Chapter 61

And it fortuned that as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me, and I fell unto the earth, and heard a voice saying unto me. Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered: what art thou lord? and he said unto me? I am Iesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw verily a light and were afraid: but they heard not the voice of him that spake with me. And I said: what shall I do lord? And the lord said unto me: Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I saw nothing for the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me, and came into Damascus. One Ananias a perfect man, and as pertaining to the law having good report of all the jewes which there dwelt, came unto me, and stood and said unto me: Brother Saul receive thy sight. And that same hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said unto me, the God of our fathers hath ordained thee before, that thou shouldest know his will, and shouldest see that which is rightful, and shouldest hear the voice of his mought: for thou shalt be his witness unto all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now: why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, in calling on the name of the lord.

And it fortuned, when I was come again to Ierusalem and prayed in the temple, that I was in a trance, And saw him saying unto me: Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Ierusalem: for they will not receive the witness that thou bearest of me. And I said: lord they know that I prisoned, and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee. And when the blood of thy witness Stephen was shed, I also stood by, and consented unto his death and kept the raiment of them that slew him. And he said unto me: depart for I will send thee afar hence unto the gentiles.

They gave him audience unto this word, and lifted up their voices and said: away with such a fellow from the earth: it is pity that he should live. And they cried and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air. The captain bade him to be brought into the castle, and commanded him to be scourged, and to be examined, that he might know wherefore they cried on him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto an undercaptain: Is it lawful for you to scourge a Roman uncondemned? When the centurion heard that, he went to the uppercaptain, and told him saying: What intendest thou to do? This man is a Roman.

The uppercaptain came to him, and said: Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said: Yee. {yea} And the captain answered: With much money obtained I this freedom. And Paul said: I was freeborn. Then straightway departed from him they which should have examined him. And the captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman: because he had bound him.

On the morrow he lowsed him from his bonds desiring to know the certainty for what cause he was accused of the jewes, and commanded the high priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul, and set him before them.

The .xxiij. Chapter.

Paul beheld the council and said: Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. The high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by, to smite him on the mought. Then said Paul to him: God shall smite thee thou painted wall. Sittest thou and judgest me after the law: and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? And they that stood by said: Revilest thou god's high priest? Then said Paul: I wist not brethren, that he was the high priest. For it is written thou shalt not speak evil to the ruler of thy people.

When Paul perceived that the one part were Saduces, and the other Pharises: He cried out in the council. Men and brethren I am a pharisaye, the son of a pharisaye. Of hope, and of resurrection from death I am judged. And when he had so said, there arose a debate between the pharises and the saduces, and the multitude was divided. For the Saduces say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit. But the Pharises grant both. And there arose a great cry, and the scribes which were of the Pharises' part strove saying: We find none evil in this man. Though a spirit, or an angel hath appeared to him, let us not strive against God.

And when there arose great debate, the captain fearing lest Paul should have been plucked asunder of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him from among them, and to bring him into the castle. The night following God stood by him and said: Be of good cheer Paul: For as thou hast testified of me in Ierusalem, so must thou bear witness at Rome.

When day was come, certain of the jewes gathered themselves together, and made a vow saying: that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. They were about. xl. which had made this conspiration. And they came to the chief priest and seniors, and said: we have bound ourselves with a vow, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore give ye knowledge to the upper captain, and to the council that he bring him forth unto us tomorrow, as though we would know some thing more perfectly of him. But we (or ever he come near) are ready in the mean season to kill him.

When Paul's sister's son heard of their laying await, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. And Paul called one of the under captains unto him, and said: Bring this young man unto the captain: for he hath a certain thing to shew him. And he took him, and led him to the high captain, and said: Paul the prisoner called me unto him and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, which hath a certain matter to shew thee.

The high captain took him by the hand, and went apart with him out of the way: and asked him: what hast thou to say unto me? And he said: the jewes are determined to desire thee that thou wouldest bring forth Paul tomorrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. But follow not their minds: for there lay await for him of them, more than xl. men, which have bound themselves with a vow, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now are they ready, and look for thy promise.

The upper captain let the young man depart and charged him: See thou tell no man that thou hast told me this. And he called unto him two under captains, saying: make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten. And spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night. And deliver them beasts that they may put Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the high debite, and wrote a letter in this manner.

Claudius Lisias unto the most mighty ruler Felix sendeth greetings. This man was taken of the jewes, and should have been killed of them: Then came I with soldiers, and rescued him, and perceived that he was a Roman. And when I would have known the cause, wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council. There perceived I that he was accused of questions of their law: but was not guilty of any thing worthy of death, or of bonds. Afterward when it was shewed me how that the jews laid wait for the man, I sent him straight way to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers, if they had ought against him, to tell it unto thee: fare well.

The soldiers as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatras. On the morrow they left horsemen to go with him, and returned unto the castle. When they came to Cesarea, they delivered the pistel to the debite, and presented Paul before him. When the debite had read the letter, he asked of what country he was. And when he understood that he was of Cicill, I will hear thee (said he) when thine accusers are come also: And commanded him to be kept in Herod's palace.

The .xxiiij. Chapter.

