157 / 652
tsc.
t.]
EXAMINED
AND
ESTABLISHED.
147
wicked men.
Its
own
truth
and
excellency, and divine
authority,
will
make
its own way
into the
world by
the
assistances
of
the blessed
Spirit, where human powers do
but let it alone, and preserve
it'
from the
:unrighteous
violence
of
its
neighbours.
Second
observation.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the
dead
is
the chief article,
and the
grand
point,
which
private christians and ministers are solicitous to
maintain,
in
the vindication
of
their
religion.
This
was
the
point
that
stood forth
to view,
and
sheaved
itself
with such
evidence
in
the
debate
between
St.
Paul
and
his
accusers,
when
Festus
gave them
a
hearing,
that
he
makes a special
remark
on
that,
as
though
it were the
most
conspicuous and remarkable article
of
their contention.
Peter
and
Paul
were
the
two
chief
preachers among the
christians,
who
are
recorded
in
scripture, and
you find
them
continually
insisting on the
resurrection
of
Christ.
It
was chiefly
the
resurrection
of Jesus Christ
from
the
dead
that
was
the
matter of Paul's
supposed
heresy
and
crime,
as
Festus understood
the
matter. This
was
the
great point of
contest.
I.
Reason. Because
this
article
of
the
resurrection
of
Christ
is
a
most effectual
proof
of
his
divine commission.
This point, whether
Jesus
Christ,
who
was
dead,
is
now
alive,
or
no,
is
a
question
of
such
importance,
that the
christian
religion stands or
falls
with
it.
It
is
certain
Jesus
Christ
was
once
dead
;
this
the
Jews
allow,
this
Festus takes for
granted
.
Jesus
was
certainly
crucified,
a
spear
run
into
his side, his
heart's
blood
was
let
out,
he
was
buried,
and Pilate
the governor,
and
the priests,
sealed up the sepulchre, to
guard it against
all
possible
fraud
of
stealing away the body.
Now
if
he
he
not
risen
again,
his
religion
is
not true,
his
pretences are
vain
;
he
was
not sent
from heaven,
nor
is
he a
prophet or
messenger
of
God.
St.
Paul
grants,
if "
Jesus
be
not
risen,
your
faith
is
vain,
ye
are yet
in
your
sins,
and
we
who
preach a risen
Jesus
are fake
witnesses;"
1
Cor.
xv.
14, 15.
But
on
the
other
hand,
if Jesus
be alive,
then
his
religion
is
divine.
Let
me
just
mention these
two
reasons
for
what
I say.
1.
It
is
an
undeniable
proof
of
his
divine commission,
because the
prophets foretold
this
resurrection
concern
-
ing
the Messiah,
though
in
more obscure language,
and.
L
;