t on these things, well
might he be paralysed with fear, and believing that the apostles alone
could tell him how he was Lo obtain relief from the anxiety which
oppressed his spirit, it is not strange that "he called for a light, and
sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and
brought them out, and said--Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" [96:1]

The missionaries were prepared with a decisive reply to this earnest
inquiry, and it is probable that their answer took the jailer by
surprise. He expected, perhaps, to be called upon to do something,
either to propitiate the apostles themselves, or to turn away the wrath
of the God of the apostles. It is obvious, from the spirit which he
manifested, that, to obtain peace of conscience, he was ready to go very
far in the way of self-sacrifice. He may have been willing to part with
his property, or to imperil his life, or to give "the fruit of his body
for the sin of his soul." What, then, must have been his astonishment
when he found that the divine mercy so far transcended anything he could
have possibly anticipated! With what satisfaction must he have listened
to the assurance that an atonement had already been made, and that the
sinner is safe as soon as he lays the hand of faith on the head of the
great Sacrifice! What delight must he have experienced when informed
that unbelief alone could shut him out from heaven; that the Son of God
had died the just for the unjust; and that this almighty Saviour now
waited to be gracious to-himself! How must the words of the apostles
have thrilled through his soul, as he heard them repeating the
invitation-"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,
and thy house." [97:1]

The jailer joyfully accepted the proffered Deliverer; and felt that,
resting on this Rock of Salvation, he was at peace. Though well aware
that, by openly embracing the gospel, he exposed himself to considerable
danger, he did not shrink from the position of a confessor. The love of
Christ had obtained full possession of his soul, and he was quite
prepared to suffer in the service of his Divine Master. He took Paul and
Silas "the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes, and was
baptized, he and all his, straightway; and when he had brought them into
his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with
all his house." [98:1]

It is highly probable that the shock of the earthquake was felt beyond