After v. days, Ananias the high priest descended, with seniors, and with a certain orator named Tartullus, and enformed the ruler against Paul. When Paul was called forth, Tartullus began to accuse him saying: Seeing that we live in great quietness by the means of thee and that many good things are done unto this nation thorow thy providence: that allow we ever and in all places, most mighty Felix with all thanks. Notwithstanding, lest I be not tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy courtesy a few words.

We have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of debate among all the jewes thorow out the world, And a maintainer of the sect of the Nazarens: Which also hath enforced to pollute the temple, whom we took and would have judged according to our law: but the high captain Lisias came upon us, and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come unto thee, of whom thou mayest (if thou wilt enquire) know the certain of all these things where of we accuse him. The jewes likewise affirmed, saying that it was even so.

Then Paul (after that the ruler himself had beckoned unto him that he should speak) answered: I shall with a more quiet mind answer for myself, forasmuch as I understand that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this people, because that thou mayest know that there are yet but xij. days since I went up to Ierusalem for to pray. And that they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, either raising up the people, neither in the synagogues nor in the city. Neither can they prove the things whereof they accuse me.

But this I confess unto thee, that after that way (which they call heresy) so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets, and have hope towards God, that the same resurrection from death (which they themselves look for also) shall be both of just and unjust. And therefore study I to have a clear conscience toward God, and toward man also.

Many years ago I came and brought alms to my people and offerings, in the which they found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor yet with unquietness. There were certain jewes out of Asia which ought to be here present before thee, and accuse me, if they had ought against me: or else let these same here say, if they have found any evildoing in me, while I stand here in the council, except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them of the resurrection from death am I judged of you this day.

When Felix heard that he deferred them, for he knew very well of that way and said: when Lisias the captain is come, I will know the utmost of your matters. And he commanded an undercaptain to keep Paul, and that he should have rest, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister unto him, or to come unto him.

After a certain days came Felix, and his wife Drusilla which was a jewess, and called forth Paul, and heard him of the faith which is toward Christ. And as he preached of Justice, temperance, and Judgement to come, Felix trembled, and answered: thou hast done enough at this time, depart, when I have a convenient time, I will send for thee. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul that he might loose him, wherefore he called him the oftener, and communed with him. After two year came Festus Porcius into Felix room, and Felix willing to shew the jewes a pleasure left Paul in prison bound.

The .xxv. Chapter.

When Festus was come into the province, after three days, he ascended from Cesarea unto Ierusalem. Then informed him the high priests, and the chief of the jews against Paul. And they entreated him, and desired favour against him that he would send for him to Ierusalem, and laid wait for him in the way to kill him. Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Cesarea: but that he himself would shortly depart thither. Let them therefore (said he) which among you are able to do it come down with us and accuse him, if there be any fault in the man.

When he had tarried there more than ten days he departed unto Cesarea, and the next day sat down in the judgement seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. When he was come the jewes which were come from Ierusalem, came about him and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove as long as he answered for himself, that he had neither against the law of the jewes, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar offended any thing at all.

Festus willing to do the jewes a pleasure, answered Paul, and said: Wilt thou go to Ierusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then said Paul: I stand at Cesar's judgement seat, where I ought to be judged. To the jewes have I no harm done, as thou verily well knowest. If I have hurt them, or committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die. If none of these things are, where of they accuse me, no man ought to deliver me to them. I appeal unto Cesar. Then spake Festus with deliberation, and answered: Thou hast appealed unto Cesar: unto Cesar shalt thou go.

After a certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cesarea to salute Festus. And when they had been there a good season, Festus rehearsed Paul's cause unto the king saying: There is a certain man left in prison of Felix about whom when I came to Ierusalem the high priests, and seniors of the jewes informed me, and desired to have judgement against him. To whom I answered: It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man that he should perish, before that he which is accused, have the accusers before him, and have license to answer for himself, as pertaining to the crime whereof he is accused: when they were come hither, without delay on the morrow I sat to give judgement, and commanded the man to be brought forth. Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Iesus which was dead. whom Paul affirmed to be alive. Because I doubted of the questions, I asked him whither he would go to Ierusalem, and there be judged of these matters. Then when Paul had appealed to be kept unto the knowledge of Cesar. I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cesar.

Agrippa said unto Festus: I would also hear the man myself. Tomorrow (said he) thou shalt hear him. On the morrow when Agrippa was come and Bernice with great pomp, and were entered into the council house with the captains and chief men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth, and Festus said: King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us: Ye see this man about whom all the multitude of jewes have been with me, both at Ierusalem and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. Yet found I nothing worthy of death that he had committed. Nevertheless seeing that he hath appealed to Cesar, I have determined to send him. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him unto you, and specially unto thee, king Agrippa, that after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. For me thinketh it unreasonable for to send a prisoner, and not to shew the causes, which are laid against him.

The .xxvj. Chapter.

Agrippa said unto Paul: Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and answered for himself: I think myself happy King Agrippa, because I shall answer this day before thee of all the things whereof I am accused of the jewes, namely because thou art expert in all customs, and questions, which are among the jewes. Wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

My living of a child, which was at the first among mine own nation at Ierusalem know all the jewes which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify it. For after the most straitest sect of our lay, lived I a pharisaye and now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers unto which promise, our xij. tribes instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa am I accused of the jewes. Why should it be thought a thing incredible unto you, if God raise again the dead?

