Lydia,theFirstEuropeanConvert

ASermon
(No.2222)
IntendedforReadingonLord'sday,September20th,1891,
Deliveredby
C.H.SPURGEON,
Atthe
MetropolitanTabernacle,
Newington

"AndacertainwomannamedLydia,asellerofpurple,ofthecityofThyatira,whichworshipped
God,heardus:whoseheartstheLordopened,thatsheattendeduntothethingswhichwere
spokenofPaul."Acts16:14.

EMAYLAUDABLYEXERCISECURIOSITYwithregardtothefirstproclamation
ofthegospelinourownquarteroftheglobe.Wearehappythathistorysoaccuratelytellsus,
bythepenofLuke,whenfirstthegospelwaspreachedinEurope,andbywhom,andwhowas
thefirstconvertbroughtbythatpreachingtotheSavior'sfeet.IhalfenvyLydiathatsheshould
betheleaderoftheEuropeanbandyetIfeelrightgladthatawomanledthevan,andthather
householdfollowedsocloselyintherear.
Godhasmadegreatuseofwomen,andgreatlyhonoredtheminthekingdomofourLord
andSaviorJesusChrist.HolywomenministeredtoourLordwhenhewasupontheearth,and
sincethattimemuchsacredworkhasbeendonebytheirpatienthands.Manandwomanfell
togethertogethertheymustrise.Aftertheresurrection,itwasawomanwhowasfirst
commissionedtocarrythegladtidingsoftherisenChristandinEurope,wherewomanwasin
futuredaystobesetfreefrommanyofthetrammelsoftheEast,itseemsfittingthatawoman
shouldbethefirstbeliever.Notonly,however,wasLydiaasortoffirstfruitforEurope,butshe
probablyalsobecameawitnessinherowncityofThyatira,inAsia.Wedonotknowhowthe
gospelwasintroducedintothatcitybutweareinformedoftheexistenceofachurchthereby
themessageoftheascendedChrist,throughhisservantJohn,to"theangelofthechurchin
Thyatira."VerylikelyLydiabecametheheraldofthegospelinhernativeplace.Letthewomen
whoknowthetruthproclaimitforwhyshouldtheirinfluencebelost?"TheLordgiveththeword
thewomenthatpublishthetidingsareagreathost."Womancanbeaspowerfulforevilasfor
good:weseeitinthisverychurchofThyatira,wherethewomanJezebel,whocalledherselfa
prophetess,soughttoseducemanyfromthetruth.Seeing,then,thatthedevilemployswomen
inhisservice,letthosewomenwhomGodhascalledbyhisgracebedoublyearnestinseeking
topreventorundothemischiefthatothersoftheirsexareworking.Ifnotcalledtopublic
service,allhavethehomespherewhereintheycanshedforththearomaofagodlylifeand
testimony.

Ifthegospeldoesnotinfluenceourhomes,itislittlelikelytomakeheadwayamongstthe
community.Godhasmadefamilypietytobe,asitwere,asortoftrademarkonreligionin
Europefortheveryfirstconvertbringswithherallherfamily.Herhouseholdbelieved,and
werebaptizedwithher.YoushallnoticeinEurope,thoughIdonotmeantosaythatitisnotthe
sameanywhereelse,thattruegodlinesshasalwaysflourishedinproportionasfamilyreligion
hasbeenobserved.Theyhangabellinasteeple,andtheytellusthatitisourdutytogoevery
morningandeveryeveningintothesteeplehousetheretojoininprayerbutwereplythatour
ownhouseisbetterformanyreasonsatanyrate,itwillnotengendersuperstitionforustopray
there.Gatheryourchildrentogether,andofferprayerandsupplicationtoGodinyourownroom.
"Butthereisnopriest."Thenthereoughttobe.Everymanshouldbeapriestinhisown
householdand,intheabsenceofagodlyfather,themothershouldleadthedevotions.Every
houseshouldbethehouseofGod,andthereshouldbeachurchineveryhouseandwhenthis
isthecase,itwillbethegreatestbarrieragainstpriestcraft,andtheidolatryofholyplaces.
FamilyprayerandthepulpitarethebulwarksofProtestantism.Dependuponit,whenfamily
pietygoesdown,thelifeofgodlinesswillbecomeverylow.InEurope,atanyrate,seeingthat
theChristianfaithbeganwithaconvertedhousehold,weoughttoseekaftertheconversionof
allourfamilies,andtomaintainwithinourhousesthegoodandholypracticeoffamilyworship.
Lydia,then,isthefirstEuropeanconvert,andwewillreviewherhistorysofaraswehave
itinHolyWrit.Towardsherconversionfourthingscooperated,uponwhichwewillspeak
briefly.First,
theworkingofprovidence
secondly,
theworkingofLydiaherself
thirdly,
the
workingofPaul
andfourthly,
theworkingoftheHolySpirit.
