Thessalonica

Acts xvii. 1, 2, 3, &c.THESSALONICA, a famous City in Macedonia, and Capital of this Kingdom, standing upon the Thesmaick Sea. Stephen of Bizantium says, that it was improved and beautified by Philip King of Macedon, and called Thessalonica, in Memory of the Victory that he obtained over the Thessalians. Its old Name was Thesma: But Strabo, and some others, will have it, that it took its Name from Thessalonica, the Wife of Cassander and Daughter of Philip. There were a good number of Jews there, who were in possession of a Synagogue. St. Paul came thither in the Year 52 of the Vulgar Æra, and entring into the Synagogue, according to his Custom, he preached to the Congregation out of the Scriptures for three Sabbath-Days successively, proving to them that Jesus was the Christ, and that of necessity he was to suffer, and to rise again from the Dead. Some Jews were converted to Jesus Christ, as also a great Multitude of Gentiles that feared God, and many Women of Quality. But the rest of the Jews, being possessed by a false Zeal, raised a great Commotion in the City, and came in a Tumult to the House of Jason, intending to seize Paul and Silas who lodged there, and to take them before the Magistrates. But finding neither Paul nor Silas there, they laid hold of Jason, and others of the Brethren, dragging them before the Magistrates with a great Cry, and saying that these People were Rebels and Traitors against Cæsar, maintaining there was another King, called Jesus, to whom their Allegiance was due. However, Jason and the rest giving in Security, they were set at liberty; and the same Night the Brethren conducted Paul and Silas out of the City, on their way to Berea.

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