Lydia,theFirstEuropeanConvert

ASermon(No.2222)IntendedforReadingonLord'sday,September20th,1891,DeliveredbyC.H.SPURGEON,AttheMetropolitanTabernacle,Newington

"AndacertainwomannamedLydia,asellerofpurple,ofthecityofThyatira,whichworshippedGod,heardus:whoseheartstheLordopened,thatsheattendeduntothethingswhichwerespokenofPaul."Acts16:14.

EMAYLAUDABLYEXERCISECURIOSITYwithregardtothefirstproclamationofthegospelinourownquarteroftheglobe.Wearehappythathistorysoaccuratelytellsus,bythepenofLuke,whenfirstthegospelwaspreachedinEurope,andbywhom,andwhowasthefirstconvertbroughtbythatpreachingtotheSavior'sfeet.IhalfenvyLydiathatsheshouldbetheleaderoftheEuropeanbandyetIfeelrightgladthatawomanledthevan,andthatherhouseholdfollowedsocloselyintherear.

Godhasmadegreatuseofwomen,andgreatlyhonoredtheminthekingdomofourLordandSaviorJesusChrist.HolywomenministeredtoourLordwhenhewasupontheearth,andsincethattimemuchsacredworkhasbeendonebytheirpatienthands.Manandwomanfelltogethertogethertheymustrise.Aftertheresurrection,itwasawomanwhowasfirstcommissionedtocarrythegladtidingsoftherisenChristandinEurope,wherewomanwasinfuturedaystobesetfreefrommanyofthetrammelsoftheEast,itseemsfittingthatawomanshouldbethefirstbeliever.Notonly,however,wasLydiaasortoffirstfruitforEurope,butsheprobablyalsobecameawitnessinherowncityofThyatira,inAsia.WedonotknowhowthegospelwasintroducedintothatcitybutweareinformedoftheexistenceofachurchtherebythemessageoftheascendedChrist,throughhisservantJohn,to"theangelofthechurchinThyatira."VerylikelyLydiabecametheheraldofthegospelinhernativeplace.Letthewomenwhoknowthetruthproclaimitforwhyshouldtheirinfluencebelost?"TheLordgiveththewordthewomenthatpublishthetidingsareagreathost."Womancanbeaspowerfulforevilasforgood:weseeitinthisverychurchofThyatira,wherethewomanJezebel,whocalledherselfaprophetess,soughttoseducemanyfromthetruth.Seeing,then,thatthedevilemployswomeninhisservice,letthosewomenwhomGodhascalledbyhisgracebedoublyearnestinseekingtopreventorundothemischiefthatothersoftheirsexareworking.Ifnotcalledtopublicservice,allhavethehomespherewhereintheycanshedforththearomaofagodlylifeandtestimony.

Ifthegospeldoesnotinfluenceourhomes,itislittlelikelytomakeheadwayamongstthecommunity.Godhasmadefamilypietytobe,asitwere,asortoftrademarkonreligioninEuropefortheveryfirstconvertbringswithherallherfamily.Herhouseholdbelieved,andwerebaptizedwithher.YoushallnoticeinEurope,thoughIdonotmeantosaythatitisnotthesameanywhereelse,thattruegodlinesshasalwaysflourishedinproportionasfamilyreligionhasbeenobserved.Theyhangabellinasteeple,andtheytellusthatitisourdutytogoeverymorningandeveryeveningintothesteeplehousetheretojoininprayerbutwereplythatourownhouseisbetterformanyreasonsatanyrate,itwillnotengendersuperstitionforustopraythere.Gatheryourchildrentogether,andofferprayerandsupplicationtoGodinyourownroom.

"Butthereisnopriest."Thenthereoughttobe.Everymanshouldbeapriestinhisownhouseholdand,intheabsenceofagodlyfather,themothershouldleadthedevotions.EveryhouseshouldbethehouseofGod,andthereshouldbeachurchineveryhouseandwhenthisisthecase,itwillbethegreatestbarrieragainstpriestcraft,andtheidolatryofholyplaces.FamilyprayerandthepulpitarethebulwarksofProtestantism.Dependuponit,whenfamilypietygoesdown,thelifeofgodlinesswillbecomeverylow.InEurope,atanyrate,seeingthattheChristianfaithbeganwithaconvertedhousehold,weoughttoseekaftertheconversionofallourfamilies,andtomaintainwithinourhousesthegoodandholypracticeoffamilyworship.

Lydia,then,isthefirstEuropeanconvert,andwewillreviewherhistorysofaraswehaveitinHolyWrit.Towardsherconversionfourthingscooperated,uponwhichwewillspeakbriefly.First,theworkingofprovidencesecondly,theworkingofLydiaherselfthirdly,theworkingofPaulandfourthly,theworkingoftheHolySpirit.