I.First,noticeTHEWORKINGOFPROVIDENCE.WhenIwasinAmsterdam,Ivisitedthe
worksofadiamondcutter,whereIsawmanylargewheelsandmuchpowerfulmachineryat
workandImustconfessthatitseemedveryoddthatallthatgreatarrayofapparatusshouldbe
broughttobearuponatinybitofcrystal,whichlookedlikeafragmentofglass.Wasthat
diamondworthsomuchthatawholefactoryshouldbesettoworktocutitsfacets,andcauseit
tosparkle?Sothediamondcutterbelieved.Withinthatsmallspacelayagemwhichwas
thoughtworthyofallthiscareandlabor.Thatdiamondmaybeatthistimeglisteninguponthe
fingerorbrowofroyalty!Now,whenIlookabroaduponprovidence,itseemspreposterousto
believethatkingdoms,dynasties,andgreateventsshouldallbecooperatingandworking
togetherfortheaccomplishmentofthedivingpurposeinthesalvationofGod'speople.Butthey
aresoworking.Itmighthaveseemedpreposterous,butitwasnotso,thatthesegreatwheels
shouldallbeworkingforthecuttingofasinglediamondanditisnotpreposterous,howeverit
mayseemso,tosaythatalltheeventsofprovidencearebeingorderedbyGodtoeffectthe
salvationofhisownpeople,theperfectingofthepreciousjewelswhicharetoadornthecrown
ofChristforeverandever.
Inthecasebeforeus,theworkingofGod'sprovidenceisseen,firstofall,
inbringingPaul
toPhilippi.
Lydiaisthere.Idonotknowhowlongshehadbeenthere,norexactlywhatbrought
hertherebuttheresheis,sellingherpurple,herTurkeyredcloth.Paulmustcomethere,too,
buthedoesnotwanttocomehehasnot,indeed,hadanydesiretocomethere.Hehasakind
ofprejudicehangingabouthimstill,sothat,thoughheiswillingtopreachtotheGentiles,he
scarcelylikestogooutofAsiaamongthoseGentilesoftheGentilesoverinEurope.Hewants
topreachthewordinAsia.Verysingularly,theSpiritsuffershimnot,andheseemstohavea

coldhandlaidonhimtostophimwhenhisheartiswarmest.Heisgaggedhecannotspeak.
"ThenIwillgointoBithynia,"hesaysbutwhenhestartsonthejourney,heisdistinctlytoldthat
thereisnoworkforhimtodothere.HemustnotspeakforhisMasterinthatregion,atleastnot
yet:"theSpiritsufferedhimnot."Hefeelshimselftobeasilencedman.Whatishetodo?He
getsdowntoTroasonthevergeofthesea,andtherecomestohimthevisionofamanof
Macedonia,whoprayedhim,saying,"ComeoverintoMacedonia,andhelpus."Heinfersthat
hemustgoacrosstoMacedonia.Ashipisreadyforhimhehasafreecourse,afavorable
passage,andhesoonarrivesatPhilippi.GodbringsPaultothespotwhereLydiawas,inthis
strangeandsingularmanner.
Buttheworkingofprovidencewasquiteasmuchmanifested
inbringingLydiathere
for
LydiawasnotoriginallyatPhilippi.Shewasasellerofpurple,ofThyatira.Thyatirawasacity
famousforitsdyers.Theymadeapeculiarpurple,whichwasmuchprizedbytheRomans.
Lydiaappearstohavecarriedonthisbusiness.Shewaseitherawidow,orperhapshadhadno
husband,thoughshemayhavegatheredahouseholdofservantsabouther.Shecomesoverto
Philippiacrossthesea.IthinkIseethembringingthegreatrollsofredclothupthehill,thatshe
maysellatPhilippitheclothwhichshehasmadeanddyedatThyatira.Whydoesshecome
justatthisseason?WhydoesshecomejustwhenPauliscoming?Whydoesshecometo
Philippi?WhynottoNeapolis?WhynotpressontoAthens?Whynotsellherclothoverat
Corinth?Whateverreasonshemighthavegivenforherchoice,therewasonecause,ofwhich
shewasignorant,whichshapedheraction,andbroughthertoPhilippiatthattime.Godhada
surpriseinstoreforher.SheandPaulhavetomeet.Itdoesnotmatterwhattheirwillistheir
willsshallbesomovedandactuatedbytheprovidenceofGodthattheyshallcrosseachother's
path,andPaulshallpreachthegospeltoLydia.IwotitneverenteredintoLydia'sheart,when
sheleftThyatirawithherpurplebales,thatshewasgoingtofindJesusChristoveratPhilippi
neitherdidPaulguess,whenhesaw,inavision,amanofMacedonia,andheardhimsay,
"ComeoverintoMacedonia,andhelpus,"thatthefirstpersonhewouldhavetohelpwouldnot
beamanofMacedoniaatall,butawomanofThyatiraandthatthecongregationheshould
preachtowouldbejustahandfulofwomengatheredbythesideofthelittlestreamthatruns
throughPhilippi.NeitherPaulnorLydiaknewwhatGodwasabouttodobutGodknew.He
understandstheendfromthebeginning,andtimeshisactsofprovidencetomeetourdeepest
needsinthewisestway.
