In these few words, the Apostle contradicted absolutely the charges brought against him by his enemies. Felix, he knew, would understand his wish of going to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Pentecost, and that, as he had only been in the city for twelve days, he could not have done much to stir up the people to rebellion. Having thus declared the falseness of the charges brought against him, the Apostle went on to notice what was in fact the real cause of all the persecution against him; and boldly said, "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day." We cannot read this beautiful speech without wishing that each one of us could say from our hearts, that we too are endeavouring so to live and act, that our consciences may not reproach us with any wilful sin. It was customary for the Jews, in whatever countries they might happen to dwell, to send alms and offerings from time to time to Jerusalem; and St. Paul had now, according to that custom, brought contributions from the foreign Jews. We should notice the close of St. Paul's speech, when he challenges the priests and rulers to say, whether any fault whatever had been proved against him during his examination before the Sanhedrim, unless they looked upon his having said, "that the Jews persecuted him because he had preached the resurrection of the dead," as a crime. St. Paul's accusers seem to have answered nothing; they were unable to contradict him, for he had spoken nothing but the truth, and had plainly shown that he was no "pestilent fellow," nor mover of sedition among the people.