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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myself; f<strong>or</strong> that I have been a h<strong>or</strong>rible sinner: wheref<strong>or</strong>e, if thou shalt<br />
f<strong>or</strong>give my great transgressions, I shall be a fit man to tell <strong>of</strong> thy<br />
wondrous grace to o<strong>the</strong>rs. Yea, L<strong>or</strong>d, I dare promise, that if thou wilt<br />
have mercy upon me, it shall tend to <strong>the</strong> gl<strong>or</strong>y <strong>of</strong> thy grace, and also to<br />
<strong>the</strong> increase <strong>of</strong> thy kingdom; f<strong>or</strong> I will tell it, and sinners will hear on’t.<br />
And <strong>the</strong>re is nothing so suiteth with <strong>the</strong> hearing sinner as mercy, and to<br />
be inf<strong>or</strong>med that God is willing to bestow it upon him. “I will teach<br />
transgress<strong>or</strong>s thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto <strong>the</strong>e.”<br />
N<strong>or</strong> will Christ Jesus miss <strong>of</strong> his design in pr<strong>of</strong>fering <strong>of</strong> mercy in <strong>the</strong><br />
first place to <strong>the</strong> biggest sinners. You know what w<strong>or</strong>k <strong>the</strong> L<strong>or</strong>d, <strong>by</strong><br />
laying hold <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> woman <strong>of</strong> Samaria, made among <strong>the</strong> people <strong>the</strong>re.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y knew that she was a town sinner, an adulteress, yea, one that after<br />
<strong>the</strong> most audacious manner lived in uncleanness with a man that was<br />
not her husband: but when she, from a turn upon her heart, went into<br />
<strong>the</strong> city, and said to her neighb<strong>or</strong>s, “Come,” Oh how <strong>the</strong>y came! how<br />
<strong>the</strong>y flocked out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> city to Jesus Christ! “<strong>The</strong>n <strong>the</strong>y went out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
city, and came to him.” “And many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Samaritans (people perhaps<br />
as bad as herself) believed on him, f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong> saying <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> woman, which<br />
testified, saying, he told me all that ever I did;” <strong>John</strong> iv. 39.<br />
That w<strong>or</strong>d, “He told me all that ever I did,” was a great argument with<br />
<strong>the</strong>m; f<strong>or</strong> <strong>by</strong> that <strong>the</strong>y ga<strong>the</strong>red, that though he knew her to be vile, yet<br />
he did not despise her, n<strong>or</strong> refuse to shew how willing he was to<br />
communicate his grace unto her; and this fetched over, first her, <strong>the</strong>n<br />
<strong>the</strong>m.<br />
This woman, as I said, was a Samaritan sinner, a sinner <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> w<strong>or</strong>st<br />
complexion: f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong> Jews abh<strong>or</strong>red to have ought to do with <strong>the</strong>m, ver. 9;<br />
wheref<strong>or</strong>e none m<strong>or</strong>e fit than she to be made one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> decoys <strong>of</strong><br />
heaven, to bring o<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se Samaritan wild-fowls under <strong>the</strong> net <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> grace <strong>of</strong> Christ. And she did <strong>the</strong> w<strong>or</strong>k to purpose. Many, and many<br />
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