Letters

^1. The apostle Paul when he appeared before King Agrippa to answer the charges which were brought against him, wishing to use language intelligible to his hearers and confident of the success of his cause, began by congratulating himself in these words: “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before you touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews: especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews.” He had read the saying of Jesus: “Well is him that speaks in the ears of them that will hear;” and he knew that a pleader only succeeds in proportion as he impresses his judge. On this occasion I too think myself happy that learned ears will hear my defence. For a rash tongue charges me with ignorance or falsehood; it alleges that in translating another man's letter I have made mistakes through incapacity or carelessness; it convicts me of either an involuntary error or a deliberate offense. And lest it should happen that my accuser— encouraged by a volubility which stops at nothing and by an impunity which arrogates to itself an unlimited license— should accuse me as he has already done our father (Pope) Epiphanius; I send this letter to inform you— and through you others who think me worthy of their regard— of the true order of the facts.