Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 6.djvu/169

Rh there, as Peter had with Cornelius when the angel sent him thither. Where was the man of Macedonia that begged Paul to come thither with all speed? Why did not he stir up his countrymen, some of them at least, to go meet him? Why was he not introduced with solemnity, and the keys of the city put into his hand? Here is nothing like that; for,

1. It is a good while before any notice at all is taken of him; We were in that city abiding certain days; probably at a public house, and at their own charge, for they had no friend to invite them so much as to a meal's meat, till Lydia welcomed them. They had made all the haste they could thither, but now that they are there, are almost tempted to think they might as good have stayed where they were. But so it was ordered for their trial, whether they could bear the pain of silence and lying by; when that was their lot; those eminent useful men are not fit to live in this world, that know not how to be slighted and overlooked. Let not ministers think it strange if they be first strongly invited to a place, and yet looked shyly upon when they come.

2. When they have an opportunity of preaching, it is in an obscure place, and to a mean and small auditory, v. 13. There was no synagogue of the Jews there, for aught that appears, to be a door of entrance to them, and they never went to the idol temples of the Gentiles, to preach to the auditories there; but here, upon inquiry, they found out a little meeting of good women, that were proselytes of the gate, who will be thankful to them if they will give them a sermon. The place of this meeting is out of the city, there it was connived at, but would not be suffered any where within the walls. It was a place where prayer was wont to be made; —where an oratory or house of prayer was, so some; a chapel, or lesser synagogue. But I rather take it, as we read it, where prayer was appointed, or accustomed to be. They that worshipped the true God, and would not worship idols, met there to pray together, and, according to the description of the most ancient and universal devotion, to call upon the name of the Lord. They each of them prayed apart every day, that was always the practice of them that worshipped God; but beside that, they came together on the sabbath-day; though they were but a few discountenanced by the town, though their meeting was at some distance, though, for aught that appears, none but women, yet a solemn assembly the worshippers of God must have, if by any means it be possible, on the sabbath-day; and when we cannot do as we would, we must do as we can; if we have not synagogues, we must be thankful for more private places, and resort to them; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, according as our opportunities are. This place is said to be by a river-side, which perhaps was chosen, as befriending contemplation. Idolaters are said to take their lot among the smooth stones of the stream, Isa. 57. 6. But these proselytes had in their eye, perhaps; the example of those prophets who had their visions, one by the river of Chebar, (Ezek. 1. 1.) another by the great river Hiddekel, Dan. 10. 4. Thither Paul and Silas and Luke went, and sat down, to instruct the congregation, that they might the better pray with them; they spake unto the women which resorted thither, encouraged them in practising according to the light they had, and led them on further to the knowledge of Christ.

V. The conversion of Lydia, who probably was the first that was wrought upon there to believe in Christ, though not the last. In this story of the Acts, we have not only the conversion of places recorded, but of many particular persons; for such is the worth of souls, that the reducing of one to God is a great matter! Nor have we only the conversions that were done by miracle, as Paul's, but some that were done by the ordinary methods of grace, as Lydia's here. Observe,

1. Who this convert was, that there is such particular notice taken of; four things are recorded of her:

(1.) Her name, Lydia; it is an honour to her to have her name recorded here in the book of God, so that wherever the scriptures are read, there shall this be told concerning her. Note, The names of the saints are precious with God, and should be so with us; we cannot have our names recorded in the Bible, but, if God open our hearts, we shall find them written in the book of life, and that is better, (Phil. 4. 3.) and more to be rejoiced in, Luke 10. 20.

(2.) Her calling; she was a seller of purple; either of purple dye, or of purple cloth or silk. Observe, [1.] She had a calling, an honest calling, which the historian takes notice of to her praise; she was none of those women that the apostle speaks of, (1 Tim. 5. 13.) who learn to be idle, and not only idle, &c. [2.] It was a mean calling; she was a seller of purple, not a wearer of purple, few such are called; the notice taken of this here is an intimation to those who are employed in honest callings, if they be honest in the management of them, not to be ashamed of them. [3.] Though she had a calling to mind, yet she was a worshipper of God, and found time to improve advantages for her soul. The business of our particular callings may be made to consist very well with the business of religion, and therefore it will not excuse us from religious exercises alone, and in our families, or in solemn assemblies, to say, We have shops to look after, and a trade to mind; for have we not also a God to serve, and a soul to look after? Religion does not call us from our business in the world, but directs us in it. Every thing in its time and place.

(3.) The place she was of, of the city of Thyatira; which was a great way from Philippi; there she was born and bred, but either married at Philippi, or brought by her trade to settle there. The providence ofGod, as it always appoints, so it often removes, the bounds of our habitation; and sometimes makes the change of our outward condition or place of our abode, wonderfully subservient to the designs of his grace concerning our salvation; Providence brings Lydia to Philippi, to be under Paul's ministry, and there, where she met with it, she made a good use of it; so should we improve opportunities.

(4.) Her religion before the Lord opened her heart.

[1.] She worshipped God according to the knowledge she had; she was one of the devout women. Sometimes the grace of God wrought upon those who, before their conversion, were very wicked and vile, publicans and harlots;' such were some of you, 1 Cor. 6. 11. But sometimes it fastened upon those that were of a good character, that had some good in them, as the eunuch, Cornelius, and Lydia here. Note, It is not enough to be worshippers of God, but we must be believers in Jesus Christ, for there is no coming to God as a Father, but by him as Mediator. But those who worshipped God according to the light they had, stood fair for the discoveries of Christ and his grace to them; for to him that has, shall be given: and to them Christ would be welcome; for they that know what it is to worship God, see their need of Christ, and know what use to make of his mediation.

[2.] She heard us. Here, where prayer was made, when there was an opportunity, the word was preached; for hearing the word of God is a part of religious worship; and how can we expect God should hear our prayers, if we will not hearken to his word? They that worshipped God according to the light they had, looked out for further light;