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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<strong>the</strong>m, <strong>or</strong> that was cast out from bef<strong>or</strong>e <strong>the</strong>m: but when God converted<br />
him, <strong>the</strong> whole land was ref<strong>or</strong>med. Down went <strong>the</strong> groves, <strong>the</strong> idols,<br />
and altars <strong>of</strong> Baal, and up went true religion in much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> power and<br />
purity <strong>of</strong> it. You will say, <strong>The</strong> king ref<strong>or</strong>med <strong>by</strong> power. I answer,<br />
doubtless, and <strong>by</strong> example too; f<strong>or</strong> people observe <strong>the</strong>ir leaders; as <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>rs did, so did <strong>the</strong>y; 2 Chron. xxxiii. 2.<br />
This, <strong>the</strong>ref<strong>or</strong>e, is ano<strong>the</strong>r reason why Jesus would have mercy <strong>of</strong>fered<br />
in <strong>the</strong> first place to <strong>the</strong> biggest sinners, because that is <strong>the</strong> best way, if<br />
<strong>the</strong>y receive it, most to weaken <strong>the</strong> kingdom <strong>of</strong> Satan, and to keep it<br />
po<strong>or</strong> and low.<br />
And do you not think now, that if God would but take hold <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hearts<br />
<strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most not<strong>or</strong>ious in your town, in your family, <strong>or</strong> country,<br />
that this thing would be verified bef<strong>or</strong>e your faces? It would, it would,<br />
to <strong>the</strong> joy <strong>of</strong> you that are godly, to <strong>the</strong> making <strong>of</strong> hell to sigh, to <strong>the</strong> great<br />
suppressing <strong>of</strong> sin, <strong>the</strong> gl<strong>or</strong>y <strong>of</strong> Christ, and <strong>the</strong> joy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> angels <strong>of</strong> God.<br />
And ministers should, <strong>the</strong>ref<strong>or</strong>e, that this w<strong>or</strong>k might go on, take<br />
advantages to persuade with <strong>the</strong> biggest sinners to come into Christ,<br />
acc<strong>or</strong>ding to my text, and <strong>the</strong>ir commissions; “Beginning at <strong>Jerusalem</strong>.”<br />
Fifthly, Jesus Christ would have mercy <strong>of</strong>fered, in <strong>the</strong> first place, to <strong>the</strong><br />
biggest sinners; because such, when converted, are usually <strong>the</strong> best<br />
helps in <strong>the</strong> church against temptations, and fittest f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong> supp<strong>or</strong>t <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> feeble-minded <strong>the</strong>re. Hence, usually, you have some such in <strong>the</strong><br />
first plantation <strong>of</strong> churches, <strong>or</strong> quickly upon it. Churches would do but<br />
s<strong>or</strong>rily, if Christ Jesus did not put such converts among <strong>the</strong>m: <strong>the</strong>y are<br />
<strong>the</strong> monuments and mirr<strong>or</strong>s <strong>of</strong> mercy. <strong>The</strong> very sight <strong>of</strong> such a sinner<br />
in God’s house, yea, <strong>the</strong> very thought <strong>of</strong> him, where <strong>the</strong> sight <strong>of</strong> him<br />
cannot be had, is <strong>of</strong>ttimes greatly f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> faith <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> feeble.<br />
“When <strong>the</strong> churches (said Paul) that were in Judea, heard this<br />
concerning me, that he which persecuted <strong>the</strong>m in time past, now<br />
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