DISCOURSE 1. 187 rule or punish, any further in matters of religion, than to see that the state suffer no damage, and the peace of mankind, toad the government be secured. But this Lath been the unhappiness of christians almost in all ages since christianity began, they have been .eited before magistrates, and punished even by their fellow-christians,as well as by the Jews and heathens,. for those notions and practices wherein the magistrate hath no power. This the Jews began ybusee very early, and the Roman governors and heathens have carried it on ; and christian magistrates have carried this matter to the height, butit is in the autichristian church. They 'have clone this by bloody persecutions, racks, torments, and murders of the best of their fellow-christians, where the very light of nature dictated to the best and wisest of heathens, that they had no power or authority ; and it is a plain confession of it, where Festus and Gallio were not willing to meddle ; nor would Pilate himself, who crucified Christ,-have done it, if the Jews had not almost constrained him ; as sufficiently appears in the history of the death of Christ. Let us remember then, that thereligion of Christ is not built on the wisdom or power of Ian, nor Both it need such a 'support. All that christianity wants, isto have the persons, and property, and peace ofits :professors, secured against the outrages of 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 otservation. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the article, and the grand point, which private chhristians and ministers are solicitous to maintain, in the vindicar tion of their religion. This was the point that stood forth to view, and chewed itself with such evidence in the debate between St. Paul and his accusers, when Festus gave them a hearing, that hemakes a special remark on that, as though it were the most conspicuous and remarkable article of their contention. Peter and Paul were the two chiefpreachers 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 sup- posed heresy and crime, as Festus understood the matter. This was the great point of contest. L 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 aques- tion of such importance, that the christian religion stands or falls with it. It is certain Jeti'as Christ was Once dead ; this theJews allow, this Festus takes for granted: Jesus was certainly cruci-
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