N03023:146
The Jerusalem-sinner saved: or, Good news for the vilest of men, being a help…
The Jerusalem-sinner saved: or, Good news for the vilest of men, being a help for despairing souls: showing that Jesus Christ would have mercy in the first place offered to the biggest sinners. : In which is added, an answer to those grand objections that lie in the ways of them that would believe: for the comfort of those that fear they have sinned against the Holy Ghost / by John Bunyan of Bedford.The Jerusalem-sinner saved: or, Good news for the vilest of men, being a help for despairing souls: shewing that Jesus Christ would have mercy in the first place offered to the biggest sinners. : In which is added, an answer to those grand objections that lie in the ways of them that would believe: for the comfort of those that fear they have sinned against the Holy Ghost / by John Bunyan of Bedford.
Boston: printed for J. Edwards and H. Foster, 1733
Title page typeset from the transcription.
GOOD NEWS For the Vilest of Men: OR A Help for Despairing SOULS.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Wherefore do you think was it that Jesus Christ told the Adulterous Woman, and that before so many Sinners, that he had not condemned her, but to allure her with them there present, to hope to find Favour at his Hand? (As he also saith in another place: I came not to judges, but to save the World) for might they not thence most rationally conclude that if Jesus Christ had rather, save then damn an Harlot, there was encouragement for them to come to him for Mercy.
I heard once a Story from a Soldier, who with his Company had laid Siege against a Fort, that so long as the Besieged were persuaded their Foes would show them no Favour, they fought like Mad men; but ⟨p. 41⟩when they saw one of their Fellows taken, and received to Favour, they all came tumbling down from their Fortress: And delivered themselves into their Enemies Hands.
I heard once a Story from a Souldier, who with his Company had laid Siege against a Fort, that so long as the Besieged were perswaded their Foes would shew them no Favour, they fought like Mad men; but ⟨p. 41⟩when they saw one of their Fellows taken, and received to Favour, they all came tumbling down from their Fortress: And delivered themselves into their Enemies Hands.
I am persuaded, did Men believe that there is that Grace & Willingness in the Heart of Christ to save Sinners, as the Word imports there is, they would come tumbling into his Arms: But Satan has blinded their Minds, they cannot see this thing, Howbeit the Lord Jesus has, as I said, that others take Heart and come to him, given out a Commandment that Mercy should in the first place be offered to the biggest Sinners. Begin saith he, at Jerusalem. And thus I end the third Reason.