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

Seventhly, Christ Jesus would have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners, because Grace when it is received by such, finds matter to kindle upon more freely such, it finds in other Sinners. Great Sinners are like great Candles, which burns best, and shines with biggest Light? I lay not this down, as I did those Reasons before, to show that when great Sinners are converted, they will be Encouragement to others, tho' that is true; but to show that Christ has a delight to see the Grace we receive, to shine. We love to see things that bear a Gloss, yea we choose to buy such kind of Matter to work upon, as will if wrought up to what we intend, cast that Lustre that we desire. Candles that burn not bright, we like not; Wood that is green will rather smother and sputter, and flounce, then cast a brave light and pleasant Heat. Wherefore great Folks care not much, not so much for such kind of things, as for them that will better answer their ends.

Seventhly, Christ Jesus would have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners, because Grace when it is received by such, finds matter to kindle upon more freely such, it finds in other Sinners. Great Sinners are like great Candles, which burns best, and shines with biggest Light? I lay not this down, as I did those Reasons before, to shew that when great Sinners are converted, they will be Encouragement to others, tho' that is true; but to shew that Christ has a delight to see the Grace we receive, to shine. We love to see things that bear a Gloss, yea we chuse to buy such kind of Matter to work upon, as will if wrought up to what we intend, cast that Lustre that we desire. Candles that burn not bright, we like not; Wood that is green will rather smother and sputter, and flounce, then cast a brave light and pleasant Heat. Wherefore great Folks care not much, not so much for such kind of things, as for them that will better answer their ends.

Hence Christ desires the biggest Sinners, in them there is Matter to work by, to wit, a great deal of Sin; for as by the Tallow of the Candle, the Fire takes occasion to burn the brighter; so by the Sin of the Soul, Grace takes occasion to shine the clearer. Little Candles shine but little, for there wanteth matter for the Fire to work upon; but in the great Sinner, here is more matter for Grace to work by. Faith shines, when it worketh towards Christ, through' the sides of many and great Transgressors; and so does Love, for that much is forgiven and what matter can be found in the Soul for Humility to work by, so well as by a sight, that I have been and am an abominable Sinner? And the same is to be said of Patience, Meekness, Gentleness and self-denial, or of any other Grace. Grace takes Occasion by the vileness of the Man to shine the more; even as by the ruggedness of a very strong Distemper, or Disease, the virtue of the Medicine is the best made manifest. Where Sin abounds, Grace much more abounds,