It was usual for a Roman President, or Judge, to have a small Council of some of the chief Romans in the province, whose advice he could ask in any doubtful matter. Festus had such a Council; for we read, "Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto Cæsar shalt thou go." Thus did the Lord overrule events to fulfil his words, "thou must bear witness also at Rome." Before St. Paul could be sent off from Cæsarea, he was again called upon to defend himself and declare his doctrines. St. Luke says, "And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cæsarea to salute Festus." This Agrippa and Bernice were both the children of Herod Agrippa, and therefore Drusilla was their sister. The Emperor Claudius had made Agrippa king of some of the Roman Provinces in Asia, and had also given him some dominions in Judæa, which had been added to by the present Emperor Nero. It was probably to look after these dominions that Agrippa was now come into the country, bringing his sister Bernice with him; and it was very natural that they should go to Cæsarea to visit the governor. Festus, who was evidently rather puzzled about St. Paul, as he could see no reason for the accusations of the Jews, was glad to have an opportunity of talking over the matter with one, who being himself a Jew, would know the laws and customs of his own people, as well as those of the Romans. Therefore, when Agrippa and Bernice had been at Cæsarea "many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, 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 Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cæsar."