BEGINNINGATJERUSALEM。——Lukexxiv。47。
Thewholeverserunsthus:\"Andthatrepentanceandremissionofsinsshouldbepreachedinhisnameamongallnations,beginningatJerusalem。\"
ThewordswerespokenbyChrist,afterherosefromthedead,andtheyarehererehearsedafteranhistoricalmanner,butdocontaininthemaformalcommission,withaspecialclausetherein。Thecommissionis,asyousee,forthepreachingofthegospel,andisverydistinctlyinsertedintheholyrecordbyMatthewandMark。\"Goteachallnations,\"&c。\"Goyeintoalltheworld,andpreachthegospeluntoeverycreature。\"Matt。xxviii。19;Markxvi。15。OnlythiscauseisinspecialmentionedbyLuke,whosaith,ThatasChristwouldhavethedoctrineofrepentanceandremissionofsinspreachedinhisnameamongallnations,sohewouldhavethepeopleofJerusalemtohavethefirstprofferthereof。Preachit,saithChrist,inallnations,butbeginatJerusalem。
Theapostlesthen,thoughtheyhadacommissionsolargeastogivethemwarranttogoandpreachthegospelinalltheworld,yetbythisclausetheywerelimitedastothebeginningoftheirministry:
theyweretobeginthisworkatJerusalem。\"BeginningatJerusalem。\"
BeforeIproceedtoanobservationuponthewords,Imust(butbriefly)touchupontwothings:namely,I。ShowyouwhatJerusalemnowwas。
II。Showyouwhatitwastopreachthegospeltothem。
I。Forthefirst,Jerusalemistobeconsidered,either,1。Withrespecttothedescentofherpeople:or,2。Withrespecttoherpreferenceandexaltation:or,3。Withrespecttoherpresentstate,astoherdecays。
First,Astoherdescent:shewasfromAbraham,thesonsofJacob,apeoplethatGodsingledoutfromtherestofthenationstosethisloveuponthem。
Secondly,Astoherpreferenceorexaltation,shewastheplaceofGod’sworship,andthatwhichhadinandwithherthespecialtokensandsignsofGod’sfavourandpresence,aboveanyotherpeopleintheworld。HencethetribeswentuptoJerusalemtoworship;therewasGod’shouse,God’shigh—priest,God’ssacrificesaccepted,andGod’seye,andGod’sheartperpetually;Psalmlxxvi。1,2;Psalmcxxii。;1
Kingsix。3。But,Thirdly,WearetoconsiderJerusalemalsoinherdecays;forassheissoconsidered,sheistheproperobjectofourtext,aswillbefurthershowedbyandby。
Jerusalem,asItoldyou,wastheplaceandseatofGod’sworship,butnowdecayed,degenerated,andapostatized。Theword,theruleofworship,wasrejectedofthem,andinitsplacetheyhadputandsetuptheirowntraditions;theyhadrejectedalsothemostweightyordinances,andputintheroomthereoftheirownlittlethings,Matt。xv。;Markvii。Jerusalemwasthereforenowgreatlybacksliding,andbecometheplacewheretruthandtruereligionweremuchdefaced。
Itwasalsonowbecometheverysinkofsinandseatofhypocrisy,andgulfwheretruereligionwasdrowned。Herealsonowreignedpresumption,andgroundlessconfidenceinGod,whichisthebaneofsouls。Amongstitsrulers,doctors,andleaders,envy,malice,andblasphemyventeditselfagainstthepowerofgodliness,inallplaceswhereitwasespied;asalsoagainstthepromotersofit;yea,theirLordandMakercouldnotescapethem。
Inaword,Jerusalemwasnowbecometheshambles,theveryslaughter—
shopforsaints。Thiswastheplacewhereintheprophets,Christ,andhispeople,weremosthorriblypersecutedandmurdered。Yea,sohardenedatthistimewasthisJerusaleminhersins,thatshefearednottocommitthebiggest,andtobindherselfbywishundertheguiltanddamningevilofit;saying,whenshehadmurderedtheSonofGod,\"Hisbloodbeuponusandourchildren。\"
AndthoughJesusChristdid,bothbydoctrine,miracles,andholinessoflife,seektoputastoptotheirvillanies,yettheyshuttheireyes,stoppedtheirears,andrestednot,till,aswashintedbefore,theyhaddrivenhimoutoftheworld。Yea,thattheymight,ifpossible,haveextinguishedhisname,andexplodedhisdoctrineoutoftheworld,they,againstallargument,andindespiteofHeaven,itsmightyhand,andundeniableproofofhisresurrection,didhiresoldierstoinventalie,saying,hisdisciplesstolehimawayfromthegrave;onpurposethatmenmightnotcounthimtheSaviouroftheworld,nortrustinhimfortheremissionofsins。
Theywere,saithPaul,contrarytoallmen:fortheydidnotonlyshutupthedooroflifeagainstthemselves,butforbadethatitshouldbeopenedtoanyelse。\"Forbiddingus,\"saithhe,\"topreachtotheGentiles,thattheymightbesaved,tofilluptheirsinsalway;\"Matt。xxiii。35;chap。xv。7—9;Markvii。6—8;Matt。iii。7—
9;Johnviii。33,41;Matt。xxvii。18;Markiii。30;Matt。xxiii。37;
Lukexiii。33,34;Matt。xxvii。25;chap。xx。11—16;1Thess。ii。14—
16。
Thisisthecity,andthesearethepeople;thisistheircharacter,andthesearetheirsins:norcantherebeproducedtheirparallelinallthisworld。Nay,whatworld,whatpeople,whatnation,forsinandtransgression,could,orcanbecomparedtoJerusalem!
