The Jerusalem Sinner Saved, Application

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved · Application

p. 84The APPLICATION.

FIrst, Would Jesus Christ have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest sinners? Then this shews us how to p. 85make a right judgment of the heart of Christ to Men. Indeed we have advantage to guess at the goodness of his Heart, by many things; as by his taking our nature upon him, his dying for us, his sending his Word and Ministers to us; and all that we might be saved. But this of beginning to offer mercy to Jerusalem, is that which heightens all the rest; for this doth not only confirm to us, that Love was the cause of his dying for us, but it shews us yet more the depth of that Love: He might have dyed for us, and yet have extended the benefit of his death to a few, as one might call them, of the best-conditioned sinners, to those who (though they were weak, and so could not but sin) yet made not a trade of sinning; To those that sinned not lavishingly: There are in the World, as one may call them, the moderate Sinners; the sinners that mix Righteousness with their Pollutions; the sinners that, though they be sinners, do what on their part lies, (some that are blind would think so) that they might be saved. I say, it had been Love, great Love, if he had dyed for none but such, and sent his love to such: But p. 86that he should send out conditions of Peace to the biggest of Sinners! yea, that they should be offered to them first of all! (for so he means when he says, Begin at Jerusalem.) This is wonderful! this shows his heart to purpose, as also the heart of God his Father who sent him to do thus.

There is nothing more incident to Men that are awake in their Souls, than to have wrong thoughts of God; Thoughts that are narrow, and that pinch and pen up his Mercy to scanty and beggarly conclusions, and ridged legal conditions; supposing that it is rude and an intrenching upon his Majesty, to come our selves, or to invite others, until we have scraped and washed, and rubbed off as much of our dirt from us as we think is convenient, to make us somewhat orderly and handsome in his sight. Such never knew what these Words meant, Begin at Jerusalem. Yea, such in their hearts have compared the Father and his Son to niggardly rich Men, whose Money comes from them like drops of blood. True, says such, God has Mercy, but he is loth to part with it. You must please him well, if you get any from him: p. 87He is not so free as many suppose, nor is he so willing to save as some pretended Gospellers imagine: But I ask such, If the Father and Son be not unspeakably free to shew Mercy, why was this Clause put into our Commission to preach the Gospel? Yëa, why did he say, Begin at Jerusalem? For when men, through the weakness of their wits, have attempted to shew other reasons why they should have the first proffer of Mercy, yet I can prove (by many undeniable Reasons) that they of Jerusalem (to whom the Apostles made the First offer, according as they were commanded) were the biggest Sinners that ever did breathe upon the face of God's earth (set the unpardonable sin aside) upon which my Doctrine stands like a Rock, That Jesus the Son of God would have Mercy in the fi…st place offered to the biggest Sinners: And if this do…h not shew the heart of the Father and the Son to be infinitely free in bestowing forgiveness of Sins, I confess my self mistaken.

Neither is there, set this aside, another Argument like it, to shew us the willingness of Christ to save Sinners▪ For, as was said before, all the rest of p. 88the signs of Christ's mercifulness might have been limitted to Sinners that are so and so qualified; but when he says, Begin at Jerusalem, the Line is stretched out to the utmost, no man can imagine beyond it, and it is folly here to pinch and pare, to narrow, and seek to bring it within scanty bounds, for he plainly saith, Begin at Jerusalem. The biggest Sinner, is the biggest Sinner; the biggest is the Jerusalem-sinner.

'Tis true, he saith that Repentance and Remission of sins must go together; but yet Remission is sent no the chief, the Jerusalem sinner; nor doth Repentance lessen at all the Jerus…lem-sinners crimes; it diminisheth none of his sins, nor causes that there should be so much as half a one the fewer: It only puts a stop to the Jerusalem-sinners course, and makes him willing to be saved freely by Grace; and for time to come to be governed by that bl…ss…d Word that has brought the Tidings of good things to him.

Besides, no man sh…ws himself willing to be saved that repenteth not of his deeds, for he that goes on still in his trespasses, declares that he is resolved to pu…sue his own damnation further.

p. 89Learn then to judge of the largeness of God's heart, and of the heart of his Son J…sus Christ, by the Word: Judge not thereof by feeling, nor by the reports of thy Conscience; Conscience is oft-times here befooled and made to go quite besides the Word: 'Twas judging without the Word that made David say, I am cast off from God's eyes, and shall perish one day by the hand of Saul, Psal. 3.1.22. 1 Sam. 27.1.

The Word had told him another thing; namely, that he should be King in his stead. Our Text says also, that Jesus Ch…ist bids Preachers in their preaching Repentance and Remission of Sins, Begin first at J…rusalem; Thereby declaring most truly, the infinite largeness of the merciful heart of God and his Son, to the sinful Children of Men.

Judge thou, I say, therefore of the goodness of the heart of God and his Son, by this Text, and by other of the same import; so shalt thou not dishonour the gr…ce of God, nor needlesly fright thy self, nor give away thy Faith, nor gratifie the Devil, nor lose the benefit of his Word: I speak now to weak Believers.

p. 90Secondly, Would Jesus Christ have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners, to the Jerusalem sinners? Th…n by this also, you must learn to judge of the sufficiency of the merits of Christ; not that the Merits of Christ can be comprehended, for that they are beyond the Conceptions of the whole World, being called The unsearchable riches of Christ; but yet they may be apprehended to a considerable degree. Now the way to apprehend them most, is to consider what offers, after his Resurrection, he makes of his Grace to Sinners; for to be sure he will not offer beyond the vertue of his Merits; because as Grace is the cause of his Merits, so his Merits are the basis and bounds, upon and by which his Grace stands good, and is let out to Sinners. Doth he then command that his Mercy should be offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners? It declares that there is a sufficiency in his Blood to save the biggest Sinners. The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all Sin. And again, Be it known unto you Men and Brethren, That through this Man (this Man's Merits) is preached to you the forgiveness of Sins, and by him All that believe are justified from All things from p. 91which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses, Acts 13.38.

Observe then thy Rule to make Judgement of the Sufficiency of the blessed Merits of thy Saviour; if he had not been able to have reconciled the biggest Sinners to his Father by his Blood, he would not have sent to them; have sent to them in the first place the Doctrine of Remission of Sins; for Remission of Sins is through Faith in his Blood: We are justified freely by the Grace of God, through the Redemption that is in the Blood of Christ. Upon the square, as I may call it, of the worthiness of the Blood of Christ, Grace Acts, and offers Forgiveness of Sin to Men, Ephes. 1.7. chap. 2.13, 14. Colos. 1.20, 21, 22.

Hence therefore we must gather, That the Blood of Christ is of infinite value, for that he offereth Mercy to the biggest of Sinners: Nay further, since he offereth Mercy in the first place to the biggest Sinners; Considering also that this first act of his, is that which the World will take notice of, and expect it should be continued unto the end; Also it is a disparagement to a Man that seeks his own Glory in what he undertakes, to do that for a spurt, which he p. 92cannot continue and hold out in: This is our Lord's own Argument, He began to build, saith he, but was not able to finish, Luk. 14.28, 29, 30.

Shouldest thou hear a Man say, I am resolved to be kind to the Poor, and should begin giving with handfuls of Guinea's, you would conclude that either he is wonderful rich, or must straighten his hand, or will soon be at the bottom of his Riches. Why this is the Case, Christ at his Resurrection gave it out that he would be good to the World; and first sends to the biggest Sinners, with an intent to have Mercy on them. Now the biggest Sinners cannot be saved but by abundance of Grace, 'tis not a little that will save great sinners, Rom. 5.17. And I say again, since the Lord Jesus mounts thus high at the first, and sends to the Jerusalem-sinners, that they may come first to partake of his Mercy; it follows that either he has unsearchable Riches of Grace and Worth in himself, or else he must straighten his hand, or his Grace and Merits will be spent before the World's at an end. But let it be believed, as surely as spoken, he is still as full as ever! He is not a jot the poorer for all the Forgivenesses that he p. 93has given away to great Sinners; Also he is still as free as at first, for he never yet called back this Word, Begin at the Jerusalem-sinners. And as I said, since his Grace is extended according to the worth of his Merits; I conclude, that there is the same vertue in his Merits to save now, as there was at the very beginning.

O the Riches of the Grace of Christ! Oh the Riches of the Blood of Christ!

Thirdly, Would J…sus Christ have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest sinners, Then here is encourag…ment for you that think, for wicked hearts and lives, you have not your fellows in the World; yet to come to him.

There is a People that therefore fear lest they should be rejected of Jesus Christ, because of the greatness of their sins; when as you see here, such are sent to, sent to by Jesus Christ to come to him for Mercy; Begin at Jerusalem: Never did one thing answer another more fitly in this world, than this Text sitteth such kind of sinners. As Face answereth Face in a Glass, so this Text answereth the necessities of such sinners. What can a Man say more, but that he stands in the rank of the biggest sinners; p. 94let him stretch himself whether he can, and think of himself to the utmost, he can but conclude himself to be one of the biggest Sinners: And what then? Why the Text meets him in the very Face, and saith, Christ offereth Mercy to the biggest Sinners, to the very Jerusalem Sinners. What more can be objected? Nay, he doth not only offer to such his Mercy, but to them 'tis commanded to be off…red in the first place; Begin at Jerusalem. Preach Repentance and Remission of Sins among all Nations, beginning at Jerus…lem. Is not here incouragement for those that think, for wicked Hearts and Lives, they have not their fellows in the World?

Objection, But I have a Heart as hard as a Rock.

Answ. Well, but this doth but prove thee a biggest sinner.

Object. But my Heart continually frets against the Lord?

Answ. Well, this doth but prove thee a biggest sinner.

Object. But I have been desperate in sinful courses.

Answ. Well, stand thou with the number of the biggest sinners.

p. 95Object. But my grey Head is found in the way of wickedness?

Answ. Well thou art in the rank of the biggest sinners.

Object. But I have not only a base Heart, but I have lived a debauched Life?

