144 ST. PAUL'S DIVINI; COMMISSION [Disc, T. comply with the unjust desire of the Jews, Festus had a mind to heàr the whole cause, that he might send Csar a more particular account. Now king Agrippa being there upon a visit, Festus tells Agrippa the story in this speech of which my text is a part, vier. 1-7, &c. And from these words we may take occasion to make these three observations : d. Civil governors among the heathens, before they were taught to persecute the christians, thought it strange to have matters of pure religion brought before them, where the state and the peace of it was not concerned., II. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the grand question in our debates, about christianity, and which we are solicitous to maintain, in vindication of our religion. . III. Paul would not have affirmed Jesus Christ, a dead man, to be alive, without very good proof of it; knowing that the whole religion which he taught the world depended on the truth of it. First observation. Civil governors among the hea- thens usually in ancient times, thought it strange to have matters of pure religion brought' before them. Festus imagined some dreadful accusation of sedition or murder was brought against Paul, or some high crime against the state, when he was with such fury brought before him ; but there was nothing of this kind appear- ed. St. Paul expressly says, he had walked uprightly before God and man, and exercised himself to keep a good conscience toward God and men ; a conscience void of offence ; and after manyyears, he came to bring alms to his Own nation, to do his country a kindness, and the Jews seized him, upon pretence of his opinions being contrary to the religion of their nation. The great design of civil government, and the institu- tution of magistracy among men, is to keep the peace, to secure the persons and properties of mankind who were innocent, from all manner of injury; and there is no- thing more of religion comes within their province, than is absolutely necessary to secure the public peace. Now, upon this account, and that with some appearance of reason, it bath been supposed that atheists, or those who deny God, or his providence, or his government of the world, Iriay be justly punished by magistrates, s4 far at
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