especiallyifyoujointothematteroffactthelighttheysinnedagainst,andthepatiencewhichtheyabused。Infinitewasthewickednessuponthisaccountwhichtheycommitted。
Afteralltheirabusingsofwisemen,andprophets,GodsentuntothemJohnBaptist,toreducethem,andthenhisSontoredeemthem;
buttheywouldbeneitherreducednorredeemed,butpersecutedbothtothedeath。Nordidthey,asIsaid,stophere;theholyapostlestheyafterwardspersecutedalsotodeath,evensomanyastheycould;
theresttheydrovefromthemuntotheutmostcorners。
II。Icomenowtoshowyouwhatitwastopreachthegospeltothem。
Itwas,saithLuke,\"topreachtothemrepentanceandremissionofsins\"inChrist’sname;or,asMarkhasit,tobidthem\"repentandbelievethegospel,\"Marki。15;notthatrepentanceisacauseofremission,butasignofourheartyreceptionthereof。Repentanceisthereforehereputtointimate,thatnopretendedfaithofthegospelisgoodthatisnotaccompaniedwithit:andthishedothonpurpose,becausehewouldnothavethemdeceivethemselves:forwithwhatfaithcanheexpectremissionofsinsinthenameofChrist,thatisnotheartilysorryforthem?Orhowshallamanbeabletogivetoothersasatisfactoryaccountofhisunfeignedsubjectiontothegospel,thatyetabidesinhisimpenitency?
Whereforerepentanceisherejoinedwithfaithinthewayofreceivingthegospel。Faithisthatwithoutwhichitcannotbereceivedatall;andrepentancethatwithoutwhichitcannotbereceivedunfeignedly。WhenthereforeChristsays,hewouldhaverepentanceandremissionofsinspreachedinhisnameamongallnations,itisasmuchastosay,Iwillthatallmeneverywherebesorryfortheirsins,andacceptofmercyatGod’shandthroughme,lesttheyfallunderhiswrathinthejudgment。ForasIhadsaid,withoutrepentance,whatpretencesoevermenhaveoffaith,theycannotescapethewrathtocome。WhereforePaulsaith,Godcommands\"allmeneverywheretorepent,\"(inordertotheirsalvation),\"becausehehathappointedadayinthewhichhewilljudgetheworldinrighteousnessbythatmanwhomhehathordained;\"Actsxvii。31。
Andnowtocometothisclause,\"BeginningatJerusalem;\"thatis,thatChristwouldhaveJerusalemhavethefirstofferofthegospel。
1。Thiscannotbesocommanded,becausetheyhadnowanymorerightofthemselvestheretothanhadanyofthenationsoftheworld;fortheirsinshaddivestedthemofallself—deservings。
2。Noryet,becausetheystoodupontheadvance—groundwiththeworstofthesinnersofthenations;nay,rather,thesinnersofthenationshadtheadvance—groundofthem:forJerusalemwas,longbeforeshehadaddedthisiniquitytohersin,worsethantheverynationsthatGodcastoutbeforethechildrenofIsrael;2Chron。
xxxiii。
3。Itmustthereforefollow,thatthisclause,BeginatJerusalem,wasputintothiscommissionofmeregraceandcompassion,evenfromtheoverflowingsofthebowelsofmercy;forindeedtheyweretheworst,andsointhemostdeplorableconditionofanypeopleundertheheavens。
Whatever,therefore,theirrelationwastoAbraham,Isaac,orJacob,howevertheyformerlyhadbeenthepeopleamongwhomGodhadplacedhisnameandworship,theywerenowdegeneratedfromGod,morethanthenationswerefromtheiridols,andwerebecomeguiltyofthehighestsinswhichthepeopleoftheworldwerecapableofcommitting。Nay,nonecanbecapableofcommittingofsuchpardonablesinsastheycommittedagainsttheirGod,whentheyslewhisSon,andpersecutedhisnameandword。
Fromthesewords,therefore,thusexplained,wegainthisobservation:
ThatJesusChristwouldhavemercyofferedinthefirstplacetothebiggestsinners。
ThattheseJerusalemsinnerswerethebiggestsinnersthateverwereintheworld,Ithinknonewilldeny,thatbelievesthatChristwasthebestmanthateverwasintheworld,andalsowastheirLordGod。
