On the morrow, the rulers, senators, and doctors of the law, then at Jerusalem, assembled,

upon which Peter said, Ananias, how could satan inspire thine heart to lye to the holy ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

when a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, who was respected by all the people, rose up in the council, and moved the apostles might withdraw for some time.

and they stirred up the people, the senators, and the doctors of law, who came and seiz'd him, and brought him to the council,

where they produc'd false witnesses, who said, this man is continually inveighing against the holy place, and against the law.

you, I say, who received the law by the administration of angels, but have not however observ'd it.

and on his knees he cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." and having said this, he expired.

give me too this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands he may receive the holy spirit.

and after the lesson out of the law and the prophets was finish'd, the heads of the synagogue sent this message to them; Men and brethren, if you have any instruction to offer to the people, deliver it.

by him, every one who believes, is purged from all that guilt, for which the law of Moses had made no such provision.

However some that arrived from Judea, told the Gentile converts, unless you are circumcised agreeably to the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.

but some of the sect of the Pharisees who had embraced the faith, started up, pretending that the Gentiles ought to be circumcised, and observe the law of Moses.

for as to the law of Moses, that has been published in every city a considerable time, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day.

Whereas we have been appriz'd, that some who went from us, have embarass'd you with their discourse, and unsettled your minds, maintaining, that you ought to be circumcised, and to observe the law, though we gave them no such injunction: after having been assembled,

for by the holy spirit it seemed good to us, to lay no greater burthen upon you, than these necessary injunctions;

this fellow, said they, would persuade us to set up a way of worship inconsistent with our law.

but since it is about disputable matters, about names, and your own law, you may decide that among yourselves: for I won't take cognizance of such affairs."

if Demetrius and the other artists, that are with him, can lay their action against any man, the law is open, and the proconsul is near; let them begin their process.

upon hearing this, they gave glory to God: and thus address'd Paul, you see, brother, how many thousand believing Jews there are, all however zealous for the law.

these take, and perform the rites of purification with them, contributing to the expence of having their heads shav'd: this will convince them, what has been reported of you, is all groundless, and that you stick to the observances of the law.

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."

then he said, I am a Jew, a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, but had my education in this city: at the feet of Gamaliel I was instructed in the law, and in the exact decisions of our fathers, and was as religiously zealous as you are at this time.

there one Ananias a religious observer of the law, who had the good word of all the Jews in that place, came to see me,

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?

which made Paul say, "may God strike thee, thou plaister'd wall: you sit to judge me according to law, and in defiance of the law you order me to be struck!"

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.

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.

and has attempted to prophane the temple: we secur'd him, and would have try'd him by our law:

so far are they from proving what they lay to my charge.

I do indeed own, that I serve the God of our nation according to the discipline they call sect: and believe whatever is written in the law and in the prophets.

to this he answer'd, "I have not been guilty of any misdemeanour, either against the law, or against the temple, or against Cesar."

then for fear of striking upon the rocks, they dropt four anchors astern, and lay impatient for the day.

Publius's father happening then to lie sick of a fever, and a dysentery, Paul made him a visit, pray'd by him, gave him imposition of hands, and cur'd him.