The Jerusalem-sinner saved, or, Good news for the vilest of men being a help for despairing souls, shewing that Jesus Christ would have mercy in the first place offered to the biggest sinners / by John Bunyan. Bunyan, John, 1628-1688. 1689 Approx. 220 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 97 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A30160 Wing B5545 ESTC R27236 09726034 ocm 09726034 44053 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A30160) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 44053) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1351:9) The Jerusalem-sinner saved, or, Good news for the vilest of men being a help for despairing souls, shewing that Jesus Christ would have mercy in the first place offered to the biggest sinners / by John Bunyan. Bunyan, John, 1628-1688. The second edition : [21], 168 p. : port. Printed and are to be sold by George Larkin, London : 1689. Reproduction of original in the Bodleian Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Sin. Salvation. 2005-02 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-05 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-06 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2005-06 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion JOHN BUNYAN . THE Jerusalem-Sinner Saved : OR , GOOD NEWS FOR THE Vilest of Men , Being a HELP for DESPAIRING SOULS : SHEWING That Jesus Christ would have Mercy in the first Place offered to the BIGGEST SINNERS . The Second Edition . In which is added , An Answer to those Grand Objections that lie in the way of them that would believe : For the Comfort of those that fear they have sinned against the Holy Ghost . By JOHN BVNYAN of Bedford . LONDON , Printed , and are to be Sold by George Larkin , at the Two Swans without Bishopsgates . 1689. Price Bound 1s . TO THE READER . Courteous Reader , ONe reason which moved me to Write and Print this Little Book , was , because , though there are many Excellent Heart-affecting Discourses in the World that tends to Convert the Sinner ; yet I had a desire to try this simple Method of mine : Wherefore I Make bold thus to Invite and Encourage the Worst to come to Christ for Life . I have been Vile my self , but have obtained Mercy , and I would have my Companions in Sin partake of Mercy too , and therefore I have writ this Little Book . The Nation doth swarm with Vile Ones now , as ever it did since it was a Nation . My Little Book in some places can scarce go from House to House , but 't will find a suitable Subject to spend it self upon . Now since Christ Jesus is willing to save the Vilest , why should they not by Name be somewhat acquainted with it , and bid come to him under that Name ? A great Sinner , when Converted , seems a booty to Jesus Christ ; he gets by saving such an one ; why then should both Jesus lose his Glory , and the Sinner lose his Soul at once , and that for want of an Invitation ? I have found through God's grace , good success in Preaching upon this Subject , and perhaps so I may , by my writing upon it too . I have , as you see , let down this Net for a draught , the Lord catch some great Fishes by it , for the magnifying of his Truth . There are some most Vile in all Mens eyes , and some are so in their own eyes too ; but some have their Paintings to shroud their vileness under , yet they are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do : And for all these , God hath sent a Saviour Jesus : and to all these the Door is opened . Wherefore prethee , Profane Man , give this little Book the reading . Come ; Pardon , ana a part in Heaven and Glory , cannot be hurtful to thee . Let not thy Lusts and Folly drive thee beyond the door of Mercy , since it is not lockt nor bolted up against thee . Manasseh was a bad Man , and Magdalen a bad Woman : To say nothing of the Thief upon the Cross , or of the murderers of Christ ; yet they obtained mercy ; Christ willingly received them . And dost thou think that those once so bad , now they are in Heaven , repent them there , because they left their sins for Christ when they were in the word ? I cannot believe but that thou thinkest they have verily got the best on 't . Why Sinner , do thou likewise : Christ at Heaven Gates , says to thee , come hither ; and the Devil at the gates of Hell does call thee to come to him , Sinner , what sayest thou ? Whether wilt thou go ? Don't go into the Fire , there thou wilt be burned ! Don't let Jesus lose his longing , since 't is for thy Salvation ; but come to him and live . One word more and so I have done . Sinner , here thou dost hear of Love , prethee don't provoke it , by turning it into wantonness . He that dies for slighting Love , sinks deepest into Hell , and will there be tormented by the remembrance of that evil , more than by the deepest cogitation of all his other sins . Take heed therefore , do not make Love thy Tormenter , Sinner . Farewell . THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK . THE Text opened , Page 3● The Badness of Jerusalem unparallel'd , they were the biggest sinners , P. 4 , 5 , 6. DOCTRINE . Jesus Christ would have Mercy ●ffered in the first place to the biggest sinners , p. 9 The Doctrine proved by many Scripture Instances , p. 12 , 13 , 14 The amazing Grace of God , p. 16 , 17 The Apostles keep to their Commission , and offer Mercy in the first place to the biggest sinners , p. 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 The Reasons of the Point . 1. BEcause the bigg●st sinners have most need of Mercy , p. 22 This is Illustrated , p. 24 , to 28 2. Because this redounds most to the spreading of the Fame of Christ , p. 29 Proved and amplified , p. 30 , 36 3. Because by thus doing , others are the more encouraged to come to Christ for Mercy . p. 37 Particular Instances of this , p 40 to 44 4. Because this is the way to weaken the Kingdom of Satan , p. 46 The biggest Sinners Satan's Colonels and Captains , ibid. The bigger sinner breads most of that horrible Vermin , Sin , p. 47 The Author's experience about it , p. 48 5. Because the biggest sinners are the best helps in the Church , when Converted , p. 50 This is Illustrated by several particulars , p. 51. to 56 6. Because such when Converted , are apt to love Christ most , p. 56 A pleasant Story of Martha and Mary , p. 61 , to 66 Christ has but little thanks for saving little Sinners , p. 66 7. Because Grace when received by such , finds matter to kindle upon more freely than it finds in others , p. 69 This is Illustrated by three or four Similitudes , p. 69 , to 70 A Note upon the Debauchery of the Youth of our Times , p. 72 8. Because by this means the finally Impenitent are left the m●re without excuse . p. 79 No ground for the Impenitent at Judgment , for an excuse from the greatnesse of their sins , why they came not to Jesus Christ , p. 78 Instances to convince them how it will go with th●m then , for neglecting the grace of God now , p. 79 , 80 APPLICATION . 1. BY this Doctrine we are shewed how to make a right judgment of the Heart of Christ to Men , p. 84 , 85 2. This shews also the Sufficiency of the Merits of Christ , p. 90 Such as his Merits are , such is his Grace , the one is seen by the other , p. 91 , to 93 3. Here is encouragement for you that think your selves the worst , yet to come to Christ , p. 93 Objections tonch'd upon and dissolved , to obstruct our coming to Christ , p. 94 , 95 4. An ●xpostulation with great Sinners to come to Christ , p. 102 Other Objections touched , p. 103 5. There is no ground for such to despair that would be saved by Jesus Christ , p. 106 Four kinds of Despairing , ibid. Three sorts of Despair reasonable , and to be allowed , p. 107 The badness of that Despair that keeps us off from closing with Christ , shewed in several Particulars , p. 111 , to 114 Despair the Devil's Master , p. 112 6. Since Christ doth offer means to the biggest Sinners , let them take heed that they lay right hold thereon , p. 115 Take heed of presuming instead of believing , p. 116 Faith , and Wild Faith , and how discovered , ibid. When Presumption puts its self in the place of Faith , p. 116 , 117 Three things to help the Jerusalem-sinner to know when to believe in Christ , p. 119 The design of Satan , p. 120 The danger of not Accepting , when Christ offers Mercy . p. 122 7. If it be so , then here is ground for those that are not Sinners of the largest size , to come to Christ for Mercy , p. 122 , 123 Objection answered , p. 123 A Man comparatively a little Sinner , made by Conviction a great one , p. 124 A lamentable cry for Pardon , a great thing with God , p. 125 A right Plea for Pardon lieth not in our numbring up , but ariseth from the sense of the greatness of Sin , p. 125 , 126 Heavenly Subtilty , p. 126 The comparison of little and great Sinners explained , p. 127 One of the comliest Sights in the World , p 127 , 128 A Caution to the great and little Sinner , p. 128 8. By this Grace of Christ is made appear the true reason of Satan's malice against him , p. 128 Who Satan makes use of to manage his despight against Christ. p. 129 How they stickle for Satan unawares to themselves . p. 130 , 131 9. Considering this mercifulness of Christ , let the Tempted harp hereon for their comfort and consolation , p. 133 Satan's Master-piece , his Club and Maul , ibid. The way to foil the Devil , p. 134 At what season the Passover was first eaten , p. 136 Nothing like Faith to help at a pinch , ibid. Faith the Eye , Hand , and Mouth of the Soul , ibid. 10. Here 's encouragement for such a● have in Word or Deed , spoke or done badly , in a day of Trial , p. 138 A comfortable Similitude for such , p. 138 Peter instanced , ibid. Promises for such , p. 139 An Objection answered , p. 140 Christ has Bags of Mercy yet never broken up , ibid. 11. Vse for Exhortation to Ministers and Christians to carry it to the World like their Master Christ , ibid. We should not be Austere , p. 142 We should not affect Wo●ldly Grandure , p. 143 We should in Life and Conversion be exemplary , p. 144 A gentle Reproof , ibid. The Conclusion , p. 146 An answer to those Grand Objections that lie in the way of them that would believe : For the Comfort of those that fear th●y have sinned against the Holy Ghost . p. 149 , &c. A Catalogue of Books , Printed and Sold by George Larkin , at the Two Swans without Bishopsgate . 1. SOlomon's Temple Spiritualiz'd : Or , Gospel-Light fetch'd out of the Temple at Jerusalem , to let us more easily into the Glory of New-Testament Truths : Wherein about Seventy Particulars relating to the Temple at Jerusalem , are Explained ; and what they signifie in Gospel-Times , U●folded , Brice Bonnd 1 s. 2. The Acceptable Sacrifice : Or the Excellency of a Broken Heart : Shewing the Nature , Signs , and Proper Effects of a Contrite Spirit , Price Bound 1 s. 3. A Discourse of the Building , Nature , Excellency and Government of the House of God : With Counsels and Directions to the Inhabitants thereof , Price Stich'd 4 d. 4. The Jerusalem-Sinn●r Saved : Or , Good News for the Vilest of Men : Being a Help for Despairing Souls : Shewing that Jesus Christ would have Mercy in the first Place offered to the Biggest Sinners . The Second Edition : In which is added , An Answer to those Grand Objections that lie in the way of them that would believe : For the Comfort of those that fear they have sinned against the Holy Ghost , Price Bound 1 s. All Four by John Bunyan of Bedford . 5. Instructions for Children : Or , The Child's and Youth's Delight : Teaching an easie way to Spell and Read True English : Containing the Father's Godly Advice , directing Parents in a Right and Spiritual Manner to Educate their Children : With a Christian Catechism , wherein all the Chief Principles of True Christianity are clearly Opened : Together with many other things both Pleasant and Useful for the Education of Children . Written by B. Keach Author of War with the Devil . Recommended to the Use of all Parents and Schoolmasters , by Hanserd Knollys , Price Bound 6 d. 6. The Tutor to True English : Or , Brief and Plain Directions , whereby all that can Read and Write may Attain to Orthography , ( or the Exact Writing of English ) as readily as if bred Scholars . Very much conducing likewise to the due Sounding and perfect Reading all sorts of Words used in the English Tongue . With an Introduction to Arithmetick , more easie than any yet extant . And several other Observations of General Use : Especially for the use of either Sex , and Forreigners . By Henry Care , Price Bound 1 s. 7. The Great Discovery : Or , A Golden Key to unlock the Greatest Points of Divinity contained in the Old and New Testaments : Wherein the Great Design of God for the Salvation of Sinners by Jesus Christ , in a Covenant-way , is more fully laid open and discovered , than has ever been hitherto done by any . By G. W. Price Bound 2 s. GOOD NEWS For the Vilest of Men. OR , A Help for Despairing Souls . Luke xxiv . 47. — Beginning at Jerusalem . THe whole Verse runs thus : And that repentance and remission of Sins should be preached in his Name among all Nations , beginning at Jerusalem . The Words were spoken by Christ , after he rose from the Dead , and they are here rehearsed after an Historical manner , but do contain in them a formal Commission , with a special Clause , therein . The Commission is , as you see , for the Preaching of the Gospel , and is very distinctly incerted in the Holy Record by Matthew and Mark. Go teach all Nations , &c. Go ye into all the World and preach the Gospel unto every Creature , Matt. 28.19 . Mark 16.15 . Only this Clause is in special mentioned by Luke , who saith , That as Christ would have the Doctrine of Repentance and Remission of Sins preached in his Name among all Nations , so he would have the People of Jerusalem to have the first proffer thereof . Preach it , saith Christ , in all Nations : but begin at Jerusalem . The Apostles then , though they had a Commission so large as to give them Warrant to go and preach the Gospel in all the World , yet by this Clause they were limited , as to the beginning of their Ministry : They were to begin this Work at Jerusalem . Beginning at Jerusalem . Before I proceed to an Observation upon the Words , I must ( but briefly ) t●uch upon two things : Namely , 1. Shew you what Jerusalem now was . 