Paul preaches to the Jews at Theffalonica, proving JE- A. D. 54.1. Now when I. ROM Philippi they went they had paffed through Amphipo- pollonia, and fo directly to Theffa through Amphipolis and A lis, and Apollonia, they lonica, the Metropolis of the Procame to Theffalonica, vince of Macedonia, a large and where was a fynagogue of the Jews. populous City, frequented by People of feveral Countries; where the Jews especially were very numerous, and had a Synagogue allowed them. 2. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three fabbath-days reasoned with them out of the fcriptures, 2. And Paul, according to his conftant Method of preaching the Gospel, firft to the Jews wherethis Synagogue, where for three ever he found them, repaired to Sabbath-days together, he laid be fore them the Characters and Defcriptions of their Meffah out of the prophetical Writings. 3. Opening and al- from the dead: and Chrift. ed, That Chrift was not to be a 3. From which he clearly prov temporal Prince, nor a Deliverer of Ifrael by worldly Conquefts, but the Saviour and Redeemer of Mankind, by dying and fuffering for their Sins, and to triumph o Refurrection; and then demonftrated all those prophe ver their spiritual Enemies by his tical tical Characters to be exactly fulfilled in JESUS A. D. 54. CHRIST, whofe Doctrine and Religion he was preaching, 4.And fome of them believed, and conforted with Paul and Silas: and of the devout Greeks a great multi tude, and of the chief women not a few. 5. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the bafer fort, and gathered a company, and fet all the city on an uproar, and affaulted the houfe of Jafon, and fought to bring them out to the people. 6. And when they found them not, they drew Jafon, and certain brethren, unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upfide down, are come hither also. 4. His Difcourfe carried that Evidence of Truth in it, that feveral of the original Jews, abundance of the Greek Profelytes, and a good Number of their Women of Distinction, believed and were converted. 5. But the unbelieving Jews enraged at this Succefs of his Doctrine, got the Rabble of the Town together, and in a tumultuous Manner, befet the House where the Apoftles lodged, intending to drag them out, and expofe them to the Fury of the Multitude. 6. But the Apostles having upon Notice given, retired into fome other Place, they took Jafon the Mafter of the Houfe, and fome Christian Converts that were with him, and carried them to the Roman Magistrates, clamouring against the Apostles, as Men that disturbed the publick Peace by feditious Doctrine, as they had done in feveral Provinces before; and accufed Fafon for entertaining them. 7. Whom Jafon hath received and thefe all do contrary to the decrees of Cafar, faying, That there is another king, one Jefus. 8. And 7. And the more highly to incenfe the Magiftrates against them, they maliciously, and contrary to all Truth, depofed, That they preached up JESUS for a King against Cafar's Right and Title, I 3 8 & 9. A. D. 54. 8. And they troubled the people, and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 8 & 9. This put the Magiftrates into a great Concern, infomuch that though they examined Jafon and the Chriftian Converts with him, and could pick out nothing from them that looked like Sedition; yet they would not difmifs them without good Security, to appear and anfwer to the Charge, if they should be called upon again; and to behave peaceably for the future. 9. And when they had taken fecurity of Jafon, and of the other, they let them go. 10. And the brethren immediately fent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beræa: who coming thither, went into the fynagogue of the Jews. II. These were more noble than those in Theffalonica, in that they received the word with all readinefs of mind, and fearched the fcriptures daily, whether thofe things were fo. Io. In the mean Time the Chriftians had conveyed away the two Apoftles to Beraa, a Town a few Miles diftant, where they immediately went and preached in the Jewish Synagogue. 11. The Jews of which Place proved of a much more gentle and manly Difpofition than those of Theffalonica; for as often as Paul had preached to them, abundance of them took the Pains to compare what he had faid with the Scripture - Prophecies, and upon a careful and impartial Search after the true Senfe of them, finding his Doctrine to be true, embraced it with all Readiness and Alacrity. 12. Therefore ma- women which were 13. But when the preached 12. Infomuch that a very confiderable Number of Jews and Profelytes of both Sexes, and of good Quality, were converted. 13. But the infidel and incurable Jews of Theffalonica, no fooner heard that Paul was preaching at Berea, but they purfued him thither, preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither alfo, and itirred up the people. 14. And then immediately the brethren fent away Paul, to go as it were to the fea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there ftill. 15. And they that conducted Paul, brought him unto A. thens, and receiving a commandment unto thither, and by their wonted Arts A. D. 54. 14 & 15. Upon which Paul, knowing the implacable and defperate Temper of thofe Jews, got off, and made as if he intended to take Shipping; but the better to avoid their Purfuit, went down by Land to Athens, leaving Silas and Timothy behind, with Orders to follow him thither as foon as they could. Silas and Timotheus, for to come to him with all speed, they departed. 16. Now while Paul waited for them at A. thens, his fpirit was ftirred in him, when he faw the city wholly given to idolatry. 16. While Paul was expecting them at Athens, and making Obfervations upon the Religion and Manners of that People, he was filled with a moft paffionate Concern, to find a Place where fo much Learning was profeffed, and to which all Countries reforted for liberal Education, fo wholly given up to Idolatry and fuperftitious Worship. 17. Therefore difputed he in the fynagogue with the Jews, and with the devout perfons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. 18. Then certain Philofophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountred him and fome faid, What will this babler say? other fome, 17. So that before they could come to him, he preached alone, not only to the Jews and Profelytes in their Synagogues, but even in the open Market-Place to the Gentile Athenians. 18. He had not done fo long, before he was attacked by fome philofophical Profeffors of the Efirft of which (believing nothing picurean and Stoical Sects. The of the Creation of the World, I 4 divine A. D. 54 fome, He feemeth to be a fetter forth of ftrange gods: because he preached unto them Jefus, and the refurrection. divine Providence, or a future State) defpifed him as an empty and ridiculous Babler. But the other (who held the Universe to be GOD, and had fome, tho' abfurd Notions of Rewards and Punishments) looked upon him as an Inventor of fome new Deity, and new religious Maxims, by what they heard him fay of Jefus, and his Refurrection; and fo had a Mind to hear particularly what they were, and how he could prove them. 19. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, faying, May we know what this new doctrine whereof thou Speakeft, is? 20. For thou bring 21. (For all the 19 & 20. Accordingly they brought Paul into their great Court (called Areopagus or MarsHill) where both their civil and religious Controverfies were wont to be determined; and there, in a great Affembly of Philofophers, defired him to declare what his Doctrine was, that feemed to them fo new and unaccountable. 21. Now these Philofophers did not bring Paul to this great Council, fo much in the Nature of a Criminal, as out of mere Curiofity to hear fome new Notions to employ their Speculations upon; a Temper the Athenians are of all People living. 22. In this famous Court then Paul stood up; and the better to gain a patient Hearing from them, introduced his Difcourse with his Acknowledgment and Obfervation, How zealoufly devoted their City was to fuperftitious Worship, as it plainly e. Ver. 22. Asioidamoveségus- -Too fuperftitious, i. ẹ, affected by a weak and ignorant Fear, exciting them to the Worship |