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

time; but he who standeth out, or goeth on in rebellion beyond that
time, is like to come off with the loss of his soul; 2 Cor. vi. 2; Heb. iii. 13,
16, 17, 18, 19; chap. iv. 7; Luke xix. 41, 42.
Since, therefore, things are thus, it may be convenient here to touch a
little upon these particulars.
First, That this day, or time thus limited, when it is considered with
reference to this or that man, is ofttimes undiscerned by the person
concerned therein, and always is kept secret as to the shutting up
thereof.
And this, in the wisdom of God, is thus to the end; no man, when called
upon, should put off turning to God to another time. Now, and to-day,
is that and only that which is revealed in holy writ; Psal. 1. 22; Eccles. xii.
1; Heb. iii. 13, 16.
And this shews us the desperate hazards which those men run, who
when invitation or conviction attends them, put off turning to God to be
saved till another, and, as they think, a more fit season and time. For
many, by so doing, defer this to do till the day of God’s patience and
long-suffering is ended; and then, for their prayers and cries after
mercy, they receive nothing but mocks, and are laughed at by the God
of heaven; Prov. i. 20–30; Isaiah lxv. 12–16; chap. lxvi. 4; Zech. xii. 11–13.
Secondly, Another thing to be considered is this, viz. that the day of
God’s grace with some men begins sooner, and also sooner ends than it
doth with others. Those at the first hour of the day, had their call
sooner than they who were called upon to turn to God at the sixth hour
of the day; yea, and they who were hired at the third hour, had their call
sooner than they who were called at the eleventh; Matt. xx. 1–6.
1. The day of God’s patience began with Ishmael, and also ended before
he was twenty years old. At thirteen years of age he was circumcised;
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