This address made no impression upon Festus. Regarding the idea of a resurrection as foolishness, he ascribed the zeal of the Apostle to an excited imagination, or the effect of over-study[1119]. Interrupting him, therefore, he cried out in a loud voice (Acts xxvi. 24), _Paul, thou art mad; much learning doth make thee mad_. _I am not mad, most noble Festus_, replied the Apostle with dignified courtesy, _but speak forth the words of truth and soberness_; and turning to Agrippa, who had knowledge of these matters, and before whom he could speak freely, he solemnly enquired whether he did not believe the prophets. But the persuasive appeal glanced off from the heart of the profligate prince to whom it was addressed. In playful banter or scornful sarcasm he replied, _Lightly[1120] thou persuadest me to become a Christian_. On which the Apostle, lifting up his chained hands, made answer, _I would to God that, whether lightly or with difficulty[1121], not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds_ (Acts xxvi. 29). With these words this memorable conference ended. Agrippa had no wish to hear more. He rose up with Festus, Bernice, and their suite, and retired from the audience-chamber. The case of the prisoner was then discussed, and it was agreed that he was guilty of nothing deserving of death or even of imprisonment, and Agrippa remarked that he might have been released had he not appealed to Cæsar. But the appeal had been made, and to the imperial tribunal the Apostle must go. SECTION IV. _St Paul’s Imprisonment at Rome._ CHAPTER I. _THE VOYAGE FROM CÆSAREA._ A.D. 60. AS soon, then, as it was actually decided that St Paul should be sent to Rome, he was delivered over with certain other prisoners to a centurion, named Julius, belonging to the “Augustan cohort,” or the bodyguard of the Emperor, who always treated the Apostle with kindness and consideration. The ship selected was a vessel of Adramyttium, a sea-port of Mysia, opposite Lesbos, which had probably touched at Cæsarea on a return voyage from Egypt, and was now bound for her own port. In her the Apostle embarked with Aristarchus of Thessalonica, the Evangelist St Luke, the prisoners, and their guard. The wind was fair[1122], and on the next day they put into Sidon, probably for the purposes of trade, and here the centurion allowed the Apostle to go on shore and receive the kind attentions of his friends[1123].