N03023:243
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.
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.
Should thou hear a Man say, I am resolved to be kind to the Poor, and should begin giving with handfuls of Guineas, you would conclude that either he is wonderful rich, or must straighten his Hand, or will soon be at the bottom of his Riches: Why this is the case, Christ at his Resurrection gave it out that would be good to the World; and first sends to the biggest Sinners, with an intent to have Mercy on them. Now the biggest Sinner cannot be saved but by an abundance of Grace; tis not a little that will save great Sinners, Rom. 5.17. And I say again, since the Lord Jesus amounts thus high at the first, and sends to the Jerusalem sinners, that they may come at first to partake of his Mercy; ⟨p. 83⟩it follows that either he has unsearchable Riches of Grace and worth in himself, or else he must straighten his Hand; or his Grace and Merits will be spent before the World's at an end. But let it be believed, as surely as spoken, he is still as full as ever! He is not a jot the poorer, of all the Forgiveness that he has given away to great Sinners; also he is still as free as at first, for he never yet called back this Word, Begin at the Jerusalem sinners. And as I said since his Grace is extended according to the worth of his Merits, I conclude that there is the same virtue in his merits to save now, as there was at the very beginning.
O the Riches of the Grace of Christ! Oh the Riches of the Blood of Christ!
Thirdly, Would Jesus Christ have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners, then here is Encouragement for you that think, for wicked Hearts and Lives, you have not your fellows in the World; yet to come to him.