtate of the cauſe did conſiſt in queſtions of the law. Therefore wee ſee that he putteth a difference betweene thoſe offences which were wont to be puniſhed by mans lawes, and the controuerſie which was betwene Paul and the Iewes: not that religion ought to bee corrupted freely, or that their malapartneſſe is tollerable, who ouerthrowe the worſhip of god with their owne inuentions: but becauſe the man being a Romane, cared not for Moſes lawe: therefore hee ſpeaketh ſo diſdainfully when he ſaith, that they did ſtriue about their ſuperſtition. Though this word deiſidaimonia bee taken of the Grecians as well in good as euill part: to wit, becauſe the choice of worſhippings of falſe gods were common in al places. Notwithſtanding his meaning is that he careth not what maner religion the Iewes hauehave. And no maruell if a man which was an Ethnick and had not learned that the rule of godlineſſe muſt bee fet from the mouth of God, know not how to diſtinguiſhe between the pure worſhip of God and ſuperſtitions.
Wherefore we muſt hold faſt that marke whereby wee may diſcerne the one from the other, that there is no godlines but that which is groū ded in the knowledge of faith, leaſt we grabble in darkneſſe. Moreouer the Romans were ſo drunkē with proſperous ſucceſſe, that they thoght that they were more acceptable to God then any other: as at this day the Turks by reaſon of their manifolde victories deride the doctrine of Chriſt. This was a lamentable caſe, that a man being an vnbeleeuer and idolater, ſitteth as iudge amidſt the Iewes, to giuegive iudgement of the ſacred oracles of God according to his ignorance, but all the fault was in Paul his aduerſaries, who did not care for the maieſtie of God, ſo they might ſatisfie and obey their owne madneſſe. Nothwithſtanding there reſted nothing for Paul to doe, but to cleare himſelfe of thoſe crimes which were laide againſt him. So at this day though inwarde brawles which are among Chriſtans, doe defame the name of Chriſte and his Goſpell among the Turkes and Iewes, yet the defender of holy doctrine are vnworthily blamed, which are enforced to enter the combate.
Of one Ieſus. It is not to bee doubted but that Paul intreated both grauely and with ſuch vehemencie as became him of the reſurrection of Chriſte: But Feſtus by reaſon of his pride, thought it no meet matter for him to occupie his head about. Hee doth not in deed openly deride Paul▪ but he ſheweth plainly how negligently he hard him when he diſputed of Chriſt. Wherby we ſee, how little preaching auaileth, yea that it auaileth nothing at all, vnleſſe the Spirit of God doe inwardly touch the harts of mē. For the wicked do lightly paſſe ouer whatſoeuer is ſpoken, as if a man ſhould tell them a tale of Robin Hood. Wherfore there is no cauſe why the careleſneſſe of many ſhoulde trouble vsus at this day, ſeeing Paul preuailed nothing with Feſtus. But this place doth witneſſe that many ſpeeches did paſſe in the handeling of the matter, whereof Luke maketh no mention. For he had ſpoken nothing as yet of Chriſte: and yet this latter narration doth ſhewe that Paul intreated ſeriouſlye before the Iewes of his death and reſurrection. Which coulde not bee, but hee muſt needes intreate of the principall pointes of the Goſpel. Therefore I geſſe that Paul did ſo handle the matter, that when he had refuted the falſe accuſations of the Iewes, wherewith they went about to burden him before the gouernour, hauing gotten a fit occaſion, hee began afterward to ſpeake freely of Chriſt.
22 And Agrippa ſaid vntounto Feſtus, I would alſo my ſelf hear the man. To morow ſaith he, thou ſhalt heare him.
23 And on the morrow when Agrippa was come and Bernice with great pompe, and was entred into the common hall with the chiefe captaines, and the principall men of the citie: at Feſtus commaundement Paul was brought.
24 And Feſtus ſaith, king Agrippa, and all men which are preſent with vsus, yee ſee this man, about whome all the multitude of the Iewes hath called vppon mee, both at Ieruſalem and heere, crying that hee ought not to liue any longer.
25 Yet hauehave I found that he hath committed nothing worthie of death. And becauſe hee hath appealed vntounto Auguſtus, I hauehave determined to ſende him.
26 Of whom I hauehave no certaine thing to write vntounto my Lord. Wherefore I hauehave brought him foorth vntounto you, and chiefly vntounto thee O king Agrippa, that after examination had, I may hauehave ſomewhat to write.
