Acts 16:37

Being Romans; having a right to the privileges of Roman citizens, whom it was unlawful thus to scourge and imprison.

Let them come; this would be a public acknowledgment by the magistrates that they had done wrong. It is sometimes right and wise to claim the protection of civil law; to appeal from the judgment of inferior magistrates to higher tribunals, and let all know that the rights and privileges of citizens are not to be trampled on with impunity. Government is unfaithful to itself, to its subjects, and to God, if it fails to be a terror to evil-doers, and a praise and protection to those that do well.