I.First,noticeTHEWORKINGOFPROVIDENCE.WhenIwasinAmsterdam,Ivisitedtheworksofadiamondcutter,whereIsawmanylargewheelsandmuchpowerfulmachineryatworkandImustconfessthatitseemedveryoddthatallthatgreatarrayofapparatusshouldbebroughttobearuponatinybitofcrystal,whichlookedlikeafragmentofglass.Wasthatdiamondworthsomuchthatawholefactoryshouldbesettoworktocutitsfacets,andcauseittosparkle?Sothediamondcutterbelieved.Withinthatsmallspacelayagemwhichwasthoughtworthyofallthiscareandlabor.Thatdiamondmaybeatthistimeglisteninguponthefingerorbrowofroyalty!Now,whenIlookabroaduponprovidence,itseemspreposteroustobelievethatkingdoms,dynasties,andgreateventsshouldallbecooperatingandworkingtogetherfortheaccomplishmentofthedivingpurposeinthesalvationofGod'speople.Buttheyaresoworking.Itmighthaveseemedpreposterous,butitwasnotso,thatthesegreatwheelsshouldallbeworkingforthecuttingofasinglediamondanditisnotpreposterous,howeveritmayseemso,tosaythatalltheeventsofprovidencearebeingorderedbyGodtoeffectthesalvationofhisownpeople,theperfectingofthepreciousjewelswhicharetoadornthecrownofChristforeverandever.

Inthecasebeforeus,theworkingofGod'sprovidenceisseen,firstofall,inbringingPaultoPhilippi.Lydiaisthere.Idonotknowhowlongshehadbeenthere,norexactlywhatbroughthertherebuttheresheis,sellingherpurple,herTurkeyredcloth.Paulmustcomethere,too,buthedoesnotwanttocomehehasnot,indeed,hadanydesiretocomethere.Hehasakindofprejudicehangingabouthimstill,sothat,thoughheiswillingtopreachtotheGentiles,hescarcelylikestogooutofAsiaamongthoseGentilesoftheGentilesoverinEurope.HewantstopreachthewordinAsia.Verysingularly,theSpiritsuffershimnot,andheseemstohavea

coldhandlaidonhimtostophimwhenhisheartiswarmest.Heisgaggedhecannotspeak."ThenIwillgointoBithynia,"hesaysbutwhenhestartsonthejourney,heisdistinctlytoldthatthereisnoworkforhimtodothere.HemustnotspeakforhisMasterinthatregion,atleastnotyet:"theSpiritsufferedhimnot."Hefeelshimselftobeasilencedman.Whatishetodo?HegetsdowntoTroasonthevergeofthesea,andtherecomestohimthevisionofamanofMacedonia,whoprayedhim,saying,"ComeoverintoMacedonia,andhelpus."HeinfersthathemustgoacrosstoMacedonia.Ashipisreadyforhimhehasafreecourse,afavorablepassage,andhesoonarrivesatPhilippi.GodbringsPaultothespotwhereLydiawas,inthisstrangeandsingularmanner.

ButtheworkingofprovidencewasquiteasmuchmanifestedinbringingLydiathereforLydiawasnotoriginallyatPhilippi.Shewasasellerofpurple,ofThyatira.Thyatirawasacityfamousforitsdyers.Theymadeapeculiarpurple,whichwasmuchprizedbytheRomans.Lydiaappearstohavecarriedonthisbusiness.Shewaseitherawidow,orperhapshadhadnohusband,thoughshemayhavegatheredahouseholdofservantsabouther.ShecomesovertoPhilippiacrossthesea.IthinkIseethembringingthegreatrollsofredclothupthehill,thatshemaysellatPhilippitheclothwhichshehasmadeanddyedatThyatira.Whydoesshecomejustatthisseason?WhydoesshecomejustwhenPauliscoming?WhydoesshecometoPhilippi?WhynottoNeapolis?WhynotpressontoAthens?WhynotsellherclothoveratCorinth?Whateverreasonshemighthavegivenforherchoice,therewasonecause,ofwhichshewasignorant,whichshapedheraction,andbroughthertoPhilippiatthattime.Godhadasurpriseinstoreforher.SheandPaulhavetomeet.ItdoesnotmatterwhattheirwillistheirwillsshallbesomovedandactuatedbytheprovidenceofGodthattheyshallcrosseachother'spath,andPaulshallpreachthegospeltoLydia.IwotitneverenteredintoLydia'sheart,whensheleftThyatirawithherpurplebales,thatshewasgoingtofindJesusChristoveratPhilippineitherdidPaulguess,whenhesaw,inavision,amanofMacedonia,andheardhimsay,"ComeoverintoMacedonia,andhelpus,"thatthefirstpersonhewouldhavetohelpwouldnotbeamanofMacedoniaatall,butawomanofThyatiraandthatthecongregationheshouldpreachtowouldbejustahandfulofwomengatheredbythesideofthelittlestreamthatrunsthroughPhilippi.NeitherPaulnorLydiaknewwhatGodwasabouttodobutGodknew.Heunderstandstheendfromthebeginning,andtimeshisactsofprovidencetomeetourdeepestneedsinthewisestway."Hiswisdomissublime,HisheartprofoundlykindGodneverisbeforehistime,Andneverisbehind."

