you yourselves can witness, that what was necessary for myself and those who were with me, these very hands have supply'd.

then having taken our leave of one another, we embark'd and they went home.

From Tyre we sail'd to Ptolemais, which ended our voyage. we saluted the brethren there, and staid a day with them.

after we had been there several days, a prophet arriv'd from Judea, one Agabus, who made us a visit.

after this we prepar'd for our journey to Jerusalem.

some of the disciples of Cesarea accompany'd us, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, at whose house we were to lodge.

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.

now they have heard that you instruct the Jews that are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, by telling them they must not circumcise their children, nor observe the establish'd rites.

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.

accordingly Paul went to the men, and the next day was purified with them; then entring into the temple, he declar'd how long the time of the purification was to last, and when the offering was to be made for each of them.

(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.

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.

just as he was entring into the castle, Paul said to the officer, may I be favour'd with a word? you can speak Greek then, said he?

this the high-priest and the senate know too well: from them I receiv'd my warrant directed to the Jews of Damascus, where I went, to bring the converts there in chains to Jerusalem, in order to be punished.

as I was upon the road, advanc'd near Damascus, about mid-day, all of a sudden a great light from heaven broke all around me.

and being introduc'd, he said, brother Saul, receive thy sight. and instantly I saw him.

at length being return'd to Jerusalem, one day as I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance.

that I was present, when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, that I abetted the slaughter, and watch'd the clothes of those who slew 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.

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.

Then Paul directing himself to the council, thus said, "hitherto I have liv'd strictly conscientious, as God knows."

at which the high priest Ananias order'd those that were near him to strike him on the face:

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 the tumult growing worse, the tribune apprehensive that Paul might be torn to pieces among them, order'd detachment to secure him by force of arms, and bring him to the castle.

The night following, the Lord appear'd to him, and said, Paul, take courage; for the same remonstrances that you have made concerning me at Jerusalem, you must likewise make at Rome.

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 dismiss'd the youth with this charge, don't tell any one, that you have given me this information.

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.

on the morrow they march'd back to the castle, having left him to the custody of the horse:

said he, when your accusers are come: and then order'd him to the guard-room at Herod's palace.

"The happiness our nation enjoys, most noble Felix, by the wisdom of your administration, affects us too sensibly not to be acknowledg'd every where, and upon all occasions, with the utmost gratitude.

but not to trespass upon you too far, be pleas'd to hear what I have to say in brief, with your usual indulgence.

but general Lysias interpos'd, and with open force took him out of our hands,

this the Jews confirm'd by declaring it was all fact.

possibly you are appriz'd, that it is not above twelve days since, that I went to Jerusalem to worship.

there religiously employ'd some Asiatic Jews found me, without crowd or tumult:

and here they ought to have appear'd, if they had any thing to object against me.

unless it be, that I did indeed break out into this expression, it "is for the resurrection of the dead, that I am now call'd into question."

Then Felix adjourn'd them, saying, I shall inform myself more particularly of this sect, and when general Lysias comes, I will give you a full hearing.

Felix then order'd a centurion to take Paul into his custody, without confining him so as to hinder his friends from waiting upon him.

but as he was treating of justice, temperance, and a future judgment, Felix greatly alarm'd, said, "withdraw for the present; and when I am at leisure, I will send for you."

this he frequently did, and convers'd with him upon the presumption that Paul would have

offer'd him mony in order to obtain his discharge. but two years after he was succeeded by Porcius Festus, who to oblige the Jews left Paul under confinement.

"desiring the favour he might be sent for to Jerusalem." they having prepar'd measures to assassinate him upon the road.

Having staid above eight, nay ten days, he went to Cesarea, and on the morrow mounting the tribunal, he order'd Paul to be brought before him.

when he appear'd, the Jews, who were come from Jerusalem presented themselves before Festus, and loaded Paul with abundance of accusations, which they were not able to prove.

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

but Festus willing to oblige the Jews ask'd him, will you consent to go to Jerusalem, and take your trial before me there?

I told them, it was not the custom of the Romans to deliver up any man, till he was accus'd and confronted by his accusers, and had an opportunity of pleading to the charge.

the next day after they were come, to avoid delay, I mounted the tribunal, and order'd the man to be brought.

when his accusers appear'd, they did not charge him with any such crimes as I imagined they would.

being at a loss how to determine such an affair, I ask'd him if he would go to Jerusalem, and take his tryal there.