Ans. Stand thou also among those that are called the biggest sinners. And what then? Why the Text swoops you all; you cannot object your selves beyond the Text: It has a particular message to the biggest sinners. I say, it swoops you all.

Object. But I am a Reprobate?

Ans. Now thou talkest like a fool, and medlest with what thou understandest not: No sin; but the sin of final impenitence, can prove a Man a Reprobate. And I am sure thou hast not arrived as yet unto that: Therefore thou understandest not what thou sayest, and makest groundless conclusions against thy self. Say thou art a Sinner, and I will hold with thee. Say thou art a great sinner, and I will say so too. Yea, say thou art one of the biggest sinners and spare not, for the Text yet is beyond thee, is yet betwixt Hell and thee; Begin at Jerusalem, has yet a smile upon thee: And thou talkest as if thou wast a Reprobate, and that the greatness of thy sins do p. 96prove thee so to be; when yet they of Jerusalem were not such, whose sins I dare say, were such, both for bigness and heinousness, as thou art not capable of committing beyond them; unless now, after thou hast received Conviction that the Lord Jesus is the only Saviour of the World, thou shouldest wickedly and despightfully turn thy self from him, and conclude he is not to be trusted to for Life, and so crucifie him for a Cheat afr…sh. This I must confess, will bring a Man under the Black rod, and set him in danger of eternal Damnation, Heb. 6.6. chap. 10.29. This is trampling under foot the Son of God, and counting his Blood an unholy thing. This did th…y of Jerusalem, but they did it ignorantly in Unbelief, and so were yet capable of Mercy: But to do this against professed Light, and to stand to it, puts a man beyond the Text indeed, Act. 3, 14, 15, l6, 17. 1 Tim. 1.13.

But I say, what is this to him, that would fain be saved by Christ? His sins did, as to greatness, never yet reach to the nature of the sins that the sinners intended by the Text, had made themselves guilty of. He that would be saved by Christ, has an honourable esteem of him, p. 97but they of Jerusalem preferred a Murderer before him; but as for him, they cried, away away with him,'tis not fit that he should live. Perhaps thou wilt object, That thy self hast a thousand times pr…ferred a stinking Lust before him. I answer, Be it so, it is but what is common to Men to do; nor doth the Lord Jesus make such a foolish Life a Barr to thee, to forbid thy coming to him, or a Bond to his Grace, that it might be kept from thee; but admits of thy Repentance, and offereth himself unto thee freely, as thou standest among the Jerusalem-sinners.

Take therefore incouragement, Man; Mercy is, by the Text, held forth to the biggest sinners. Yea, put thy self into the number of the worst by reckoning, that thou mayest be one of the first, and mayest not be put off till the biggest sinners are served: For the biggest sinners are first invited; consequently, if they come, they are like to be the first that shall be served. 'Twas so with Jerusalem; Jerus…lem-sinners were they that were first invited, and those of them that came first, (and there came three thousand of them the first day they were invited,) how m…ny came af…erwards, p. 98none can tell) thy were first served.

Put in thy Name, Man, among the biggest, lest thou art made to wait till they are served. You have some men that think themselves very cunning, because they put up their Names in their Prayers among them that feign it, saying, God, I thank thee, I am not so bad as the worst; but believe it, if they be saved at all, they shall be saved in the last place. The first in their own eyes shall be served last, and the last, or worst, shall be first. The Text insinuates it, Begin at Jerusalem; and Reason backs it, for they have most need. Behold ye therefore, how God's ways are above ours; we are for serving the worst last, God is for serving the worst first. The Man at the Pool, that to my thinking, was longest in his Disease, and most helpless as to his Cure, was first healed, yea, he only was healed; for we read that Christ healed him, but we read not then that he healed one more there, Joh. 5.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Wherefore if thou wouldst soonest …e served, put in thy Name among the very worst of sinners. Say, when thou art upon thy knees, Lord! here is Jerusalem-sinner! a sinner of the biggest size! one whose burden is of the greatest bulk p. 99and 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, hast thou to help me.

I say, put in thy Name with Magd… l…n, with Manasseh, that thou mayest fare as the Magdalen and the Manasse…-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, Joh. 4 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, Psal. 31.2. Psal. 69.17. Psal. 102.2. But why speedily? I am in the Net, I am in trouble, my days consume like smoke, Psal. 31.4. Psal. 69.17. Psal. 102.3. 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 thy self another Man, if thou hast been a filthy sinner, but go in thy colours to …esus Christ, and put thy self among the most Vile, and let him alone to put thee among the Children, p. 100Jer 3.19. Confess all that thou know…st of thy self; 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 def…rred 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, saies he, I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly, I go mourning all the day long. I am f…eble, and sore broken by reason of the disquietment of my heart, Psal. 38.3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

David knew what he did by all this, he knew that his making the worst of his Case, was the way to speedy help, and that a feigning and dissembling the matter with God, was the next way to a demurr, as to his Forgiveness.

I have one thing more to offer for thy encouragement who deemest thy self one of the biggest sinners; And that is, Thou art as it were, called by thy Name, in the first place, to come in for Mercy. Thou Man of Jerusalem, hearken to thy Call; Men do so in Courts of Judicature, and presently cry out, Here, Sir; and then they shoulder and croud, and say, p. 101Pray give way, I am called into the Court. Why, this is thy Case, thou great, thou Jerusal…m-sinner; be of good chear, he calleth thee, Mark 10.46, 47, 48, 49. Wny sittest thou still? arise; why standest thou still? Come Man. Thy Call should give thee authority to come. Begin at Jerusalem, is thy call authority to come; Wherefore up, and shoulder it, Man: Say, Stand away Devil, Christ calls me, stand away Vnbelief, Christ calls me: Stand away all ye my discouraging Apprehensions, for my Saviour calls me to him to receive of his Mercy. Men will do thus, as I said, in Courts below; and why shouldst not thou approach thus to the Court above. The Jerusalem-sinner is first in Though, first in Commission, first in the Record of Names, and therefore should give attendance with expectation, that he is first to receive Mercy of God.

Is not this an incouragement to the biggest sinners to make their Application to Christ for Mercy? Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, doth also confirm this thing, that is, that the biggest sinner, and he that has the biggest burden, is he who is first invited. Christ pointeth over the Head of thousands, as he p. 102sits on the Throne of Grace, directly to such a Man; and says, Bring in hither the maimed, the halt, and the blind; Let the Jerusalem-sinner that stands there behind, come to me. Wherefore since Christ says come, to thee, let the Angels make a lane, and let all Men give place, that the Jerusalem-sinner may come to Jesus Christ for Mercy.

Fourthly, Would Jesus Christ have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest sinners? Then come thou Profane Wretch, and let me a little enter an argument with thee; Why wilt thou not come to J…sus Christ, since thou art a Jerusalem-sinner? How canst thou find in thy heart to set thy self against Grace, against such Grace as offereth Mercy to thee? What Spirit possesseth thee, and holds thee back from a sincere closure with …hy Saviour? Behold God groaningly complains of thee, saying, But Israel would none of me. When I called, none did answer. Psal 81.11. Isa 66.4.

Shall God enter this Complaint against thee? Why dost thou put him off? why dost thou stop thine ear? Canst thou defend thy self? When thou art called to an account for thy neglects of so great Salvation, what canst thou answer? Or p. 103doest thou think thou shalt escape the Judgment? Heb. 2.3.

No more such Christs! There will be no more such Christs, sinner! Oh! put not the day, the day of Grace, away from thee! If it be once gone, 'twill never come again, Sinner.

But what is it that has got thy Heart, and that keeps it from thy Saviour? Who in the Heavens can be compared unto the Lord? Who among the Sons of the Mighty can be likened unto the Lord? Psal. 89.6. Hast thou, thinkest thou, found any thing so good as Jesus Christ? Is there any among thy Sins, thy Companions, and foolish Delights, that like Christ, can help thee in the day of thy distress? Behold, the greatness of thy sins cannot hinder; let not the stubbornness of thy Heart hinder thee, Sinner.

Objection, But I am ashamed.

Answer, Oh! don't be ashamed to be saved, Sinner.

Object. But my old Companions will mock me.

Ans. Oh! don't be mocked out of Eternal Life, Sinner.

Thy stubbornness affects, afflicts the Heart of thy Saviour. Carest thou not for this? Of old, He beheld the City, p. 104and wept over it. Canst thou hear this, and not be concerned? Luke 19.41, 42. Shall Christ weep to see thy Soul going on to destruction, and wilt thou sport thy self in That way? Yea, shall Christ, that can be eternally Happy without thee, be more afflicted at the thoughts of the loss of thy Soul, than thy self, who art certainly eternally miserable if thou neglectest to come to him?

Those things that keep thee and thy Saviour, on thy part, asunder, are but Bubbles; the least prick of an affliction, will let out, as to thee, what now thou thinkest is worth the venture of Heaven to enjoy.

Hast thou not Reason? Canst thou not so much as once soberly think of thy dyi…g hour? or of, whether thy sinful life will drive thee then? Hast thou no Conscience? or having one, is it rocked so fast asleep by Sin, or made so weary with an unsuccessful calling upon thee, that it is laid down, and cares for thee no more? Poor Man, thy state is to be lamented. Hast no Judgmemt? Art not able to conclude, that to be saved, is better than to burn in Hell; and that Eternal Life, with God's favour, is better than a Temporal Life in God's displeasure? p. 105Hast no affliction but what is bruitish? what, none at all? No affection for the God that made thee? What, none for his loving Son that has shewed his love, and dyed for thee? Is not He… ven worth thy affection? O poor Man! which is strongest, think'st thou, God or thee? If thou art not able to overcom… him, thou art a fool for standing out against him; Mat. 5.25, 26. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God. He will gripe hard, his Fift is stronger than a Lions Paw; take heed of him, he will be angry if you despise his Son; and will you stand guilty in your Trespasses, when he offereth you his Grace and Favour? Exod. 34.6, 7, … 10, 29, 30, 31.