"Hiswisdomissublime,
Hisheartprofoundlykind
Godneverisbeforehistime,
Andneverisbehind."

WhatanoddthingitseemedthatthiswomanshouldbeawomanofThyatirainAsia,and
PaulmustnotgoandpreachinAsiaandyet,whenhecomestoMacedonia,thefirstperson
whohearshimisawomanofAsia!Why,youandIwouldhavesaid,"Ifthewomanbelongsto
Thyatira,letherstopathome,andletPaulgotherethatistheshortestcut."Notso.The
womanofThyatiramustgotoPhilippi,andPaulmustgotoPhilippitoo.ThisisGod'splanand
ifweknewallthecircumstancesasGodknowsthem,weshoulddoubtlessadmirethewisdom
ofit.PerhapstheverypeculiarityofthecircumstancesmadePaulmorealerttoseizethe

opportunityatPhilippithanhewouldhavebeenhadhegoneontoThyatiraperhapsthe
isolationofthestrangecitymadeLydiayearnmoreafterspiritualthings.Godcananswera
dozenendsbyoneact.OneofourevangeliststellsofamanwhowasconvertedinasmallIrish
town,anditwasafterwardsdiscoveredthathe,andthepreacherwholedhimtoChrist,resided
butafewhundredyardsfromeachotherinLondon.Theyhadnevermetinthisgreatcity,
whereneighborsarestrangerstoeachothernorwasitlikelythattheyoverwouldhavebeen
broughtintocontactwithoneanotherherefortheman,whowasacommercialtraveler,was
toocarelessevertoattendaplaceofworshipinLondon.Buttosellhisgoodshewentto
Ireland,where,also,wenttheevangelisttopreachthegospelandbeingsomewhatatalossto
knowwhattodowithhistime,henosoonersawthenameofapreacherfromLondon
announced,thanhedeterminedtoattendtheservice,andtherehemetwithChrist.Wecansee
hownaturalthiswasinthecaseofwhichweknowalltheparticulars,anditwasdoubtlessas
wellarrangedinthecaseofLydiaandPaul.
Now,Ishouldnotwondertonightifthereareanumberofprovidencesthathaveworked
togethertobringsomeofmyhearersintotheirplacesatthistime.Whatbrought
you
toLondon,
friend?Itwasnotyourintentiontobeinthiscity.ComingtoLondon,whatbroughtyoutothis
partofit?Whatledyoutobeatthisservice?Andwhywasitthatyoudidnotcomeononeof
theSundayswhenthepreacherwouldhavebeenhereifhecould,butcouldnotbehereby
reasonofhisweakness?Because,itmaybe,thatonlyfromtheselipscanthewordcometo
you,andonlytonight,andyoumustcometothisplace.Perhapsthereissomeonewho
preachesthegospelmuchbetterinthetownwhereyouliveor,peradventure,youhavehad
opportunitiesofhearingthesamepreachernearyouronndoor,andyoudidnotavailyourself
ofthemandyetGodhasbroughtyouhere.Iwishwewatchedprovidencesmore."Whosois
wise,andwillobservethesethings,eventheyshallunderstandthelovingkindnessoftheLord."
IftheLordshouldmeetwithyou,andconvertyoutonight,Iwillwarrantyouthatyouwillbea
believerinprovidence,andsay,"Yes,Godguidedmysteps.Hedirectedmypath,andhe
broughtmetothespotwhereJesusmetwithme,andopenedmyheartthatImightreceivethe
gospelofhisgrace."Beofgoodcourage,youministersofthegospel!Providenceisalways
workingwithyouwhileyouareworkingforGod.IhaveoftenadmiredthelanguageofMahomet,
wheninthebattleofOhodhesaidtohisfollowers,pointingtotheirfoes,"Chargethem!Ican
hearthewingsoftheangelsastheyhastentoourhelp."Thatwasadelusiononhispart,forhe
andhismenwerebadlybeatenbutitisnodelusioninthecaseoftheservantsofChrist.We
can
hearthewingsoftheangels.Wemayhearthegrindingofthegreatwheelsofprovidence
astheyrevolveforthehelpofthepreacherofthegospel.Everythingiswithuswhenweare
withGod.Whocanbeagainstus?ThestarsintheircoursesfightfortheservantsofGodand
allthings,greatandsmall,shallbowbeforethefeetofhimwhotrodthewavesoftheSeaof
Galilee,andstillisMasterofallthings,andrulethallthingstotheaccomplishmentofhisdiving
purposes.
Somuch,then,fortheworkingofprovidence.
II.Thenextthingis,THEWORKINGOFLYDIA.God'sintentionisthatLydiashallbe
saved.Yet,youknow,nowomanwaseversavedagainstherwill.Godmakesuswillinginthe
dayofhispower,anditisthewayofhisgracenottoviolatethewill,butsweetlytoovercomeit.