2. Shew you what it was to preach the Gospel to them . So the first , Jerusalem is to be considered of , either , 1. With respect to the descent of her People : Or , 2. With respect to her Preference and Exaltation : Or , 3. With respect to her present State , as to her Decays . First , As to her Descent : She was from Abraham , the Sons of Jacob , a People that God singled out from the rest of the Nations to set his love upon them . Secondly , As to her Preference , or Exaltation , she was the place of God's Worship , and that which had in , and with her , the special ●okens and Signs of God's Favour and Presence , above any o●her People in the Word . Hence the Tribes went up to Jerusalem to Worship , there was God's House , God's High Priest , God's Sacrifices accepted , and God's Eye , and God's Heart perpetually , Ps●l . 76.1 , 2. Psal. 122.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. 1 King. 9.3 . But , Thirdly , We are to consider Jerus●lem also in her Decays ; for as she is to considered , she is the proper object of our Text , as will be f●rther shewed by and by . Jerus●lem , as I toId you , ●as the place and fea● of God's Worship , but now decayed , deg●n●rated , and apostatiz●d . The Word , the Rule of Worship , was rejected of them , and in its place they had put and set up their own Traditions : They had rejected also the most weighty Ordinances , and put in the room thereof their own little things , ( Mat. 15. Mark 7. ) Jerusalem was therefore now greatly backslidden , and become the place where Truth and true Religion was much defaced . It was also now become the very sink of Sin , and seat of Hypocrisie , and gulf where true Religion was drowned . Here also now reigned Presumption , and groundless Confidence in God , which is the bane of Souls . Amongst its Rulers , Doctors , and Leaders , Envy , Malice , and Blasphemy vented it self against the Power of Godliness , in all places where it was espied : As also against the Promoters of it ; yea , their Lord and Maker could not escape them . In a Word , Jerusalem was now become the Shambles , the very Slaughter-shop for Saints . This was the place wherein the Prophets , Christ , and his People , were most horribly persecuted and murdered . Yea. so hardned at this time was this Jerusalem in her Sins , that she feared not to commit the biggest , and to bind her self by Wish under the guilt and damning evil of it ; saying , when the had murdered the Son of God , His Blood be upon us and our Children . And though Jesus Christ did both by Doctrine Miracles , and Holiness of Life , seek to put a stop to their Villanies ; yet they shut their eyes , stopt their ears , and rested not , till , as was hinted before , they had driven him out of the World. Yea , that they might , if possible , have extinguished his Name , and exploded his Doctrine out of the World , they against all Argument , and in despite of Heaven , its mighty hand , and undeniable proof of his Resurrection , did hire Souldiers to invent a Lye , saying , His Disciples stole him away from the Grave ; on purpose that Men might not count him the Saviour of the World , nor trust in him for the Remission of Sins . They were , saith Paul , contrary to all Men : For they did not only shut up the Door of Life against themselves , but forbad that it should be opened to any else . Forbidding us , saith he , to preach to the Gentiles , that they might be saved , to fill up their sin alway , Matt. 23.35 chap. 15.7 , 8 , 9. Mar. 7. ● , 7 8 , Mat. 3 7.8 9. Joh. 8.33 , 41. Mat. 27.18 . Mar. 3.30 . Luk. 265. Mat. 23. 37. Luk. 13 33 , 34. Psal. 2.22 , 23. Chap. 4.10 . Mat. 27.25 Chap. 20.11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15. 1 Thes. 2.14 , 15 , 16. This is the City , and these are the People : This is their Character , and th●se are their Sins . Nor can there be produced their parallel in all this World. Nay , what World ! what People ! what Nation , for Sin , and Transgression , could , or can be comp●red to Jerusalem ! Especially if you joyn to the matter of fact , the Light they sinned against , and the Patience which they abused . Infinite was the Wickedness upon this account which they committed . After all their abusings of wise Men , and Prophets , God sent unto them John Baptist , to reduce them , and then his Son to redeem them ; but they would be neither reduced nor redeemed , but persecuted both to the Death . Nor did they , as I said , stop here ; the Holy Apostles they afterwards persecuted also to Death , even so many as they could , the rest ●he drove from them unto the utmost Corners . Secondly , I come now to shew you what it was to preach the Gospel to them . It was , saith Luke , to preach to them Repentance and remission of Sins in Christs Name . Or as Mark has it , to bid th●m repent and believe the Gospel , Mar. 1.15 . Not that Repentance is a cause of Remission , but a sign of our hearty reception thereof . Repentance is therefore here put to intimate , that no pretended Faith of the Gospel is good , that is not accompanied with it . And this he doth on purpose 'cause he would not have them deceive themselves : For with what Faith can he expect remission of Sins in the Name of Christ , that is not heartily sorry for them ? Or how shall a man be able to give to others a satisfactory account of his unseigned subjection to the Gospel , that yet abides in his impenitency ? Wherefore Repentance is here joined with Faith in the way of receiving the Gospel . Faith is that without which it cannot be received at all : And Repentance that without which it cannot be received unseignedly . When therefore Christ says , he would have Repentance and Remission of Sins preached in his Name among all Nations ; it is as much as to say , I will that all men every where be sorry for their sins , and accept of mercy at Gods hand thorow me , lest they fall under his wrath in the Judgment . For as I said , without Repentance , what pretence soever men have of Faith , they cannot escape the wrath to come . Wherefore Paul saith , God commands all men ev●ry where to repent ( in order to their Salvation ) because he hath appointed a day in the which he will Judge the World in Righte●usness by that man whom he hath ordained , Acts 17.30 . And now to come to this Clause , Beginning at Jerusalem : That is , that Christ would have Jerusalem have the first offer of the Gospel . 1. This cannot be so commanded , because they had now any more right of themselves thereto than had any of the Nations of the World ; for their Sins had divested them of all self-deservings . 2. Nor yet , because they stood upon the advance ground with the worst of the Sinners of the Nations . Nay , rather the Sinners of the Nations had the advanc●-ground of them . For Jerusalem was long , before she had added this Iniquity to her sin , worse than the very Nations that God cast out before the Children of Israel , 2 Chron. 33. 3. It must therefore follow that this Cl●use , B●gin at Jerusalem , was put into this Commission of meer Grace and Compassion ; Even from the overflowings of the Bowels of Mercy . For indeed they were the worst , and so in the most deplorable condition of any People under the Heavens . Whatever therefore their relation was to Abraham , Isaac , or Jacob , however they formerly had been the People among whom God had placed his Name and Worship , they were now degenerated from God , more than the Nations were from their Idols , and were become guilty of the highest Sins which the People of the World were capable of committing . Nay , none can be capable of committing of such pardonable Sins as they committed against their God , when they slew his Son , and persecuted his Name and Word . From these Words therefore thus explained , we gain this Observation ; That Jesus Christ would have mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners . That these Jerusalem Sinners were the biggest Sinners that ever were in the World , I think none will deny , that believes that Christ was the best Man that ever was in the World , and also was their Lord God. And that they were to have the first offer of his Grace , the Text is as clear as the Sun ; for it saith , Begin at Jerusalem . Preach , saith he , Repentance and remission of sins to the Jerusalem-sinners ; to the Jerus●lem-sinners in the first place , One would a-thought , since the J●rusalem-sinners were the worst , and greatest Sinners , Christ's greatest enemies , and those that not only despised his Person , Doctrine , and Miracles , but that a little before had had their hands up to the elbows in his Heart-bloud , That he should rather have said , Go into all the World , and preach Repentance and Remission of Sins among all Nations ; and af●er that , offer the same to Jerusalem . Yea , it had been infinite Grace , if he had said so . But what Grace is this ? Or what Name shall we give it , when he commands that this Repentance and Remission of Sins , which is designed to be preached in all Nations , should first be offered to Jerusalem , in the first place to the worst of Sinners : Nor was this the first time that the Grace which was in the Heart of Christ , thus shewed it self to the World. For while he was yet alive , even while he was yet in Jerus●lem , and perceived even among these Jerusalem-sinners , which was the most vile amongst them ; he still in his preaching did signifie that he had a desire that the worst of these worst should in the first place come unto him . The which he sheweth where he saith to the better sort of them , The Publicans and Harlots enter into the Kingdom of God before you , Matt. 21.31 . Also when he compared Jerusalem with the Sinners of the Nations , then he commands that the Jerusalem-sinners should have the Gospel at present confined to them . Go not , saith he , into the way of the Gentiles , and into any of the Cities of the Samaritans enter ye not : but go rather to the lost Sheep of the house of Israel , Matt. 10.5 , 6. chap. 23.37 . But go rather to them , for they were in the most fearful plight . These therefore must have the Cream of the Gospel , namely , the first offer thereof in his Life-time : Yea , when he departed out of the World , he left this as part of his last Will with his Preachers , that they also should offer it first to Jerusalem . He had a mind , a careful mind , as it seems , to priviledge the worst of Sinners with the first offer of Mercy , and to take from among them a People to be the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. The fifteenth of Luke also is famous for this , where the Lord Jesus takes more care , as appears there by three Parables , for the lost Sheep , lost Groat , and the Prodigal Son , than for the other Sheep , the other Pence , or for the Son that said he had never transgressed . Yea , he shews that there is Joy in Heaven , among the Angels of God , at the repentance of one Sinner , more than over Ninety and nine Just Persons , which need no repentance , Luke 15. After this manner therefore the mind of Christ was set on the Salvation of the biggest Sinners in his Life-time . But joyn to this , this Clause , which he carefully put into the Apostles Commission to preach , when he departed hence to the Father ; and then you shall see that his Heart was vehemently set upon it , for these were part of his last words with them , Preach my Gospel to all Nations , but see that you begin at Jerusalem . Nor did the Apostles overlook this Clause , when their Lord was gone into Heaven : They went first to them of Jerusalem , and preached Christ's Gospel to them . They abode also there for a season and time , and preached it to no body else , for they had regard to the Commandment of their Lord. And it is to be observed , namely , that the first Sermon which they preached after the Ascension of Christ , it was preached to the very worst of these Jerusalem-sin●ers ; even to those that were the murderers of Jesus Christ , Acts 2.23 . For these are part of the Sermon ; Ye took him , and by wicked hands have Crucified and slain him . Yea , the next Sermon , and the next , and also the next to that , was preached to the self-same murderers , to the end they might be saved , Acts 3. 14 , 15 , 16. chap. 4 , 10 , 11. chap. 5 , 30. chap. 7.52 . But we will return to the first Sermon that was preached to these Jerusalem-sinners , by which will be manifest more than great Grace , if it be duly considered . For after that Peter and the rest of the Apostles , had in their Exhortation perswaded these Wretches to believe that they had killed the Prince of Life , and after they had duly fallen under the guilt of their Murder , saying , Men and Brethren , what shall we do ? He replies by an universal Tender to them all in general , considering them as Christ-killers . That if they were sorry for what they had done , and would be Baptized for the Remission of their sins in his Name , they should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost , Acts 2.37 , 38. This he said to them all , though he knew that they were such sinners . Yea , he said it without the least stick , or stop , or p●use of Spirit , as to whether he had best to say so or no. Nay , so far off was Peter from making an Objection against one of them , that by a particular Clause in his Exhortation , he endeavours , that not one of them may escape the Salvation offered . Repent , saith he , and be Baptized every one of you . I shut out never a one of you . For I am commanded by my Lord , to deal with you , as it were , one by one , by the Word of his Salvation . But why speaks he so particularly ? Oh! there were reasons for it . The People with whom the Apostles were now to deal , as they were Murderers of our Lord , and to be charged in the general with his Blood , so they had their various and particular acts of Villany in the guilt thereof , now lying upon their Consciences . And the guilt of these their various and particular acts of wickedness , could not perhaps , be reached to a removal thereof , but by this particular Application . Repent every one of you ; be Baptized every one of you , in his Name , for the Remission of Sins , and you shall , every one of you , receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost . Object . But I was one of them that plotted to take away his Life : May I be saved by him ? Peter . Every one of you . Object . But I was one of them that bare false Witness against him : Is there Grace for me ? Peter . For every one of you . Object . But I was one of them that cryed out , Crucifie , Crucifie him ; and that desired that Barabas the Murderer might live , rather than him . What will become of me , think you ? Peter . I am to preach Repentance and Remission of Sins to every one of you , says Peter . Object . But I was one of them that did spit