Now we come to the Text, Beginning at Jerusalem. This Text, though, it be now one of the brightest Stars that shineth in the Bible, because there is in it, as full, if not the fullest offer of Grace that can be imagined, to the Sons of Man…, yet to them that shall perish from under this Word, even this Text will be to such, one of …he hottest Goals in Hell.

This Text therefore will save thee, or sin… thee; there is no shifting of it: p. 106If it saves thee, it will set thee high; if it sinks thee, it will set thee low.

But, I say, Why so unconcerned? Hast no Soul? Or dost think thou mayest lose thy S…ul, and save thy self? Is it not pity, had it otherwise been the Will of God that ever thou wast made a M…n, for that thou settest so little by thy Soul?

Sinner, Take the Invitation; Thou art called upon to come to Christ: Nor art thou called upon but by order from the Son of God, though thou shouldest happen to come of the biggest sinners: For he has bid us off…r Mercy, as to all the World in general, so in the first place, To the Sinners of J…rusalem; or to the biggest sinners.

Fifthly, Would Jesus Christ have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest sinners? Then this shews how unreasonable a thing it is, for men to despair of Mercy. For those that presume, I shall say something to them afterward.

I now speak to them that Despair.

There are four sorts of Despair. There is the despair of Devils; There is the despair of Souls in Hell; There is the despair that is grounded upon Mens Deficiency; p. 107And there is the despair that they are perplexed with that are willing to be saved, but are too strongly born down with the burden of their sins.

The despair of Devils, the Damneds despair, and that despair that a Man has of attaining of Life, because of his own Deficience, are all unreasonable. Why should not Devils and Damned Souls d… spair? Yea, why should not Man despair of getting to Heaven by his own abilities? I therefore am concerned only with the fou…th sort of Despair, to wit, with the despair of those that would be saved, but are to strongly born, down …ith the burden of their sins.

I say therefore to thee that art thus, And w…y Despair? Thy despair, if it was reasonable, should flow from thee, because found in the Land that is beyond the Grave; or because thou certainly knowest that Christ will not, or cannot save thee.

But for the first, thou art yet in the Land of th… Living; and for the second, thou hast ground to believe the quite contrary Christ is able to save to the uttermost, them that come to God by him; and if he were not willing, he wou…d not have commanded that Mercy i… the first place should be offered to the p. 108biggest sinners. Besides, he hath said, A…d l…t him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, l…t him take the Water of Life Fre…ly; that is, with all my heart. What gro…nd now is here for Despair? If thou say…st, The number and burden of my sins. I answer, Nay: That is rather a ground for Faith; because such an one above all others, is invited by Christ to come unto him, yea, promised Rest and Forgiveness if they come, Matt. 11.28. What ground then to despair? Verily none at all. Thy despair then is a thing unreasonable, and without footing in the Word.

But I have no …xperience of God's love, G…d has given me no comfort, or ground of hope, though I have waited upon him for it many a day.

Thou h…st experience of God's love, for that he has opened thine eyes to see thy sins; and for that he has given thee desires to be saved by Jesus Christ. For by thy sense of Sin thou act made to see thy poverty of Spirit, and that has laid thee under a sure ground to hope that Heaven shall be thine hereafter.

Also thy desires to be saved by Christ, has put thee under another Promise, so …here is two to hold thee up in hope, p. 109though thy present burden be never so heavy, Matt. 5 3, 6. As for what thou sayest, as to God's silence to thee, perhaps he has spoken to th…e once or twice already, but thou hast not perceived it, Job 33.14, 15.

However thou hast Christ Crucified, set forth before thine eyes in the Bible, and an invitation to come unto him, though thou be a Jerusalem-sinner, tho thou be a biggest Sinner; and so no ground to despair. What if God will be silent to thee, is that ground of despair? Not at all, so long as there is a Promise in the Bible that God will in no wise cast away the coming sinner, and so long as he invites the Jerusalem-sinner to come unto him, Job. 6.37.

Build not therefore Despair upon these things, they are no sufficient foundation for it, such plenty of Promises being in the Bible; and such a discovery of his Mercy to great sinners of old, especially since we have withall a Clause in the Commission given to Ministers to Preach, that they should begin with the Jerusalem-sinners in their offering of Mercy to the World.

Besides, God says, They that wait up…n the Lord, shall renew their strength, they p. 110shall mount up with wings like Eagles; but perhaps it may be long first, I waited long, saith David, and did seek the Lord, and at length his cry was heard: Wherefore he bids his Soul wait on God, and says, for it is good so to do before thy Saints, Psal. 40.1. Psal. 62.5. Psal. 52.9.

And what if thou waitest upon God all thy days? Is it below thee? And what if God will cross his Book and blot out the hand-writing that is against thee, and not let thee know it as yet? Is it fit to say unto God, Thou art hard-hearted? Despair not. Thou hast no ground to d…spair, so long as thou livest in this World. 'Tis a sin to begin to despair before one sets his foot over the threshold of Hell-gates. For them that are there, let them despair and spare not; but as for thee, thou hast no ground to do it. What! Despair of Bread, in a Land that is full of Corn! Despair of Mercy when our God is full of Mercy! Despair of Mercy, when God goes about by his Ministers, beseeching of Sinners to be reconciled unto him! 2 Cor. 5.18, 19, 20.

Thou scrupulous fool, where canst thou find that God was ever false to his Promise, p. 111or that he ever deceived the Soul that ventured it self upon him? He often calls upon Sinners to trust him, though they walk in darkness and have no light, Isa. 50.10.

They have his Promise and Oath for their Salvation, that flee for refuge to the hope set before them, Heb 6.17, 18.

Despair! When we have a God of Mercy, and a Redeeming Christ Alive! For shame forbear: Let them despair that dwell where there is no God, and that are confined to those Chambers of Death, which can be reached by no Redemption.

A Living Man despair! When he is chid for murmuring and complaining! Lam. 3.39. Oh! so long as we are where Promises swarm, where Mercy is proclaimed, where Grace reigns, and where Jerusalem-sinners are priviledged with the first ofter of Mercy, it is a base thing to despair!

Despair undervalues the Promise, undervalues the Invitation, undervalues the proffer of Grace. Despair undervalues the ability of God the Fath…r, and the redeeming Blood of Christ his Son: Oh unreasonable Despair!

p. 112Despair makes Man God's Judge; 'tis a Controller of the Promise, a Contradicter of Christ in his large offers of Mercy: And one that undertakes to make Vnb…lief the great manager of our Reason and Judgment, in determining about what God can and will do for Sinners.

Despair! It is the Devils fellow, the Devils master; yea, the Chains with which he is captivated and held under darkness for ever: And to give way thereto in a Land, in a State and Time that flows with Milk and Honey, is an uncomely thing.

I would say to my Soul; O my Soul! this is not the place of Despair, this is not the time to despair in: As long as mine eyes can find a Promise in the Bible; as long as there is the least mention of Grace, as long as there is a moment left me of breath or life in this World; so long will I wait or look for Mercy; so long will I fight against Unbelief and Despair.

This is the way to honour God and Christ: this is the way to set the Crown on the Promise; this is the way to welcome the Invitation and Inviter; and this is the way to thrust thy self under the p. 113shelter and pro…ection of the word of Grace. Never despair so long as our Text is alive, for that doth sound it out, That Mercy by Christ is offered in the first place to the biggest sinner.

Despair is an unprofitable thing, 'twill make a man weary of waiting upon God, 2 King. 6.33. 'Twill make a man forsake God, and seek his Heaven in the good things of this world, Gen. 4.13, 14, 15, 16, 17. 'Twill make a man his own tormenter, and flounce and fling l…ke a wild Bull in a net, Isa. 51.20.

Despair! It drives a man to the study of his own ruine, and brings him at last to be his own Executioner, 2 Sam. 17.23. Matt. 27 3, 4, 5.

Besides, I am perswaded also, that Despair is the cause that there are so many that would fain be Atheists in the World: For because they have entertained a Conceit that God will never be merciful to them; therefore they labour to perswade themselves that there is no God at all, as if their misbelief would kill God, or cause him to cease to be. A poor shift for an Immortal Soul, for a Soul who liketh not to retain God in its knowledge! If this be the best that Despair can do, let it go, Man; and betake p. 114thy self to Faith, …o Prayer, to wait for God, and to hope, in despight of ten thousand doubts. And for thy encouragement, take yet (as an addition to what has already been said) these following Scriptures; The Lord takes pleasure in them that fear him, in them that hope in his mercy, Psal. 147.11.

Whence note, They fear not God, that hope not in his mercy. Also, God is angry with them that hope not in his Mercy; for he only taketh pleasure in them that hope. He that believeth, or hath received his Testimony, hath set to his Seal that God is true, Joh. 3.33. But he that receiveth it not, hath made him a liar, and that is a very unworthy thing, 1 Joh. 5.10, 11. Let the Wicked forsake his ways, and the Vnrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly multiply pardons, Isa. 55.7. Perhaps thou art weary of thy ways, but art not weary of thy thoughts; of thy unbelieving and despairing thoughts: Now God also would have thee cast away these thoughts, as such which he deserveth not at thy hands, for he will have mercy upon thee, and he will abundantly pardon.

p. 115O fools! and flow heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken, Luk. 24.25. Mark you here, showness to believe is a piece of folly. Ay! but sayest thou, I do believe some, and I believe what can make ag…inst me. Ay, but Sinner, Christ Jesus here calls thee fool for not believing All. Believe All, and despair if thou canst. He that believes All, believes that Text that saith, Christ would have Mercy Preached first to the Jerusalem-sinners. He that believeth All, believeth all the Promises and Consolations of the Word; and the Promises and Consolations of the Word, weigh heavier than do all the Curses and Threatnings of the Law. And Mercy rejoyceth against Judgment. Wherefore believe All, and Mercy will to thy Conscience, weigh Judgment down, and so minister Comfort to thy Soul. Th… Lord take the Yoke from off thy Jaws, since he has set Meat before thee, H…s. 11.4. And help thee to remember that he is pleased in the first place to offer Mercy to the biggest sinners.