Neverwilltherebeanybodydraggedtoheavenbytheears:dependuponthat.Weshallgo
therewithallourheartsandallourdesires.What,then,wasLydiadoing?
HavingbyGod'sgracebeenmadewilling,thefirstthingwasthat
shekepttheSabbath.
Shewasaproselyte,andshekepttheseventhday.ShewasawayfromThyatira,andnobody
wouldknowwhatshewoulddo,yetsheobservedtheLord'sdaycarefully.Shewasabroad
whenshewasatPhilippi,butshehadnotleftGodbehindher.IhaveknownsomeEnglish
people,whentheyoncereachedtheContinent,gorattlingalong,Sundaysandweekdays,asif
GoddidnotliveontheContinent,andasifathometheyonlyobservedtheSabbathbecause
theyhappenedtobeinEngland,whichisveryprobablythecasewithagoodmany.Whenthey
getawaytheysay,"WhenyouareatRome,youmustdoasRomedoes"andsotheytaketheir
pleasureonGod'sday.ItwasnotsowithLydia.Therewasnosellingofpurplethatdayshe
regardedtheSabbath.Oh,IwouldtoGodthateveryonewouldregardtheSabbath!MayGod
grantthatitmayneverbetakenawayfromus!Thereisaplotnowtomakesomeofyouworkall
thesevendaysoftheweek,andyouwillnotgetanymorepayforsevendaysthanyougetfor
six.Standoutagainstit,andpreserveyourrighttorestuponGod'sday.Theobservanceofone
dayinsevenasadayofrestmateriallyhelpstowardstheconversionofmen,becausethen
theyareinclinedtothink.Theyhavetheopportunitytohear,and,iftheychoosetoavail
themselvesofit,theprobabilitiesarethatGodwillblessthehearing,andtheywillbesaved.
Now,noticenextthat,notonlydidLydiaobservetheSabbath,but
shewentuptotheplace
ofworship.
Itwasnotaveryfineplace.Idonotsupposetherewasanybuilding.Itmayhave
beenalittletemporaryoratoryputupbytheriversidebutveryprobablyitwasjustonthebank
oftheriverthattheymettogether.Itdoesnotappearthattherewereanymen,butonlyafew
women.Theyonlyheldaprayermeeting:"whereprayerwaswonttobemade."ButLydiadid
notstopawayfromthegathering.Shemighteasilyhaveexcusedherselfafterherlongjourney,
andthewearyingworkofsettingupanewestablishmentbutherheartwasinthismatter,and
soshefounditnodrudgerytomeetwhereprayerwasoffered.Shedidnotsay"Icanreada
sermonathome,"or,"IcanreadintheBookoftheLawindoors."ShewishedtobewhereGod's
peoplewere,howeverfew,orhoweverpoortheymightbe.Shedidnotgotothegorgeous
heathentempleatPhilippi,butshesoughtoutthefewfaithfulonesthatmettoworshipthetrue
God.Now,dearfriends,dothesame.Youthatarenotconverted,stillattendthemeansof
grace,anddonotgotoaplacesimplybecauseitisafinebuilding,andbecausethereisa
crowd,butgowheretheyaretrulyworshippingGodinspiritandintruth.Iftheyshouldhappen
tobeveryfewandverypoor,yetgowiththem,forinsodoingyouareinthewayofblessing.I
thinkyouwillyethavetosay,"Beingintheway,Godmetwithme."Ifitiswhatsomecall"onlya
prayermeeting",youwilldowelltogo.Someofthebestblessingsthatmenhaveevergained
havebeenreceivedatprayermeetings.IfwewouldmeetwithGod,letusseekhimdiligently,
"notforsakingtheassemblingofourselvestogether,asthemannerofsomeis."Thoughyou
cannotsaveyourself,oropenyourownheart,youcanatleastdowhatLydiadid:observethe
Sabbath,andgathertogetherwithGod'speople.
Lydiabeingtherewiththeassembly,whenPaulbegantospeak,wefindthat
sheattended
tothethingsthatwerespoken,
whichisanotherthingthatwecando.Itisveryillwhenpeople
comeuptothehouseofGod,anddonotattend.Ihaveneverhadtocomplainofpeoplenot
attendinginthishousesincethedayIfirstpreachedinitbutIhavebeeninplacesofworship

wherethereseemedtobeanythingbutattention.Howcanitbeexpectedthattherewillbea
blessingwhenthepewbecomesaplacetoslumberin,orwhenthemindisactiveoverthefarm,
orinthekitchen,orintheshop,forgettingaltogetherthegospelwhichisbeingpreachedtothe
outwardear?Ifyouwantablessing,attendwithallyourmighttothewordthatispreachedbut
ofthatwewillspeakmorebyandby.
SofarwehavespokenupontheworkingofprovidenceandtheworkingofLydia.
