it is evident that the sellers must have been

persons of considerable property.

The notice taken of Lydia's occupation suggests an observation of a practical nature. Purple was an article not of necessity, but of ornament. As Lydia's conduct is not condemned; as it does not appear that she abandoned her occupation after her conversion, we may safely conclude that a Christian may engage in an occupation which has for its object the supply of articles merely ornamental. Every employment is consistent with faith, which does not administer to the vices or sins of men. Ornaments, in themselves, are perfectly harmless. They only become causes of transgression when they foster pride, and produce an idolatrous love of our own persons, or a desire of attracting the notice and admiration of others. These effects spring from an improper use of ornaments, and are chargeable on those who wear them, not on those who dispose of them.

Lydia's occupation, though it related to such matters, did not affect her conduct. "She worshipped God;" she professed her faith in the God of the Jews, and the re

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ligion which he had established among them. To all the ordinances of his appointment, she attended so far as she could. Her temporal concerns did not operate as a snare to make her neglect her spiritual duties; nor did the ornamental and costly article in which she dealt, draw off her heart from God. In this she has set an example which professing believers would do well to follow. Alas, how many, on the contrary, let the business of life interfere with the service of God, during the week! And what is worse, how many make no scruple of sacrificing the duties of the Sabbath to their temporal advantage! Not satisfied with six days, they sacrilegiously rob God of his time, and, by the occupations of the week, invade the seventh day, which he has commanded to be kept holy. Instead of worshipping God in the assemblies of the saints, or in their houses, they are reading newspapers, strolling along the streets, collecting at postoffices, lounging in their houses, as if to teach their children and servants how God's commands can be put at defiance by sinful men! Oh, the breaches of the Sabbath alone are enough to draw down God's ven

geance on this land! Would to God that professing believers were not chargeable with them, as well as others. The Sabbath is holy time, and must be spent scrupulously in acts of religion, works of necessity, and exercises of charity. It is utterly unlawful on this day to attend to our temporal employments, or partake of those temporal pleasures which are lawful and proper in the week. On this subject Christians cannot cherish too tender a conscience, for he who suffers wordly concern to supersede his attention to the duties of the Sabbath, will soon feel the effects in his religious state. Thus also, he who during the week neglects the regular worship of God in his family, on account of his worldly occupation, will suffer. They need not interfere. Each is entitled to a place in our attention; but each in due order, God first, then the world: the world in subordination to God.

Thus Lydia acted; she attended to her occupation, and she worshipped God. On the present occasion she had met with the other women, for observing the Sabbath day, as commanded. To her, as to the others, the disciples spake. Paul was here, we find

from the 15th v. as usual, the chief speaker. Though, like one born out of due time, he was admirably qualified by the Holy Spirit to preach Christ. He could adapt his instructions to the humblest and feeblest, as well as raise them to the level of the mightiest intellect, and the most extensive erudition. He shone in the Areopagus in Athens; made Felix tremble on his judgment seat in Cesarea, and constrained an apostate Jewish King to exclaim, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. This was the man who exerted all his powers now for the benefit of the devout women of Philippi, assembled in the oratory on the river side. And the Lord accompanied his preaching with a blessing to Lydia. She only is mentioned on this occasion. Her heart was opened by the Lord.

The manner of expression used is significant and instructive. We are taught,

First, that Lydia's heart was closed to the truth of God by nature. She was an externally devout woman, who attended to the duties of religion; but her heart was the seat of enmity against God. Such is the condition of every one previous to regeneration.

Every thing evil is cherished in the heart; every thing truly good is excluded. Pride, prejudice, the love of sin, and the love of the world, all operate as keepers of the heart, to secure it against the reception of Christ. Nor must we omit unbelief, that crowning sin of our nature. Unbelief of God's threatening made our first parents transgress God's command; unbelief of God's gracious offer of pardon keeps sinners from salvation and heaven. By this sin the heart is barred against the word preached, against judgments and mercies in providence, against the remonstrances of conscience.

Secondly, To open the heart, Almighty power is necessary. The Lord opened Lydia's heart. She had not the inclination naturally to open her heart; and when she felt the inclination, found herself unable to do it.

Every convinced sinner feels this truth; a truth taught us as with a sun-beam in the Scriptures. We are described as dead in trespasses and sins; as helpless and under the curse. From this state we cannot, by our own exertions, deliver ourselves: Can a lame man walk straight, or a blind man