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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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Now, we have obligation sufficient thus to do, f<strong>or</strong> that our L<strong>or</strong>d loved us,<br />

and gave himself f<strong>or</strong> us, to deliver us from death, that we might live<br />

through him.<br />

<strong>The</strong> w<strong>or</strong>ld, when <strong>the</strong>y hear <strong>the</strong> doctrine that I have asserted and<br />

handled in this little book; to wit, that Jesus Christ would have mercy<br />

<strong>of</strong>fered in <strong>the</strong> first place to <strong>the</strong> biggest sinners, will be apt, because<br />

<strong>the</strong>mselves are unbelievers, to think that this is a doctrine that leads to<br />

looseness, and that gives liberty to <strong>the</strong> flesh; but if you that believe love<br />

your brethren and your neighb<strong>or</strong>s truly, and as you should, you will put<br />

to silence <strong>the</strong> ign<strong>or</strong>ance <strong>of</strong> such foolish men, and stop <strong>the</strong>ir mouths<br />

from speaking evil <strong>of</strong> you.<br />

And, I say, let <strong>the</strong> love <strong>of</strong> Christ constrain us to this. Who deserveth our<br />

heart, our mouth, our life, our goods, so much as Jesus Christ, who has<br />

bought us to himself <strong>by</strong> his blood, to this very end, that we should be a<br />

peculiar people, zealous <strong>of</strong> good w<strong>or</strong>ks?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is nothing m<strong>or</strong>e seemly in <strong>the</strong> w<strong>or</strong>ld, than to see a Christian walk<br />

as becomes <strong>the</strong> Gospel; n<strong>or</strong> any thing m<strong>or</strong>e unbecoming a reasonable<br />

creature, than to hear a man say, I believe in Christ, and yet see in his<br />

life debauchery and pr<strong>of</strong>aneness. Might I, such men should be counted<br />

<strong>the</strong> basest <strong>of</strong> men; such men should be counted <strong>by</strong> all unw<strong>or</strong>thy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

name <strong>of</strong> a Christian, and should be shunned <strong>by</strong> every good man, as such<br />

who are <strong>the</strong> very plague <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>ession.<br />

F<strong>or</strong> so it is written, we should carry it towards <strong>the</strong>m. Whoso have a<br />

f<strong>or</strong>m <strong>of</strong> godliness, and deny <strong>the</strong> power <strong>the</strong>re<strong>of</strong>, from such we must turn<br />

away.<br />

It has <strong>of</strong>ttimes come into my mind to ask, <strong>by</strong> what means it is that <strong>the</strong><br />

gospel pr<strong>of</strong>ession should be so tainted with loose and carnal<br />

gospellers? and I could never arrive to better satisfaction in <strong>the</strong> matter<br />

Page<br />

91 <strong>of</strong> 106

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