in his face when he stood before his Accusers . I also was one that mocked him , when in anguish he hanged bleeding on the tree . Is there room for me ? Peter . For every one of you , says , Peter . Object . But I was one of them that in his extremity said , Give him Gall and Vinegar to drink , why may not I expect the same when anguish and guilt is upon me ? Peter . Repent of these your wickednesses , and here is remission of sins for every one of you . Object . But I railed on him , I reviled him , I hated him , I rejoyced to see him mocked at by others . Can there be hopes . for me ? Peter . There is for every one of you . Repent and be Baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ , for the Remission of Sins , and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost . Oh! what a blessed Every one of you , i● here ! How willing was Peter and the Lord Jesus , by his Ministry , to catch these Murderers with the Word of the Gospel , that they might be made Monuments of the Grace of God! How unwilling , I say , was he , that any of these should escape the hand of Mercy ! Yea , what an amazing wonder is it , to think , that above all the World , and above every body in it , These should have the first offer of Mercy ! Beginning at Jerusalem . But was there not something of moment in this Clause of the Commission ? Did not Peter , think you , see a great deal in it , that he should thus begin with these men , and thus offer , so particularly , this Grace to each particular man of them ? But , as I told you , This is not all . These Jerusalem-sinners must have this offer again and again ; Every one of them , must be offered it over and over . Christ would not take their first rejection for a denial ; nor their second repulse for a denial : But he will have Grace offered once , and twice , and thrice , to these Jerusalem-sinners . Is not this amazing Grace ! Christ will not be put off . These are the Sinners , that are sinners indeed . They are Sinners of the biggest sort , consequently such as Christ can , if they convert and be saved , best serve his ends and designs upon . Of which more anon . But what a pitch of Grace is this ! Christ is minded to amaze the World , and to shew that he acteth not like the Children of men . This is that which he said of old , I will not execute the fierceness of my wrath , I will not return to destroy Ephraim , for I am God and not Man , Hos. 11.9 . This is not the manner of Men ; Men are shorter winded ; Men are soon moved to take Vengeance , and to right themselves in a way of Wrath and Indignation But God is full of Grace , full of Patience , ready to Forgive , and one that delights in Mercy . All this is seen in our Text. The biggest sinners must First be offered Mercy . They must , I say , have the Cream of the Gospel offered . unto them . But we will a little proceed . In the Third C●apter we find , that they who escaped Converting by the first Sermon , are called upon again , to accept of Grace and Forgiveness for their Murder committed upon this Son of God. You have killed ; yea , you have denyed the Holy one and the Just , and desired a Murderer to be granted unto you . And killed the Prince of Life . M●rk , He falls again upon the very Men that actually were , as you have it in the Chapters following , his very Betrayers and Murderers , Acts 3.14 , 15. As being loth that they should escape the mercy of Forgiveness . And Exhorts them again to repent , that their sins might be blotted out , Ver. 19.20 . Ag●in , in the Fourth Chapter , he charges them afresh with this Murder , Ver. 10. But withall tells them , Salvation is in no other . Then like a heavenly Decoy , he puts himself also among them , to draw them the better under the Net of the Gospel ; saying , There is none other Name under Heaven given among men , whereby we must be saved , Ver. 12. In the fifth Chapter you find them railing at him , because he continued preaching among them Salvation in the Name of Jesus . But he tells them , That that very Jesus whom they had slain and hanged on a Tree , him God had raised up , and exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour , to give Repentance to Isra●l , and Forgiveness of Sins , Vir. 29.30 , 31. Still insinuating , that tho they had killed him , and to this day rejected him , yet his business was to bestow upon them , Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins . 'T is true , after they began to kill again , and when nothing but killing would serve their turn ; then they that were scattered abroad , went every where preaching the Word . Yet even some of them to hankered after the Conversion of the Jews , that they preached the Gospel only to them . Also the Apostles still made their abode at Jerusalem , in hopes that they might yet let down their Net for another draught of these Jerusalem-sinners . Neither did Paul and Barnabas , who were the Ministers of God to the Gentiles , but offer the Gospel in the first place to those of them that for their wickedness were scattered like Vagabonds among the Nations . Yea , and when they rendred Rebellion and Blasphemy for their Service and Love ; they replied , It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to them , Acts 1.8 . chap. 13.46 , 47. Nor was this their Preaching unsuccessful among these People : But the Lord Jesus so wrought with the Word thus spoken , that thousands of them came flocking to him for Mercy . Three thousand of them closed with him at the first ; and afterwards two thousand more ; for now they were in number about five thousand ; whereas before Sermons was preached to these Murderers , the number of the Disciples were not above a hundred and twenty , Acts 1.15 . chap. 2.41 . chap. 4 , 4. Also among these People that thus flocked to him for Mercy , there was a great company of the Priests , chap. 6.7 . Now the Priests were they that were the greatest of these biggest Sinners ; they were the Ringleaders , they were the Inventors and Ringleaders in the mischief . ' T●as they that set the People against the Lord Jesus , and that was the cause why the upro●r increased , until Pilate had given Sentence upon him . The chief Priests and Elders , says the Text , perswaded ( the People ) the multitude , that they should ask Barabas , and destroy Jesus , Mat. 27.20 . And yet behold , the Priests , yea , a great company of the Priests became obedient to the Faith. Oh the Greatness of the Grace of Christ ! ! That he should be thus in love with the Souls of Jerusalem-sinners ! That he should be thus delighted with the Salvation of the Jerusalem-sinners ! That he should not only will that his Gospel should be offered them , but that it should be offered unto them first , and before other Sinners were admitted to a hearing of it ; Begin at Jerusalem . Was this Doctrine well believed , where would there be place for a doubt , or a fear of the Damnation of the Soul , if the Sinner be penitent ; How bad a Life soever he has lived , how many soever in number are his sins ! But this Grace is hid from the Eyes of Men , the Devil hides it from them ; for he knows it is alluring ; he knows it has an attracting Vertue in it . For this is it , that above all Arguments can draw the Soul to God. I cannot help it , but must let drop another Word : The first Church , the Jerusalem - Church , from whence the Gospel was to be sent into all the World ; was a Church made up of Jerusalem-sinners . These great Sinners were here the most shining Monuments of the exceeding Grace of God. Thus you see , I have proved the Doctrine ; and that , not only by shewing you , that this was the practice of the Lord Jesus Christ in his Life-time ; but his last Will , when he went up to God ; saying , Begin to preach at Jerusalem . Yea , it is yet further manifested , in that when his Ministers first began to preach there , he joyned his Power to the Word , to the Converting of thousands of his Betrayers and Murderers ; and also many of the Ringleading Priests , to the Faith. I shall now proceed , and shall shew you , 1. The Reasons of the point . 2. And then make some Application of the whole . The Observation you know , is this , Jesus Christ would have mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners , to the Jerusalem-sinners ; preach Repentance , and remission of sins , in my Name , among all Nations , Beginning at Jerusalem . The Reasons of the Point are , First , Because the biggest Sinners have most need thereof . He that has most need , Reason says , should be helped first . I mean , when a helping hand is offered , and now it is . For the Gospel of the Grace of God is sent to help the World , Acts 16.9 . But the biggest sinner has most need . Therefore in reason , when Mercy is sent down from Heaven to men , the worst of men should have the first offer of it . Begin at Jerusalem . This is the reason which the Lord Christ himself renders , why in his Life-time he left the best , and turned him to the worst ; why he sat so loose from the Righteous , and stuck so close to the Wicked . The whole , saith he , have no need of the Physician , but the sick . I came not to call the righteous , but sinners to repentance , Mark 2.15 , 16 , 17. Above , you read , that the Scribes and Pharisees said to his Disciples , How is it that he eateth and drinketh with Publicans and Sinners ? Alas , they did not know the reason . But the Lord renders them one , and such an one as is both natural and cogent ; Saying , These have need , most need . Their great necessity requires that I should be most friendly , and shew my grace first to them . Not that the other were sinless , and so had no need of a Saviour : But the Publicans and their Companions , were the biggest sinners , they were , as to view , worse than the Scribes , and therefore in reason should be helped first , because they had most need of a Saviour . Men that are at the point to dye , have more need of the Physician , than they that are but now and then troubled with are Heart-fainting-qualm . The Publicans and Sinners were as it were , in the mouth of Death , Death was swallowing of them down ; and therefore the Lord Jesus receives them first , offers them mercy first . The whole have no need of the Physician , but the sick . I came not to call the righteous , but sinners to repentance . The Sick , as I said , is the biggest sinner , whether he sees his Disease or not . He is stained from Head to Foot , from Heart to Life and Conversation . This man in every mans judgment , has the most need of mercy . There is nothing attends him from Bed to Board , and from Board to Bed again , but the visible characters , and obvious symptoms of eternal damnation . This therefore is the man that has need , most need , and therefore in reason should be helped in the first place . Thus 't was with the People concerned in the Text , they were the worst of sinners , Jerusalem-sinners , sinners of the biggest size , and therefore such as had the greatest need : Wherefore they must have mercy offered to them , before it be offered any where else in the World. Begin at Jerusalem , offer mercy first to a Jerusalem-sinner : This man has most need , he is farthest from God , nearest to Hell , and so one that has most need . This mans sins are in number the most , in cry the loudest , in weight the heaviest and consequently will sink him soonest : Wherefore he has most need of mercy . This man is shut up in Satans hand , fastest bound in the cords of his sins ; one that Justice is whetting his Sword to cut off , and therefore has most need , not only of mercy , but that it should be extended to him in the first place . But a little further , to shew you the true nature of this Reason , to wit , That Jesus Christ would have mercy offer'd in the first place to the biggest sinners . First , Mercy ariseth from Bowels and Compassion , from Pity , and from a feeling of the Condition of those in misery , In his Love , and in his Pity , he saveth us , And again , The Lord is p●tiful , very petiful , and of great mercy , Isa. 63.9 . Jam , 5.11 . Now where Pity and Compassion is , there is yearning of Bowels ; and where there is that , there is a readiness to help . And , I say again , The more deplorable and dreadful the Condition is , the more directly doth Bowels and Compassion turn themselves to such , and offer help and deliverance . All this flows from our first Scripture proof , I came to call them that have need ; to call them first , while the rest look on , and murmur . How shall I give thee up , Ephraim ? Ephraim was a Revolter from God , a man that had given himself up to Devilism : A company of men , the ten Tribes , that worshiped Devils , while Judah kept with his God. But how shall I give thee up , Ephraim ? How shall I deliver thee Israel ? How shall I make thee as Admah ? How shall I set thee 〈◊〉 Zeboim ? ( and yet thou art worse than they : nor has Samaria committed half thy sins , Ezek. 16.46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51. ) My heart is turned within me , and my repentings are kindled together , Hos. 11.8 . But where do you find that ever the Lord did thus rowl in his Bowels for , and after any Self-righteous man ? No , no , they are the Publicans and Harlots , Idolaters and Jerusalem-sinners , for whom his Bowels thus yearn and tumble about within him . For alas ! poor Worms , they have most need of mercy . Had not the good Samaritan more compassion for that man that fell among Thieves , ( though that fall was occasioned by his going from the place where they worshipped God , to Jerico , the cursed City ) than we read he had for any other besides ? His Wine was for him , his Oyl was for him , his Breast for him ; his Pen●y , his Care , and his Swadling-bands for him ; for alas , Wretch ! he had most need , Luke 10.30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35. Zacheus the Publican , the chief of the Publicans , one that had made himself the richer by wronging of o●hers ; the Lord at that time singl●th him out from all the rest of his brother Publicans , and that in the face of many Pharisees , and proclaimed in the audience of them all , That that day Salvation was come to his ●ouse , Luke 19.