The seven days being almost expir'd, the Asiatic Jews seeing him in the temple, rais'd a tumult, and fell upon him, bawling out, "men of Israel, help: this is the man that every where inveighs upon all occasions against the people, against the law, and against this place, where they have brought Greeks too to profane this holy place." read more. (for having seen Trophimus an Ephesian with him in the city, they imagin'd Paul had conducted him into the temple.) the whole city was in an uproar, the people crouded together: they seized Paul, dragg'd him out of the temple, and then shut the gates. as they were busy upon his execution, news came to the commander of the cohort, that the whole city was in an uproar. immediately he headed a detachment, with his centurions, and march'd briskly to them; who, upon seeing the officer and his men, left off beating Paul. the commander advanc'd, seiz'd him, and order'd to load him with two chains: then demanded who he was, and what he had done.

the commander advanc'd, seiz'd him, and order'd to load him with two chains: then demanded who he was, and what he had done. in the hubbub some cry'd one thing, some another: so that not being able to get any information for the tumult, he order'd him to be carried to the castle. read more. as he was mounting the stairs, the soldiers bore him up thro' the violence of the people, who were all pressing after, roaring out, "away with him."

when the commanding officer order'd him to be brought into the castle, and put to the question by the lash, in order to find out the reason of their exclamations against him. as they were tying him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion, does the law allow to scourge a Roman citizen, and without any trial? read more. upon hearing that, the centurion went to acquaint the head officer, take care, said he, what you do; for this man is a Roman. then the head officer came to him, and said, tell me, are you a Roman? he answer'd, yes. the officer rejoin'd, my freedom cost me a considerable sum. but I had it, said Paul, by right of birth. immediately those who were going to put him to the question, withdrew: the commander himself being under some apprehension for having order'd him to be bound.

when it was day, some Jews, that had form'd a conspiracy, engag'd themselves by an oath, not to eat, or drink, till they had kill'd Paul. the conspirators, who were above forty in number, read more. went to the chief priests and senators, and said, "we have bound our selves by oath not to eat till we have slain Paul. if you will move it then to the tribune in the name of the Sanhedrim, to send him here to-morrow, under colour of examining his affair with more solemnity, we shall take care to dispatch him, and make a short end of his journey." Paul's sister's son hearing of the ambuscade, went to the castle, and being admitted, told Paul; who having sent for one of the centurions, said, introduce this young man to the tribune, for he has something to communicate to him. accordingly he went along with him, and having introduc'd him to the tribune, he said, Paul, who is in custody sent for me, and desired me to introduce this young man, who has something to tell you. then the tribune taking him by the hand, retir'd with him in private, and ask'd, what he had to say. the Jews, said he, have agreed to desire you would send Paul down to-morrow to the council, under the pretext of examining him more strictly. but don't believe them: for above forty of them lie in ambush, having bound themselves by oath not to eat or drink till they have kill'd him: they are already prepar'd, and only wait your answer. then the tribune dismiss'd the youth with this charge, don't tell any one, that you have given me this information. then calling two of his centurions, draw out, said he, two hundred foot, seventy horse, and two hundred archers, ready to march to Cesarea by the third hour of the night: let them take care to see Paul mounted, and convoy him safe to governour Felix. at the same time he writ a letter to Felix to this purport. CLAUDIUS LYSIAS to the most excellent governour FELIX wishes health. The Jews having seiz'd this man, were just upon the point to dispatch him, when I march'd with a body to his rescue; having been informed he was a Roman, I had him brought before their Sanhedrim, to hear what crime they laid to his charge. but I found their accusation turned upon certain topics of their law, and contain'd nothing that was capital, or that deserv'd imprisonment: and having intelligence that the Jews had form'd a conspiracy against him, I immediately sent him to you, directing his accusers to lay their charge before you. farewel. The soldiers pursuant to order took Paul, and conducted him by night to Antipatris. on the morrow they march'd back to the castle, having left him to the custody of the horse: who upon their arrival at Cesarea, delivered the letter to the governour, and presented Paul to him.

as they were busy upon his execution, news came to the commander of the cohort, that the whole city was in an uproar.