Page:Life and voyages of the Apostle Paul.pdf/14

Rh As soon as it was day, the magistrates either hearing what had happened, or reflecting on what they had done as too harsh and unjustifiable, sent their serjeant to the gaoler with orders to discharge the apostles. The gaoler joyfully delivered the message, and bid them depart in peace; but Paul, that he might make the magistrates sensible what injury they had done them, and how unjustly they had punished them without examination or trial, sent them word, that, as they thought proper to scourge and imprison Romans, contrary to the laws of the empire, he expected they should come themselves, and make them some satisfaction.

The magistrates were terrified at this message; well knowing how dangerous it was to provoke the formidable power of the Romans, who never suffered any freeman to be beaten uncondemned; they came therefore to the prison, and very submissively entreated the apostles to depart without any farther disturbance.

Leaving Philippi, where Paul and his companions had laid the foundation of a very eminent church, they proceeded to Thessalonica, the metropolis of Macedonia. In this city their doctrine was strenuously opposed by the Jews, who would not allow Jesus to be the Messiah, because of his ignominious death.

During the stay of the apostles at Thessalonica, they lodged in the house of a certain Christian named Jason, who entertained them very courteously. But the Jews gathered together a great number of lewd and wicked wretches, who beset the house of Jason, intending to take Paul, and deliver him up to an incensed multitude. But in this they were disappointed, Paul and Silas being removed from thence by the Christians, and concealed in some other part of the city.

Their fury, however, being exasperated at losing their prey, they seized on Jason, with some others of the brethren, and carried them before the magistrates of the city, accusing them of setting up Jesus as a king, in derogation of the emperor’s dignity and authority. Jason and his companions were set at liberty only after they had given security for their appearance.

As soon as the tumult was over, the Thessalonians, who had been converted by them, sent away Paul and Silas by night to Beræa, a city about fifty miles south of Thessalonica, but out of the power of their enemies. Here also Paul’s great love for his countrymen the Jews, and his earnest desire of their salvation, excited him to preach to them in particular; accordingly, he entered into their synagogue, and explained the gospel unto them, proving out of the Scriptures