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. The Woman also that had been bound down by Satan for eighteen years together , his compassions putting him upon it , he loosed her , though those that stood by snarled at him for so doing , Luk. 13.11 , 12 , 13. And why the Woman of Sarepta , and why Naaman the Syrian , rather than Widows and Lepers in Israel ; but because their conditions were more deplorable , ( for that ) they were most forlorn , and farthest from help , Luk. 4.25 , 27. But I say , why all these , thus named ? why have we not a Catalogue of some Holy men that were so in their own eyes , and in the judgment of the World ? Alas ! if at any time any of them are mentioned , how seemingly coldly doth the Record of Scripture present them to us ? Nicodemus , a Night-Professor , and Simon the Pharisee , with his Fifty Pence ; and their great ignorance of the methods of Grace , we have now and then touched upon . Mercy seems to be out of his proper Chanel , when it deals with Self-righteous men ; but then it runs with a full stream when it extends it self to the biggest sinners . As God's mercy is not regulated by Man's goodness , nor obtained by Man's worthiness ; so not much set one by saving of any such . But more of this anon . And here let me ask my Reader a Question : Suppose that as thou art walking by some Pond-side , thou shouldst espy in it , four or five Children all in danger of drowning , and one in more danger than all the rest ; judge which has most need to be helped out first ? I know thou wilt say , he that is nearest drowning : Why , this is the case ; the bigger Sinner , the nearer d●o●ning ; therefore the bigger sinner , the more need of mercy ; yea , of help by mercy in the first place . And to this our Text agrees , when it saith , Beginning at Jerusalem . Let the Jerusalem Sinner , says Christ , have the first offer , the first invitation , the first tender of my grace and mercy , for he is the biggest sinner , and so has most need thereof . Secondly , Christ Jesus would have mercy offered in the first place to the biggest sinners , because when they , any of them , receive it , it redound , most to the fame of his Name . Christ Jesus , as you may perceìve , has , put himself under the term of a Physician , a Doctor for curing of Diseases : And you know that Applause , and a Fame , is a thing that Physicians much desire . That is it that helps them to Patients , and that also that will help their Patients to commit thems●lves to their Skill for Cure , with the more confidence and repose of Spirit . And the best way for a Doctor or Physician to get themselves a Name , is in the first place to take in hand , and Cure some such as all others have given off for lost and dead . Physician● get neither Name nor Fame by pricking of Wheals or pi●king out Thistles , or by laying of Plaisters to the scratch of a P●n . Every old Woman can do this . But if they will have a Name and a Fame , if they will have it quickly , they must , as I said , do some great and desperate Cures . Let them fetch one to Life that was Dead ; let them recover one to his Wits , that was Mad ; let them make one that was born Blind , to See ; or let them give ripe Wits to a Fool ; these are ro●able Cures ; and he that can do th●s , and if he doth thus first , he shall have the Name and Fame he desires ; he may lye a B●d till Noon . Why , Christ Jesus forgiveth Sins for a Name , and so beg●ts of himself a go●d Report in the hearts of the Children of men . And therefore in reason , he must be willing , as also he did command , that his mercy should be offered first to the biggest Sinners . I will forgive their sins , iniquities , and transgressions , says he , and it shall turn to me for a name of Joy , and a praise , and an honour , before all the Nations of the earth , Jer. 33.8 , 9. And hence it is that at his first appearing he took upon him to do such mighty works . He got a Fame thereby ; he got a Name thereby , Mat. 4.23 , 24. When Christ had cast the legion of Devils out of the man of whom you read , Mark 5. He bid him go home to his Friends and tell it . Go home , saith he , to thy friends , and tell them how great things God has done for thee , and has had compassion on thee , Mark 5.19 . Christ Jesus seeks a Name , and desireth a Fame in the World ; and therefore , or the better to obtain that , he commands that mercy should first be proffered to the biggest sinners , because by the saying of one of them , he makes all men marvel . As 't is said of the man l●st mentioned , whom Christ cured toward the beginning of his Ministry : And he departed , says the Text , and began to publish in Decapolis , how great things Jesus had done for him , and all men did m●rvel , Ver. 20. When John told Christ , that they saw one casting out Devils in his Name , and they forbad him because he followed not with them : What is the answer of Christ ? Forbid him not , for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my Name , that can lightly speak evil of me . No , they will rather cause his Praise to be heard , and his Name to be magnified , and so put Glory on the head of Christ. But we will follow a little our Metaphor : Christ , as I said , has put himself under the term of a Physician ; Consequently he desireth that his Fame , as to the Salvation of sinners , may spread abroad , that the World may see what he can do . And to this end , has not only commanded that the biggest sinners should have the first offer of his mercy ; but has , as Physicians do , put out his Bills , and published his doings , that things may be read and talked of . Yea , he has moreover in these his blessed Bills , the Holy Scriptures , I mean , incerted the very Names of Persons , the places of their abode , and the great Cures that by the means of his Salvations he has w●ought upon th●m to this very end : Here is , Item , Such a one by my grace and redeeming Blood , was made a Monument of everlasting Life : And such a one by my perfect Obedience , became an Heir of Glory . And then he produceth their Names . Item , I s●ved Lot from the guilt and damnation that he had procured to himself by his incest . Item , I saved David from the Vengeance that belonged to him for committing of Adultery and Murder . Here is also Solomon , M●nasseh , Pet●r , Magdal●n , and many others made mention of in this Book . Yea , here are their Names , their Sins , and their Salvations recorded together , that you may read , and know what a Saviour he is , and do him honour in the World. For why are these things thus recorded , but to shew to Sinners what he can do , to the praise and glory of his grace ? And it is observable , as I said before , we have but very little of the Salvation of little sinners mentioned in God's Book , because that would not have answered the design , to wit , to bring glory and fame to the Name of the Son of God. What should be the reason , think you , why Christ should so easily take a denial of the great ones , that wear the Grandure of the World , and struggle so hard for Hedge creepers and Highway men , ( as that Parable , Luke 14. seems to import he doth ) but to shew forth the riches of the glory of his Grace to his praise . This , I say , is one Reason to be sure . They that had their Grounds , their yoke of Oxen , and their m●rriage Joys , were invited to come ; but they made their excuse , and that serv●d the turn . But when he comes to deal with the worst , he saith to his Servants , Go ye out and bring them in higher . Go out quickly and bring in hither the poor , the maimed , the halt , and the blind . And they did so . And he said again , Go out into the high ways , and Hed●es , and Compel them to come in , that my house may be fill●d , Luk. 14.18 , 19 23. These poor , lame , maimed , blind , hedge-creepers , and high way men , Must come in , Must be forced in . These , if saved , will make his Merits shine . When Christ was crucified , and hanged up between the Earth and Heavens , there was two Thieves crucified with him ; and , behold , he lays hold of one of them , and will have him away with him to Glory . Was not this a strange act , and a display of unthought-of grace ? Were there none but Thieves there , or were the rest of that company out of his reach ? Could he not , think you , have stooped from the Cross to the Ground , and have laid hold on some honester man if he would ? Yes , doubtless . Oh , but then he would not have displayed his Grace , nor so have pursued his own designs ; namely , to get to himself a praise and a name ; But now he has done it to purpose . For who that sh●ll read this Story , but must confess that the Son of God is full of grace ; for a proof of the riches ther●of , he left behind him , when upon the Cross , he took the T●ief away with him to glory . Nor can this one act of his be buried : It will be talked of to the end of the World to his praise . Men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts ; and will declare thy greatness . Th●y shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness , and shall sing of thy righteousness . They shall speak of the glory of thy Kingdom , and talk , of thy power . To make known to the Sons of men , his mighty acts , and the gl●rious Majesty of his Kingdom . Psal. 145.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12. When the Word of God came among the Conjurers and those Sooth-sayers , that you read of Act. 19. and had p●evailed with some of them to accept of the grace of Christ , the Holy Ghost records it with a boast , for that it would redound to his praise ; saying , And many of them that used curious Arts , brought their Books toge●her and burned th●m before all men , and counted the price of them , and found it fifty thousand piec●s of Silver . So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed , Acts 19. 19 , 20. It wrenched out of the clutches of Satan , some of those of whom he thought himself most sure . So mightily grew the Word of God. It grew mightily , it incroached upon the Kingdom of the Devil ! It pursued him , and took the prey : It forced him to let go his hold ! It brought away captive , as Prisoners taken by force of Arms , some of the most valiant of his Army . It fetch back from , as it were , the confines of Hell , some of those that were his most trusty , and that with Hell had been at an agreement . It made them come and confess their deeds , and burn their Books before all men : So mightily grew the Word of God , and prevailed . Thus therefore you see why Christ will have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners . They have most need thereof ; and this is the most ready way to extol his name that rideth upon the Heavens to our help . But , Thirdly , Christ Jesus would have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners , Because by their Forgiveness and Salvation , others , hearing of it , will be encouraged the more to come to him for Life . For the Physi●ian by curing of the most desperate at the first , doth not only get himself a Name , but begets Encouragement in the minds of other diseased folk to come to him for help . Hence you read of our Lord , that after , through his tender mercy , he had Cured many of great Diseases , his Fame was spread abroad : They brought unto him all sick People that were taken with divers Diseases and Torments , and those which were poss●sse● with Devils , and those which were Lunatick and those that had the Palsie , and he healed them ; and there followed him great multitudes of People from Galilee , and Decapolis , and Jerusalem , and Judea , and from beyond Jordan , Mat. 4.24 , 25. See here , He first by working , gets himself a Fame , a Name , and Renown , and now men take Encouragement , and bring from all quarters their Diseased to him , being helped by what they had heard , to believe that their Diseased should be healed . Now , as he did with those outward Cures , so he does in the proffers of his Grace and Mercy ; he proffers that in the first place to the biggest Sinners , that others may take Heart to come to him to be saved . I will give you a Scripture or two , I mean , to shew you that Christ by commanding that his Mercy should in the first place be offered to the biggest of Sinners , has a design , thereby to encourage and provoke others to come also to him for Mercy . God , saith Paul , who is rich in Mercy , for his great love wherewith he loved us , even when we were dead in our sins hath quickened us together with Christ. ( by Grace ye are saved ) and hath raised us up together , and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus . But why did he do all this ? That in the Ages to come he might shew the exceeding R●ches of his Grace in his kindness towards us thorow Christ Jesus , Ephes. 2.4 , 5 , 6 , 7. See , here 's a design , God lets out his Mercy to Eph●sus of design , even to shew to the Ages to come , the exceeding Riches of his Grace in his kindness to them thorow Christ Jesus . And why to shew by these , the exceeding Riches of his Grace to the Ages to come thorow Christ Jesus ? But to alure them , and their Children also to come to him , and to partake of the same Grace thorow Christ Jesus . But what was Paul , and the Ephesian-Sinners ? ( of Paul we will speak anon ) These Ephesian-Sinners , They were men dead in Sins , men that walked according to the dictates and motions of the Devil , worshippers of Diana , that Effeminate Godd●ss : Men far off from God , aliens and strangers to all good things , such as were far off from that , as I s●id , and cons●quently in a most deplorable condition . As the Jerusalem-Sinners were of the highest sort among the Jews , so these Ephesian-Sinners were of the highest sort among the Gentiles , ( Ephes. 2.1 , 2 , 3. Acts 19.35 . Ephes. 2.11 , 12. ) W●erefore as by the Jerusalem-Sinners , in saving them first , he had a design to provoke others to come to him for Mercy ; so , The same design is here set on foot again , in his calling and converting the Ephesian-Sinners ; that in the Ages to come he might shew the ●xceeding Riches of his Grace , says he , in his kindness towards us thorow Christ Jesus . T●ere is yet one hint behind . 