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> sinners intended <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> text, had made <strong>the</strong>mselves guilty <strong>of</strong>. He<br />
that would be saved <strong>by</strong> Christ, has an hon<strong>or</strong>able esteem <strong>of</strong> him; but <strong>the</strong>y<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Jerusalem</strong> preferred a murderer bef<strong>or</strong>e him; but as f<strong>or</strong> him, <strong>the</strong>y<br />
cried, Away, away with him, it is not fit that he should live. Perhaps<br />
thou wilt object, That thyself hast a thousand times preferred a stinking<br />
lust bef<strong>or</strong>e him: I answer, Be it so; it is but what is common to men to<br />
do; n<strong>or</strong> doth <strong>the</strong> L<strong>or</strong>d Jesus make such a foolish life a bar to <strong>the</strong>e, to<br />
f<strong>or</strong>bid thy coming to him, <strong>or</strong> a bond to his grace, that it might be kept<br />
from <strong>the</strong>e; but admits <strong>of</strong> thy repentance, and <strong>of</strong>fereth himself unto <strong>the</strong>e<br />
freely, as thou standest among <strong>the</strong> <strong>Jerusalem</strong> sinners.<br />
Take <strong>the</strong>ref<strong>or</strong>e encouragement, man, mercy is, <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> text, held f<strong>or</strong>th to<br />
<strong>the</strong> biggest sinners; yea, put thyself into <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> w<strong>or</strong>st, <strong>by</strong><br />
reckoning that thou mayst be one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first, and mayst not be put <strong>of</strong>f<br />
till <strong>the</strong> biggest sinners are served; f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong> biggest sinners are first<br />
invited; consequently, if <strong>the</strong>y come, <strong>the</strong>y are like to be <strong>the</strong> first that shall<br />
be served. It was so with <strong>Jerusalem</strong>; <strong>Jerusalem</strong> sinners were <strong>the</strong>y that<br />
were first invited, and those <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m that came first (and <strong>the</strong>re came<br />
three thousand <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> first day <strong>the</strong>y were invited; how many came<br />
afterwards none can tell), <strong>the</strong>y were first served.<br />
Put in thy name, man, among <strong>the</strong> biggest, lest thou art made to wait till<br />
<strong>the</strong>y are served. You have some men that think <strong>the</strong>mselves very<br />
cunning, because <strong>the</strong>y put up <strong>the</strong>ir names in <strong>the</strong>ir prayers among <strong>the</strong>m<br />
that feign it, saying, God, I thank <strong>the</strong>e I am not so bad as <strong>the</strong> w<strong>or</strong>st. But<br />
believe it, if <strong>the</strong>y be saved at all, <strong>the</strong>y shall be saved in <strong>the</strong> last place.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first in <strong>the</strong>ir own eyes shall be served last; and <strong>the</strong> last <strong>or</strong> w<strong>or</strong>st<br />
shall be first. <strong>The</strong> text insinuates it, “Begin at <strong>Jerusalem</strong>;” and reason<br />
backs it, f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong>y have most need. Behold ye, <strong>the</strong>ref<strong>or</strong>e, how God’s ways<br />
are above ours; we are f<strong>or</strong> serving <strong>the</strong> w<strong>or</strong>st last, God is f<strong>or</strong> serving <strong>the</strong><br />
w<strong>or</strong>st first. <strong>The</strong> man at <strong>the</strong> pool, that to my thinking was longest in his<br />
disease, and most helpless as to his cure, was first healed; yea, he only<br />
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