N03023:172
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.
No Man when he buildeth his House, makes the principal parts thereof, of weak and feeble Timber: (For how could such bear up the rest?) but of great and able Wood. Christ Jesus also goeth this way to work, he makes of the biggest Sinners, Bearers and Supporters to the Rest. This then may serve for another Reason, why Christ Jesus gives out in Commandment, that Mercy should in the first place be offered to the biggest sinners, because such when converted, are usually the best help in Churches against Temptation, and fittest for the support of the feeble minded there.
Sixthly, Another Reason, why Jesus Christ would have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners is, Because they when converted▪ are apt to love him most.
This agrees both with the Scripture and Reason. Scripture says so. To whom ⟨p. 51⟩much is forgiven, the same loveth much; to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little, Luke 7.47. Reason says so. For as it would be the Unreasonablest thing in the World, to render Hatred for Love, and Contempt for Forgiveness; so it would be Ridiculous to think that reception of a little kindness, should lay the same obligations upon the Heart to love, as the reception of a great deal. I would not disparage the Love of Christ; I know the least dram of it, when it reaches to Forgiveness is great above all the World; but comparatively, there is greater extensions of the Love of Christ to one, than to another: He that has most Sin, if forgiven, is partaker of the greatest Love, of the greatest Forgiveness.
This agrees both with the Scripture and Reason. Scripture says so. To whom