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The Jerusalem Sinner Saved; or Good News for the Vilest of Men by John Bunyan 1689

An encouraging book for those who feel guilty about their sins. It is a wonderful reminder that Christ's grace to his people knows no bounds and that his power to save even the worst sinner is not limited. "I have been vile myself, but I have obtained mercy; and I would have my companions in sin partake of mercy too: and therefore, I have writ this little book." Thus wrote John Bunyan about this unique gem. The premise of this book is that Jesus wanted his disciples to proclaim the gospel to the worst of sinners - those in Jerusalem who crucified their Messiah. To Bunyan's mind, this was the worst possible sin. The apostles were to begin there, with these worst of sinners, because, in Christ's eyes, they had the greatest need. Also, when they believed in Christ, his name would receive the greatest fame, and thus others would be encouraged to come to Christ. The kingdom of Satan would then be weakened, and the tempted and the weak would be helped. Further, the greatest sinners would love Christ the most when saved, and those who refused to repent would be left with no excuse. To Bunyan's way of thinking, this command to preach the gospel to "Jerusalem sinners" shows the gracious intentions of Christ toward men and his sufficiency to save the worst of sinners, and gives encouragement to those who think that their sin is too great to be forgiven.

An encouraging book for those who feel guilty about their sins. It is a wonderful reminder that Christ's grace to his people knows no bounds and that his power to save even the worst sinner is not limited.
"I have been vile myself, but I have obtained mercy; and I would have my companions in sin partake of mercy too: and therefore, I have writ this little book." Thus wrote John Bunyan about this unique gem.
The premise of this book is that Jesus wanted his disciples to proclaim the gospel to the worst of sinners - those in Jerusalem who crucified their Messiah. To Bunyan's mind, this was the worst possible sin. The apostles were to begin there, with these worst of sinners, because, in Christ's eyes, they had the greatest need. Also, when they believed in Christ, his name would receive the greatest fame, and thus others would be encouraged to come to Christ. The kingdom of Satan would then be weakened, and the tempted and the weak would be helped. Further, the greatest sinners would love Christ the most when saved, and those who refused to repent would be left with no excuse. To Bunyan's way of thinking, this command to preach the gospel to "Jerusalem sinners" shows the gracious intentions of Christ toward men and his sufficiency to save the worst of sinners, and gives encouragement to those who think that their sin is too great to be forgiven.

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prevailed;” Acts xix. 19, 20. It wrenched out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> clutches <strong>of</strong> Satan<br />

some <strong>of</strong> those <strong>of</strong> whom he thought himself most sure.<br />

“So mightily grew <strong>the</strong> w<strong>or</strong>d <strong>of</strong> God.” It grew mightily, it encroached<br />

upon <strong>the</strong> kingdom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> devil. It pursued him, and took <strong>the</strong> prey; it<br />

f<strong>or</strong>ced him to let go his hold: it brought away captive, as prisoners taken<br />

<strong>by</strong> f<strong>or</strong>ce <strong>of</strong> arms, some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most valiant <strong>of</strong> his army: it fetched back<br />

from, as it were, <strong>the</strong> confines <strong>of</strong> hell, some <strong>of</strong> those that were his most<br />

trusty, and that with hell had been at an agreement: it made <strong>the</strong>m come<br />

and confess <strong>the</strong>ir deeds, and burn <strong>the</strong>ir books bef<strong>or</strong>e all men: “So<br />

mightily grew <strong>the</strong> w<strong>or</strong>d <strong>of</strong> God, and prevailed.”<br />

Thus, <strong>the</strong>ref<strong>or</strong>e, you see why Christ will have mercy <strong>of</strong>fered in <strong>the</strong> first<br />

place to <strong>the</strong> biggest sinners; <strong>the</strong>y have most need <strong>the</strong>re<strong>of</strong>; and this is <strong>the</strong><br />

most ready way to extol his name that rideth upon <strong>the</strong> heavens to our<br />

help. But,<br />

Thirdly, Christ Jesus would have mercy <strong>of</strong>fered in <strong>the</strong> first place to <strong>the</strong><br />

biggest sinners, because <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir f<strong>or</strong>giveness and salvation, o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />

hearing <strong>of</strong> it, will be encouraged <strong>the</strong> m<strong>or</strong>e to come to him f<strong>or</strong> life.<br />

F<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong> physician, <strong>by</strong> curing <strong>the</strong> most desperate at <strong>the</strong> first, doth not<br />

only get himself a name, but begets encouragement in <strong>the</strong> minds <strong>of</strong><br />

o<strong>the</strong>r diseased folk to come to him f<strong>or</strong> help. Hence you read <strong>of</strong> our<br />

L<strong>or</strong>d, that after, through his tender mercy, he had cured many <strong>of</strong> great<br />

diseases, his fame was spread abroad, “<strong>The</strong>y brought unto him all sick<br />

people that were taken with divers diseases and t<strong>or</strong>ments, and those<br />

which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and<br />

those that had <strong>the</strong> palsy, and he healed <strong>the</strong>m. And <strong>the</strong>re followed him<br />

great multitudes <strong>of</strong> people from Galilee, and Decapolis, and <strong>Jerusalem</strong>,<br />

and Judea, and from beyond J<strong>or</strong>dan;” Matt. iv. 24, 25.<br />

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25 <strong>of</strong> 106

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