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

was healed; for we read that Christ healed him, but we read not then
that he healed one more there! John v. 1–10.
Wherefore, if thou wouldst soonest be served, put in thy name among
the very worst of sinners. Say, when thou art upon thy knees, Lord,
here is a Jerusalem sinner! a sinner of the biggest size! one whose
burden is of the greatest bulk and heaviest weight! one that cannot
stand long without sinking into hell, without thy supporting hand! “Be
not thou far from me, O Lord! O my strength, haste thou to help me!”
I say, put in thy name with Magdalen, with Manasseh, that thou mayst
fare as the Magdalen and the Manasseh sinners do. The man in the
gospel made the desperate condition of his child an argument with
Christ to haste his cure: “Sir, come down,” saith he, “ere my child die;”
John iv. 49, and Christ regarded his haste, saying, “Go thy way; thy son
liveth;” ver. 50. Haste requires haste. David was for speed; “Deliver me
speedily;” “Hear me speedily;” “Answer me speedily;” Psalm xxxi. 2;
lxix. 17; cii. 2. But why speedily? I am in “the net;” “I am in trouble;”
“My days are consumed like smoke;” Psalm xxxi. 4; lxix. 17; cii. 3. Deep
calleth unto deep, necessity calls for help; great necessity for present
help.
Wherefore, I say, be ruled by me in this matter; feign not thyself
another man, if thou hast been a filthy sinner, but go in thy colors to
Jesus Christ, and put thyself among the most vile, and let him alone to
put thee among the children; Jer. iii. 19. Confess all that thou knowest
of thyself; I know thou wilt find it hard work to do thus; especially if thy
mind be legal; but do it, lest thou stay and be deferred with the little
sinners, until the great ones have had their alms. What do you think
David intended when he said, his wounds stunk and were corrupted,
but to hasten God to have mercy upon him, and not to defer his cure?
“Lord,” says he, “I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning
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