By "their superstition," Festus meant the religion of the Jews: for the heathen always thus spake of it, and said, that "Moses was the inventor of the Jews' superstition." The heathens saw that the Jews believed in an Almighty power, of which they knew nothing, and did certain things to obtain favour from the God they worshipped: this they called Superstition, and no doubt they looked upon the Christian religion in much the same light. The term "Superstition," might much more properly be applied to the belief and practice of the Romans themselves, with all their omens and auguries, supposed to reveal the will of their imaginary gods; and their sacrifices and ceremonies, in order to gain their favour. At the time of which we are now speaking, the Jews _had_ indeed introduced many superstitions into their religion; for they thought to please God by outward forms and ceremonies, whilst they committed all manner of sins, and rejected the Messiah. The Christians were ready to give up all earthly joys and comforts, and to suffer death, rather than act contrary to the religion which they professed; and this the heathens looked upon as "foolishness." Festus evidently thought that both Jews and Christians were very foolish, to dispute upon such a subject as the life or death of Jesus; for he neither knew nor cared about the doctrines of Christianity, and the need of a Saviour. Little did the Roman governor conceive, that the question concerning the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was one of the greatest importance to all mankind, when he thus slightingly spake of "one Jesus," "whom Paul affirmed to be alive." Had St. Paul been accused of crimes, as the governor supposed would have been the case, he would have known how to act: but when the accusations were only about such matters as to the Romans were "foolishness," Festus was perplexed and doubtful, as to the course which he ought to take; for as these questions had caused disturbances in the country, they could not be allowed to pass unnoticed by a Roman governor. And probably it was as much to relieve himself from his perplexity as to please the Jews, that he proposed to the Apostle to go up to Jerusalem. All the Roman Emperors had the title of Cæsar, and they also all took that of Augustus: but each one had his own particular name or names besides: the "Augustus Cæsar" here spoken of, was the Emperor Nero. Agrippa listened with interest to all that Festus told him of St. Paul, and then said, "I would also hear the man myself"--a desire which Festus was too happy to gratify. "To-morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him." Chapter XXVII.--ST. PAUL BEFORE AGRIPPA.