that suffer us not, we ought to submit and believe to be for the best. People greatly need help for
their souls, it is their duty to look out for it, and to invite those among them who can help them.
And God's calls must be complied with readily. A solemn assembly the worshippers of God must
have, if possible, upon the sabbath day. If we have not synagogues, we must be thankful for more
private places, and resort to them; not forsaking the assembling together, as our opportunities are.
Among the hearers of Paul was a woman, named Lydia. She had an honest calling, which the
historian notices to her praise. Yet though she had a calling to mind, she found time to improve
advantages for her soul. It will not excuse us from religious duties, to say, We have a trade to mind;
for have not we also a God to serve, and souls to look after? Religion does not call us from our
business in the world, but directs us in it. Pride, prejudice, and sin shut out the truths of God, till
his grace makes way for them into the understanding and affections; and the Lord alone can open
the heart to receive and believe his word. We must believe in Jesus Christ; there is no coming to
God as a Father, but by the Son as Mediator.
Verses 16–24
Satan, though the father of lies, will declare the most important truths, when he can thereby
serve his purposes. But much mischief is done to the real servants of Christ, by unholy and false
preachers of the gospel, who are confounded with them by careless observers. Those who do good
by drawing men from sin, may expect to be reviled as troublers of the city. While they teach men
to fear God, to believe in Christ, to forsake sin, and to live godly lives, they will be accused of
teaching bad customs.
Verses 25–34
The consolations of God to his suffering servants are neither few nor small. How much more
happy are true Christians than their prosperous enemies! As in the dark, so out of the depths, we
may cry unto God. No place, no time is amiss for prayer, if the heart be lifted up to God. No trouble,
however grievous, should hinder us from praise. Christianity proves itself to be of God, in that it
obliges us to be just to our own lives. Paul cried aloud to make the jailer hear, and to make him
heed, saying, Do thyself no harm. All the cautions of the word of God against sin, and all appearances
of it, and approaches to it, have this tendency. Man, woman, do not ruin thyself; hurt not thyself,
and then none else can hurt thee; do not sin, for nothing but that can hurt thee. Even as to the body,
we are cautioned against the sins which do harm to that. Converting grace changes people's language
of and to good people and good ministers. How serious the jailer's inquiry! His salvation becomes
his great concern; that lies nearest his heart, which before was furthest from his thoughts. It is his
own precious soul that he is concerned about. Those who are thoroughly convinced of sin, and truly
concerned about their salvation, will give themselves up to Christ. Here is the sum of the whole
gospel, the covenant of grace in a few words; Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved, and thy house. The Lord so blessed the word, that the jailer was at once softened and humbled.
He treated them with kindness and compassion, and, professing faith in Christ, was baptized in that
name, with his family. The Spirit of grace worked such a strong faith in them, as did away further
doubt; and Paul and Silas knew by the Spirit, that a work of God was wrought in them. When
sinners are thus converted, they will love and honour those whom they before despised and hated,