These wonderful proofs of Divine greatness caused much excitement, and the enemies of the Christian party became so infuriated that they would have stoned the Apostles to death, unless they had escaped and fled to Lystra. In that city was a poor cripple who had been lame from his birth. He was known by every one, yet none pitied, none cared for him; and as he heard St. Paul tell of the love and compassion of Jesus, he longed to know more of One Who was so good and kind. {47} The eye of the Apostle had noted this man who heard him with such rapt attention, and he was inspired by God to heal his infirmity. "Stand upright on thy feet," commanded St. Paul, and immediately the cripple leaped up from the spot where he had been crouching--not standing only, but walking as perfectly as though he had possessed the power from his infancy. We can partly imagine the excitement such a marvellous event would cause amongst the people, and in their surprise they shouted, "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men." Old pagan stories told that the gods sometimes assumed a human form for the purpose of visiting and helping the people of earth, and therefore these idolaters believed St. Barnabas must be their own god Jupiter, while St. Paul, by reason of his wonderful eloquence, could be none other than Mercury. {48} The report spread rapidly throughout the town, and when it reached the ears of the priest of Jupiter, he hastened to show his reverence to these visitors who were supposed to have descended from heaven. Meantime the Apostles had gone quietly to the dwelling of some Christians, who entertained them during their stay in the city. Presently they were disturbed by the news that two bulls, decorated with garlands, had been brought to the gates as an offering, and that a vast crowd of people had met there for the purpose of worshipping them. {49} The Apostles were very much troubled, and, rending their garments, as was the custom of the Jews in any moment of great grief, they hastened to prevent the people offering the proposed sacrifice, telling them that their only desire in visiting the city was to persuade them to turn from such idolatry, and worship the one true and living God. But the enemies of the Apostle Paul had pursued him even to Lystra, and these, now exercised so strong and so evil an influence over the fickle people, that they were persuaded to stone him whom they had sought to worship. Thinking him to be dead, they dragged St. Paul's body outside the city gates, exulting over his destruction. But God was protecting His servant, and, with that power which can do all things, He now interposed; for, while the little group of Christians stood mourning and weeping by the side of their teacher, he rose up in their midst, and reviving, went home with them. {50} Next day both SS. Paul and Barnabas left Lystra, and went to Derbe, a city in which dwelt a man named Gaius, who was rich and highly esteemed.