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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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See here, he first <strong>by</strong> w<strong>or</strong>king gets himself a fame, a name, and renown,<br />

and now men take encouragement, and bring from all quarters <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

diseased to him, being helped, <strong>by</strong> what <strong>the</strong>y had heard, to believe that<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir diseased should be healed.<br />

Now, as he did with those outward cures, so he does in <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>fers <strong>of</strong><br />

his grace and mercy: he pr<strong>of</strong>fers that in <strong>the</strong> first place to <strong>the</strong> biggest<br />

sinners, that o<strong>the</strong>rs may take heart to come to him to be saved. I will<br />

give you a scripture <strong>or</strong> two, I mean to show you that Christ, <strong>by</strong><br />

commanding that his mercy should in <strong>the</strong> first place be <strong>of</strong>fered to <strong>the</strong><br />

biggest <strong>of</strong> sinners, has a design <strong>the</strong>re<strong>by</strong> to encourage and provoke<br />

o<strong>the</strong>rs to come also to him f<strong>or</strong> mercy.<br />

“God,” saith Paul, “who is rich in mercy, f<strong>or</strong> his great love wherewith he<br />

loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />

with Christ (<strong>by</strong> grace ye are saved); and hath raised us up toge<strong>the</strong>r, and<br />

made us sit toge<strong>the</strong>r in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” But why did he<br />

do all this? “That in <strong>the</strong> ages to come he might shew <strong>the</strong> exceeding<br />

riches <strong>of</strong> his grace in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus;”<br />

Eph. ii. 4–7.<br />

See, here is a design; God lets out his mercy to Ephesus <strong>of</strong> design, even<br />

to shew to <strong>the</strong> ages to come <strong>the</strong> exceeding riches <strong>of</strong> his grace, in his<br />

kindness to <strong>the</strong>m through Christ Jesus. And why to shew <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong>se <strong>the</strong><br />

exceeding riches <strong>of</strong> his grace to <strong>the</strong> ages to come, through Christ Jesus,<br />

but to allure <strong>the</strong>m, and <strong>the</strong>ir children also, to come to him, and to<br />

partake <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same grace through Christ Jesus?<br />

But what was Paul, and <strong>the</strong> Ephesian sinners? (<strong>of</strong> Paul we will speak<br />

anon). <strong>The</strong>se Ephesian sinners, <strong>the</strong>y were men dead in sins, men that<br />

walked acc<strong>or</strong>ding to <strong>the</strong> dictates and motions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> devil; w<strong>or</strong>shippers<br />

<strong>of</strong> Diana, that effeminate goddess; men far <strong>of</strong>f from God, aliens and<br />

strangers to all good things; such as were far <strong>of</strong>f from that, as I said, and<br />

Page<br />

26 <strong>of</strong> 106

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