Sixthly, Since Jesus Christ would have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest sinners, Let Souls see that they lay right hold thereof; lest they notwithstanding, indeed come short thereof. p. 116Faith only knows how to deal with Mercy; wherefore put not in the place thereof Presumption. I have observed, that as there are Herbs and Flowers in our Garden…, so there are their Counterfeits in the Field; only they are distingui…hed from the other by the Name of Wild Ones. Why, there is Faith, and Wild Fai…h; and Wild Faith is this Presumption? I call it Wild Faith, because God never placed …t in his Garden, his Church; 'tis only to be found in the Field, the World. I also call it. Wild Faith, because it only grows up, and is nourished where other wild notions abounds. Wherefore take heed of this, and all may be well: For this presumptuousness is a very heinous thing in the eyes of God: The Soul, saith he, that shall do ought presumptuously (…hether born in the Land or a stranger) the same reproacheth the Lord; And that Soul shall be cut off from among his people, Num 15.30.

The thoughts of this made David tremble, and pray, That God would hold him back from presumptuous sins, and not suffer them to have dominion over him, Psal. 19.13.

Now this Presumption, Then put its self in the place of Faith, when it tampereth with the promise for Life, while the Soul is a stranger to Repentance. p. 117Wherefore you have in the Text, to prevent doing thus, both Repentance and Remission of Sins to be offered to Jerusalem, not Remission without Repentance: For all that repent not shall perish, let them presume on Grace and the Promise while they will, Luk. 13.1, 2, 3.

Presumption then is that which severeth Faith and Repentance, concluding that the Soul shall be saved by Grace, though the man was never made sorry for his sins, nor the love of the Heart turned therefrom. This is to be s…lf-willed, as Peter has it. And this is a despising the Word of the Lord, for that has put Repentance and Faith together, Mark 1.15. And because he hath despis…d the Word of the Lord, and hath broken the Commandment, that Soul shall utterly be cut off: his iniquities shall be upon him, Numb. 15.31.

Let such therefore look it, who yet are, and abide in their sins; for such, if they hope, as they are, to be saved, presume upon the grace of God. Wherefore Presumption and not hearkning to God's Word, are put together, D…ut. 17.12.

Again, Then men presume when they are resolved to abide in their sins, and p. 118sins, yet expect to be saved by God's grace through Christ. This is as much as to say, God liketh of Sin as well as I do, and careth not how men live, if so be they lean upon his Son. Of this sort are they that build up Zion with Blood, and Jerusalem with Iniquity; That Judge for reward, and teach for hire, and Divine for mony, and lean upon the Lord, Mic. 3.10, 11. This is doing things with an high hand against the Lord our God, and a taking him, as it were, at the Catch! This is, as we lay among men, to seek to put a trick upon God, as if he had not sufficiently fortified his Proposals of Grace by his holy Word, against all such kind of fools as these. But look to it,

Such will be found at the day of God, not among that great company of Jerusalem-sinners, that shall be saved by Grace, but among those that have been the great abusers of the grace of God in the World. These that say, Let us sin that Grace may abound, and let us do Evil that Good may come, their Damnation is just. And if so, they are a great way off of that Salvation that is by Jesus Christ presented to the Jerusalem sinners.

I have therefore these things to propound to that Jerusalem-sinner that would p. 119know, if he may be so bold to venture himself upon this Grace.

First, Dost thou see thy sins?

Secondly, Art thou weary of them?

Thirdly, Wouldst thou with all thy heart be saved by Jesus Christ? I dare say no less, I dare say no more. But if it be truly thus with thee, how great soever thy sins have been, how bad soever thou feelest thy heart, how far soever thou art from thinking that God has mercy for thee; thou art the Man, the Jerusalem-sinner, that the Word of God has conquered, and to whom it offereth free Remission of sins, by the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ.

When the Jayler cried out, Sirs, What must I do to be saved? The answer was, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. He that sees his sins aright, is brought to his wits-end by them, and he that is so, is willing to part from them, and to be saved by the grace of God.

If this be thy Case, fear not, give no way to Despair, thou presumest not, if thou believest to life everlasting in Jesus Christ. Yea, Christ is prepared for such as thou art.

p. 120Therefore take good courage and believe. The design of Satan is to tell the Presumptuous, that their presuming on Mercy is good; but to perswade the Believer, that his believing is impudent bold dealing with God. I never heard a presumptuous man in my life, say that he was afraid that he presumed; but I have heard many an honest humble Soul say, that they have been afraid that their Faith has been Presumption. Why should Satan molest those whose ways he knows will bring them to him? And who can think that he should be quiet when men take the right course to escape his hellish snares. This therefore is the reason why the truly humbled is opposed, while the Presumptuous goes on by Wind and Tide. The truly humble, Satan hates, but he laughs to see the foolery of the other.

Does thy hand and heart tremble? Upon thee the Promise smiles; To this man will I look says God, even to him that is poor, and of a co…trite s…irit, and trembles at my Word, Isa. 66.2.

What therefore I have said of Presumption, concerns not the humble in Spirit at all. I therefore am for ga…hering up the S…ones, and for taking the Stumbling-blocks p. 121out of the way of God's People; and fore-warning of them that they lay the stumbling block of their Iniquity before their faces, and that are for presuming upon God's mercy; and let them look to themselves, Ezekiel 14.6, 7, 8.

Also our Text stands firm as ever it did, and our Observation is still of force, That Jesus Christ would have mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners. So then, let none Des…air, let none Presume; Let none despair that are sorry for their sins, and would be saved by Jesus Christ: Let none Presume, that abide in the liking of their sins, though they seem to know the exceeding grace of Christ; for though the door stand wide open for the reception of the Penitent, yet 'tis fast enough barr'd and bolted against the presumptuous sinner. Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows, that he shall reap. It cannot be that God should be wheadled out of his Mercy, or prevailed upon by lips of dissimulation; He knows them that trust in him, and that sincerely come to him by Christ for mercy, Nahum. 1.7.

It is then, not the abundance of sins committed, but the not coming heartily p. 122to God by Christ for Mercy, that shuts men out of doors: And though their not coming heartily may be said to be but a Sin; yet 'tis Such a Sin, as causeth that all thy other sins abide upon thee unforgiven.

God complains of this. Th…y have not cried unto me with their heart; They turned, but not to the most High. They turned feignedly, Jer, 3.10. Hos. 7.14, 16.

Thus doing, his Soul hates; but the Penitent, humble, broken-hearted Sinner, be his Transgressions red as Scarlet, red like Crimsom, in number as the Sand; though his transgressions cry to Heaven against him for Vengeance, and seem there to cry louder than do his Prayers, or Tears, or Groans for Mercy; yet he is safe. To this man God will look, Isa. 1.18. chap. 66, 2.

Seventhly, Would Jesus Christ have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners? Then here is ground for those, that as to practice, have Not been such, to come to him for mercy.

Although there is no Sin little of it self, because it is a contradiction of the Nature and Majesty of God; yet we must admit of divers numbers, and also of aggravations: Two Sins are not so p. 123many as three; nor are three, that are done in ignorance, so big as One that is done against light, against knowledge, and Conscience. Also there is the Child in Sin, and a Man in Sin that has his Hairs gray, and his Skin wrinkled for very Age. And we must put a differen…e betwixt these Sinners also. For can it be, that a Child of Seven, or ten, or sixteen years old, should be such a Sinner, a Sinner so vile in the Eye of the Law, as he is who has walked according to the course of this World, forty, fifty, sixty, or seventy Years? Now the Youth, this Stripling, though he is a Sinner, is but a little sinner, when compared with such.

Now I say, If there be room for the first sort, for those of the biggest size; certainly there is room for the lesser size? If there be a Door wide enough for a Gyant to go in at, there is certainly room for a Dwarff. If Christ Jesus has Grace enough to save great sinners, he has surely Grace enough to save little ones. If he can forgive five hundred pence, for certain he can forgive fifty, Luk, 7.41, 42.

But you said before, that the little sinners must stand by, untill the great ones have p. 124received their grac…, and that's discouraging!

I answer, There are two sorts of little Sinners such as are so, such as feign themselves so. There are those that feign themselves so, that I intended there, and not those that are indeed comparatively so. Such as feign themselves so, may wait long enough before they obtain Forgivenness.

But again, A Sinner may be comparatively a little sinner, and sensibly a great one. There is then two sorts of greatness in sin; greatness by reason of number, greatness by reason of throughness of conviction of the horrible nature of Sin. In this last sense, he that has but one sin, if such a one could be found, may in his own eyes find himself the biggest sinner in the world. Let this Man, or this Child, therefore put himself among the great sinners, and plead with God as great sinners do, and expect to be saved with the great sinners, and as soon, and as hearttily as they.

Yea, a little sinner, that comparatively is truly so, if he shall graciously give way to Conviction, and shall in God's light, diligently weigh the horrible nature of his own sins, may yet sooner obtain p. 125Forgiveness for them at the hands of the heavenly Father, than he that has ten times his sins, and so cause to cry ten times harder to God for Mercy.

For the grievousness of the Cry is a great thing with God; for if he will hear the Widdow, if she cries at all, how much more if she cries most grievously? Exod. 22.22, 23.

It is not the number, but the true sense of the abominable nature of Sin, that makes the Cry for Pardon lamentable. He, as I said, that has many sins, may not cry so loud in the ears of God, as he that has far fewer; he in our present sense that is in his own eyes the biggest sinner, is he that soonest findeth mercy.

The offer Then is to the Biggest sinner, to the biggest sinner First, and the m…rcy is first obtained by him that first confesseth himself to be such an one.

There are men that strive at the throne of Grace for Mercy, by pleading the greatness of their Necessity. Now their Plea, as to the prevalency of it, lieth not in their counting up of the number, but in the sense of the greatness of their sins, and in the vehemency of their cry for Pardon. And it is observable, that though the Birth right was Rubins, and p. 126for his foolishness, given to the Sons of Joseph; yet Judah prevailed above his Brethren, and of him came the Messias, 1 Chron. 5.1, 2.