'T is said that God saved these FOR his love . That is , as I think for the setting forth , for the commendations of his love , for the advance of his love in the Hearts and minds of them that should come after . As who should say , God has had Mercy upon , and been Gracious to you , that he might shew to others for their encouragement , that they have ground to come to him to be saved . When God saves one great Sinner , 't is to encourage another great Sinner to come to him for Mercy . He saved the Thief , to encourage Thieves to come to him for Mercy . He saved Magdalen , to encourage other Magdalens to come to him for Mercy . He saved Saul , to encourage Sauls to come to him for Mercy . And this Paul himself doth say , For this cause , saith he . I obtained Mercy , that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long suffering for a Pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting , 1 Tim. 1.16 . How plain are the words ! Christ in saving of me , has given to the World a Patern of his Grace , that they might see , and believe , and come , and be saved . That they that are to be born hereafter , might believe on Jesus Christ to life everlasting . But what was Paul ? Why he tells you himself , I am , says he , the chief of Sinners ; I was , says he , a Blasphemer , a Pers●cutor , an injurious Person : but I obtained Mercy , 1 Tim. 1.14 , 15. Ay , that 's well for you Paul ; but what advantage have we thereby ? Oh very much , saith he ; For , for this cause I obtained M●rcy , that in me First , Jesus Christ might shew all long suffering for a pattern to them which shall believe on him to life everlasting . Thus therefore you see that this third Reason is of strength , namely , That Jesus Christ would have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners , because , by their Forgiveness and Salvation , others , hearing of it , will be encouraged the more to come to him for M●rcy . It may well therefore be said to God , Thou delight●st in Mercy , and Mercy pleases thee , Mich. 7.18 . But who believes that this was Gods design in shewing Mercy of old ? Namely , That we that come after might take courage to come to him for Mercy ; or that Jesus Christ would have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners , to stir up others to come to him for Life . This is not the manner of men ! O God! But David saw this betimes , therefore he makes this one Argument with God , That he would blot out his Transgressions , that he would forgive his Adultery , his Murders , and horrible Hypocrisie . Do it , O Lor● , saith he , do it , And then will I teach Trans●ressors thy ways , and Sinners shall be Converted unto thee , Psal. 51.7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. He knew that the Conversion of Sinners would be a work highly pleasing to God , as being that which he had designed before he made Mountain or Hill : Wherefore he comes , and he saith , Save me , O Lord ; if thou wilt but save me , I will fall in with thy design . I will help to bring what Sinners to thee I can . And Lord , I am willing to be made a Preacher my self , for that I have been a horri●le Sinner ; wherefore , if thou sh●lt forgive my great Transgressions , I sh●ll be a fit man to tell of thy wonderous Grace to others . Yea , Lord , I dare promise , that if thou wilt have mercy upon me , it shall tend to the glory of thy Grace , and also to the increase of thy Kingdom ; for I will tell it , and Sinners will hear on'● . And there is nothing so suiteth with the hearing Sinner , as Mercy : and to be inform'd that God is willing to bestow it upon him . I will teach Transgressors thy ways , and Sinners sh●ll be Converted unto thee . Nor will Christ Jesus miss of his design in profering of Mercy in the first place to the biggest Sinners . You know what work the Lord , by laying hold of the Woman of Samaria , made among the People there . They knew that she was a Town-Sinner , an Adultress . Yea , one that after the most audacious manner , lived in Uncleanness with a man that was not her Husband . But when she , from a turn upon her Heart , went into the City , and said to her Neighbours , Come : Oh how they came ! how they flocked out of the City to Jesus Christ ! Then they went out of the City , and came to him , and many of the Samaritans ( People perhaps as bad as her self ) believed on him , for the saying of the woman , which testified , saying , He told me all that ever I did ( John 4.39 . ) That word , He told me all that ever I did , was a great Argument with them ; for by that they gathered , That tho he knew her to be vile , yet he did not despise her , nor refuse to shew how willing he was to communicate his Grace unto her : And this fetched over , fi●st , her , then them . This woman , as I said , was a Samaritan-Sinner , a Sinner of the worst Complexion . For the Jews abhorred to have ought to do with them ( verse 9. ) wherefore none more fit than she to be made one of the Decoys of Heaven , to bring others of these Samaritan Wild-Fowls under the Net of t●e Grace of Christ. And she did the work to purpose . Many , and many more of the Samaritans believed on him , Verse 40 , 41 , 42. The Heart of man , tho set on Sin , will , when it comes once to a perswasion that God is willing to have Mercy upon us , incline to come to Jesus Christ for life ; witness those turn-a-ways from God , that you also read of in Jeremiah ; for after they had heard three or four times over , that God had Mercy for backsliders , they broke out and said , Behold , we come unto thee , for thou art the Lord our God. Or as those in Hosea did , For in thee the F●therless find mercy . ( Jer. 3.22 . Hos. 14.1 , 2 , 3. ) Mercy , and the revelation thereof , is the only Antidote against Sin. 'T is of a thawing nature : 't will lose the Heart that is frozen up in Sin : yea , 't will make the Unwilling willing to come to Jesus Christ for , Life . Wherefore do you think was it that Jesus Christ told the Adulterous woman , and that before so many Sinners , That he had not Condemned her , but to alure her , with them there present , to hope to find favour at his hands . ( As he also saith in another place , I came not to Judge , but to Save the World ) , for might they not thence most rationally conclude , That if Jesus Christ had rather save , than damn an Harlot , there was encouragement for them to come to him for Mercy . I heard once a story from a Souldier , who with his Company had laid Siege against a Fort , that so long as the Besieged were perswaded their Foes would show them no favour , they Fought like Mad-men ; but when they saw one of their Fellows taken , and received to favour , they all came tumbling down from their Fortress , and d●livered themselves into their Enemies hands . I am perswaded , did men believe that there is that Grace and Willingness in the Heart of Christ to save Sinners , as the Word imports there is , they would come tumbling into his Arms : But Satan has blinded their Minds , that they cannot see this thing . Howbeit the Lo●d Jesus has , as I said , that others might take Heart and come to him , given out a commandment that Mercy should in the fi●st place be offered to the biggest Sinners . Begin , saith he , at Jerusalem . And thus I end the third Reason . Fourthly , Jesus Christ would have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners , Because that is the way , if they receive it , most to weaken the Kingdom of Satan , and to keep it low●st in every Age of the World. The biggest Sinners , they are Satans Colon●ls , and Captains , the Leaders of his People , and they that most stoutly make Head against the Son of God. Wherefore let these first be conquered , and his Kingdom will be weak . When Ishbosheth had lost his Abner , his Kingdom was made weak , nor did he sit but tottering then upon his Throne . So when Satan loseth his strong men , them that are mighty to work Iniquity , and dextrous to manage others in the same , then is his Kingdom weak ( 2 Sam. 3. ) Therefore I say , Christ doth offer Mercy in the first place to such , the more to weaken his Kingdom . Christ Jesus was glad to see Satan f●ll like Lightning from Heaven , that is suddenly or headlong ; and it was , surely , by casting of him out of strong Possessions , and by r●covering of some notorious Sinners out of his Clutches , ( Luke 10.17 , 18 , 19. ) Samptson , when he would pull down the Philistians Temple , took hold of the two main Pillars of it , and breaking them , down came the House . Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil , and to destroy by converting Grace , as well as by redeeming Blood. Now Sin swarms and lieth by Legions , and whole Armies , in the Souls of the biggest Sinners , as in Garrisons : Wherefore the way , the most direct way to destroy it , is first to deal with such Sinners , by the Word of his Gospel , and by the Merits of his Passion . For Example , tho I shall give you but a homely one ; Suppose a Family to be very Lowzy , and one or two of the Family to be in chief the breeders ; the way , the quickest way , to clear that Family , or at least to weaken the so swarming of those Vermine , is , in the first place to sweeten the Skin , Head , and Cloaths of the chief breeders : And then , though all the Family should be apt to breed them , the number of them , and so the greatness of that Plague there , will be the more impaired . Why , there are some people that are in chief the Devils Sin-Breeders in the Towns and Places where they live . The Place , Town , or Family where they live , must needs be horrible lowsie , and as it were , eaten up with Vermin : Now let the Lord Jesus in the first place cleanse these great Breeders , and there will be given a nip to those swarms of Sins that use to be committed in such places throughout the Town , House , or Family where such sin-breeding Persons used to be . I speak by Experience ; I was one of these lowzy ones , one of these great sin-breeders ; I infected all the Youth of the Town where I was born , with all manner of youthful Vanities . The neighbours counted me so , my practise proved me so : Wherefore Christ Jesus took me first ; and taking me first , the Contagion was much allayed all the Town over . When God made me sigh , they would harken , and enquiringly say , What 's the matter with John ? They also gave their I various opinions of me : But as I said , Sin cooled , and failed , as to his full carrier . When I went out to seek the Bread of Life , some of them would follow , and the rest be put into a muse at home . Yea , almost the Town , at first , at times , would go out to hear at the place where I found good : Yea , young and old for a while had some reformation on them ; also some of them perceiving that God had mercy upon me ▪ came crying to him for mercy too . But what need I give you an Instance of poor I ; I will come to Manasseh the King : So long as he was a ringleading Sinner , the great Idolater , and chief for Devilism , the whole Land flowed with wickedness ; For he made them to sin , and do worse than the Heathen that dwelt round about them , or that was cast out from before them . But when God converted him , the whole Land was reformed . Down went the Groves , the Idols , and Altars of Baal , and up went true Religion in much of the Power and Purity of it . You 'll say , The King reformed by Power . I answer , doubtless , and by Example too ; for People observe their Leaders ; as their Fathers did , so did they , 2 Chron. 33.2 King. 17.41 . This therefore is another Reason , why Jesus would have mercy offered in the first place to the biggest sinners , because that is the best way , if they receive it , most to weaken the kingdom of Satan , and to keep it poor and low . And do you not think now , that if God would but take hold of the hearts of some of the most notorious in your Town , in your Family , or Countrey , that this thing would be verified before your faces ? It would , it would , to the Joy of you that are godly , to the making of Hell to sigh , to the great suppressing of Sin , the glory of Christ , and the joy of the Angels of God. And Ministers should therefore , that this Work might go on , take advantages to perswade with the biggest Sinners to come into Christ , according to my Text , and their Commissions : Beginning at Jerusalem . Fifthly , Jesus Cbrist would have mercy offered in the first place to the biggest sinners . Because such , when converted , are usually the best helps in the Church against temptations , and fittest for the support of the feeble minded there . Hence , usually , you have some such in the first plantation of Churches ; or quickly upon it . Churches would do but sorrily , if Christ Jesus did not put such Converts among them ; they are the Monuments and Mirrors of Mercy . The very sight of such a Sinner in God's House , yea , the very thought of him , where the sight of him cannot he had , is oft-times greatly for the help of the Faith of the feeble . When the Churches ( said Paul ) that were in Judea , heard this concerning me , that he which persecuted them in time past , now preached the Faith which once he destroyed , They glorified God in me , Gal. 1.20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24. Glorified God ] How is that ? Why , they praised him , and took courage to believe the more in the mercy of God : For that he had had mercy on such a great sloner as he . They glorified God [ in me ] They wondred that Grace should be so rich , as to take hold of such a Wretch as I was ; and for my sake believed in Christ the more . There are two things that great sinners are acquainted with , when they come to divulge them to the Saints , that are a great relief to their Faith. 1. The Contests that they usually have with the Devil at their parting with him . 2. Their knowledge of his Secret i● his workings . For the First , The biggest sinnes hav●●sually great contests with the Devil at ●heir parting 's ; and this is an help to ●aints . For ordinary Saints find afterwards what the vile ones find at first ; but when at the opening of hearts the one finds himself to be as the other , the one is a comfort to the other . The lesser sort of sinners find but little of this , till after they have been some time in profession ; but the Vile Man meets with his at the beginning . Wherefore he , when the other is down , is ready to tell that he has met with the same before . For I say , he has had it before . Satan is loth to part with a great Sinner . What , my true Servant ( quoth he ) my old Servant , wilt thou forsake me now ? Having so often sold thy self to me to work wickedness , wilt thou forsake me now ? Thou horrible Wretch , dost not know , that thou hast sinned thy self beyond the reach of Grace , and dost think to find Mercy now ? Art not thou a Murderer , a Thief , a Harlot , a Witch , a sinner of the greatest size , and dost thou look for mercy now ? Dost thou think that Christ will foul his fingers with thee ? 