Andthattheyweretohavethefirstofferofhisgrace,thetextisasclearasthesun;foritsaith,\"BeginatJerusalem。\"\"Preach,\"
saithhe,\"repentanceandremissionofsins\"totheJerusalemsinners:totheJerusalemsinnersinthefirstplace。
Onewoulda—thought,sincetheJerusalemsinnersweretheworstandgreatestsinners,Christ’sgreatestenemies,andthosethatnotonlydespisedhisperson,doctrine,andmiracles,butthatalittlebeforehadhadtheirhandsuptotheelbowsinhisheart—blood,thatheshouldratherhavesaid,Gointoalltheworld,andpreachrepentanceandremissionofsinsamongallnations;andafterthatofferthesametoJerusalem;yea,ithadbeeninfinitegrace,ifhehadsaidso。Butwhatgraceisthis,orwhatnameshallwegiveit,whenhecommandsthatthisrepentanceandremissionofsins,whichisdesignedtobepreachedinallnations,shouldfirstbeofferedtoJerusalem,inthefirstplacetotheworstofsinners!
NorwasthisthefirsttimethatthegracewhichwasintheheartofChristthussheweditselftotheworld。Forwhilehewasyetalive,evenwhilehewasyetinJerusalem,andperceivedevenamongtheseJerusalemsinners,whichwasthemostvileamongstthem,hestillinhispreachingdidsignifythathehadadesirethattheworstoftheseworstshouldinthefirstplacecomeuntohim。Thewhichheshoweth,wherehesaithtothebettersortofthem,\"ThepublicansandharlotsenterintothekingdomofGodbeforeyou;\"Matt。xxi。31。
AlsowhenhecomparedJerusalemwiththesinnersofthenations,thenhecommandsthattheJerusalemsinnersshouldhavethegospelatpresentconfinedtothem。\"Gonot,\"saithhe,\"intothewayoftheGentiles,andintoanyofthecitiesoftheSamaritansenteryenot;
butgorathertothelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael;\"Matt。x。5,6;chap。xxiii。37;butgorathertothem,fortheywereinthemostfearfulplight。
Thesethereforemusthavethecreamofthegospel,namely,thefirstofferthereofinhislifetime:yea,whenhedepartedoutoftheworld,heleftthisaspartofhislastwillwithhispreachers,thattheyalsoshouldofferitfirsttoJerusalem。Hehadamind,acarefulmind,asitseems,toprivilegetheworstofsinnerswiththefirstofferofmercy,andtotakefromamongthemapeopletobethefirstfruitsuntoGodandtotheLamb。
The15thofLukealsoisfamousforthis,wheretheLordJesustakesmorecare,asappearstherebythreeparables,forthelostsheep,lostgroat,andtheprodigalson,thanfortheothersheep,theotherpence,orforthesonthatsaidhehadnevertransgressed,yea,heshowsthatthereisjoyinheaven,amongtheangelsofGod,attherepentanceofonesinner,morethanoverninetyandninejustpersons,whichneednorepentance;Lukexv。
AfterthismannerthereforethemindofChristwassetonthesalvationofthebiggestsinnersinhislifetime。Butjointothis,thisclause,whichhecarefullyputintotheapostles’commissiontopreach,whenhedepartedhencetotheFather,andthenyoushallseethathisheartwasvehementlysetuponit;forthesewerepartofhislastwordswiththem,Preachmygospeltoallnations,butseethatyoubeginatJerusalem。
NordidtheapostlesoverlookthisclausewhentheirLordwasgoneintoheaven:theywentfirsttothemofJerusalem,andpreachedChrist’sgospeltothem:theyabodealsothereforaseasonandtime,andpreachedittonobodyelse,fortheyhadregardtothecommandmentoftheirLord。
Anditistobeobserved,namely,thatthefirstsermonwhichtheypreachedaftertheascensionofChrist,itwaspreachedtotheveryworstoftheseJerusalemsinners,eventothesethatwerethemurderersofJesusChrist,Actsii。23,forthesearepartofthesermon:\"Yetookhim,andbywickedhandshavecrucifiedandslainhim。\"Yea,thenextsermon,andthenext,andalsothenexttothat,waspreachedtotheself—samemurderers,totheendtheymightbesaved;Actsiii。14—16;chap。iv。10,11;chap。v。30;chap。vii。52。