WhatanoddthingitseemedthatthiswomanshouldbeawomanofThyatirainAsia,andPaulmustnotgoandpreachinAsiaandyet,whenhecomestoMacedonia,thefirstpersonwhohearshimisawomanofAsia!Why,youandIwouldhavesaid,"IfthewomanbelongstoThyatira,letherstopathome,andletPaulgotherethatistheshortestcut."Notso.ThewomanofThyatiramustgotoPhilippi,andPaulmustgotoPhilippitoo.ThisisGod'splanandifweknewallthecircumstancesasGodknowsthem,weshoulddoubtlessadmirethewisdomofit.PerhapstheverypeculiarityofthecircumstancesmadePaulmorealerttoseizethe

opportunityatPhilippithanhewouldhavebeenhadhegoneontoThyatiraperhapstheisolationofthestrangecitymadeLydiayearnmoreafterspiritualthings.Godcanansweradozenendsbyoneact.OneofourevangeliststellsofamanwhowasconvertedinasmallIrishtown,anditwasafterwardsdiscoveredthathe,andthepreacherwholedhimtoChrist,residedbutafewhundredyardsfromeachotherinLondon.Theyhadnevermetinthisgreatcity,whereneighborsarestrangerstoeachothernorwasitlikelythattheyoverwouldhavebeenbroughtintocontactwithoneanotherherefortheman,whowasacommercialtraveler,wastoocarelessevertoattendaplaceofworshipinLondon.ButtosellhisgoodshewenttoIreland,where,also,wenttheevangelisttopreachthegospelandbeingsomewhatatalosstoknowwhattodowithhistime,henosoonersawthenameofapreacherfromLondonannounced,thanhedeterminedtoattendtheservice,andtherehemetwithChrist.Wecanseehownaturalthiswasinthecaseofwhichweknowalltheparticulars,anditwasdoubtlessaswellarrangedinthecaseofLydiaandPaul.

Now,Ishouldnotwondertonightifthereareanumberofprovidencesthathaveworkedtogethertobringsomeofmyhearersintotheirplacesatthistime.WhatbroughtyoutoLondon,friend?Itwasnotyourintentiontobeinthiscity.ComingtoLondon,whatbroughtyoutothispartofit?Whatledyoutobeatthisservice?AndwhywasitthatyoudidnotcomeononeoftheSundayswhenthepreacherwouldhavebeenhereifhecould,butcouldnotbeherebyreasonofhisweakness?Because,itmaybe,thatonlyfromtheselipscanthewordcometoyou,andonlytonight,andyoumustcometothisplace.Perhapsthereissomeonewhopreachesthegospelmuchbetterinthetownwhereyouliveor,peradventure,youhavehadopportunitiesofhearingthesamepreachernearyouronndoor,andyoudidnotavailyourselfofthemandyetGodhasbroughtyouhere.Iwishwewatchedprovidencesmore."Whosoiswise,andwillobservethesethings,eventheyshallunderstandthelovingkindnessoftheLord."IftheLordshouldmeetwithyou,andconvertyoutonight,Iwillwarrantyouthatyouwillbeabelieverinprovidence,andsay,"Yes,Godguidedmysteps.Hedirectedmypath,andhebroughtmetothespotwhereJesusmetwithme,andopenedmyheartthatImightreceivethegospelofhisgrace."Beofgoodcourage,youministersofthegospel!ProvidenceisalwaysworkingwithyouwhileyouareworkingforGod.IhaveoftenadmiredthelanguageofMahomet,wheninthebattleofOhodhesaidtohisfollowers,pointingtotheirfoes,"Chargethem!Icanhearthewingsoftheangelsastheyhastentoourhelp."Thatwasadelusiononhispart,forheandhismenwerebadlybeatenbutitisnodelusioninthecaseoftheservantsofChrist.Wecanhearthewingsoftheangels.Wemayhearthegrindingofthegreatwheelsofprovidenceastheyrevolveforthehelpofthepreacherofthegospel.EverythingiswithuswhenwearewithGod.Whocanbeagainstus?ThestarsintheircoursesfightfortheservantsofGodandallthings,greatandsmall,shallbowbeforethefeetofhimwhotrodthewavesoftheSeaofGalilee,andstillisMasterofallthings,andrulethallthingstotheaccomplishmentofhisdivingpurposes.

Somuch,then,fortheworkingofprovidence.II.Thenextthingis,THEWORKINGOFLYDIA.God'sintentionisthatLydiashallbe

saved.Yet,youknow,nowomanwaseversavedagainstherwill.Godmakesuswillinginthedayofhispower,anditisthewayofhisgracenottoviolatethewill,butsweetlytoovercomeit.