III.Now,next,THEWORKINGOFPAULforthiswasnecessarytoo.Inordertothe
conversionofmen,itisnecessarythatthepersonwhoaimsattheirconversionshouldworkas
ifitalldependeduponhim,thoughheknowsthathecannotaccomplishthework.Weareto
seektowinsoulswithasmuchearnestness,andprudence,andzeal,asifeverythingdepended
uponourselvesandthenwearetoleaveallwithGod,knowingthatnonebuttheLordcansave
asinglesoul.
Now,notice,Paul,wishingforconverts,is
judiciousinthechoiceoftheplace
wherehewill
gotolookafterthem.Hegoestothespotwherethereshouldbeasynagogue.Hethinksthat
wherepeoplehaveadesiretopray,therehewillfindthekindofpeoplewhowillbereadyto
heartheword.Soheselectsdevoutpeople,devoutworshippersoftheoneGod,thathemaygo
andspeaktothemaboutChrist.Itissometimesourplaindutytopublishthewordfromthe
housetoptothecarelesscrowdbutIthinkyouwillgenerallyfindthatmoresuccesscomes
whenthose,onwhoseheartstheSpiritofGodhasalreadybeguntowork,aresoughtoutand
instructed.WhenChristsentouthisdisciplesontheirfirstjourney,hetoldthem,whenthey
enteredatown,to"Enquirewhoinitisworthyandthereabidetillyegothence"evidently
showingthat,evenamongstthosewhodonotknowthetruth,therearesomewhoseheartsare
preparedtoreceiveit,whoareofadevoutspirit,andinthatsenseareworthy.Thesearethe
peoplewhoshouldfirstbesoughtafter.InthesamelimitedsensewasCornelius,towhom
Peterwassent,worthytohearthegladtidingsofgreatjoy.Hisreverentspiritwaswellpleasing
toGodforweread,"Thyprayerisheard,andthinealmsarehadinremembranceinthesightof
God."Wemustnot,ofcourse,thinkthatthesethingsgiveanyclaimtosalvationbutratherthat
theyaretheexpressionofheartspreparedtoreceivethemessageofsalvation,seekingthe
Lord,"ifhaplytheymightfeelafterhim,andfindhim."Oneofourgreatestdifficultiesinthese
daysis,thatsomanyhavelostallreverenceforauthorityofanykind,evenGod's:havingrisen
againsthumandespotism,theyalsofoolishlytrytobreakGod'sbandsasunder.Wearecast
backontheinfinitepowerofGodwhenwecometodealwithsuchpeoplebutwhenwemeet
withotherswhoarewillingtolistenandpray,weknowthatGodhasalreadybeguntowork.
Now,dearworker,choosethepersonwhoisevidentlypointedouttoyoubyGod'sgracious
providence.Choosejudiciously,andtrytospeakwiththosewithwhomyoumayhopefully
speak,andtrustthatGodwillblesstheword.
WhenPaulgoesdowntotheriver,younoticethatheisvery
judiciousastohismanner
of
introducinghissubject.Hedidnotpreachatall.Hefoundonlyafewwomenandtostandup
andpreachtothem,ashedidtothecrowdsatCorinth,oratAthens,mighthaveseemed
absurdbutwereadthis:"Wesatdown,andspakeuntothewomenwhichresortedthither."He
tookhisseatontheriver'sbank,wheretheywereallsittingstill,andatprayer,andhebegan
justtohaveatalk.Asermonwouldhavebeenoutofplacebutatalkwastherightsortofthing.
Sohetalkedthegospelintothem.Now,becarefulofthewayinwhichyougotoworkwith

peopleformuchoftheresultmustdependuponthat.Somepeoplecanbepreachedrightaway
fromChristforthemomentyoubegintopreachtheysay,"Oh,thankyou,Idonotwantanyof
yoursermon!"Perhapsyoucouldslipawordinedgewisejustdropaseedinacrackorleavea
wordwiththem,justoneword.Sayatonce,"Ifyoudonotwantanypreaching,Idonotwantto
preachtoyou:IamnotsofondofpreachingasallthatbutIreadaverycuriousstoryinthe
newspaperstheotherday!"Andthentellthestory,andwrapthegospelupinit.Iftheydonot
wantpills,donotgivethempills.Givethemabitofsugar.Theywilltakethesugar,andwhen
theygotit,therewillbeapillinside.Imentionthis,becausewemaymissopportunitiesofdoing
goodthroughnotbeingwideawake."Beyewiseasserpents,andharmlessasdoves."Paul
thereforejustsitdown,andhasafriendlytalkwiththewomenwhoresortedthither.
ButwhetherPaulpreached,orwhetherPaultalked,itwasallthesame:hewas
judicious
astothematter
ofhisdiscourse.Hehadbutonesubject,andthatwasChristtheChristwho
hadmethimonthewaytoDamascus,andchangedhishearttheChristwhowasablestillto
savetheChristwhobleduponthecross,tobringmentoGod,andcleansetheminhisblood
theChristinheaven,intercedingforsinnerstheChristwaitingtobegracious.Paulwouldnot
endhistalkwithoutsaying,"Trusthim:trusthim.Hethatbelievethinhimhatheverlastinglife."
