Acts 17:4

The foregoing verses acquaint us with St. Paul's preaching at Thessalonica in the Jewish synagogue, as also with the argument he insisted upon; namely, that the Messiah, according to the scriptures, was to die, and rise again from the dead; and that Jesus, whom he preached, was that Messiah.

Now these verses before us, acquaint us with the different success which this sermon had upon the hearers: some believed, others were blinded; some were converted, others enraged.

O the different and contrary effects which the word has upon its hearers! opening the eyes of some, closing the eyes of others; to some it is. savour of death unto death. Those to whom the clearest light is afforded, who sinfully shut their eyes against it, and say they will not see; how just is it with God, to close their eyes judicially, and say they shall not see!

Observe, 2. How the apostle specifies, and particularly declares, the success which the preaching of the gospel had upon the people of Thessalonica, both good and bad.

The good success in the fourth verse; some (though few) of the Jews were converted; but many proselytes, and not. few of the Gentiles, and. considerable number of the devout women, and honourable matrons of the city.

The bad event and success is recorded, ver. 5. The unbelieving Jews called the lewd fellows of the city together into. confederacy with them, and raised. persecution against the apostles.

Thence note, 1. That the progress and prosperous success of the gospel ever was, is, and will be,. grievous eye-sore to the devil and his instruments.

Note, 2. That the worst enemies which the gospel ever met with in the world, are the unbelieving Jews. Here, the Jews which believed not, engaged the rabble on their sides, who are the fittest tools to raise persecution against the ministers of Christ: The Jews which believed not took certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and assaulted,. c.

Note, 3. That the devil's old method for raising persecution against the ministers and members of Jesus Christ, has been and still is, to lay the most grievous crimes falsely to the Christian's charge. Here the apostles are charged with innovation and sedition, with turning the world upside down.

Thus afterwards, in the primitive times, whatever calamities came upon the state and kingdom, whatever commotions or tumults did arise in nations, presently Christianity was blamed, and instantly the Christians were cast to the lions; whereas it is not the gospel, but men's corruption, which breeds disturbances: as it is not the sea, but the foulness of the stomach, that makes the man sea-sick.

Note, 4. How mercifully and marvellously the Lord delivered the apostles, Paul and Silas, at this time, out of the hands of their persecutors: They sought them in the house of Jason, but found them not. The devil now missed of his prey, for the Lord hid the apostles here, as he did the prophets bbefore, Jeremiah and Baruch, Jeremiah 36:26 having more work and farther service for them to do. The wise husbandman doth not commit all his corn to the oven, but reserves some for seed.

Note, lastly, That as the panther, when it cannot come at the person, will fly upon and tear the picture in pieces, so these enraged persecutors, finding that the apostles were escaped their hands, fall foul upon Jason who had entertained them, and drag him before the rulers and magistrates, charging him as an abettor of treason; yet observe, how God overruled the hearts of these rulers, that they did offer no violence to Jason, but only took security of him, for his own and others' appearance before them when called for: Thus the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of tribulation, and to make. way for escape.