Neverwilltherebeanybodydraggedtoheavenbytheears:dependuponthat.Weshallgotherewithallourheartsandallourdesires.What,then,wasLydiadoing?

HavingbyGod'sgracebeenmadewilling,thefirstthingwasthatshekepttheSabbath.Shewasaproselyte,andshekepttheseventhday.ShewasawayfromThyatira,andnobodywouldknowwhatshewoulddo,yetsheobservedtheLord'sdaycarefully.ShewasabroadwhenshewasatPhilippi,butshehadnotleftGodbehindher.IhaveknownsomeEnglishpeople,whentheyoncereachedtheContinent,gorattlingalong,Sundaysandweekdays,asifGoddidnotliveontheContinent,andasifathometheyonlyobservedtheSabbathbecausetheyhappenedtobeinEngland,whichisveryprobablythecasewithagoodmany.Whentheygetawaytheysay,"WhenyouareatRome,youmustdoasRomedoes"andsotheytaketheirpleasureonGod'sday.ItwasnotsowithLydia.TherewasnosellingofpurplethatdaysheregardedtheSabbath.Oh,IwouldtoGodthateveryonewouldregardtheSabbath!MayGodgrantthatitmayneverbetakenawayfromus!Thereisaplotnowtomakesomeofyouworkallthesevendaysoftheweek,andyouwillnotgetanymorepayforsevendaysthanyougetforsix.Standoutagainstit,andpreserveyourrighttorestuponGod'sday.Theobservanceofonedayinsevenasadayofrestmateriallyhelpstowardstheconversionofmen,becausethentheyareinclinedtothink.Theyhavetheopportunitytohear,and,iftheychoosetoavailthemselvesofit,theprobabilitiesarethatGodwillblessthehearing,andtheywillbesaved.

Now,noticenextthat,notonlydidLydiaobservetheSabbath,butshewentuptotheplaceofworship.Itwasnotaveryfineplace.Idonotsupposetherewasanybuilding.Itmayhavebeenalittletemporaryoratoryputupbytheriversidebutveryprobablyitwasjustonthebankoftheriverthattheymettogether.Itdoesnotappearthattherewereanymen,butonlyafewwomen.Theyonlyheldaprayermeeting:"whereprayerwaswonttobemade."ButLydiadidnotstopawayfromthegathering.Shemighteasilyhaveexcusedherselfafterherlongjourney,andthewearyingworkofsettingupanewestablishmentbutherheartwasinthismatter,andsoshefounditnodrudgerytomeetwhereprayerwasoffered.Shedidnotsay"Icanreadasermonathome,"or,"IcanreadintheBookoftheLawindoors."ShewishedtobewhereGod'speoplewere,howeverfew,orhoweverpoortheymightbe.ShedidnotgotothegorgeousheathentempleatPhilippi,butshesoughtoutthefewfaithfulonesthatmettoworshipthetrueGod.Now,dearfriends,dothesame.Youthatarenotconverted,stillattendthemeansofgrace,anddonotgotoaplacesimplybecauseitisafinebuilding,andbecausethereisacrowd,butgowheretheyaretrulyworshippingGodinspiritandintruth.Iftheyshouldhappentobeveryfewandverypoor,yetgowiththem,forinsodoingyouareinthewayofblessing.Ithinkyouwillyethavetosay,"Beingintheway,Godmetwithme."Ifitiswhatsomecall"onlyaprayermeeting",youwilldowelltogo.Someofthebestblessingsthatmenhaveevergainedhavebeenreceivedatprayermeetings.IfwewouldmeetwithGod,letusseekhimdiligently,"notforsakingtheassemblingofourselvestogether,asthemannerofsomeis."Thoughyoucannotsaveyourself,oropenyourownheart,youcanatleastdowhatLydiadid:observetheSabbath,andgathertogetherwithGod'speople.

Lydiabeingtherewiththeassembly,whenPaulbegantospeak,wefindthatsheattendedtothethingsthatwerespoken,whichisanotherthingthatwecando.ItisveryillwhenpeoplecomeuptothehouseofGod,anddonotattend.IhaveneverhadtocomplainofpeoplenotattendinginthishousesincethedayIfirstpreachedinitbutIhavebeeninplacesofworship

wherethereseemedtobeanythingbutattention.Howcanitbeexpectedthattherewillbeablessingwhenthepewbecomesaplacetoslumberin,orwhenthemindisactiveoverthefarm,orinthekitchen,orintheshop,forgettingaltogetherthegospelwhichisbeingpreachedtotheoutwardear?Ifyouwantablessing,attendwithallyourmighttothewordthatispreachedbutofthatwewillspeakmorebyandby.