'T is enough to make Angels blush , saith Satan , to see so vile a one knoc● at Heaven gates● or Mercy , and wilt tho● be so abominable bold to do it ? Thus Satan dealt with me , says the great Sinner when at first I came to Jesus Christ. An● what did you reply , saith the Tempted ? Why , I granted the whole Charge to be true , says the other . And what , did you d●spair ? or how ? No ( saith he ) I said , I am Magdalene , I am Zicheus , I am the Thief , I am the Harlot , I am the Publican , I am the Prodigal , and one of Christ's Murderers : Yea , worse than any of these , and yet God was so far off from rejecting of me , ( as I found afterwards ) that there was musick and dancing in his House for me , and for Joy that I was come home unto him . Oh blessed be God for Grace , ( says the other ) for then I hope there is favour for me . Yea , as I told you , such a one is a continual Spectacle in the Church , for every one by , to behold God's grace , and wonder ! Secondly , And as for the Secrets of Satan , such as are Suggestions to question the Being of God , the truth of his Word , and to be annoyed with devilish Blasphemies : None more acquainted with these than the biggest sinners at their Conversion ; wherefore thus also they are prepared to be helps in the Church to relieve and comfort the other . I might also here tell you of the Contests and Battels that such are engaged in , wherein they find the beffettings of Satan , above any other the Saints . At which times Satan assaults the Soul with darkness , fears , frightful thoughts of Apparitions ; now they sweat , pant , cry-out , and struggle for life . The Angels now come down to behold the sight , and rejoyce to see a bit of Dust and Ashes to overcome Principalities and Powers , and Might , and Dominions . But , as I said , when these come a little to be setled , they are prepared for help for others , and are great Comforts unto them . Their great sins give encouragement to the Devil to assault them , and by these temptations Christ takes advantage to make them the more helpful to the Churches . The biggest sinner , when he is Converted and comes into the Church , say● to them all , by his very coming in , Behold me , all you that are Men and Wom●n of a low and timerous spirit ; you whose hearts are narrow , for that you never had the advantage to know , because your sins are few , the largeness of the grace of God. Behold , I say , in me , the exceeding riches of his grace ! I am a Pattern set forth before your faces , o● whom you may look and take hear● ▪ This , I say , the great sinner ●an say , to the exceeding comfort of 〈◊〉 the rest . Wherefore , as I have hinted before , when God intends to stock a place with Saints , and to make that place excellently to flourish with the riches of his grace ; he usually begins with the Conversion of some of the most notorious there abouts , and lays them as an Example to allure others , and to build up when they are converted . 'T was Paul that must go to the Gentiles , because Paul was the most outragious of all the Apostles , in the time of his unregeneracy : Yea , Peter must be he that after his horrible fall , was thought fittest , when recovered again , to comfort and strengthen his Brethren . See Luke 22.31 , 32. Some must be Pillars in God's House , and if they be Pillars of Cedar , they must stand while they are stout and sturdy sticks in the Forrest , before they are cut down , and planted or placed there . No man , when he buildeth his House , makes the principal parts thereof , of weak or feeble Timber ; for how could such bear up the rest ; but of great and able Wood. Christ Jesus also goeth this way to work , he makes of the biggest Sinners , Bearers and Supporters to the rest . This then may serve for another Reason , why Jesus Christ gives out in Commandment , that Mercy should in the first place be offered to the biggest Sinners , Because such when converted , are usually the best h●lps in the Church against temptations , and fittest for the support of the fe●ble-minded there . Sixthly , Another reason , why Jesus Christ would have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners , is , Because They , when converted , are apt to Live him most . This agrees both with Scripture , and Reason . Scripture says so . To whom much is forgiven , the same loveth much . To whom little is forgiven , the same loveth little , Luk. 7.47 . Reason says so . For as it would be the unreasonablest thing in the world , to render hatred for love , and contempt for forgiveness ; so 't would be as ridiculous to think that the reception of a little kindness should lay the same obligations upon the heart to love , as the reception of a great deal . I would not disparage the love of Christ ; I know the least dram of it , when it reaches to forgiveness , is great above all the world ; But comparatively , there i● greater extentions of the love of Chris● to one , than to another : He that has most sin , it forgiven , is partaker of the greatest love , of the greatest forgiveness . I know also , that there are some , that from this very Doctrine , say , Let us do evil , that good may come ; and that turn the Grace of our God into Lasciviousness . But I speak not of these , These will neither be ruled by Grace nor Reason . Grace would teach them , if they know it , to deny Ungodly Courses ; and so would Reason too , if it could truly sense the Love of God , Tim. 2 11 , 1● . Rom. 11.1 . Doth it look like what hath any Coherence with Reason or Mercy , for a man to abuse his Friend ? Because Christ died for men , shall I therefore Spit in his Face ? The Bread and Water that was given by Elisha to his Enemies , that came the Land of Israel to take him , had so muc● influence upon their Minds , tho Heathens , that they returned to their homes without hurting him : Yea , it kept them from coming again in a hostile manner into the Coasts of Israel , 2 Kings 6.19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23. But to forbear to Illustrate till anon ; one reason why Ch●ist Jesus shews Mercy to Sinners , is that he might obtain their Love , that he may remove their base affections , firm base objects , to himself . Now if he loves to be loved a little , he loves to be loved much ; but there is not any that are capable of loving much , save those that have much forgiven them . Hence 't is said of Paul , That he laboured more than them all , to wit , with a labour of love , because he had been by Sin more vile against Christ than they all , 1 Cor. 15. He it was that persecuted the Church of God , and wasted it , Gal. 1.13 . He , of them all , was the only raving Bedlam against the Saints : And being exceeding mad , says he , against them , I persecuted them even to strange Cities , Acts 26.11 . This raving Bedlam , that once was so , is he that now says , I laboured more than them all ; more for Christ than them all . But Paul , what moved thee thus to do ? The love of Christ , says he . It was not I , but the grace of God that was with me . As who should say ; O Grace ! 'T was such Grace to save me ! 'T was such marvelous Grace for God to look down from Heaven upon me , and that secured me from the wrath to come , that I am captivated with the sense of the rich●s of it . Hence I act , hence I labour ; For how can I otherwise do , since God not only separated me from my Sins and Companions , but separated all the powers of my Soul and Body to his Service ? I am therefore prompted on by this exceeding love , to labour as I have done ; yet not I , but the grace of God with me . Oh! I shall never forget his love , nor the circumstances under which I was , when his love laid hold upon me . I was going to Damascus with Letters from the High Priest to make Havock of God's People there , as I had made Havock of them in other places . These bloody Letters was not imposed upon me . I went to the High Priest and desired them of him , Acts 9.1 , 2. And yet he saved me ! I was one of the men , of the chief men that had a hand in the Blood of his Martyr Stephen , yet he had mercy on me ! When I was at Damas●us , I stunck so horribly like a Blood-sucker , that I became a Terrour to all thereabout . Yea , Ananias ( good man ) made intercession to my Lord against me , yet he would have mercy upon me ! Yea , joyned mercy to mercy , until he had made me a monument of Grace . He made a Saint of the , land perswaded me , that my transgressions were forgiven me . When I began to preach , those that heard me were amazed ; and said , Is not this he that destroyed them that called on t●is Name in Jerusalem , and came hither for that intent , that he might bring them bound to the High P●iest ? Hell doth know that I was a Sinner ; Heaven doth know that I was a Singer : Th● World also knows that I was a Sinner , a Sinner of the greatest size ; but I obtained mercy , Acts 9.20 , 21. Shall not this lay Obli●ation upon me ? Is not Love of the greatest force to oblige ? Is it not strong as Death ? Cruel as the Grave ? and hotter than the Coals of Juniper ? Hath it not a most vehement flame ? Can the Waters quench it ? Can the Floods drown it ? I am under the force of it , and this is my continual cry , What shall I render to the Lord for all the Benefits which he has bestow●d upon me ? Ay! Paul , this is something , thou speakest like a Man , like a man affected , and carried away with the love and gra●e of God. Now this sense , and this affection , and this labour , giveth to Christ the love that he looks for . But he might have converted twenty little sinners , and yet not found , for grace bestowed , ●o ●uch love in them all . I wonder how far a man might go among the Converted Sinners of the smaller size , before one could find one that so much as look any thing this wayward . Where is he that is thus under pangs of love for the Grace bestowed upon him by Jesus Christ ? Excepting only some few ; you may walk to the Worlds end and find none . But , as I sail , some there are , and so there has been in every age of the Church , great sinners , that have had much forgiven them . And they love much upon this account . Jesus Christ therefore knows what he doth , when he lays hold on the hearts of sinners of the biggest size . He knows that such an one will love more than many that have not sinned half their sins . I will tell you a Story that I have ●ead of Martha and Mary ; the Name of the Book I have forgot . I mean of the Book in which I found the Relation ; but the thing was thus : Martha , saith my Author , was a very holy Woman , much like Lazarus , her Brother ▪ but Mary was a loose and wan●on creature . Martha did seldom miss good Sermons , ●nd Lectures , when she could come at them in Jerusalem ; but Mary would frequent the house of Sports , and the company of the vilest of Men for lust . And though Martha had often desired that her Sister would go with her to hear her Preachers : Yea , had often entreated her with Tears , to do it , yet could she never prevail ; for still Many would make her excuse , or reject her with disdain for her Zeal and Preciseness in Religion . After Martha had waited long , tried many ways to bring her Sister to good , and all proved ineffectual . At last , she comes upon her thus . Sister , quoth she , I pray thee go with me to the Temple to day , to hear one preach a Sermon . What kind of Preacher is he , said she ? Martha replied , It is one Jesus of Nazareth , he is the handsomest man that ever you saw with your eyes . Oh! he shines in Beauty , and is a most excellent Preacher . Now what does Mary ? After a little pause , but goes up into her Chamber , and with her Pins and her Clouts , decks up her self as fine as her fingers could make her . This done , away she goes , not with her Sister Mar●ha , but as much unobserved as she could , to the Sermon , or rather to See the Preacher . The Hour and Preacher being come , and she having observed whereabout the Preacher would stand , goes and sets her self so in the Temple , that she might be sure to have the full view of this excellent Person . So he comes in , and she looks , and the first glimps of his Person pleased her . Well , Jesus addresseth himself to his Sermon , and she looks earnestly on him . Now at that time , saith my Author , Jesus Preached about the lost Sheep , the lost Goat , and the prodigal Child . And when he came to shew what care the Shepherd took for one lost Sheep , and how the Woman swept to find her Piece which was lost , and what Joy there was at their finding ; she began to be taken by the Ears , and forgot what she came about , musing what the Preacher would make on 't : But when he came to the Application , and shewed that by the lost Sheep was meant a great Sinner ; by the Shepherds care was meant God's love for great Sinners ; and that by the joy of the Neighbours , was shewed what joy there was among the Angels in Heaven over one great Sinner that repenteth ; She began to be taken by the Heart . And as he spake these last words , she thought he pitched his innocent Eyes just upon her , and looked as if he spake what was now said , to her . Wherefore her heart began to tremble , being shaken with affection and fear ; then her Eyes run down with tears apace ; wherefore she was forced to hide her face with her Handkerchief , and so sat sobbing and crying all the rest of the Sermon . Sermon being done , up she gets , and away she goes , and withal , enquired where this Jesus the Preacher dined that day ? And one told her , at the house of Simon the Pharisee . So away goes she , first to her Chamber , and there strips her self of her wanton Attire ; then falls upon her knees to ask God forgiveness for all her wicked life . This done , in a modest dress she goes to Simon 's house , where she finds Jesus set at Dinner . So she gets behind him , and weeps , and drops her tears upon his Feet like Rain , and washes them , and wipes them with the Hairs of her Head. She also kiss●d his Feet with her Lips , and anointed them with Oyntment . When Simon the Pharisee perceived what the Woman did , and being ignorant of what it was to be forgiven much ( for he never was forgiven more than Fifty Pence . ) He began to think within himself , that he had been mistaken about Jesus Christ , because he suffered such a Sinner as this Woman was , to touch him . Surely , quoth he , this Man , if he were a Prophet , would not let this Woman come near him , for she is a Town Sinner , ( so ignorant are all Self-righteous men of the way of Christ with Sinners ) But lest Mary should be discouraged with some clownish carriage of this Pharisee , and so desert her good beginnings , and her new steps which she now had began to take towards eternal Life , Jesus began thus with Simon . Simon , saith he , I have somewhat to say unto thee . And he saith , Master , say on . There was , said Jesus , a certain Creditor had two Debtors , the one owed him Five hundred Pence , and the other , Fifty . And when they had nothing to pay , he frankly forgave them both . Tell me therefore which of them will love him most ? Simon answered and said , I sup●●se he to whom he forgave most . And he said unto him , Thou hast rightly judged . And he turned to the Woman , and said unto Simon , Seest thou this Woman ? I entred into thy house , thou gavest me no Water for my Feet : But she hath washed my Feet with tears , and wiped them with the hairs of her head . Thou gavest me no kiss , but this Woman , since the time I came in , hath not ceased to kiss my Feet . My Head with Oyl ●hou didst not anoint , but this Woman hath anointed my Feet with Oyntment . Wherefore I say unto thee , Her Sins which are many , are forgiven , for she loved much ; but to whom little is forgiven , the same loveth little . And he said unto her , thy Sins are forgiven , Luk. 7.36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50. Thus you have the Story . If I come short in any Circumstance , I beg Pardon of those that can correct me . 