John 3:20-21 For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.… Some persons accuse us poor preachers of disturbing the minds of our hearers, when persons are alarmed under the ministry of the gospel. The very purpose for which it was sent was to alarm men's minds; and it fails altogether when it does not alarm. When the ministry of the gospel alarms the sinner, he sees its workings going on in his bosom; it comes out before his friends and companions; they ask him why he should sacrifice himself to that sort of teaching which disturbs and agitates him? Why, my friends, we do not bring the things there that are discovered — it is the light that reveals them; they were all there before — it is the light that falls upon things — and then they appear in a very different manner; and the ministry of the gospel is designed and constituted to make the darkness light, to convince the sinner and to awaken the impenitent. Parallel Verses KJV: For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. |
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