There is a heavenly subtilty to be managed in this matter. Thy Broth…r came with subtilty and hath taked away thy blesing. The blessing belonged to Esau, but Jacob by his diligence made it his own, Gen. 27.35. The offer is to the biggest sinner, to the biggest sinner first, but if he forbears to cry, the sinner that is a sinner less by far than he, both as to number and the nature of transgression, may get the blessing first, if he shall have grace to bestir himself well; for the loudest Cry is heard furthest, and the most lamentable, pierces soonest.

I therefore urge this Head, not because I would have little sinners go and tell God that they are little sinners, thereby to think to obtain his Mercy; for veily, so they are never like to have it: For such words declare, that such a one hath no true sense at all of the nature of his sins.

Sin, as I said, in the nature of it, is horrible; though it be but one single sin as to act; yea, though it be but a sinful p. 127thought; and so worthily calls for the damnation of the Soul.

The Comparison then, of little and great Sinners, is to go for good sense among men: But to plead the fewness of thy sins, or the comparative harmlesness of their quantity before God, argueth no sound knowledge of the nature of thy Sin, and so no true sense of the nature or need of Mercy.

Little Sinner when therefore thou goest to God, though thou knowest in thy Conscience, that thou, as to acts, art no Thief, no Murderer, no Whore, no Liar, no false Swearer, or the like, and in reason must needs understand, that thus thou art not so profanely vile as others; yet when thou goest to God for Merey, know no mans sins but thine own, make mention of no mans sins but thine own. Also labour not to lessen thy own, but magnifie and greaten them by all just Circumstances, and be as if there was never a Sinner in the World but thy self. Also cry out as if thou wast the only undone Man; and that is the way to obtain God's Mercy.

It is one of the comeliest Sights in the world, to see a little Sinner commenting upon the greatness of his sins; multiplying p. 128and mul…iplying them to himself; till he makes them in his own eyes bigger and higher than he seeth any other man's sins to be in the World; and as base a thing it is to see a man do otherwise, and as basely will come on't, Luk. 18.10, 11, 12, 13.

As therefore I said to the great Sinner before, let him take heed lest he presumes: I say now to the little Sinner, let him take heed that he don't dissemble: For there is as great an aptness in the little Sinner to dissemble, as there is in the great one. He that hideth his sins shall not prosper, be he a sinner little or great, Prov. 28.13.

Eighthly, Would Jesus Christ have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners? Then this shews the true cause why Satan makes such head as he doth against him.

The Father and the holy Spirit are well sp…k…n of by all Deluders and deceived Persons; Christ only is the Rock of Offence. Behold I lay in Zion a stumbling-Stone and a Rock of Offence, Rom. 9.33. Not that Satan careth for the Father or the Spirit more than he careth for the Son, but he can let men alone with their p. 129notions of the Father and the Spirit, for he knows they shall never enjoy the Father or the Spirit, if indeed they receive not the Merits of the Son. He that hath the Son, hath Life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not Life, however they may boast themselves of the Father and the Spirit, 1 J…hn 5.12. Again, Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ▪ hath not God: He that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ, hath both the Father and the Son, 2 John 9.

Christ, and Christ only is he that can make us cap…ble to enjoy God with Life and Joy to all eternity. Hence he calls himself The Way to the Father; The true and l…ving Way, Joh. 14.6. Heb. 10.19.20. For we cannot come to the Father but by him. Satan knows this, therefore he hates him Deluded Persons are ignorant of this, and therefore they are so led up and down by Satan by the nose, as they are.

T…ere are many things by which Satan has taken occasion to greaten his rage against Jesus Christ.

As first, His love to Man, and then the many expressions of that love▪ He hath taken Man's nature upon him; he hath in that nature fulfilled the L…w to p. 130bring in Righteousness for Man; and hath spilt his Blood for the Reconciling of Man to God; he hath broke the neck of Death, put away Sin, destroyed the works of the Devil, and got into his own hands the Keys of Death: and all these are heinous things to Satan. He cannot abide Christ for this. Besides, he hath eternal Life in himself, and that to bestow upon us; and we in all liklihood are to possess the very places, from which the Satans by transgression fell, if not places more glorious. Wherefore he must ne…ds be angry. And is it not a vexatious thing to him, that we should be admitted to the Throne of Grace by Christ, while he stands bound over in Chains of Darkness, to answer for his Rebellions against God and his Son, at the terrible day of Judgment. Yea, we poor Dust and Ashes must become his Judges, and triumph over him for ever; and all this, long of J…sus Christ; for he is the Meritorious Cause of all this.

Now though Satan seeks to be revenged for this, yet he knows it is in vain to attack the Person of Christ, he has overcome him; therefore he tampers with a company of silly Men, that he may Villifie him by them. And they, bold fools p. 131as they are, will not spare to spit in his face. They will rail at his Person, and deny the very Being of it; they will rail at his Blood; and deny the Merit and Worth of it. They will deny the very end, why he accomplished the Law, and by figgs, and tricks, and qui…ks, which he helpeth them to, they set up fond N…mes and Images in his pl…ce, and give the glory of a Saviour to them, Thus Satan worke…h under the Name of Christ; and his Ministers under the name of the Ministers of Righteousness,

And by his Wiles and Stratagems he undoes a world of men; But there is a Se…d, and they shall serve him, and it shall be counted to the Lord for a Generation. T…ese shall see their sins, and th…t C…rist is the Way to Happiness. These sh…ll venture themselves both Body and Soul upon his Worthiness.

All this Satan Knows, and therefore his rage is kindle… the more. Wherefore ac…ording to his ability and allowance, he assaulteth, tempteth, abuseth, and stirs up what he can to be hurtful to these poor People, that he may, while his time shall last; make it as hard and difficult for them to go to eternal Glory as he can. Often-times he abuses them p. 132with wrong apprehe…sions of God, and with wrong apprehensions of Christ. He also casts them into the Mire, to the reproach of Religion, the shame of their Brethren, the derision of the World, and dishonour of God. He holds our hands while the World buffets us; he puts Bear-skins upon us, and then sets the Dogs at us. He bedawbeth us with his own Fome, and then tempts us to believe that that bedawding comes from ourselves.

Oh! the rage and the roaring of this Lion! and the hatred that he manifests against the Lord J…sus, and against them that are purchased with his Blood! But yet in the midst of all this, the Lord Jesus; sends forth his Herrald to proclaim in the Nations, his love to the World; and to invite them to come in to him for Life. Yea, his Invitation is so large, that it offereth his Mercy in the first place to th… …iggest Sinners of every Age, which augments the Devils rage the more.

wherefore, as I said before, fret he, sume he, the Lord Jesus will divide the Spoil with this great one; yea, he shall divide the Spoil with the strong, because he h…th poured out his Soul unto death, and p. 133was numbred with the Transgressiors, and bare the sin of many, and made Interc…ssion for the transgressors, Isa. 53.12.

Ninthly, Would Jesus Christ have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners? Let the Tempted harp upon This string for their h…lp and consolation. The Tempted wherever he dwells, always thinks himself the biggest Sinner, one most unworthy of eternal Life.

This is Satans master Argument; Thou art a horrible Sinner, a Hypocrite, one that has a profane heart, and one that is an utter stranger to a work of Grace. I say, this is his Maul, his Cl…h, his Master-piece; He doth with this, as some do by their most inchanting Songs, sings them every where. I believe there are but few Saints in the World that have not had this temptation sounding in their Ears. But were they but aware, Satan by all this, does but drive them to the Ga… out at which they should go, and so escape his roaring.

Saith he, Thou art a great Sinner, a horrible Sinner, a profane hearted Wretch one that cannot be match… for a Vile one in the Country.

p. 143And all this while Christ says to his Ministers, offer Mercy in the first place to the biggest Sinners. So that this Temptation drives thee directly into the Arms of Jesus Christ.

Was therefore the Tempted but aware, he might say, Ay Satan, so I am, I am a Sinner of the biggest size, and therefore have most need of Jesus Christ: Yea, because I am such a wretch, therefore Jesus Christ calls me; yea, he calls me first: The first proffer of the Gospel is to be made to the Jerusalem sinner: I am he, wherefore st…nd back Satan, make a lane, my right is first to come to Jesus Christ.

This now would be like for like. This would foil the Devil: This would make him say, I must not deal with this man thus; for then I put a Sword into his hand to cut off my head.

And this is the meaning of Peter, when he saith, Resist him stedfast in the Faith, 1 Pet. 5.9. And of Paul when he saith, Take the Shi…ld of Faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery Darts of the Wicked, Ephes. 6.16.

Wherefore is it said, Begin at Jerusalem, if the Jerusalem sinner is not to have the benefit of it? And if I am to p. 135have the benefit of it, let me call it to mind when Satan haunts me with the continual remembrance of my sins, of my Jerusalem-sins. Satan and my Conscience says, I am the biggest sinner, Christ offereth Mercy in the first place to the biggest sinners. Nor is the manner of the Offer other but such as suiteth with my mind. I am sorry for my sin; yea, sorry at my heart that ever sinful Thought did enter, or find the least entertainment in my wicked mind: And might I obtain my Wish, I would never more that my heart should be a place for ought but the Grace, and Spirit, and Faith of the Lord Jesus.

I speak not this to lessen my Wickedness; I would not for all the World, but be placed by mine own Conscience in the very front of the biggest Sinners, that I might be one of the first that are beckoned by the gracious Hand of Jesus the Saviour, to come to him for Mercy.

Well Sinner, thou now speakest like a Christian, but say thus in a stron… Spirit in the hour of Temptation, and then thou wilt, to thy commendation and comfort, quit thy self well.

