The Jerusalem-sinner saved, or, Good news for the vilest of men being a help…

But was there not something of moment in this Clause of the Commission? Did not Peter, think you, see a great deal in it, that he should thus begin with ⟨p. 17⟩these men, and thus offer, so particularly, this Grace to each particular man of them?

But, as I told you, This is not all. These Jerusalem-sinners must have this offer again and again; Every one of them, must be offered it over and over. Christ would not take their first rejection for a denial; nor their second repulse for a denial: But he will have Grace offered once, and twice, and thrice, to these Jerusalem-sinners. Is not this amazing Grace! Christ will not be put off. These are the Sinners, that are sinners indeed. They are Sinners of the biggest sort, consequently such as Christ can, if they convert and be saved, best serve his ends and designs upon. Of which more anon.

But what a pitch of Grace is this! Christ is minded to amaze the World, and to show that he acteth not like the Children of men. This is that which he said of old, I will not execute the fierceness of my wrath, I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God and not Man, Hos. 11.9. This is not the manner of Men; Men are shorter winded; Men are soon moved to take Vengeance, and to right themselves in a way of Wrath and Indignation ⟨p. 18⟩But God is full of Grace, full of Patience, ready to Forgive, and one that delights in Mercy. All this is seen in our Text. The biggest sinners must First be offered Mercy. They must, I say, have the Cream of the Gospel offered. unto them.