EVANGELICAL DISCOURSES ON SEVERAL SUBJECTS, 85c. DISCOURSE I. THE DIVINE COMMISSION OF ST. PAUL EXAMINED AND ESTA- BLISHED. In a Sermonpreached on Easter-Day, 1731. IN OPPOSITION TO ALL THE DEISTS WHO HAVE APPEARED IN THE WORLD SINCE CHRISTIANITY BEGAN: BEING A FULL CONFIRMA- TION OF THE BLESSED GOSPEL. ACTS XXV. 18, 19. 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, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed tobe alive. THE FIRST PART. T,HE history which introduces these verses may be re- presented in short in this manner : The Jews were highly enraged against St. Paul for preaching the gospel of Christ with such freedom and boldness in several places; and when they found him at Jerusalem, they took occasion to seize him, and bring him before the magistrate, with heavy accusations; but when he had defended himself so well, the magistrates saw no cause to punish hirn. The Jews lay in wait to assassinate him, or murder him privately; which being known, he was sent by night to Cæsarea, to be judged by Felix the governor; and there he lay in prison two years, till a newgovernor, Festus, came into the province. The Jews still pursued their malice against Paul, and what they could not obtain of Felix, they hoped to per- suade Festus to grant them : And when Festus had heard what charges the Jews brought against him, and when Paul appealed unto Cesar, fearing that Festus would
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