This improving of Christ in dark hours, is the Life, though the hardest p. 136part of our Christianity. We should neither stop at Darkness, nor at the raging of our Lusts, but go on in a way of venturing and casting the whole of our Affair for the next World, at the foot of Jesus Christ. This is the way to make the Darkness Light, and also to alay the raging of our Corruption.

T…e first time the Passover …as eaten, was in the night; and when Israel took Courage to go forward, though the Sea stood in their way like a devouring Gulf, and the Host of the Aegyptians follow them at the heels; yet the Sea gives place, and their Enemies were as still as a stone till they were gone over, Exod. 12.8. chap. 14.13, 14, 21, 21, 22. chap. 15, 16.

There is nothing like Faith to help at a pinch; Faith dissolves Doubts, as the Sun drives away the Mists. And that you may not be put out, know your time, as I said, of believing is always. There are times when some Graces may be out of use, but there is no time wherein Faith can be said to be so. Wherefore Faith must be always in exercise.

Faith is the eye, is the mouth, is the hand, and one of these is of use all day long, Faith is to see, to receive, to work, on p. 137to eat; and a Christian should be seeing or receiving, or working, or feeding all day long. Let it rain, let it blow, let it thunder, let it lighten, a Christian must still believe: At what time, said the good man, I am afraid, I will trust in thee, Psal. 56.2, 3.

Nor can we have a better encouragement to do this, than is by the Text set before us, even an open heart for a Jerusalem Sinner. And if for a Jerusalem-Sinner to come, then for such an one, when come. If such a one To Be saved, then for such a one that Is saved. If for such a one To be pardoned his great transgressions, then for such a one who Is pardoned these, to come daily to Jesus Christ too, to be cleansed and set free from his common Infirmities, and from the Iniquities of his holy things.

Therefore let the poor Sinner that would be saved, labour for skill to make the best Improvement of the grace of Christ to help him against the temptations of the Devil and his Sins.

Tengthly, Would Jesus Christ have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners? Let those men consider this, that (have, or) may in a day of p. 138trial have spoken or done what their Profession or Conscience told them they should not, and that have the guilt and burden thereof upon their Consciences.

Whether a thing be wrong or right, Guilt may pursue him that doth contrary to his Conscience. But suppose a man should deny his God, or his Christ, or relinquish a good Profession, and be under the real guilt thereof? Shall he therefore conclude he is gone for ever? Let him come again with Peter's tears, and no doubt but he shall obtain Peter's Forgiveness. For the Text includes the biggest sinners.

And 'tis observable, That before this Gl…use was put into this Commission, Peter was pardoned his horrible Revolt from his Master. He that Revolteth in the day of Trial, if he is not shot quite dead upon the place, but is sensible of his Wound, and calls out for a Chyrurgion, shall find his Lord at hand to pour Wine and Oyl into his Wounds, that he may again be healed. And to incourage him to think that there may be Mercy for him: Besides what we find Recorder of Peter, you read in the Acts, some was through the violence of their Trials, compelled to Blaspheme, and p. 139yet are called Saints, Acts 26.9, 10, 11.

Hence you have a Promise or two that speaks concerning such a kind of Men, to incourage us to think that at least some of them shall come back to the Lord their God. Shall they fall, saith he, and not arise? Shall they turn away, and not return? Jer. 8 4. And in that day I will assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that was driven out, and her that I have Afflicted. And I will make her that halteth a Remnant, and her that was cast off, a strong Nation; And the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion for ever. What we are to understand by her that halteth, is best expressed by the Prophet Elijah, Mic. 4.6, 7. Zeph. 3.19. 1 Kings 18.21.

I will conclude then, that for them that have halted, or may halt, the Lord has Mercy in the Bank, and is willing to accept them if they return to him again.

Perhaps they may never be after that of any great esteem in the House of God, but if the Lord will admit them to favour and forgiveness: O exceeding and undeserved Mercy! See Ez…k 44.10.11, 12, 13, 14.

p. 140Thou then that mayest be the Man, Remember this, that there is Mercy also for thee. Return therefore to God, and to his Son, who hath yet in store for thee, and who will do thee good.

But perhaps thou wilt say, He doth not save all Revolters, and therefore perhaps not me.

Answer, Art thou returning to God? If thou art returning, thou art the Man. R…turn ye back sliding Children, and I will heal your back slidings, Jer. 3.22.

Some, as I said, that Revolt, are shot dead upon the place, and for them, who can help them? But for them that cry out of their Wounds, 'tis a sign they are yet alive, and if they use the means in time, doubtless they may be healed.

Christ Jesus has bags of Mercy that was never yet broken up or unsealed. Hence it is said, he has goodness laid up; things reserved in Heaven for his. And if he breaks up one of these bags, who can tell what he can do!

Hence his Love is said to be such as passeth Knowledge, and that his Riches are unsearchable. He has, no body knows what; for no body knows who! He has by him in store for such as seem in the view of all men, to be gone beyond recovery. p. 141For this the Text is plain. What Man or Angel could have thought that the Jerusalem-sinners had been yet on this side of an impossibity of enjoying Life and Mercy? Hadst thou seen their actions, and what horrible things they did to the Son of God: Yea, how stoutly they backed what they did, with resolves and endeavours to persevere, when they had killed his Person, against his Name and Doctrine: And that there was not found among them all that while as we read of, the least remorse or regret for these their doings: Couldst thou have imagined that Mercy would ever have took hold of them, at least so soon! Nay, that they should, of all the World be counted those Only meet to have it offered to them in the very first place! For so my Text commands, saying, Preach Repentance and Remission of Sin among all Nations, Beginning at Jerusalem.

I tell you the thing is a Wonder, and must for ever stand for a Wonder among the Sons of Men. It stands also for an everlasting Invitation and Allurement to the biggest Sinners to come to Christ for Mercy.

p. 142Now, since, in the Opinion of all Men, the Revolter is such a one; if he has, as I said before, any Life in him, let him take incouragment to come again, that he may live by Christ.

Eleventhly, Would Jesus Christ have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners? Then let God's Ministers tell them so. There is an Incidence in us, I know not how it doth come about, when we are Converted, to contemn them that are left behind. Poor fools as we are, we forget that we our selves were so. Tit. 3.2, 3.

But would it not become us better, since we have tasted that the Lord is gracious, to carry it towards them so, that we may give them Convincing ground to believe, that we have found that Mercy which also sets open the Door for them to come and partake with us.

Ministers, I say, should do thus, both by their Doctrine, and in all other respects.

Austerity doth not become us, neither in Doctrine nor in Conversation: We our selves live by Grace; Let us give as we receive, and labour to perswade our fellow-sinners which God has left behind p. 431us, to follow after that they may partake with us of Grace. We are saved by Grace, let us live like them that are gracious. Let all our things (to the World) be done in Charity towards them, Pity them, Pray for them, be familiar with them for their good. Let us lay aside our foolish, worldly, carnal grandure; Let us not walk the Streets, and have such behaviours as signifie we are scarce for touching of the poor ones that are left behind, no not with a pair of Tongs. It becomes not Ministers thus to do.

Remember your Lord, he was familiar with Publicans and Sinners to a Proverb. Behold a gluttonous man, and a Wine-bibber, a friend of Publicans and Sinners, Matt. 11.19. The first part, concerning his gluttonous eating and drinking, to be sure was an horrible slander; but for the other, nothing was over spoke truer of him by the World. Now why should we lay hands cross on this Text, that is, choose good Victuals, and love the sweet Wine better than the Salvation of the poor Publican? Why not familiar with sinners provided we hate their spots and blemishes, and seek that they may be healed of them?

p. 144Why not fellowly with our Carnal Neighbours? If we do take occasion to do so, that we may drop, and be yet distilling some good Doctrine upon their Souls? Why not go to the poor Man's House, and give him a Penny, and a Scripture to think upon? Wh… not send for the Poor to fetch away, at least, the Fragments of thy Table, that the Bowels of thy fellow-sinner my be refresht as well as thine?

Ministers should be Exemplary: But I am an inferiour Man, and must take heed of too much medling. But might I, I would meddle with them, with their Wives, and with their Children too. I mean not this of all, but of them that deserve it, though I may not name them.

But, I say, let Ministers follow the steps of their blessed Lord, who by Word and Deeds shewed his Love to the S…lvation of the World, in such a carriage as declared him to prefer their Salvation before his own private Concern. For we are commanded to follow his steps, who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.

And as I have said concerning Ministers, so I say to all the Brethren, carry p. 145it so, that all the World may see, that indeed you are the Sons of Love.

Love your Saviour; Yea, shew one to another that you love him, not only by a seeming love of Affection, but with the love of Duty. Practical Love is best. Many love Christ with nothing but the lick of the Tongue. Alas! Christ Jesus the Lord; must not be put off thus: He that hath my Commandments, and keepeth them, saith he, he it is that loveth me, Joh. 14.21.

Practical Love, which stands in Self-denial, in Charity to my Neighbour, and a Patient enduring of Affliction for his Name: This is counted Love.

Right Love to Christ, is that which carries in it a provoking Argument to others of the Brethren, Heb. 10.24.

Should a Man ask me how he should know that he loveth the Children of God? The best answer I could give him, would be in the Words of the Apostle John; By this, saith he, we know we love the Children of God, when we love God, and keep his Commandments, 1 Joh. 5.2.

Love to God and Christ, is then …, when we are tender of his Name; and then we shew our selves tender of p. 146his Name, when we are afraid to break any the least of his Commandments. And when we are here, then do we shew our love to our Brother also.

Now we have Obligation sufficient thus to do, for that our Lord loved us, and gave himself for us, to deliver us from Death, that we might live through him.

The World, when they hear the Doctrine that I have asserted and handled in this little Book, to wit, That Jesus Christ would have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners; will be apt, because themselves are Unbelievers, to think that this is a Doctrine that leads to Looseness, and that gives liberty to the Flesh; but if you that Believe, love your Brethren; and your Neighbours truly, and as you should, you will put to silence the ignorance of such foolish Men, and stop their mouths from speaking Evil of you.