So,whetherhepreachedorwhetherhetalked,itwasthesamestoryofJesusChrist,andhim
crucified.ThatishowPaulworked.Hemighthaveactedverydifferently.Ifhishearthadnot
beenallaflameforJesus,hewouldverylikelynothavespokenatall,orifhehad,itwouldhave
beenacommonplaceremarkabouttheweather.Hemighthavebeeneagertolearnthemethod
bywhichthebeautifulpurpledyewasobtained,andnothaverememberedthatgospel
message,writtenbyIsaiahlongago,whichwouldcomewithspecialforcetotheheartsofhis
hearers:"Thoughyoursinsbeasscarlet,theyshallbeaswhiteassnowthoughtheybered
likecrimson,theyshallbeaswool."Hemighthavebeensointerestedinhisenquiriesabout
Thyatiraastoforgettospeakofthewaytothecityoflight.Adozensubjectsmighthave
claimedattention,ifhishearthadnotbeensetupononeobject.Hecouldhavespokenofhis
journeys,andevenofhisplans,withoutactuallypreachingChristtoher.Hemighthavespoken
aboutthegospel,asIfearweoftendo,andnothavespokenthegospelitself.Somesermons
whichIhaveheard,thoughfaultlesslyorthodox,havecontainednothingthatcouldconvert
anybodyfortherehasbeennothingtotouchtheconscienceorheart.Others,thoughvery
cleverandprofound,havehadnopossiblebearingontheneedsofthehearersandsoitwas
littlewonderthattheywerewithoutresult.ButIamsurePaul'stalkwouldaimstraightatthe
centerofthetarget:itwasevidentlyaddressedtotheheart,forwearetoldthatitwaswiththe
heartLydiaheardit.Afterall,itisnotourmostorderlydiscourses,norouraptestillustrations,
whichbringpeopletoChristbutsomelittlesentencewhichisslippedinunawares,orsome
burningwordwhichcomesstraightoutofourownheart'sexperience.Therewouldbesureto
bemanysuchthatdayinthatearnestsimpletalkbytheriverside.Letusmultiplysuch
conversations,ifwewouldwinmoreLydiasforthechurch.
IV.But,now,fourthlyandhereisthemainpointletusnoticeTHEWORKINGOFTHE
SPIRITOFGOD.ProvidencebringsPaulandLydiatogether.Lydiacomestherebecauseshe
observestheSabbath,andlovestheplaceofworship.Paulcomestherebecausehelovesto
winsouls,and,likehisMaster,isonthewatchforstraysheep.Butitwouldhavebeenapoor
meetingforthemiftheSpiritofGodhadnotbeentherealso.SowenextreadofLydia:"Whose

hearttheLordopened,thatsheattendeduntothethingswhichwerespokenofPaul."Itisnot
wonderfulthattheLordcanopenahumanheartforhewhomadethelockknowswellwhatkey
willfitit.WhatmeanshemadeuseofinthecaseofLydia,IdonotknowbutIwilltellyouwhat
mighthavehappened.Perhapsshehadlostherhusbandmanyawoman'shearthasbeen
openedbythatgreatgash.Thejoyofhersoulhasbeentakenaway,andshehasturnedto
God.Perhapsherhusbandwassparedtoherbutshehadlostachild.Oh,howmanyababe
hasbeensenthereonpurposetoenticeitsmothertotheskiesalambtakenawaythatthe
sheepmightfollowtheShepherd!Perhapsshehadhadbadtradethepriceofpurplemayhave
fallen.Shemayhavebeenhalfafraidshewouldfailinbusiness.Ihaveknownsuchtrouble
opensomepeople'shearts.Perhapsshehadhadprosperitypossiblythepurplehadgoneupin
price.IhaveknownsomesoimpressedwithGod'stemporalblessingsthattheyhavebeen
readytothinkofhim,andtoturntohim.IdonotknowIcannotguess,andIhavenorightto
guesswhatitwas.ButIknowthatGodhasverywonderfulploughs,withwhichhebreaksup
thehardsoilofhumanhearts.WhenIhavebeenthroughtheBritanniaIronWorks,atBedford,I
havewonderedatthestrangeclodcrushers,clodbreakers,andploughs,madetherebythe
Messrs.HowardandGodhassomemarvellousmachinesinhisprovidenceforturningupthe
soilofourhearts.Icannottellwhathehasdonetoyou,dearfriend,butIdotrustthatwhatever
hashappenedhasbeenopeningthesoil,sothatthegoodseedmaydropin.ItwastheSpiritof
Godwhodidit,whatevertheinstrumentmayhavebeen,andLydia'sheartwas"opened."
Openedtowhat?Toattend."SheattendeduntothethingswhichwerespokenofPaul."
