an explicit solid faith, grounded on the Word of God'. When it was day, the magistrates, either terrified by the earthquake, or perceiving, on reflection, that they had acted intemperately in inflicting punishment, without having heard their defence, sent them a message that they were at liberty to depart. But Paul, with the confidence of an upright man, remonstrated against the injurious treatment they had received; and observed that, as Roman citizens, they were entitled to peculiar privileges, which had been violated, and they required a proper concession from the officers, and an honourable discharge. We should observe that St. Paul on this occasion is not satisfied with securing his safety, without also guarding his character, which was exposed to suspicion and disgrace, from the ignominious treatment he had received; and he uses his rights as a Roman citizen, which he knew were most calculated to excite the attention of the magistrates. The event justified the expectation of the Apostle; for, "when they heard that they were Romans, they feared: and they came and besought them, and brought them out." On the other hand, when Paul had vindicated their characters, he did not attempt to retaliate the ill-usage they had received by public or legal complaint, or to irritate the resentment, and provoke the further vengeance

5

Bishop Beveridge.

6 Dr. Robinson.

of the magistrates by obstinate opposition. When desired by them "to depart out of the city," they only waited to revisit again the house of Lydia ; "and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed ".

Their stay at Philippi, though short, had been effectual in establishing a Christian Church, which seems to have been especially distinguished for its affection by St. Paul, and for the liberality with which, on more than one occasion, they ministered to his necessities during his after labours. It was the first place at which St. Paul preached the Gospel upon the continent of Europe; and it is a strong proof of the virtuous conduct of these his first European converts, that in the Epistle he afterwards addressed to them, they did not afford him, the Apostle, a single subject of complaint. There is only exhortation and encouragement throughout his Epistle, without the mixture of any censure whatever'. When he departed, he did not ordain any ministers here, for aught that can be gathered from the text; and it may be that he did not do so till his return thither again, which was the course he had used in other Churches'.

SECT. CCXV.-Paul preacheth at Thessalonica and Berea. -Acts xvii. 1–15.

It is inferred from the change of pronoun that now occurs in this sacred narrative, that St. Paul and St. Luke here again separated; and it is possible that the latter was purposely left at Philippi: at all events, accompanied by Silas and Timotheus, Paul now proceeded through some considerable cities of Macedonia, where there was not probably a sufficient number of Jews to have any established place of worship, and "came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews." This was a port, situated at the bottom of the Thermatic Gulph, an excellent mart, and the most populous city of the country, having a large and safe haven, in a bay which is called by its name. It is and will through all ages be a place most memorable, on account of the two Epistles written by Paul to the Thessalonians, generally allowed by learned men to be the two earliest of the Epistles written by him2. The situation was so judiciously selected, that it is still a commercial town, from which is exported the staple productions of all Macedonia. It was, at the time of St. Paul's visit, a very rich and powerful city, of which some considerable ancient remains are still to be seen. It had a famous amphitheatre, and a circus for public games,

2 Dr. Wells.

besides several temples, and a triumphal arch; but it was the very seat of the heathen gods, especially of Jupiter and Hercules, who was the alleged founder of its ancient royal family'. In spite of much opposition from the Jews, Paul and his party made many converts. In the space of about three weeks, some Jews, many proselytes, and "not a few" of the chief Gentiles, not only believed, but became "examples to all that believed in Macedonia and Achaia"." And it is probable many of these were heathens, who had "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God." "But the Jews, which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason," a Christian, who had entertained and lodged Paul and Silas'; and, as it would appear from the Epistle to the Romans, a relation of Paul; for he says, "Jason and Sosipater my kinsmen salute you." The rioters The rioters appear to have rested their accusation upon a better foundation than those at Philippi; for they say of them, that they "do contrary to the decrees of Cæsar, saying, That there is another king, one Jesus." It is true that the preaching of the Apostles was, in this respect, contrary to the Ro

3 Pictorial Bible.

5

Bishop Pearce.

6

Dr. Lightfoot.
Archbishop Sumner.

man Law, because the senate first, and afterwards the emperors, suffered none to be called king in the provinces of the Roman empire without their permission'. The prosecution was indeed stopped; but it was deemed prudent and necessary to "send away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea"." This was a large and populous city, about thirty-five miles to the south and west of Thessalonica". Whither coming they went into the synagogue of the Jews. There they found persons better bred, or better learned, or of a better disposition; more ingenuous, or more liberal-minded, than those they had met at the great harbour; for they are termed "more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily whether these things were so." From the character here given of the Bereans, we learn the folly and absurdity of implicit faith, that is, of blindly surrendering up our belief, without due examination and inquiry; for the Bereans are here applauded for taking quite a contrary method, for not embracing the Apostles' doctrines till they had brought them to the test, and compared them with the Scriptures, their acknowledged rule of faith'. But the labours of St. Paul were soon closed at Berea. He

7 Mant and D'Oyly.

9 Dr. Wells.

s Dr. Robinson.
1 Dr. Balguy.