SofarwehavespokenupontheworkingofprovidenceandtheworkingofLydia.III.Now,next,THEWORKINGOFPAULforthiswasnecessarytoo.Inordertothe

conversionofmen,itisnecessarythatthepersonwhoaimsattheirconversionshouldworkasifitalldependeduponhim,thoughheknowsthathecannotaccomplishthework.Wearetoseektowinsoulswithasmuchearnestness,andprudence,andzeal,asifeverythingdependeduponourselvesandthenwearetoleaveallwithGod,knowingthatnonebuttheLordcansaveasinglesoul.

Now,notice,Paul,wishingforconverts,isjudiciousinthechoiceoftheplacewherehewillgotolookafterthem.Hegoestothespotwherethereshouldbeasynagogue.Hethinksthatwherepeoplehaveadesiretopray,therehewillfindthekindofpeoplewhowillbereadytoheartheword.Soheselectsdevoutpeople,devoutworshippersoftheoneGod,thathemaygoandspeaktothemaboutChrist.ItissometimesourplaindutytopublishthewordfromthehousetoptothecarelesscrowdbutIthinkyouwillgenerallyfindthatmoresuccesscomeswhenthose,onwhoseheartstheSpiritofGodhasalreadybeguntowork,aresoughtoutandinstructed.WhenChristsentouthisdisciplesontheirfirstjourney,hetoldthem,whentheyenteredatown,to"Enquirewhoinitisworthyandthereabidetillyegothence"evidentlyshowingthat,evenamongstthosewhodonotknowthetruth,therearesomewhoseheartsarepreparedtoreceiveit,whoareofadevoutspirit,andinthatsenseareworthy.Thesearethepeoplewhoshouldfirstbesoughtafter.InthesamelimitedsensewasCornelius,towhomPeterwassent,worthytohearthegladtidingsofgreatjoy.HisreverentspiritwaswellpleasingtoGodforweread,"Thyprayerisheard,andthinealmsarehadinremembranceinthesightofGod."Wemustnot,ofcourse,thinkthatthesethingsgiveanyclaimtosalvationbutratherthattheyaretheexpressionofheartspreparedtoreceivethemessageofsalvation,seekingtheLord,"ifhaplytheymightfeelafterhim,andfindhim."Oneofourgreatestdifficultiesinthesedaysis,thatsomanyhavelostallreverenceforauthorityofanykind,evenGod's:havingrisenagainsthumandespotism,theyalsofoolishlytrytobreakGod'sbandsasunder.WearecastbackontheinfinitepowerofGodwhenwecometodealwithsuchpeoplebutwhenwemeetwithotherswhoarewillingtolistenandpray,weknowthatGodhasalreadybeguntowork.Now,dearworker,choosethepersonwhoisevidentlypointedouttoyoubyGod'sgraciousprovidence.Choosejudiciously,andtrytospeakwiththosewithwhomyoumayhopefullyspeak,andtrustthatGodwillblesstheword.

WhenPaulgoesdowntotheriver,younoticethatheisveryjudiciousastohismannerofintroducinghissubject.Hedidnotpreachatall.Hefoundonlyafewwomenandtostandupandpreachtothem,ashedidtothecrowdsatCorinth,oratAthens,mighthaveseemedabsurdbutwereadthis:"Wesatdown,andspakeuntothewomenwhichresortedthither."Hetookhisseatontheriver'sbank,wheretheywereallsittingstill,andatprayer,andhebeganjusttohaveatalk.Asermonwouldhavebeenoutofplacebutatalkwastherightsortofthing.Sohetalkedthegospelintothem.Now,becarefulofthewayinwhichyougotoworkwith

peopleformuchoftheresultmustdependuponthat.SomepeoplecanbepreachedrightawayfromChristforthemomentyoubegintopreachtheysay,"Oh,thankyou,Idonotwantanyofyoursermon!"Perhapsyoucouldslipawordinedgewisejustdropaseedinacrackorleaveawordwiththem,justoneword.Sayatonce,"Ifyoudonotwantanypreaching,Idonotwanttopreachtoyou:IamnotsofondofpreachingasallthatbutIreadaverycuriousstoryinthenewspaperstheotherday!"Andthentellthestory,andwrapthegospelupinit.Iftheydonotwantpills,donotgivethempills.Givethemabitofsugar.Theywilltakethesugar,andwhentheygotit,therewillbeapillinside.Imentionthis,becausewemaymissopportunitiesofdoinggoodthroughnotbeingwideawake."Beyewiseasserpents,andharmlessasdoves."Paulthereforejustsitdown,andhasafriendlytalkwiththewomenwhoresortedthither.