So,first,herheartwasopened
tolistenveryintently.
Shewantedtocatcheveryword.She
didassomeofyoudo,putherhandtoherear,forfearsheshouldnothearallthatwasspoken.
Therearemanywaysoflistening.Somepeoplelistenwithboththeirears,allowingittogoinat
oneearandoutattheotherlikethatwit,who,whenhewasbeingseriouslyspokento,andyet
seemedveryinattentive,atlengthweariedthefriendwhowasdiscoursing."Iamafraiditisnot
doingyoumuchgood,"hesaid."No,"camethereply"butIthinkitwilldothisgentlemansome
good,"pointingtoonewhosatbesidehim,"forasithasgoneinatthissideithasgoneoutat
theother."Oh,howIwishthatyouhadonlyoneear,sothatthetruthyouhearcouldneverget
outagainafterithadoncegotin!WelldidtheLordspeakthroughIsaiahtheprophetuntothe
people,"Hearken
diligently
untome,andeatyethatwhichisgood."Manypeoplecanlistenfor
anhourortwotoascientificlecture,orapoliticalspeech,withoutfeelingintheleastweary
theycanevengotothetheater,andsitthereawholeeveningwithoutdreamingofbeingtired
yettheycomplainifthesermonisaminutebeyondtheappointedtime.Theyseemtoendure
thepreachingasasortofpenance,scarcelyhearingthewords,or,atleast,neverimagining
thatthemessagecanhaveanyapplicationtotheirowncase.
Lydia'sheartwassoopened"thatsheattended",thatis,shelistenedtothewordof
salvationuntilshebegan
todesireit.
Itisalwaysapleasuretoentertainguestswhorelishthe
foodplacedbeforethemanditisagreatjoytopreachtothosewhoareeagerlyhungeringafter
thetruth.Buthowheartbreakingataskitistokeepcontinuallypraisingthepearlofgreatprice
tothosewhoknownotitsvalue,nordesireitsbeauty!Danielwasaman"greatlybeloved"the
Hebrewwordthereemployedmeans"amanofdesires."Hewasnotoneofyourconceited,
selfsatisfiedindividuals.Helongedandyearnedforbetterthingsthanhehadyetattained,and
hencewas"greatlybeloved."Godlovespeopletothirstafterhim,andtodesiretoknowhislove

andpower.Letusexplainthegospelaswemay,ifthereisnodesireintheheart,ourplainest
messagesarelost.Amansaid,aboutsomethinghewishedtomakeclear,"Why,itisasplain
asABC!""Yes,"saidathirdparty,"butthemanyouaretalkingtoisDEF."So,someofour
hearersseemtoturnawayfromtheWordofGod.Butwhenapersonsays,"Iwanttofind
salvationIwanttogetChristthisverydayandIamgoingtolistenwiththedeterminationthatI
willfindoutthewayofsalvation"surely,ifthethingsspokenarethesamethingsthatPaul
spokeof,fewinthatconditionwillgooutofthehousewithoutfindingsalvation.Lydia'sheart
wasopenedtoattendtothegospel,thatis,todesireit.
But,next,herheartwasopened
tounderstandit.
Itiswonderfulhowlittleeven
welleducatedpeoplesometimesunderstandofthegospelwhenitispreachedinthesimplest
manner.Oneisconstantlybeingastoundedbythemisapprehensionsthatpersonshaveasto
thewayofsalvation.ButLydiahadgraspedthetruth."ThanksbetoGod,"shesaid,"Iseeit.
JesusChristsufferedinoursteadandwe,byanactoffaith,accepthimasourSubstitute,and
wearesavedthereby.Ihaveit.Ineversawitbefore.Ireadaboutapaschallamb,andthe
sprinklingoftheblood,andthepassingoverofthehouseswherethebloodwassprinkled.I
couldnotquitemakeitout.NowIsee,ifthebloodbesprinkleduponme,Godwillpassover
me,accordingtohisword,'WhenIseetheblood,Iwillpassoveryou.'"Sheattendeduntothe
thingswhichwerespokenofPaul,soastounderstandthem.
Butmorethanthatherheartwassoopenedthatsheattendedtothegospelsoas
to
acceptit.
"Ah!"shesaid,"nowIunderstandit,Iwillhaveit.Christforme!Christforme!That
blessedSubstituteforsinners!IsthatallIhavetodo,simplytotrusthim?ThenIwilltrusthim.
Sinkorswim,Iwillcastmyselfuponhimnow."Shedidsothereandthen.Therewasno
hesitating.ShebelievedwhatPaulsaidthatJesuswastheSonofGod,theappointed
propitiationforsin,andthatwhoseeverbelievedonhimshouldthenandtherebejustifiedand
shedidbelieveinhim,andshewasjustifiedasyouwillbe,myfriend,ifyouwillbelieveinhim
atthismoment.You,too,shallhaveimmediatesalvation,mydearsistersittingyonder,ifyou
willcome,likethisLydiaofold,andjusttakeChristtobeyours,andtrusthimnow.She
attendeduntothethingswhichwerespokenofPaul,sothatsheacceptedChrist.
