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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yet <strong>the</strong> sea gives place, and <strong>the</strong>ir enemies were as still as a stone till <strong>the</strong>y<br />
were gone over; Exod. xii. 8; chap. xiv. 13, 14, 21, 22; chap. xv. 16.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is nothing like faith to help at a pinch; faith dissolves doubts as<br />
<strong>the</strong> sun drives away <strong>the</strong> mists. And that you may not be put out, know<br />
your time, as I said, <strong>of</strong> believing it always. <strong>The</strong>re are times when some<br />
graces may be out <strong>of</strong> use, but <strong>the</strong>re is no time wherein faith can be said<br />
to be so. Wheref<strong>or</strong>e faith must be always in exercise.<br />
Faith is <strong>the</strong> eye, is <strong>the</strong> mouth, is <strong>the</strong> hand, and one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se is <strong>of</strong> use all<br />
day long. Faith is to see, to receive, to w<strong>or</strong>k, <strong>or</strong> to eat; and a Christian<br />
should be seeing <strong>or</strong> receiving, <strong>or</strong> w<strong>or</strong>king, <strong>or</strong> feeding all day long. Let it<br />
rain, let it blow, let it thunder, let it lighten, a Christian must still<br />
believe: “At what time,” said <strong>the</strong>e good man, “I am afraid, I will trust in<br />
<strong>the</strong>e;” Psal. vi. 2, 3.<br />
N<strong>or</strong> can we have a better encouragement to do this, than is <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> text<br />
set bef<strong>or</strong>e us, even an open heart f<strong>or</strong> a <strong>Jerusalem</strong> sinner. And if f<strong>or</strong> a<br />
<strong>Jerusalem</strong> sinner to come, <strong>the</strong>n f<strong>or</strong> such an one when come. If f<strong>or</strong> such<br />
a one to be saved, <strong>the</strong>n f<strong>or</strong> such a one that is saved. If f<strong>or</strong> such a one to<br />
be pardoned his great transgressions, <strong>the</strong>n f<strong>or</strong> such a one who is<br />
pardoned <strong>the</strong>se, to come daily to Jesus Christ, too, to be cleansed and set<br />
free from his common infirmities, and from <strong>the</strong> iniquities <strong>of</strong> his holy<br />
things.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ref<strong>or</strong>e let <strong>the</strong> po<strong>or</strong> sinner that would be saved labour f<strong>or</strong> skill to<br />
make <strong>the</strong> best improvement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> grace <strong>of</strong> Christ to help him against<br />
<strong>the</strong> temptations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> devil and his sins.<br />
Tenthly, Would Jesus Christ have mercy <strong>of</strong>fered in <strong>the</strong> first place to <strong>the</strong><br />
biggest sinners? Let those men consider this, that (have, <strong>or</strong>) may in a<br />
day <strong>of</strong> trial have spoken <strong>or</strong> done what <strong>the</strong>ir pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>or</strong> conscience<br />
Page<br />
85 <strong>of</strong> 106
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