Page:St. Paul's behaviour towards the civil magistrate.pdf/7

 way of pleading his privileges even whilst he stood before a court of judicature. But it is very plain, that as no man was more zealous for the honour and veneration of such magistrates as answer the ends of their office, which is the support of human society; so no man could express a more hearty dislike of those who acted a contrary part; or a greater concern for the temporal good estate of subjects, even amidst his continual labours and cares for the eternal happiness of all men. Once more,

3. If we look back as far as the xvith chapter, we shall find a yet greater proof of this. The magistrates of Philippi commanded Paul and Silas to be beaten with many stripes, and cast into prison, v. 23. but the next morning, sent to the keeper of the prison to let them go, v. 35. St. Paul’s answer is very observable. ''They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison: and now do they thrust us out privily? Nay, verily, but let them come themselves and fetch us out''. He was just now delivered out of prison by a wonderful shock of the earth about it; and so might have escaped before this release was brought from the magistrates: but after such a good natured message from them, one would think, he might have quietly departed. It would have been but the compliance of a subject with a lawful