And, I say, let the love of Christ constrain us to this. Who deserveth our Heart, our Mouth, our Life, our Goods, so much as Jesus Christ, who has bought us to himself by his Blood, to this very end, that we should be a peculiar Pe…le, zealous of good Works?

p. 147There is nothing more seemly in the World, than to see a Christian walk as becomes the Gospel; nor any thing more unbecoming a Reasonable Creature, than to hear a man say, I believe in Christ, and yet see in his Life, Debauchery and Profaneness. Might I, such men should be counted the basest of men; such men should be counted by all, unworthy of the Name of a Christian, and should be shunned by every good man, as such who are the very Plague of Profession.

For so it is written, We should carry it towards them. Whoso has a Form of Godliness, and deny the power thereof, from such we must turn away.

It has oft-times come into my mind, to ask, by what means it is, That the Gospel Profession should be so Taunted with Loose and Carnal Gospellers? And I could never arrive to better Satisfaction in the matter, than this, Such men are made Professors by the Devil, and so by him put among the rest of the Godly. A certain Man had a fruitless Figg-Tree planted in his Vineyard; but by whom was it planted there? Even by him that sowed the Tares, his own Children, among the Wheat, Luke 13.6. Matt. p. 14813.37, 38▪ 39, 40. And that was the Devil. But why doth the Devil do thus? Not of love to them, but to make of them Offences and Stumbling blocks to others. For he knows that a loose Professor in the Church, does more mischief to Religion, than ten can do to it that are in the World.

Was it not, think you, the Devil that stirred up the Damosel that you read of in Acts 16. to cry out, These are the Servants of the Most high God, that shew unto us the way of Salvation? Yes it was, as is evident, For Paul was grieved to hear it. But why did the Devil stir up her to cry so? But because that was the way to blemish the Gospel, and to make the World think that it came from the same hand as did her Sooth-saying and Witchery, Ver. 16.17, 18. Holiness, O Lord, becomes thy House for ever.

Let therefore, whoever they be that profess the Name of Christ, take heed that they Scandal not that Profession which they make of him, since he has so graciously offered us, as we are Sinners of the biggest size, in the first place, his Grace to Save us.

p. 149HAving thus far spoken of the riches of the Grace of Christ, and of the freeness of his Heart to imbrace the Jerusalem-sinners; it may not be amiss to give you, yet, as a caution, an intimatimation of one thing, namely, That this grace and freeness of his Heart is limited to time and day; the which, whoso overstandeth, shall perish notwithstanding.

For, as a King, who of Grace, sendeth out to his Rebellious People an offer of Pardon, if they accept thereof by such a day, yet beheadeth, or hangeth those that come not in for mercy until the day or time be past: So Christ Jesus has set the Sinner a day, a day of Salvation, an acceptable 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. 6.2. Heb. 3.13, 16, 17, 18, 19. chap. 4.7. Luk. 19.41, 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, oft-times p. 150undiscerned 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. 50.22. Eccles. 12.1. H…b. 3.13, 16.

And this shews us the desperate hazzards 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 Cryes after mercy, they receive nothing but mocks, and are laughed at by the God of Heaven, Prov. 1.20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. Isa. 65.12, 13, 14, 15. chap. 66.4 Zech. 7.11, 12, 13.

Secondly, Another thing to be considered is this, namely, 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 p. 151who were called upon to turn to God at the sixth hour of the day; yea, and they who were hired at third hour, had their Call sooner than they who were called at the eleventh, Matt. 20.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 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; the next year after, Isaac was born; and then Ismael was fourteen years old. Now that day that Isaac was weaned, that day was Ishmael rejected: and suppose that Isaac was three years old before he was weaned; that was but the seventeenth year of Ishmael; wherefore the day of God's grace was ended with him betimes, Gen. 17.24, 25. chap. 21.2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10. Gal. 4.30.

2. Cains day ended with him betimes, for after God had rejected him, he lived to beget many Children, and build a City, and to do many other things. But alas, all that while he was a Fugitive and a Vagabond. Nor carried he any thing with him after the day of his rejection was come; but this doleful language in his Conscience, From God's Face shall I be hid, Gen. 4.10, 11.12, 13, 14.

p. 1523 Esau, Through his extravagancies would needs go sell his Birthright, not fearing (as other confident fools) but that yet the blessing would still be his, after which he lived many years, but all of them under the wrath of God, as was, when time came, made appear to his destruction; for when he would have inherited the bl…ssing, he was rejected, for he found no place of r…pentance, though he sought it carefully with tears, Heb. 12.14, 15, 16.

Many instances might be given, as to such tokens of the displeasure of God against such as fool away, as the Wise Man has it, the prize which is put into their hand, Prov. 17.16.

Let these things therefore be a further caution to those that sit under the glorious sound of the Gospel, and hear of the Riches of the Grace of God in Christ to poor sinners.

To slight Grace, to despise Mercy, and to stop the Ear when God speaks, when he speaks such great things, so much to our profit, is a great provocation.

He offereth, he calls, he woes, he invites, he prays, he beseeches us in this day of his Grace to be reconciled to him: yea, and has provided for us the means of p. 153reconciliation himself: Now this despised, must needs be provoking; and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

But some man may say unto me, Fain I would be saved, fain I would be saved by Christ: But I fear this day of Grace is past, and that I shall perish, notwithstanding the exceeding riches of the Grace of God.

Answer, To this doubt I would answer several things.

First, With respect to this day.

Secondly, With respect to thy desires.

Thirdly, With respect to thy fears.

First, With respect to the day; That is, whether it be ended with a man, or no.

1. Art thou jogged, and shaken, and molested at the hearing of the Word? Is thy Conscience awakened and convinced then, that thou art at present in a perishing state, and that thou hast need to cry to God for M…rcy? This is a hop… ful sign that this day of Grace is not past with thee. For usually they that are past Grace, are also in their Conscience past feeling, being feared with a hot iron. Eph. 4.18, 19. 1 Tim. 4.1, 2.

Consequently those past grace, must be such as are denied the awakening fruits of the Word Preached. The dead that hear, p. 154saies Christ, shall live; at least wise Christ has not quite done with them; the day of God's patience is not at an end with them, John 5.25.

2. Is there in thy more retired condition, Arguings, Struglings, and Strivings with thy Spirit to perswade thee of the vanity of what vain things thou lovest, and to win thee in thy Soul to a choice of Christ Jesus, and his heavenly things? Take heed and rebel not, for the day of God's grace and patience will not be past with thee, till he saith, His Spirit shall strive no more with thee; for then the wo comes, when he shall depart from them; and when he saies to the means of Grace, Let them alone, Hos. 4.17. chap. 9.12.

3. Art thou visited in the Night seasons with dreams about thy state, and that thou art in danger of being lost? Hast thou Heart-shaken apprehensions when deep sleep's upon thee, of Hell, Death, and Judgment to come? These are signs that God has not wholly left thee, or cast thee behind his back for ever. For God speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceives it not; in a Dream, in a Vision of the Night, when deep sleep falls upon man, in slumberings upon the Bed; then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that p. 155he may withdraw man from his purpose (his sinful purposes) and hide pride from man, Job 33.14, 15, 16, 17.

All this while God has not left the sinner, nor is come to the end of his patience towards him, but stands, at least, with the door of Grace, a chair in his hand, as being loth, as yet to bolt it against him.

4. Art thou followed with affliction, and dost thou hear God's angry voice in thy afflictions? Doth he send with the affliction an Interpreter to shew thee thy vileness; and why, or wherefore the hand of God is upon thee, and upon what thou hast; to wit, that it is for thy sinning against him, and that thou mightest be turned to him? If so, thy Summer is not quite ended; thy Harvest is not yet quite over and gone. Take heed, stand-out no longer, lest he cause darkness, and lest thy feet stumble upon the dark mountains; and lest while you look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness, Jer. 8.20. chap. 13.15, 16, 17.

5. Art thou crossed, disappointed and waylaid, and overthrown in all thy foolish ways and doings? This is a sign God has not quite left thee, but that he still p. 156waits upon thee to turn thee. Consider, I say, has he made a hedge, and a Wall to stop thee? Has he crossed th…e in all thou pu…test thy hand-unto? Take it as a call to turn to him, for by his thus doing, he shews he has a mind to give thee a better portion. For usually when God gives up men, and resolves to let them alone in the Broad Way, he gives them …ope, and lets them have their desires in all hurtful things, H…s. 2.6, 7, 8 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Psal. 73.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Rom. 1….9.

Therefore take heed to this also, that thou strive not against this hand of God: but betake thy self to a serious enquiry into the causes of this hand of God upon thee, and encline to think, 'tis because the Lord would have thee look to that, which is better than what thou wouldest satisfie thy self wi…hall▪ When God h…d a mind to make the Prodigal go home to his Father, he sent a Famine upon him, and d…nied him a Belly-full of the Husks which the Swine did eat. And observe it, now he was in his strait, he betook him to consideration of the good that there was in his Fathers House; yea, he resolved to home to his Father, and his Fa…her dealt well with him; he received p. 157him with Musick and Dancing, because he had received him safe and sound, Luk. 15.14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32.

6. Hast thou any inticing touches of the word of God upon thy mind? Doth, as it were, some holy word of God, give a glance upon thee, cast a smile upon thee, let fall, though it be but one drop of its savour upon thy Spirit; yea, though it staies but one moment with thee? O! then the day of Grace is not past! The Gate of Heaven is not shut! Nor God's Heart and Bowels withdrawn from thee as yet. Take heed therefore, and beware that thou make much of the Heavenly Gift, and of that good word of God of the which he has made thee tast. Beware, I say, and take heed, there may be a falling away for all this; but, I say, as yet, God has not left thee, as yet he has not cast thee off, H…b. 6.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Sec…ndly, With respect to thy desires, what are they? Wouldst thou be saved? Wouldst thou be saved with a thorow salvation? Wouldst thou be saved from guilt, and filth too? Wouldst thou be the servant of thy Saviour? Art thou indeed weary of the service of th… old p. 158Master the Devil, Sin and the World? And has these desires put thy Soul to the flight? Hast thou through desires betaken thy self to thy heels? Dost fly to him that is a Saviour from the wrath to come, for life? If these be thy desires, and if they be unfeigned, fear not: Thou art one of those Runaways which God has commanded our Lord to receive, and not to send thee back to the Devil thy Master again, but to give thee a place in his House, even the place which liketh thee best. Thou shalt not deliver to his Master, saies he, the Servant which is escaped from his Master unto thee. He shall dwell with thee, even among you in that place which he shall chuse, in one of thy Gates where it liketh him best; thou shall not oppress him, Deut. 23.15, 16.

