John 4:19 The woman said to him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. General discourses are like the beams of the sun dispersed in the air; they may warm us a little, but that is all. Conviction is like a burning glass, that gathers all the beams into one point or centre, and fastens them upon the soul, and so kindles and inflames it... It is not the flourishing or brandishing of a sword in the air that will wound or pierce, but the stroke of the weapon must be brought home to the body, or no wound will be given... While Nathan kept aloof in a general discourse and told him a parable, David was never troubled with the sense of his sin, never suspected it concerned him; but when he closed with him and told him, "Thou art the man," then David's heart smote him; he cries out of his sin, and sues for mercy This is the preaching that Solomon commends, "The words of the wise are like goads," that must be run into the flesh, as nails driven up to the head, fastened and riveted into the soul of a sinner (Ecclesiastes 12:10, 11; Acts 2:37; Colossians 1:28; Hebrews 4:12). (Bp. Brownrig.) Parallel Verses KJV: The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.WEB: The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. |
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