I also verily thought in myself, that I ought to do many contrary things, clean against the name of Iesus of Nazareth: which things I also did in Ierusalem. And many of the saints shut I in prison, moreover I received authority of the high priests: And when they were put to death I gave the sentence. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme: and was yet more mad upon them, even unto strange cities. About the which things as I went to Damascus with authority, and commission from the high priests, even at mid day (king Agrippa) I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shine round about me and them, which journeyed with me.

When we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the prick. And I said: Who art thou lord? And he said: I am Iesus whom thou persecutest: But rise and stand up on thy feet. For I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister, and a witness both of those things which thou hast seen, and of those things in thee which I will appear unto thee, delivering thee from the people, and from the gentiles, unto thee which now I send thee, to open their eyes that they might turn from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in me.

Wherefore king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Ierusalem, and thorowout all the coasts of Iewry, and to the gentiles, that they should repent, and turn to God, and do the right works of repentance. For this cause the jewes caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Nevertheless I obtained help of God, and stood unto this day witnessing both to small and to great, saying none other things, than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come, that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from death, and should shew light unto the people, and to the gentiles.

As he thus answered for himself: Festus said with a loud voice: Paul, thou art besides thyself. Much learning hath made thee mad. And Paul said: I am not mad most dear Festus: but speak the words of truth and soberness. The king knoweth of these things, before whom I speak freely: neither think I that any of these things are hidden from him. For this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa believest thou the prophets? I wot well thou believest. Agrippa said unto Paul: Somewhat thou bringest me in mind for to become christen. And Paul said: I would to God that not only thou: but also all that hear me today, were not somewhat only, but altogether such as I am except these bonds. And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the debite, and Bernice, and they that sat with them. And when they were gone apart, they talked between themselves saying: This man doth nothing worthy of death, nor of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus: This man might have been lowsed if he had not appealed unto Cesar.

The .xxvij. Chapter.

When it was concluded that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Iulius, an undercaptain of Cesar's soldiers. And we entered into a ship of Adramicium, and lowsed from land, appointed to sail by the coasts of Asia, one Aristarcus out of Macedonia, of the country of Thessalia, being with us. The next day came we to Sidon, and Iulius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends, and to refresh himself. And from thence launched we and sailed hard by Cypers, because the winds were contrary. Then sailed we over the sea of Cicill, and Pamphylia, and came to Myra a city in Lycia.

And there the undercaptain found a ship of Alexandry ready to sail into Italy, and put us therein, and when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Gnydon (because the wind withstood us) we sailed hard by the coast of Candy, over against Salmo, and with much work sailed beyond it, and came unto a place called Goode port. Nigh whereunto was a city called Lasea. When much time was spent and sailing was now jeopardous, because also that we had overlong fasted, Paul put them in remembrance, and said unto them: Sirs I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and damage, not of the lading and ship only: but also of our lives. But the undercaptain believed the governor, and the master, better than those things which were spoken of Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, many took counsel to depart thence, if by any means they might attain to Phenices and there to winter, which haven pertaineth to Candy, and serveth to the southwest, and northwest wind. When the south wind blew, they supposing to obtain their purpose lowsed unto Asson, and sailed past all Candy.

But anon after there arose (against their purpose) a flaw of wind out of the northeast. When the ship was caught, and could not resist the wind, we let her go and drave with the weather. We came unto an isle named Clauda, And had much work to come by a boat, which they took up, and used help undergirding the ship, fearing lest we should have fallen into Syrtes, and we let down a vessel and so were carried. The next day when we were tossed with an exceeding tempest, they lightened the ship, and the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. When at the last neither sun nor star in many days appeared, And no small tempest lay upon us, all hope that we should be saved, was taken away.

Then after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them and said: Sirs ye should have heard me, and not have departed from Candy, neither to have brought unto us this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you: But of the ship only. For there stood by me this night the angel of God whose I am, and whom I serve, saying: fear not Paul, for thou must be brought before Cesar. And lo, God hath given unto thee all that are in the ship with thee, wherefore sirs be of good cheer, for I believe God that so it shall be even as it was told me, and we must be cast into a certain island.

But when the fourteenth night was come as we were carried in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that there appeared some country unto them, and they sounded, and found it xx. fathoms. they went a little further and sounded again, and found xv. fathoms. Then fearing lest they should have fallen on some Rocke, they cast iiij. anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. As the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, and had let down the boat into the sea, under a colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship: Paul said unto the undercaptain and the soldiers: except these abide in the ship ye cannot be safe. Then the soldiers cut off the rope of the boat, and let it fall away.

And in the meantime, betwixt that and day, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying: this is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting receiving nothing at all, wherefore I pray you to take meat: for this no doubt is for your health, for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken he took bread and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and brake it, and began to eat. Then were they all of Good cheer, and they also took meat. We were all together in the ship, two hundred and three score and sixteen souls. When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and cast out the wheat into the sea.