Luke 15:1-2 Then drew near to him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.… "Mr. Whitfield," said Lady Huntingdon, "these ladies have been preferring a very heavy charge against you. They say that in your sermon last night you made use of this expression: "So ready is Christ to receive sinners who come to Him, that He is willing to receive the devil's castaways." Mr. Whitfield pleaded guilty to the charge, and told them of the following circumstance. "A wretched woman came to me this morning, and said: ' Sir, I was passing the door of your chapel, and hearing the voice of some one preaching, I did what I have never been in the habit of doing, I went in I and one of the first things I heard you say was that Jesus would receive willingly the devil's castaways. Sir, I have been in the town for many years, and am so worn out in his service, that I may with truth be called one of the devil's castaways. Do you think that Jesus would receive me? "I," said Mr. Whitfield, "assured her that there was not a doubt of it, if she was willing to go to Him." From the sequel it appeared that this was a case of true conversion, and Lady Huntingdon was assured that the woman left a very charming testimony behind her, that though her sins had been of a crimson hue, the atoning blood of Christ had washed them white as snow. Parallel Verses KJV: Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.WEB: Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. |
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