On the morrow Agrippa and Bernice came in great state, and being introduc'd into the court attended by the officers and the principal men of the city, Festus gave the word, and Paul was brought to the Bar.

then Festus said, "King Agrippa, and you that are here present, you see the man, against whom a numerous body of the Jews have been practising with me both at Jerusalem, and in this city, urging with vehemence, that he should not be suffer'd to live.

but finding he had done nothing that deserv'd death, I have resolved to send him to the emperor, to whom he had appealed.

they can testify, if they will, that I early profess'd myself a Pharisee, a member of the most rigorous sect of our religion:

and now I stand arraign'd for expecting the accomplishment of the divine promise made to our fathers,

I myself too once thought myself oblig'd strenuously to oppose the professors of Jesus the Nazarene, as I actually did at Jerusalem,

I answer'd, who art thou, Lord? he said, "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest.

but rise upright upon thy feet: for I have appear'd to thee in order to establish you my minister in testifying both what you have seen, and what I shall hereafter show to you,

this heavenly vision, king Agrippa, I presently obey'd:

first I warn'd the people of Damascus, of Jerusalem, of all Judea, and then the Gentiles, to repent, and turn to God, by acting suitably to their repentance.

for such a conduct the Jews seiz'd upon me in the temple, designing to assassinate me;

but by the divine favour I am still preserv'd alive, testifying to the small and to the great nothing but what Moses and the prophets have predicted should happen: "that Christ should suffer:

As he was thus making his defence, Festus broke out into this exclamation, "Paul, you are mad: much study has turn'd your brain."

the king is inform'd of these things, to whom I address myself with the greater confidence, being persuaded he is fully apprized of these matters, that were far from being transacted in private.

but Agrippa reply'd to Paul, you almost persuade me I shall be a christian!

they declar'd to one another, "this man has done nothing that deserves either death or imprisonment:"

When it was resolv'd, that we should sail for Italy, Paul and other prisoners were delivered to the custody of one Julius, a centurion of

a cohort in Augustus's legion. we embark'd in a vessel of Adramyttium, designing to coast it along Asia, and set sail with Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessalonica.

the next day we touch'd at Sidon, where the centurion, who was very civil to Paul, gave him leave to go, and refresh himself at his friends.

a gentle breeze at south, secure of gaining their point, they weigh'd anchor, and coasted close under Crete:

we could not go upon the wind, but were forc'd to let her drive.

this done, all hands aloft they frapp'd the ship tought with her cables, and for fear of striking upon the sands, they struck the main sail, and so drove.

the next day the storm work'd the ship with great fury; they threw some of her lading over board:

for an angel of that God, whose minister I am, and whom I serve, this night appear'd to me, and said, Paul, be not afraid:

notwithstanding we must be shipwrack'd upon some island."

while they were waiting for day, Paul advis'd the whole company to take some refreshment: "these fourteen days, said he, you have been very abstemious, and not made a meal:

at day-break they made an unknown land, with a creek, where they resolv'd, if it were possible, to run the ship ashore.

when falling into the confluence of two currents, they ran the ship a-ground: where the fore-castle stuck fast and would not give, but her stern was shatter'd by the violence of the waves.

the soldiers propos'd to dispatch the prisoners, for fear any of them should swim for their lives; but the centurion,

who had a mind to save Paul, prevented their design: and order'd all that could swim immediately to get off to shore,

and the rest to get upon the planks, or other pieces of the wreck: and by this means it happen'd that they all came safe to land.

Having thus escap'd, we found we were upon the isle of Malta:

when Paul having taken up some brush-wood and laid it upon the fire, a viper started out from the heat, and seiz'd upon his hand.

but Paul shook off the animal into the fire without having receiv'd any hurt.

The chief of the island, one Publius, had his estate in that quarter: he entertain'd us with diet and lodging for three days with great civility.

After having been there three months, we embark'd on board the Castor and Pollux from Alexandria, that had put in there by hard weather:

we landed at Syracuse, and stay'd there three days.

where finding some brethren, they desir'd us to stay with them seven days, after which we set out for Rome:

the brethren there having had news of us, came as far as Appiiforum, and the Three inns to meet us: whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God, and was greatly encourag'd.

who, after my examination, would have discharg'd me, as having done nothing that was capital.

but the Jews opposing it, I was oblig'd to appeal to the emperor: not having however any design to accuse them.

for this reason I desir'd to see and talk with you; it being for the expectation of Israel that I am subject to this chain."

but we should be glad to know your sentiments: for as to this sect, we are sensible it is every where inveigh'd against.

so not being able to agree, they retir'd, upon Paul's having told them, that the holy spirit had very justly said to our fathers by the prophet Esaias,

because when they knew God, they did not with gratitude glorify him as God, but their reasoning became extravagance, and their minds, void of judgment, were involv'd in darkness.

the honour due to God, who is immortal, they transferr'd to idols representing men, who are mortal, to birds, and beasts, and insects.

for they shew that the duties prescrib'd by the law, are written in their hearts, their consciences bearing witness to it, by their own reasonings alternately accusing and excusing them.