This is a command to the Church, consequently to the Head of the Church; for all commands from God come to her through her Head. Whence I conclude, that, that as Israel of old was to receive the Runaway-Servant who escaped from a Heathen Master to them, and should not dare to send him back to his Master again: So Christ's Church now, and consequently Christ himself may not, will not refuse that soul that has made p. 159his escape from Sin, Satan, the World and Hell, unto him; but will certainly let him dwell in his House, among his Saints, in that place which he shall choose, even where it liketh him best. For he saies in another place, And him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. In no wise, let his crimes be what they will, either for nature, multitude, or the attendance of aggravating circumstances.

Wherefore if thy desires be firm, sound, unfeigned, to become the saved of Christ, and his servant: Fear not, he will not, he will in no wise put thee away, or turn thee over to thy old M… ster again.

Thirdly, As to thy fears, whatever they are, let that be supposed which is supposed before, and they are groundless, and so of no weight.

Object. But I am afraid I am not el…ct, or chosen to salvation, though you called me fool a little before for so fearing.

Answ. Though election is, in order, before calling, as to God, yet the knowledge of Calling must go before the belief of my Election, as to my self. Wherefore souls that doubt of the truth of their Effectual Calling, do but plunge themselves p. 160into a deeper labyrinth of confusion that concern themselves with their election; I mean, while they labour to know it before they prove their Calling. Make your Calling, and so your Election sure, 2 Pet. 1.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

Wherefore, at present, lay the thoughts of thy Election by, and ask thy self these questions; Do I see my lost condition? Do I see salvation is no where but in Christ? Would I share in this salvation by Faith of him? And would I, as was said afore, be throughly saved, to wit, from the filth, as from the guilt? Do I love Christ, his Father, his Saints, his Word and Ways? This is the way to prove we are Elect. Wherefore, sinner, when Satan, or thine own heart seek to puzzle thee wi…h Election; say thou, I cannot tend to talk of this point now, but stay till I know that I am called of God to the fellowship of his Son, and then I will shew you that I am Elect, and that my name is written in the Book of Life.

If poor distressed souls would observe this Order, they might save themselves the trouble of an unprofitable l…bour under these unseason…ble and So…l-sinking doubts.

p. 161Let us therefore, upon the sight of our wretchedness, fly and venturously leap into the Arms of Christ, which are now as open to receive us into his Bosom, as they were when nailed to the Cross. This is coming to Christ for Life aright; this is right running away from thy Master to him, as was said before. And for this we have multitudes of Scriptures to support, incourage, and comfort us in our so doing.

But now let him that doth thus, be sure to look for it, for Satan will be with him to morrow, to see if he can get him again to his old service; and if he cannot do that, then will he enter into dispute with him, to wit, about whether he be elect to Life, and called indeed to partake of this Christ, to whom he is fled for succour, or whether he comes to him of his own presumptuous Mind. Therefore we are bid, as to come, so to Arm our selves with that Armour which God has provided; that we may resist, quench, stand against, and withstand all the Fiery Darts of the Devil, Ephes. 6. 11, 12, 13, 14, l5, 16, 17, 18.

If therefore thou findest Satan in this Order to march against thee, remember that thou hadst this Item about it; and p. 162betake thy self to Faith and good Courage; and be sober, and hope to the End.

Object. But how if I should have sinned the sin unpardonable, or That called the sin against the Holy Ghost.

Answ. If thou hast, thou art lost for ever: But yet before it is concluded by thee that thou hast so sinned, know that they that would be saved by Jesus Christ, through faith in his blood, cannot be counted for such.

l. Because of the Promise, for that must not be frustrate: And that saies, And him that cometh to Christ, he will in no wise cast. And again, Whoso will, let him take of the Water of Life freely, Joh. 6.37. Rev. 21 6. chap. 22.17.

But, I say, how can these Scriptures be fulfilled, if he that would indeed be saved as before, has sinned the sin unpardonable? The Scriptures must not be made void, nor their truth be cast to the ground. Here's a Promise, and here's a Sinner; a Promise, that saies he shall not be cast out that comes; and the sinner comes, wherefore he must be received: Consequently, he that comes to Christ for life, has not, cannot have sinned that sin for which there is no forgiveness.

p. 163And this might suffice for an answer to any coming soul, that fears, though he comes, that he has sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost.

2. But again, He that has sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost cannot come, has no heart to come; can by no means be made willing to come to Jesus Christ for life; for that he has received such an opinion of him, and of his things, as deters and holds him back.

1. He counteth this blessed Person, this Son of God, a Magician, a Conjurer, a Witch, or one that did, when he was in the World, what he did, by the power and spirit of the Devil, Mat. 9.34. Mat. 12.24, 25, &c. Mar. 3.22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. Now he that has this opinion of this Jesus, cannot be willing to cast himself at his foot for life, or to come to him as the only way to God, and to Salvation. And hence 'tis said again, that such an one puts him to open shame, and treadeth him under foot, that is, by contemning, reproaching, vilifying, and despising of him, as if he were the vilest one, or the greatest Cheat in the World: and has therefore, as to his esteem of him, called him accursed, crucified him to himself, or counted him p. 164one hanged, as one of the worst of Malefactors, Heb. 6.6. and chap. 10.29. 1 Cor. 12.3.

2. His Blood, which is the meritorious cause of mans redemption, even the blood of the everlasting Covenant, he counteth an unholy thing, or that which has no more vertue in it to save a Soul fro… sin, than has the blood of a Dog, Heb. 10.29. For when the Apostle saies, he counts it an unholy thing; he means, he makes it of less value than that of a Sheep or Cow, which were clean according to the Law. And therefore must mean, that his blood was of no more worth to him in his account, than was the blood of Dog, an Ass, or a Swine, which always was, as to sacrifices, rejected by the God of Heaven, as unholy, or unclean.

Now he who has no better esteem of Jesus Christ, and of his Death and Blood, will not be perswaded to come to him for Life, or to trust in him for Salvation.

3. But further, all this m…st be done against manifest Tokens to prove the contrary, or after the shining of Gospel Light upon the soul, or some considerable profession of him as the M…ssias, or that he was the S…viour of the World.

1. It must be done against manifest p. 165tokens to prove the contrary; and thus the reprobate Jews committed it, when they saw the works of God which put forth themselves in him, and called them the works of the Devil and Beelzebub.

2. It must be done against some s…ining light of the Gospel upon them. And thus it was with Judas, and with those, who after they were enlightned, and had tasted, and had felt, something of the powers of the World to come, fell away from the Faith of him, and put him to open shame and disgrace, Heb. 6.5, 6.

3. It must also be done after, and in opposition to ones own open profession of him. For if after they have escaped the pollution of the World through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again intangled therein, and overcome; the latter end is worse with them than the beginning; for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy Commandment, (which is the Word of Faith) delivered unto them.

4. All this must be done openly, before witn…sses, in the Face, Sight, and View of the World, by Word, and Act. This is the sin that is unpardonable; and he that hath p. 166thus done, can never, 'tis impossible he ever should be renewed again to repentance, and that for a double reason; first such an one doth say, he will not; and of him God saies, he shall not have the benefit of Salvation by him.

Object. But if this be the sin unpardonable, why is it called the sin against the Holy Ghost, and not rather the sin against the Son of God?

Answ. It is called the sin against the Holy Ghost, because such count the works he did, which were done by the Spirit of God, the works of the spirit of the Devil: Also because all such as so reject Christ Jesus the Lord, they do it in despight of that testimony which the Holy Ghost has given of him in the Holy Scriptures; for the Scriptures are the breathings of the Holy Ghost, as in all other things, so in that testimony they bear of the Person of the Works, Sufferings, Resurrection, and Ascention of Jesus Christ.

Sinner, This is the sin against the Holy Ghost. What saist thou? Hast thou committed it; nay, I know thou hast not, if thou wouldst be saved by Christ. Yea, 'tis impossible thou shouldst have done it; if indeed thou wouldst be saved by him. p. 167No man can desire to be saved by him, whom he yet judgeth to be an Impostor, a Magician, a Witch. No man can hope for redemption by that Blood which he yet counteth an unholy thing. Nor will God ever suffer such an one to repent, who has after light, and profession of him, thus horribly, and Devil-like, contemned and trampled upon him.

True, Words, and Wars, and Blasphemies against this Son of Man are pardonable; but then they must be done ignorantly and in unbelief. Also all blasphemous thoughts are likewise such as may be passed by, if the Soul afflicted with them, indeed is sorry for them, 1 Tim. 1.13, 14, 15. Mar. 3.28.

All but this, Sinner, all but this! If God had said he will forgive one sin, it had been undeserved Grace: But when he saies, he will pardon all but one, this is grace to the height. Nor is that one unpardonable otherwise, but because the Saviour that should save them is rejected and put away.

Jacob's Ladder, Christ is Jacob's Ladder that reacheth up to Heaven, and he that refuseth to go by this Ladder thither, will scarce by other means get up so high. There is none other name given p. 168under Heaven among men, whereby we must be saved. There is none other Sacrifice for sin than his; he also, and he only, is the Mediator that reconcileth men to God. And, Sinner, if thou wouldst be saved by him, his Benefits are thine; yea, though thou art a great and Jerusalem. Transgressor.

FINIS.

End of the text · John Bunyan, The Jerusalem Sinner Saved (1689)