'T is three or four and twenty Years since I saw the Book , yet I have as far as my memory will admit , given you the relation of the Matter . However , Luke , as you see , doth here present you with the Substance of the whole . Alas ! Christ Jesus has but little thanks for the saving of the little Sinners . To whom lit●le is forgiven , the same lovers little . He gets not Water for his Feet , by his saving of such Sinners . There are abundance of dry-eyed Christians in the World , and abundance of dry eyed . Duties too : Duties that never was wetted with the tears of Contrition and Repentance , nor ever sweetned wish the great Sinners box of Oyntment . And the reason is , such sinners have not great sins to be saved from ; or if they have , they look upon them in the diminishing-glass of the Holy Law of God. But I rather believe that the Professors of our days want a due sense of what they are ; for verily , for the generality of them , both before and since Conversion , they have been sinners of a lusty size : But if their Eyes be holden , if Convictions are not shown , if their knowledge of their sins is but like to the eye-sight in twilight , the Heart cannot be affected with that grace that has laid hold on the man , and so Christ Jesus sows much , and has little coming in . Wherefore His way is oft-times to step out of the way , to Jeri●o , to Samaria , to the Country of the Gaddarens , to the Coasts of Tyre and Sidon , and also to Mount Calvary , that he may lay h●ld of such kind of Sinners as will love him to his liking Luk. 19.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. John 4.3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , &c. Mark 5.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20. Matt. 15.21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28. Luke 23.33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43. But thus much for the Sixth Reason , why Christ Jesus would have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners ; to wit , because such sinners when converted , are apt to love him most . The Jerusalem-sinners were they that out-stript , when they were Converted , in some things , all the Churches of the Gentiles . They were of one heart , and of one soul , neither said any of ●hem , that ought of the things that they poss●ssed was their own ; neither was there any among them that lacked for as many as were possessors of Lands , or Houses , sold them , and brought the price of the things that were sold , and laid them down at the Apostles feet , &c. Acts 4.32 , 33 , 34 , 35. Now show me such another Pattern if you can . But why did these do thus ? Oh! they were Jerusalem-sinners . These were the Men that but a little before , had killed the Prince of Life , and those to whom he did , that notwithstanding , send the first offer of Grace and Mercy . And the sense of this , took them up betwixt the Earth and the Heaven , and carried them on in such ways and methods , as could never be trodden by any since . They talk of the Church of Rome , and set h●r in her Primitive state , as a Pattern , and Mother of Churches ; when the Truth is , they were the Jerusalem-sinners , when Converts , that out-did all the Churches that ever was . Seventhly , Christ Jesus would have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest sinners , beacause Grace , when it is received by such , finds matter to kindle upon more freely than it finds in other sinners . Great Sinners are like the dry Wood , or like great Candles , which burns best and shines with biggest light . I lay not this down , as I did those Reasons before , to shew , that when great Sinners are Converted , they will be encouragement to others , though that is true ; but to shew that Christ has a delight to see Grace , the Grace we receive , to shine . We love to see things that bear a good gloss , yea , we chuse to buy such kind of matter to work upon , as will , if wrought up to what we intend , cast that lustre that we desire . Candles that burn not bright , we like not ; Wood that is green will rather smother and spu●ter and smoak , and or●ok , and flounce , than cast a brave light and pleasant heat . Wherefore great Folks care not much , not so much for such kind of things , as for them that will better answer their ends . Hence Christ desires the biggest Sinner , in him there is Matter to work by , to wit , a great deal of sin ; for as by the Tallow of the Candle , the Fire takes occasion to burn the brighter ; so by the sin of the Soul , Grace takes occasion to shine the clearer . Little Candles shine but little , for there wanteth matter for the Fire to work upon ; but in the great Sinner , here is more matter for Grace to work by . Faith shines , when it worketh towards Christ , through the sides of many and great Transgressors ; and so does Love , for that much is forgiven . And what matter can be found in the Soul for Humility to work by so well , as by a sight that I have been and am an abominable Sinner ? And the same is to be said of Patience , Meekness , Gentleness , Self-denial , or of any other Grace . Grace takes occasion by the vileness of the man , to shine the more ; even as by the ruggidness of a very strong Distemper , or Disease , the vertue of the Medicine is best made manifest . Where Sin abounds , Grace much more abounds . Rom. 5.20 . A black string makes the Grace burn clear . Some say when Grace and a good Nature meet together , they do make shinning Christians ; but I say , when Grace and a great Sinner meets , and when Grace shall subdue that great Sinner to it self , and shall operate after its kind in the Soul of that great Sinner , then we have a shinning Christian ; Witness all those of whom mention was made before . Abraham was among the Idolaters when in the Land of Assyria , and served Idols with his Kindred on the other side of the Flood , Jos. 24.2 . Gen. 11.31 . but who when called , was there in the World , in whom Grace shone so bright as in him ? The Thessalonians were Idolaters , before the Word of God came to them ; but when they had received it , they became examples to all that did believe , in Macedonia and Achaia , 1 Thess. 1.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son , are for having things seen , for having the Word of Life held forth . They light not a Candle that it might be put under a Bushel , or under a Bed , but on a Candlestick , that all that come in may see the light , Matt. 5.15 . Mar. 4.21 . Luk. 8.16 . chap. 11.33 . And , I say , as I said before , in whom is it like so to shine , as in the Souls of great sinners ? When the Jewish Pharisees dallied with the Gospel , Christ threatned to take it from them , and to give it to the barbarous Heathens , and Idolaters . Why so ? For they , saith he , will bring forth the Friends thereof in their season . Therefore I say unto you , The Kingdom of God Shall be taken from you , and given to a Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof , Mat. 21.41 , 43. I have often marvelled at our Youth , and said in my heart , What should be the reason that they should be so generally at this day debauched as they are ! For they are now Profane to amazement : And sometimes I have thought one thing , and sometimes another : That is , why God should suffer it so to be . At last I have thought of this : How if the God whose ways are past finding out , should suffer it so to be now , that he might make of some of them the more glorious Saints hereafter . I know Sin is of the Devil , but it cannot work in the world without permission : and if it happens to be as I have thought , it will not be the first time that God the Lord hath caught Satan in his own design . For my part , I believe that the time is at hand , that we shall see better Saints in the World , than has been seen in ●t this many aday . And this Vileness that at present does so much swallow up out Youth , is one cause of my thinking so : For out of them , for from among them , when God sets to his Hand , as of old , you shall see what penitent ones , what trembling ones , and what ●dmirers of Grace , will be found to profess the Gospel , to the glory of God by Christ. Alas ! We are a company of worn-out Christians , our Moon is in the Ware ; we are much more black than white , more dark than light ; we shine but a little ; Grace in the most of us , is d●cayed . But I say , when they of the●e debauched ones that are to be saved , shall be brought in ; when these that look more like Devils than Men shall be Converted to Christ , ( and I believe s●veral of them will ) then will Christ be ex●lted , Grace adored , the World prized , Sions Paths better trodden , and Men in the pursuite of their own Salvation , to the amazement of them that are left behind . Just before Christ came into the Flesh , the World was Degenerated as it is now ; The generality of the Men in Jerus●lem were become either high and famous for Hypocrisie , or filthy base in their Lives . The Devil also was broke loose in hideous manner , and had taken possession of many : Yea , I believe that there was never Generation before nor since , that could produce so many possessed with Devils , deformed , lame , blind , and infected with monstrous Diseases , as that Generation could . But what was the reason thereof ? I mean the reason from God ? Why one ( and we may sum up more in that answer that Christ gave to his Disciples concerning him that was born Blind ) was , that the Works o● God might be made manifest in them and that the Son of God might be glorified thereby , Joh. 9.2 , 3. chap. 11.4 . Now if these Devils and Diseases , a● they possessed Men then , were to mak● way and work for an approaching Chr●s● in Person , and for the declaring of hi● Power , why may we not think that now even now also , he is ready to come b● his Spirit in the Gospel to heal man of the Debaucheries of our Age ? I can not believe that Grace will take them a● for there are but few that are saved : But yet it will take some , even some of the worst of Men , and make Blessed ones of them . But O! how these Ringleaders in Vice , will then shine in Vert●e ! They will be the very Pillars in Churches , they will be as an Ensign in the Land ; The Lord their God shall save them in that day , as the Flock of his People , for they shall he as the Stones of a Crown , lift up as an Ensign upon the Land , Zech. 9.16 . But who are these ? Even Idolatrous Ephraim , and backsliding Judah , Ver. 13. I know there is groand to fear , that the Iniquity of this Generation will be pursued with heavy Judgments : But that will not hinder what we have supposed : God took him a glorious Church out of Bloody Jerusalem , yea , out of the chief of the Sinners there , and left the rest to be taken and spoiled , and sold Thirty for a Penny , in the Nations where they were Cap●ives . The Gospel working gloriously in a place , to the seizing upon many of the ringleading Sinners thereof , promiseth no security to the rest , but rather threatneth them with the heaviest and smartest Judgments ; as in the Instance now given , we have a full demonstration ; but in defending , the Lord will defend his People ; and in saving , he will save his Inheritance . Nor does this speak any great comfort to a decayed and backsliding sort of Christians , for the next time God rides Post with his Gospel , he will leave such Christians , behind him . But I say , Christ is resolved to set up his Light in the World ; yea , he is delighted to see his Graces shine , and therefore he commands that his Gospel should to that end , be offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners ; for by great Sins it shineth most : Therefore he saith , Begin at Je●usalem . Eighthly , And lastly , Christ Jesus will have Mercy to be offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners , For that by that means the Impenitent that are l●ft behind , will be at the Judgment , the more left without excuse . God's Word has two edges , it can cut back-stroke and fore-stroke . If it doth thee no good , it will do thee hurt ; 'T is the savour of Life unto Life to those that receive it , but of Death unto Death to them that refuse it , 2 Cor. 2.15 , 16. But this is not all , the tender of Grace to the biggest Sinners , in the first place , wi●l not only leave the rest , or those that refuse it , in a deplorable condi●ion , but will also stop their mouths , and cut off all pretence to excuse at that day . If I had not come and spok●n unto them , saith Christ , they had not had Sin ; but now th●y have no cloke for their sin , for their sin of persevering in Impenitence , Job 15.22 . But what did he speak to them ? Why even that which I have told you ; to wit , That he has in special , a delight in saving the biggest Sinners . He spake this in the way of his Doctrine , he spake this in the way of his Practice , even to the pouring out of his last breath before them , Luk. 23.34 . Now since this is so , what can the Condemned at the Judgement say for themselves , why Sentence of Death should not be passed upon them ? I say , what excuse can they make for themselves , when they shall be asked why they did not in the day of S●lvation come to Christ to be saved ? Will they have ground to say to the Lord , Thou wast only for saving of little Sinners , and therefore because they were great ones , they durst not come unto him ; Or that thou hadst not comp●ssion for the biggest Sinners , therefore I died in despair ; will these be excuses for them as the Case now standeth with them ? Is there not every where in God's Books sl●t contradiction to this , in multitudes of Promises , of Invitations , of Examples , and the like ? Alas , alas ! there will then be there millions of Souls to confute this Plea ; ready I say , to stand up and say , O! deceived World , Heaven swarms with such , as was , when they were in the World , to the full as bad as you . Now this will kill all plea or excuse , why they should not perish in their sins ; yea , the Text says , they shall see them there ; There shall be weeping , when you shall see Abraham , and Isaac , and Jacob , and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of Heaven , and you your selves thrust out . And they shall come from the East , and from the West , and from the North , and from the South , and shall sit down in the Kingdom of God , Luk. 13.28 , 29. Out of wh●ch company it is easie to pick such , as sometimes were as bad People as any now b●eathe on the face of the Earth . What think you of the first Man , by whose sins there are millions now in Hell ? And so I may say , what think you of ten thousand more besides ? But if the Word will not stifle and gagg them up , I speak now for amplification sake , the view of those who are saved shall There comes an Incestuous Person to the Barr , and pleads that the bigness of his Sins was a bar to his receiving the Promise ; But will not his mouth be stopt as to that , when Lot and the Incestuous Corinthian shall be set before him , Gen. 19.33 , 34 , 35 , 36. 