XVIII.

PAUL IS BROUGHT BEFORE FELIX.-HE IS ACCUSED

BY THE ORATOR TERTULLUS.-PAUL PREACHES CHRIST TO THE GOVERNOR AND HIS WIFE.FELIX, HOPING FOR A BRIBE, WILL NOT RELEASE PAUL. PAUL IS ACCUSED BEFORE FESTUS, AND APPEALETH UNTO CESAR.

THE letter from Claudius Lysias is presented in due form to Felix, whose jurisdiction appears to have extended over the province of Cilicia; and as Paul was a native of Tarsus, the capital of that country, Felix promised to hear him when his accusers were also come. Till that time, the command was given that Paul should be kept in Herod's judgment-hall, most probably in one of the dungeons or cells that were always attached to such places.

Five days Paul lay in that gloomy prison. But suppose we were to tell you that he heeded not the darkness. And so it was. His soul was free and joyous. No fetter could bind down the aspirations that reached the heavenly throne, no earthly gloom could shut out the light of his Saviour's counte

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nance, nor prison-coldness freeze the stream of heavenly consolation that refreshed his soul. Blessed, thrice blessed, is the man that maketh the Lord his trust!

At length Paul is called forth, and Tertullus, who was in all probability a Roman orator of some note, is appointed to accuse him.

Tertullus commences his address to the governor in the style of flattery so prevalent at that time, speaking of the great quietness which, through his wise administration, they as a nation enjoyed; thus, Tertullus, ere he brought any accusation against Paul, endeavoured to conciliate the favour of Felix.

This skilful orator is afraid of wearying the attention of his auditor by too long a speech, therefore he proceeds at once to the point.

"We have found this man," he says, looking at Paul, a pestilent fellow," or as it is more strongly expressed in the original, "the very pestilence itself,” "and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world," (for we must remember that he had been before accused of preaching doctrines contrary to the law of Moses,) "and," continued Tertullus, 66 a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes.”

Paul

This was the secret of their resentment. had been privileged to be a most successful preacher of the doctrines of Jesus of Nazareth; and though the Christians were at this time called Nazarenes,

by way of contempt, we have no doubt that Paul gloried in the title, and that at the very moment he was thus accused, the springs of peace and joy were full within his soul. Though all should go against him, still he could say, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again; who is even at the right-hand of God; who also maketh intercession for us!"

The next serious charge against Paul was, that he had profaned the temple. We remember that they had before brought this accusation against him, simply because they have seen him in the company of one Trophimus, an Ephesian; and they actually now have the boldness to attest that they would have judged him according to their law, had not Claudius Lysias taken him by violence out of their hands. They forgot that the Invisible was amongst them; that He who understood their thoughts, and from whom no secrets are hid, knew their wicked conspiracy, and how they had purposed, without even a show of justice, to take away Paul's life.

Either by a bow or a wave of the hand the governor now signifies to Paul that he is to make his defence. How differently he speaks from the Roman orator! No enticing words of man's wisdom, but using great plainness of speech, he submits himself, he says, the more cheerfully to the disposal of Felix, knowing that he has been a judge.

of the nation for many years; and that he must, therefore, of necessity be acquainted with the customs and manners of the Jews.

Simply he denies the charges brought against him; saying, that neither in the synagogue, nor in the city, nor in the temple had he disputed or attempted to excite any tumult.

Boldly he challenges investigation. Looking at the hostile band before him, "Neither can they prove," he says, "the things whereof they now

accuse me."

There is, my dear friends, a holy boldness inseparably united to a true and living faith. When the lowly Christian can look upwards and say, "Abba Father!" he will not fear what man can do unto him. "But this I confess unto thee," Paul continues, "that after the way which they call heresy, or sect, so worship I the God of my fathers."

He then explains how he was accused of profaning the temple, at the very time that he went there to present an offering to God, in the shape of aid to his needy countrymen.

The Christian often has his actions misrepresented; nay, falsehood unblushingly coins the slanderous tale, and causes the way of truth to be evil spoken of.

To the suffering servant of God, under such circumstances, we would say, "Possess thy soul in

patience. Wait on the Lord:-commit thy way fearlessly unto him; he shall make thy righteousness clear as the noonday ;" and ere long thy grateful song shall be, "He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me because he delighted in me."

Paul's address was bold, and the impress of truth was on every word. He appeals to those around him to come forward if they find aught against him; and then, as if touched by some sudden recollection, he exclaims," 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." He courts enquiry on the subject, and we can almost imagine we see the sudden look of interest that passes over the face of Felix as he says, "When Lysias, the chief captain, shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter."

At all events we find that Felix is anxious to show Paul every kindness consistent with the fact of his being a prisoner.

We have no doubt but that Felix was pretty well convinced that these charges had been maliciously brought against Paul, and that he now kept him prisoner only to please the Jews, who would have been much annoyed had Paul, their enemy, been set free. Paul's friends, however, were to be