The like may be said of that of Paul to Festus, whom he
would not have called such, if he had not been truly noble; as indeed he
was, in that he suffered him to be heard in his own cause, and would not
give way to the fury of the Jews against him. It was not because of any
outward title bestowed upon Festus, that he so called him, else he would
have given the same compilation to his predecessor Felix, who had the
same office, but being a covetous man we find he gives him no such
title."
This is the answer of Barclay. It has not however been deemed quite
satisfactory by the world. It has been observed that one good action
will never give a man a right to a general title. This is undoubtedly an
observation of some weight. But it must be contended on the other hand,
that both Luke and Paul must have been apprised that the religion, they
were so strenuous in propagating, required every man to speak the truth.
They must have been apprised also, that it inculcated humility of mind.
And it is probable therefore that they would never have bestowed titles
upon men, which should have been false in their application, or
productive of vanity and pride. St. Luke could not be otherwise than
aware of the answer of Jesus Christ, when he rebuked the person for
giving him the title of good, because he was one of the evangelists,
who[48] recorded it, and St.
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