They will call the light darkness
It is true, people who love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil (John 3:19), will take all possible pains to prove that the light which is in you is darkness (Matthew 6:23). They will say evil, every kind of evil, falsely, of the good which is in you. They will lay to your charge that which is farthest from your thoughts, which is the very reverse of all you are and all you do. And your patient continuance in well-doing (Romans 2:7), your meek suffering of all things for the Lord's sake, your calm, humble joy in the midst of persecution, your unwearied labor to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21), will make you still more visible and conspicuous than you were before.
1771 text
3. It is true, men who love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil, will take all possible pains to prove, that the light which is in you is darkness. They will say evil, all manner of evil, falsely, of the good which is in you: they will lay to your charge that which is farthest from your thoughts, which is the very reverse of all you are and all you do. And your patient continuance in well-doing, your meek suffering all things for the Lord’s sake, your calm, humble joy in the midst of persecution, your unwearied labour to overcome evil with good, will make you still more visible and conspicuous than ye were before.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 24 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:13-16.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.