Or else he saith, I know thou believest, because he would have him believe. Therefore he prevents him and answers for him, lest Agrippa should go back, and mislike with his boldness, and say no, I believe not the Prophets, as it is like he would have said, if Paul had not spoken mildly to him, therefore he begs the question and answers him, I know that thou believest: As when we will make a man our friend and willing to do us a pleasure, as though he were willing already, and as though we had no doubt of him. Doest thou believe? yea, I know that thou believest. And yet it was but almost believe, as Agrippa confessed himself, but if he had not believed, this was the way to make him believe, for this makes many zealous to be counted zealous, & many studious, valiant, & bountiful, to have a name of more than is in them, as if ye mark ye shall see generally to speak well of a man rather than evil doth stir him to virtue, & encourage him in virtue ⟨p. 926⟩for no man is so humble but he leans to Fame, and a good report doth tickle and please him which deserves it, and him which deserves it not. Therefore Paul which knew by long experience what bait was best to catch souls, when he cast forth such a strange question, anticipates the answer, lest Agrippa should answer otherwise than he would have him: he will not trust him with such a question, but speaks for him, I know that thou believest. Solomon saith that he is wise who winneth souls, Pro. 11. 30. And so you may see in this example, here zeal and discretion were met together, the Doves simplicity, and the Serpents policy kissed each other to win one soul to God, what study Paul took and how he beat his brain, and picked his words to win a king to religion, because many turn with their head. He doth not so much flatter Agrippa, as he persuades him to do that which he saith he doth, this was Pauls drift to draw him as it were with the cords of joy, and make him confess Christ before he was a ware, that so he might get more & more of him, even as Nathan made David by a sleight to confess against himself, and repent his adultery, when as it is like that plain and blunt speeches, would have done more hurt than good. This is the subtlety of wisdom (as I my term it) ⟨p. 927⟩which Solomon intendeth when she saith, I wisdom dwell with Prudence, Pro. 12.
Or else he saith, I knowe thou beleeuest, because he would haue him beleeue. Therefore he preuents him and aunsweres for him, lest Agrippa should go backe, and mislike with his boldenes, and saie no, I beleeue not the Prophetes, as it is like he would haue said, if Paul had not spoken mildly to him, therefore hee begges the question and answeres him, I know that thou beleeuest: As when wee will make a man our friend and willing to doe vs a pleasure, as though he were willing already, and as though we had no doubt of him. Doest thou beleeue? yea, I knowe that thou beleeuest. And yet it was but almost beleeue, as Agrippa confessed himselfe, but if hee had not beleeued, this was the way to make him beleeue, for this makes many zealous to bee counted zealous, & many studious, valiaunt, & bountifull, to haue a name of more than is in them, as if ye marke ye shall see generally to speake well of a man rather than euil doth stir him to vertue, & incorage him in vertue ⟨p. 926⟩for no man is so humble but hee leanes to Fame, and a good report dooth tickle and please him which deserues it, and him which deserues it not. Therefore Paul which knewe by long experience what baite was best to catch souls, when he cast forth such a strange question, anticipates the answere, lest Agrippa should answere otherwise than he woulde haue him: he will not trust him with such a question, but speaks for him, I know that thou beleeuest. Salomon saith that hee is wise who winneth soules, Pro. 11. 30. And so you may see in this example, heere zeale and discretion were met together, the Doues simplicitie, and the Serpents pollicy kissed each other to win one soule to God, what study Paul tooke and how he beate his braine, and picked his words to win a king to religion, because many turne with their head. Hee doth not so much flatter Agrippa, as hee perswades him to doo that which he saith hee doth, this was Pauls drift to drawe him as it were with the cords of ioy, and make him confesse Christ before hee was a ware, that so he might get more & more of him, euen as Nathan made Dauid by a sleight to confesse against himselfe, and repent his adultrie, when as it is like that plaine and blunt speeches, would haue done more hurt than good. This is the subtiltie of wisedome (as I my tearme it) ⟨p. 927⟩which Salomon intendeth when she saith, I wisedome dwell with Prudence, Pro. 12.