27 For it ſeemeth to me an vnmeet thing to ſend a priſoner, and not to ſhew the crimes whereof he is accuſed.
22 I would alſo. By this we may gather that Agrippa did ſo deſire to hear Paul that he was aſhamed to make his deſire knowen, leaſt Feſtus ſhould thinke that he came for ſome other end then to ſalute him. And it may be that not only curioſitie did moue him to be deſirous to heare Paul: but becauſe he did hope to profite by hearing him. Notwithſtanding we may eaſily gather by this, how cold his deſire was, becauſe hee ſuffered many dayes to paſſe before he ſheweth any ſigne of his deſire: becauſe he was more in louelove with earthly commodities which he counted better. Neither durſt he make any wordes, neither did he paſſe for vttering any ſpeech vntill ſuch time as Feſtus did of his owne accorde will him ſo to doe. So that the holy miniſter of Chriſt is brought foorth as on a ſtage, that a profane man may cheare vppe his gueſt: ſaue onelyonly that Feſtus wil be holpen with the aduiſe of Agrippa and his company, that he may let Caeſar vnderſtand how diligent hee is. But the matter was turned to another end by the ſecrete prouidence of God: neither ne…d we doubt, but that ſuch report went abroad, as made much for the confirmation of the godly, and it may be alſo that ſome of the hearers were touched, and did conceiue ſeed of faith, which did afterward bring foorth frute in due time. But admit none of them did embrace Chriſte ſincerely & from his heart, this was no ſmall profit, that the vnskilful… were appeaſed after that the malice of the enemies was diſcouered, that they might not be enflamed with ſuch hatred againſt the goſpel: impietie was made aſhamed, and the faithfull did gather newe ſtrength, ſo that they were confirmed more and more in the goſpel.
23 And on the morrow. Agrippa and his ſiſter do not come like humble diſciples of Chriſt: but they bring with them ſuch pompe and gorgeouſneſſe, as may ſtop their eares and blind their eyes: and it is to bee thought that like hautineſſe of minde was ioyned with that gorgeous & great pompe. No maruell therefore if they were not brought to obey Chriſt. Notwithſtanding it ſeemeth that Luke maketh mention of the pompe, that we might know that in a great aſſembly, and before choiſe witneſſes whoſe authority was great, Paul had leaue graunted not onelie to plead his matter as a partie defendant, but alſo to preach the goſpel. For he commeth foorth as in the perſon of a teacher, that he may ſet foorth the name of Chriſt. So that the trueth of God brake out of his bands, which was foorthwith ſpread abroad eueryevery where with a free courſe: yea it came euen vntounto vsus. By this word phantaſia Luke vnderſtā deth that which wee call commonly preparation or pompe. But there muſt other furniture bee brought vntounto the ſpirituall marriage of Ieſus Chriſt.
26 That after examination had. We cannot tell whether the gouerner in acquitting Paul before them, doth ſeek by this pollicie to entice him to let his appeale fall. For it was a thing credible, that he might eaſily be perſuaded to lay away feare, and to ſubmit himſelf to the iudgement and diſcretion of a iuſt iudge, eſpecially if Agrippa ſhould giuegive his friendly conſent. To what end ſoeuer he did it, he condemneth himſelfe of iniquitie by his owne mouth, in that he did not let a giltleſſe man go free, whom hee is now aſhamed to ſende vntounto Caeſar, hauing nothing to lay againſt him. This did alſo come to paſſe by the wonderfull prouidence of God that the Iewes themſelues ſhold giuegive a former iudgment on Pauls ſide. Paraduenture the Gouernor goeth ſubtilly to worke that hee may picke out what the kinge, and the chiefe men of Ceſarea doe think: that if it ſo fal out that Paul be ſet at liberty, he may lay the blame on their neckes. For he woulde not hauehave the prieſts to bee his enemies for nothing, vponupon whom a good part of Ieruſalem did depend, and that was the beſt way that he could take in writing to Caeſar, to intermingle the authoritie of Agrippa. But the Lord (to whō it belongeth to gouern euents contrary to mans expectatiō) had reſpect vntounto another thing, to wit, that when the clowdes of falſe accuſations were driuen away, Paul might more freely auouch ſound doctrine.