ButwhetherPaulpreached,orwhetherPaultalked,itwasallthesame:hewasjudiciousastothematterofhisdiscourse.Hehadbutonesubject,andthatwasChristtheChristwhohadmethimonthewaytoDamascus,andchangedhishearttheChristwhowasablestilltosavetheChristwhobleduponthecross,tobringmentoGod,andcleansetheminhisbloodtheChristinheaven,intercedingforsinnerstheChristwaitingtobegracious.Paulwouldnotendhistalkwithoutsaying,"Trusthim:trusthim.Hethatbelievethinhimhatheverlastinglife."So,whetherhepreachedorwhetherhetalked,itwasthesamestoryofJesusChrist,andhimcrucified.ThatishowPaulworked.Hemighthaveactedverydifferently.IfhishearthadnotbeenallaflameforJesus,hewouldverylikelynothavespokenatall,orifhehad,itwouldhavebeenacommonplaceremarkabouttheweather.Hemighthavebeeneagertolearnthemethodbywhichthebeautifulpurpledyewasobtained,andnothaverememberedthatgospelmessage,writtenbyIsaiahlongago,whichwouldcomewithspecialforcetotheheartsofhishearers:"Thoughyoursinsbeasscarlet,theyshallbeaswhiteassnowthoughtheyberedlikecrimson,theyshallbeaswool."HemighthavebeensointerestedinhisenquiriesaboutThyatiraastoforgettospeakofthewaytothecityoflight.Adozensubjectsmighthaveclaimedattention,ifhishearthadnotbeensetupononeobject.Hecouldhavespokenofhisjourneys,andevenofhisplans,withoutactuallypreachingChristtoher.Hemighthavespokenaboutthegospel,asIfearweoftendo,andnothavespokenthegospelitself.SomesermonswhichIhaveheard,thoughfaultlesslyorthodox,havecontainednothingthatcouldconvertanybodyfortherehasbeennothingtotouchtheconscienceorheart.Others,thoughverycleverandprofound,havehadnopossiblebearingontheneedsofthehearersandsoitwaslittlewonderthattheywerewithoutresult.ButIamsurePaul'stalkwouldaimstraightatthecenterofthetarget:itwasevidentlyaddressedtotheheart,forwearetoldthatitwaswiththeheartLydiaheardit.Afterall,itisnotourmostorderlydiscourses,norouraptestillustrations,whichbringpeopletoChristbutsomelittlesentencewhichisslippedinunawares,orsomeburningwordwhichcomesstraightoutofourownheart'sexperience.Therewouldbesuretobemanysuchthatdayinthatearnestsimpletalkbytheriverside.Letusmultiplysuchconversations,ifwewouldwinmoreLydiasforthechurch.

IV.But,now,fourthlyandhereisthemainpointletusnoticeTHEWORKINGOFTHESPIRITOFGOD.ProvidencebringsPaulandLydiatogether.LydiacomestherebecausesheobservestheSabbath,andlovestheplaceofworship.Paulcomestherebecausehelovestowinsouls,and,likehisMaster,isonthewatchforstraysheep.ButitwouldhavebeenapoormeetingforthemiftheSpiritofGodhadnotbeentherealso.SowenextreadofLydia:"Whose

hearttheLordopened,thatsheattendeduntothethingswhichwerespokenofPaul."ItisnotwonderfulthattheLordcanopenahumanheartforhewhomadethelockknowswellwhatkeywillfitit.WhatmeanshemadeuseofinthecaseofLydia,IdonotknowbutIwilltellyouwhatmighthavehappened.Perhapsshehadlostherhusbandmanyawoman'shearthasbeenopenedbythatgreatgash.Thejoyofhersoulhasbeentakenaway,andshehasturnedtoGod.Perhapsherhusbandwassparedtoherbutshehadlostachild.Oh,howmanyababehasbeensenthereonpurposetoenticeitsmothertotheskiesalambtakenawaythatthesheepmightfollowtheShepherd!Perhapsshehadhadbadtradethepriceofpurplemayhavefallen.Shemayhavebeenhalfafraidshewouldfailinbusiness.Ihaveknownsuchtroubleopensomepeople'shearts.Perhapsshehadhadprosperitypossiblythepurplehadgoneupinprice.IhaveknownsomesoimpressedwithGod'stemporalblessingsthattheyhavebeenreadytothinkofhim,andtoturntohim.IdonotknowIcannotguess,andIhavenorighttoguesswhatitwas.ButIknowthatGodhasverywonderfulploughs,withwhichhebreaksupthehardsoilofhumanhearts.WhenIhavebeenthroughtheBritanniaIronWorks,atBedford,Ihavewonderedatthestrangeclodcrushers,clodbreakers,andploughs,madetherebytheMessrs.HowardandGodhassomemarvellousmachinesinhisprovidenceforturningupthesoilofourhearts.Icannottellwhathehasdonetoyou,dearfriend,butIdotrustthatwhateverhashappenedhasbeenopeningthesoil,sothatthegoodseedmaydropin.ItwastheSpiritofGodwhodidit,whatevertheinstrumentmayhavebeen,andLydia'sheartwas"opened."Openedtowhat?Toattend."SheattendeduntothethingswhichwerespokenofPaul."