1 Co● . 5.1 , 2. There comes a Thief and says , Lord ! my sin of Theft , I thought , was such as could not be pardoned by thee ! But when he shall see the Thief that was saved on the Cross , stand by , as clothed with beauteous Glory , what further can he be able to object ? Yea , the Lord will produce ten thousand of his S●ints at his coming , who shall after this manner execute Judgment upon all , and so convince all that are ungodly among them , of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him , Jude 15 , 16. And these are hard speeches against him , To say that he was not able or willing to save Men , because of the greatness of their sins , or to say that they were discouraged by his Word from Repentance , because of the heinousness of their offences . These things , I say , shall then be confuted ; He comes with ten thousand of his S●ints to confute them , and to stop their mouths from making objections against their own eternal damnation . Here is Adam the destroyer of the World ; he●e is Lot that lay with both his Daughters ; here is Abraham that was sometimes an Idolater , and Jacob that was a Supplanter , and Ruben that lay with his Fathers Concubine , and Judah that lay ●ith his Daughter-in-Law , and Levy and Simeon that wickedly slew the Sechemites ; and Aaron that made an Idol to be Worshipped , and that proclaimed a Religious Feast unto it . Here is also Rahab the Harlot , and Bathsheba that bare a B●stard to David . Here is Solomon that great Backslider , and Manasseh that man of Blood , and a Witch . Time would fail to tell you of the Woman of Canaans Daughter , of Mary Magdalen , of Matthew the Publican , and of Gideon and Sampson , and many thousands more . Alas , alas ! I say , what will these Sinners , do , that have , through their unbelief , eclipsed the glorious largeness of the mercy of God , and gave way to despair of Salvation because of the bigness of their sins . For all these , though now glorious Saints in Light , were sometimes Sinners of the biggest size , who had sins that were of a notorious hue ; Yet now , I say , they are in their shining and heavenly Robes before the Throne of God and of the Lamb , Blessing for ever and every , that Son of God for their Salvation , who dyed for them upon the Tree ; admiring that ever it should come into their Hearts once to think of coming to God by Chirst : But above all , blessing God for granting of them light to see those incouragements in his Testament ; without which , without doubt , they had be●n daunted and sunk down under guilt of Sin and Despair , as their fellow sinn●rs have done . B●t now they also are all Witness●s for God and for his Grace against an unb●lieving World ; for as I said , they shall come to convince the World of their Speeches , their hard and unbelieving words , that they have spoken concerning the mercy of God , and the merits of the Passion of his blessed Son Jesus Christ. But will it not , think you , strangely put to silence all such thonghts , and words , and reasonings of the Ungodly before the Barr of God ? doubtless it will ; yea , and will send them away from his presence also , with the greatest guilt , that possibly can fallen upon the Consciences of Men. For what will sting like this ? I have through mine own foolish , narrow , unworthy , undervaluing thoughts of the love and ability of Christ to save me , brought my self to everlasting ruine . 'T is true , I was a horrible sinner , not one in a hundred did live so vile a life as I , but this should not have kept me from closing , with Jesus Christ : I see now that there are abundance in Glory that once were as bad as I have been , but they were saved by Faith , and I am damned by Unbelief . Wr●tch that I am ! why did not I give glory to the Redeeming Blood of Jesus ? Why did I not humbly cast my Soul at his bless●d foot stool for Mercy ? Why did I judge of his ability to save me by the voice of my shallow reason , and the voice of a guilty Conscience ? Why betook not I my self to the holy Word of God ? Why did I not read and pray that I might understand , since now I perceive that God said then , He giveth liberally to them that pray , and upbraideth not , Jam. 1.5 . 'T is rational to think , that by such Cogitations as these , the unbelieving World will be torn in pieces before the Judgment of Christ : Especially those that have lived where they did or might have heard the Gospel of the Grace of God. Oh! that saying , It shall be more tolerable for Sodom at the Judgment , than for them , will be better understood . See Luke 10.8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12. This Reason therefore standeth fast ; Namely , That Christ , by offering mercy in the first place to the biggest Sinners , now , will stop all mouths of the impenitent at the day of Judgment , and cut off all excuse that shall be attempted to be made ( from the thoughts of 〈◊〉 greatness of their sins ) why they ca●● not to him . I have often thought of the day of Judgement , and how God will deal with sinners at that day : And I believe it will be managed with that sweetness , with that equitableness , with that excellent Righteousness , as to every sin , and circumstance , and aggravation thereof ▪ that men that are damned , before the Judgment is over , shall receive such conviction of the righteous Judgment of God upon them , and of their deserts of Hell fire , that they shall in themselves , conclude that there is all the reason in the world that they should be shut out of Heaven , and go to Hell-fire ; These shall go away into everlasting fire , Matt. 25.46 . Only this will tare , That they have mist of Mercy and Glory , and obtained everlasting damnation through their unbelief . But it will tare but thems●lves , but their own Souls ; they will gnash upon themselves : For in that , Mercy was offered to the chief of them in the first place , and yet they were damned for rejecting of it : They were damned for forsaking what they had a propriety in ; for , forsaking their Own Mercy . And thus much for the Reasons . I will conclude with a word of Application . The APPLICATION . FIrst , Would Jesus Christ have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest sinners ? Then this shews us how to make 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 that 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 : He 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 the 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 . 'T is 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 . Learn 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 : 'T was 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 . Secondly , 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 which 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 cannot 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 , 't is 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 has 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 ; let 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 't is 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 . Object . 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 prove 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 , but they of Jerusalem preferred a Murderer before him ; but as for him , they cried , away away with him , 't is 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 . 'T was 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 , none 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 and heaviest weight ! one that cannot stand long without sinking into Hell , without thy supporting hand ! Be not thou far from me , O Lord : O my strength , 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 , Jer 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 , Pray 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 sits 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 doest 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 , 't will 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 , and 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 ? Hast 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 : If 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 ; And 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 biggest 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 , though 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 shall 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. 'T is 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 , or 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 ! Despair makes Man God's Judge ; 't is 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 shelter 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 , 't will make a man weary of waiting upon God , 2 King. 6.33 . 'T will make a man forsake God , and seek his Heaven in the good things of this world , Gen. 4.13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17. 'T will 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 thy 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 . O 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 . Faith 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 ; 't is 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 . Wherefore 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 sins , 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 know , 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 . Therefore 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 out 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 't is 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 to 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 't is 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 many 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 received 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 Forgiveness 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 for 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 thought ; 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 and 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 notions 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 bring 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 as 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 with 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 was 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 . And 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 have 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 part 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 to 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 trial 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 't is 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 yet 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. Thou 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 , 't is 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 . For 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 . Now , 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 us , 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 ? Why 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 it 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 his 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 ? There 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. 13.37 , 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 . HAving 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 undiscerned by the person concerned therein , and always is kept secret as to the shutting up thereof . And this in the wisdom of God is thus , to the end no man , when called upon , should put off turning to God to another time : Now , and to Day , is that and only that which is revealed in Holy Writ , Psal. 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 who 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. 3 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 reconciliation 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 , saies 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 he 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 waits 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 , 't is 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 him 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 Master 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 his 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 into 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 . Let 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 betake 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 . And 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 't is 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 one 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 tokens 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 thus done , can never , 't is 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 , 't is impossible thou shouldst have done it ; if indeed thou wouldst be saved by him . No 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 under 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 .