Havingdonethat,shewentfurther:herheartwassowon,thatshewas,bytheSpirit,led
toobeytheword,andavowherfaith.
Paultoldherthatthegospelwasthis"Hethatbelieveth
andisbaptizedshallbesaved."Hesaidtoher,"Mycommissionis,'Goyeintoalltheworld,and
preachthegospeltoeverycreature.Hethatbelievethandisbaptizedshallbesaved.'"Perhaps
shesaid,"ButwhymustIbebaptized?"Hesaid,"AsatestimonyofyourobediencetoChrist,
whomyoutaketobeyourMasterandyourLordandasatypeofyourbeingonewithhiminhis
burial.YouaretobeburiedinwaterashewasburiedinthetombofJosephandyouaretobe
raisedupoutofthewaterevenasheroseagainfromthedead.Thisactistobeatokenand
typetoyouofyouronenesswithhiminhisdeathandburialandresurrection."WhatdidLydia
say?Didshesay,"Well,IthinkImustwaitalittlewhile:thewateriscold"?Didshesay,"IthinkI
mustaskaboutitImustconsiderit"?No,notatall.PaultellsherthatthisisChrist'sordinance,
andsheatoncereplies,"HereamI,Paul,letmebebaptized,andmyservants,too,andallthat
belongtomyhousehold,fortheyalsobelieveinJesusChrist.Letushavethebaptismatonce."
Thereandthen"shewasbaptized,andherhousehold."Shedidatonceobeytheheavenly
message,andshebecameabaptizedbeliever.ShewasnotashamedtoconfessChrist.She

hadnotknownhimlongbutwhatshedidknowofhimwassoblessedandjoyoustohersoul,
thatshewouldhavesaid,ifshehadknownthehymn
"Throughfloodsandflames,ifJesuslead,
I'llfollowwherehegoes
'Hindermenot,'shallbemycry,
Thoughearthandhelloppose."

Youcanimaginehersaying,"DidhegodownintotheJordan,andsay,'Thusitbecomethusto
fulfillallrighteousness'?ThenIwillgowhereheleadstheway,andbeobedienttohim,andsay
toalltheworld,'I,too,amafollowerofthecrucifiedChrist.'"
Now,lastly,afterLydiawasbaptized,
shebecameanenthusiasticChristian.
Shesaidto
Paul,"Youmustcomehomewithme.Iknowyouhavenotanywheretogo.Comealongand
thereisyourfriendSilas.IhaveplentyofroomforhimandTimothytooandLukealso.Wecan
makeroomforthefourofyouamongthepurplebales,orsomewherebut,atanyrate,Ihave
houseroomforyoufour,andIhaveheartroomforfortythousandofyou.IwishIcouldtakein
thewholechurchofGod."Deargoodwomanthatshewas,shefeltthatshecouldnotdotoo
muchforthemenwhohadbeenmadeablessingtoherforsheregardedwhatshedidtothem
asdonetotheirLordandMaster.Theymighthavesaid,"No,really,wecannottroubleyou.You
havethehousehold.Youhaveallthisbusinesstolookafter.""Yes,"shewouldanswer,"Iknow
that.Itisverykindofyoutoexcuseyourselvesbutyoumustcome.""No,"Paulmighturge,"my
deargoodwoman,Iamgoingtofindoutsometentmakers,andmaketentswiththem.Wewill
findalodgingwherewehavebeen.""Ah!"shewouldsay,"butImeantohaveyou.Youmust
cometomyhome.""Sheconstrainedus."Shewouldprobablyputitthus:"Now,Ishallnotthink
thatyoufullybelieveinmeifyoudonotcomehomewithme.Come,youbaptizedme,andby
thatveryactyouprofessedthatyouconsideredthatIwasatruebeliever.Ifyoudoreally
believeit,comeandstayinmyhouseaslongasyoulike,andIwillmakeyouascomfortableas
everIcan."SoatlastPaulyieldstoherconstraint,andgoestoherhome.Howgladtheywould
allbe,andwhatpraisetoChristwouldrisefromthathousehold!Ihopethatthegenerousspirit,
whichglowedintheheartofthefirstconvertinEurope,willalwayscontinueamongstthe
convertsofEuropetillthelastday.ItrustthatwhentheyarecallednotmerelytoentertainGod's
ministers,buttohelpallGod'speopleofeverysort,theymaybereadyandwillingtodoitfor
Christ'ssakeforloveshallfillthemwithaholyhospitality,andanearnestdesiretoblessthe
childrenofGod.Loveoneanother,brothersandsisters,anddogoodtooneanother,asyou
haveopportunityforsowillyoubeworthyfollowersofLydia,thefirstEuropeanconvert,whose
hearttheLordopened.
TheLordopenyourhearts,forhisname'ssake!Amen.