So,first,herheartwasopenedtolistenveryintently.Shewantedtocatcheveryword.Shedidassomeofyoudo,putherhandtoherear,forfearsheshouldnothearallthatwasspoken.Therearemanywaysoflistening.Somepeoplelistenwithboththeirears,allowingittogoinatoneearandoutattheotherlikethatwit,who,whenhewasbeingseriouslyspokento,andyetseemedveryinattentive,atlengthweariedthefriendwhowasdiscoursing."Iamafraiditisnotdoingyoumuchgood,"hesaid."No,"camethereply"butIthinkitwilldothisgentlemansomegood,"pointingtoonewhosatbesidehim,"forasithasgoneinatthissideithasgoneoutattheother."Oh,howIwishthatyouhadonlyoneear,sothatthetruthyouhearcouldnevergetoutagainafterithadoncegotin!WelldidtheLordspeakthroughIsaiahtheprophetuntothepeople,"Hearkendiligentlyuntome,andeatyethatwhichisgood."Manypeoplecanlistenforanhourortwotoascientificlecture,orapoliticalspeech,withoutfeelingintheleastwearytheycanevengotothetheater,andsitthereawholeeveningwithoutdreamingofbeingtiredyettheycomplainifthesermonisaminutebeyondtheappointedtime.Theyseemtoendurethepreachingasasortofpenance,scarcelyhearingthewords,or,atleast,neverimaginingthatthemessagecanhaveanyapplicationtotheirowncase.

Lydia'sheartwassoopened"thatsheattended",thatis,shelistenedtothewordofsalvationuntilshebegantodesireit.Itisalwaysapleasuretoentertainguestswhorelishthefoodplacedbeforethemanditisagreatjoytopreachtothosewhoareeagerlyhungeringafterthetruth.Buthowheartbreakingataskitistokeepcontinuallypraisingthepearlofgreatpricetothosewhoknownotitsvalue,nordesireitsbeauty!Danielwasaman"greatlybeloved"theHebrewwordthereemployedmeans"amanofdesires."Hewasnotoneofyourconceited,selfsatisfiedindividuals.Helongedandyearnedforbetterthingsthanhehadyetattained,andhencewas"greatlybeloved."Godlovespeopletothirstafterhim,andtodesiretoknowhislove

andpower.Letusexplainthegospelaswemay,ifthereisnodesireintheheart,ourplainestmessagesarelost.Amansaid,aboutsomethinghewishedtomakeclear,"Why,itisasplainasABC!""Yes,"saidathirdparty,"butthemanyouaretalkingtoisDEF."So,someofourhearersseemtoturnawayfromtheWordofGod.Butwhenapersonsays,"IwanttofindsalvationIwanttogetChristthisverydayandIamgoingtolistenwiththedeterminationthatIwillfindoutthewayofsalvation"surely,ifthethingsspokenarethesamethingsthatPaulspokeof,fewinthatconditionwillgooutofthehousewithoutfindingsalvation.Lydia'sheartwasopenedtoattendtothegospel,thatis,todesireit.

But,next,herheartwasopenedtounderstandit.Itiswonderfulhowlittleevenwelleducatedpeoplesometimesunderstandofthegospelwhenitispreachedinthesimplestmanner.Oneisconstantlybeingastoundedbythemisapprehensionsthatpersonshaveastothewayofsalvation.ButLydiahadgraspedthetruth."ThanksbetoGod,"shesaid,"Iseeit.JesusChristsufferedinoursteadandwe,byanactoffaith,accepthimasourSubstitute,andwearesavedthereby.Ihaveit.Ineversawitbefore.Ireadaboutapaschallamb,andthesprinklingoftheblood,andthepassingoverofthehouseswherethebloodwassprinkled.Icouldnotquitemakeitout.NowIsee,ifthebloodbesprinkleduponme,Godwillpassoverme,accordingtohisword,'WhenIseetheblood,Iwillpassoveryou.'"SheattendeduntothethingswhichwerespokenofPaul,soastounderstandthem.

Butmorethanthatherheartwassoopenedthatsheattendedtothegospelsoastoacceptit."Ah!"shesaid,"nowIunderstandit,Iwillhaveit.Christforme!Christforme!ThatblessedSubstituteforsinners!IsthatallIhavetodo,simplytotrusthim?ThenIwilltrusthim.Sinkorswim,Iwillcastmyselfuponhimnow."Shedidsothereandthen.Therewasnohesitating.ShebelievedwhatPaulsaidthatJesuswastheSonofGod,theappointedpropitiationforsin,andthatwhoseeverbelievedonhimshouldthenandtherebejustifiedandshedidbelieveinhim,andshewasjustifiedasyouwillbe,myfriend,ifyouwillbelieveinhimatthismoment.You,too,shallhaveimmediatesalvation,mydearsistersittingyonder,ifyouwillcome,likethisLydiaofold,andjusttakeChristtobeyours,andtrusthimnow.SheattendeduntothethingswhichwerespokenofPaul,sothatsheacceptedChrist.

