the advocates of heathenism plead so earnestly in its defence), he “said with a loud voice—­Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.” [140:2] But the apostle’s self-possession was in nowise shaken by this blunt charge.  “I am not mad, most noble Festus,” he replied, “but speak forth the words of truth and soberness;” and then, turning to the royal stranger, vigorously pressed home his argument.  “King Agrippa,” he exclaimed, “believest thou the prophets?  I know that thou believest.” [140:3] The King, thus challenged, was a libertine; and at this very time was believed to be living in incestuous intercourse with his sister Bernice; and yet he seems to have been staggered by Paul’s solemn and pointed interrogatory.  “Almost,” said he, “thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” [140:4] It has been thought by some that these words were uttered with a sneer; but whatever may have been the frivolity of the Jewish King, they elicited from the apostle one of the noblest rejoinders that ever issued from human lips, “And Paul said, I would to God that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.” [140:5]

The singularly able defence now made by the apostle convinced his judges of the futility of the charges preferred against him by the Sanhedrim.  But at this stage of the proceedings it was no longer practicable to quash the prosecution.  When Paul concluded his address “the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them.  And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying—­This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.  Then said Agrippa unto Festus—­This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.” [141:1]

At first sight it may appear extraordinary that so eminent a missionary in the meridian of his usefulness was subjected to so long an imprisonment.  But “God’s ways are not as our ways, nor His thoughts as our thoughts.”  When thus, to a great extent, laid aside from official duty, he had ample time to commune with his own heart, and to trace out, with adoring wonder, the glorious grace and the manifold wisdom of the work of redemption.  Having himself partaken largely of affliction, and experienced the sustaining power of the gospel so abundantly, he was the better prepared to comfort the distressed; and hence his letters, written at this period, are so full of consolation. [141:2] And apart from other considerations, we may here recognise the fulfilment of a prophetic announcement.  When Paul was converted, the Lord said to Ananias—­“He is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel, for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” [141:3] During his protracted confinement he exhibited alike to Jew and Gentile an illustrious specimen of faith and constancy; and called attention to the truth in many quarters