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 Ecc_12:10-11; Act_2:37; Col_1:28; Heb_4:12). (Bp. Brownrig.)
Sinners avoid the truth
I could not help smiling as I read the next passage. She is making a wild attempt to get away, to get off the hook. She tries to draw a red-herring across the scent by bringing up that old religious squabble. Just like you: you will go home, some of you, and take me to dinner, while I call God and your conscience to witness that I have struck you between the eyes. Yes, you will talk about me, not about your sin; you will come near to calling me coarse, thou coarsest sinner out of hell, that lovest thy sin! Have a care, my friend. (John McNeill.)