Havingdonethat,shewentfurther:herheartwassowon,thatshewas,bytheSpirit,ledtoobeytheword,andavowherfaith.Paultoldherthatthegospelwasthis"Hethatbelievethandisbaptizedshallbesaved."Hesaidtoher,"Mycommissionis,'Goyeintoalltheworld,andpreachthegospeltoeverycreature.Hethatbelievethandisbaptizedshallbesaved.'"Perhapsshesaid,"ButwhymustIbebaptized?"Hesaid,"AsatestimonyofyourobediencetoChrist,whomyoutaketobeyourMasterandyourLordandasatypeofyourbeingonewithhiminhisburial.YouaretobeburiedinwaterashewasburiedinthetombofJosephandyouaretoberaisedupoutofthewaterevenasheroseagainfromthedead.Thisactistobeatokenandtypetoyouofyouronenesswithhiminhisdeathandburialandresurrection."WhatdidLydiasay?Didshesay,"Well,IthinkImustwaitalittlewhile:thewateriscold"?Didshesay,"IthinkImustaskaboutitImustconsiderit"?No,notatall.PaultellsherthatthisisChrist'sordinance,andsheatoncereplies,"HereamI,Paul,letmebebaptized,andmyservants,too,andallthatbelongtomyhousehold,fortheyalsobelieveinJesusChrist.Letushavethebaptismatonce."Thereandthen"shewasbaptized,andherhousehold."Shedidatonceobeytheheavenlymessage,andshebecameabaptizedbeliever.ShewasnotashamedtoconfessChrist.She

hadnotknownhimlongbutwhatshedidknowofhimwassoblessedandjoyoustohersoul,thatshewouldhavesaid,ifshehadknownthehymn"Throughfloodsandflames,ifJesuslead,I'llfollowwherehegoes'Hindermenot,'shallbemycry,Thoughearthandhelloppose."Youcanimaginehersaying,"DidhegodownintotheJordan,andsay,'Thusitbecomethustofulfillallrighteousness'?ThenIwillgowhereheleadstheway,andbeobedienttohim,andsaytoalltheworld,'I,too,amafollowerofthecrucifiedChrist.'"

Now,lastly,afterLydiawasbaptized,shebecameanenthusiasticChristian.ShesaidtoPaul,"Youmustcomehomewithme.Iknowyouhavenotanywheretogo.ComealongandthereisyourfriendSilas.IhaveplentyofroomforhimandTimothytooandLukealso.Wecanmakeroomforthefourofyouamongthepurplebales,orsomewherebut,atanyrate,Ihavehouseroomforyoufour,andIhaveheartroomforfortythousandofyou.IwishIcouldtakeinthewholechurchofGod."Deargoodwomanthatshewas,shefeltthatshecouldnotdotoomuchforthemenwhohadbeenmadeablessingtoherforsheregardedwhatshedidtothemasdonetotheirLordandMaster.Theymighthavesaid,"No,really,wecannottroubleyou.Youhavethehousehold.Youhaveallthisbusinesstolookafter.""Yes,"shewouldanswer,"Iknowthat.Itisverykindofyoutoexcuseyourselvesbutyoumustcome.""No,"Paulmighturge,"mydeargoodwoman,Iamgoingtofindoutsometentmakers,andmaketentswiththem.Wewillfindalodgingwherewehavebeen.""Ah!"shewouldsay,"butImeantohaveyou.Youmustcometomyhome.""Sheconstrainedus."Shewouldprobablyputitthus:"Now,Ishallnotthinkthatyoufullybelieveinmeifyoudonotcomehomewithme.Come,youbaptizedme,andbythatveryactyouprofessedthatyouconsideredthatIwasatruebeliever.Ifyoudoreallybelieveit,comeandstayinmyhouseaslongasyoulike,andIwillmakeyouascomfortableaseverIcan."SoatlastPaulyieldstoherconstraint,andgoestoherhome.Howgladtheywouldallbe,andwhatpraisetoChristwouldrisefromthathousehold!Ihopethatthegenerousspirit,whichglowedintheheartofthefirstconvertinEurope,willalwayscontinueamongsttheconvertsofEuropetillthelastday.ItrustthatwhentheyarecallednotmerelytoentertainGod'sministers,buttohelpallGod'speopleofeverysort,theymaybereadyandwillingtodoitforChrist'ssakeforloveshallfillthemwithaholyhospitality,andanearnestdesiretoblessthechildrenofGod.Loveoneanother,brothersandsisters,anddogoodtooneanother,asyouhaveopportunityforsowillyoubeworthyfollowersofLydia,thefirstEuropeanconvert,whosehearttheLordopened.

TheLordopenyourhearts,forhisname'ssake!Amen.