ButwewillreturntothefirstsermonthatwaspreachedtotheseJerusalemsinners,bywhichwillbemanifestmorethangreatgrace,ifitbedulyconsidered。
ForafterthatPeter,andtherestoftheapostles,had,intheirexhortation,persuadedthesewretchestobelievethattheyhadkilledthePrinceoflife,andaftertheyhaddulyfallenundertheguiltoftheirmurder,saying,\"Menandbrethren,whatshallwedo?\"hereplies,byanuniversaltendertothemallingeneral,consideringthemasChrist’skillers,thatiftheyweresorryforwhattheyhaddone,andwouldbebaptizedfortheremissionoftheirsinsinhisname,theyshouldreceivethegiftoftheHolyGhost;Actsii。37,38。
Thishesaidtothemall,thoughheknewthattheyweresuchsinners。
Yea,hesaiditwithouttheleaststickorstop,orpauseofspirit,astowhetherhehadbesttosaysoorno。Nay,sofaroffwasPeterfrommakinganobjectionagainstoneofthem,thatbyaparticularclauseinhisexhortation,heendeavours,thatnotoneofthemmayescapethesalvationoffered。\"Repent,\"saithhe,\"andbebaptizedeveryoneofyou。\"Ishutoutneveraoneofyou;forIamcommandedbymyLordtodealwithyou,asitwere,onebyone,bythewordofhissalvation。Butwhyspeakshesoparticularly?Oh!therewerereasonsforit。Thepeoplewithwhomtheapostleswerenowtodeal,astheyweremurderersofourLord,andtobechargedinthegeneralwithhisblood,sotheyhadtheirvariousandparticularactsofvillanyintheguiltthereof,nowlyingupontheirconsciences。Andtheguiltofthesetheirvariousandparticularactsofwickedness,couldnotperhapsbereachedtoaremovalthereof,butbythisparticularapplication。Repenteveryoneofyou;bebaptizedeveryoneofyou,inhisname,fortheremissionofsins,andyoushall,everyoneofyou,receivethegiftoftheHolyGhost。
Object。ButIwasoneofthemthatplottedtotakeawayhislife。
MayIbesavedbyhim?
Peter。Everyoneofyou。
Object。ButIwasoneofthemthatbarefalsewitnessagainsthim。
Istheregraceforme?
Peter。Foreveryoneofyou。
Object。ButIwasoneofthemthatcriedout,Crucifyhim,crucifyhim;anddesiredthatBarabbasthemurderermightlive,ratherthanhim。Whatwillbecomeofme,thinkyou?
Peter。Iamtopreachrepentanceandremissionofsinstoeveryoneofyou,saysPeter。
Object。ButIwasoneofthemthatdidspitinhisfacewhenhestoodbeforehisaccusers。Ialsowasonethatmockedhim,wheninanguishhehangedbleedingonthetree。Isthereroomforme?
Peter。Foreveryoneofyou,saysPeter。
Object。ButIwasoneofthemthatinhisextremitysaid,givehimgallandvinegartodrink。WhymaynotIexpectthesamewhenanguishandguiltisuponme?
Peter。Repentoftheseyourwickednesses,andhereisremissionofsinsforeveryoneofyou。
Object。ButIrailedonhim,Ireviledhim,Ihatedhim,Irejoicedtoseehimmockedatbyothers。Cantherebehopesforme?
Peter。Thereisforeveryoneofyou。\"RepentandbebaptisedeveryoneofyouinthenameofJesusChrist,fortheremissionofsins,andyeshallreceivethegiftoftheHolyGhost。\"Oh!whatablessed\"Everyoneofyou,\"ishere!HowwillingwasPeter,andtheLordJesus,byhisministry,tocatchthesemurdererswiththewordofthegospel,thattheymightbemademonumentsofthegraceofGod!Howunwilling,Isay,washe,thatanyoftheseshouldescapethehandofmercy!Yea,whatanamazingwonderitistothink,thatabovealltheworld,andaboveeverybodyinit,theseshouldhavethefirstofferofmercy!\"BeginningatJerusalem。\"
Butwastherenotsomethingofmomentinthisclauseofthecommission?DidnotPeter,thinkyou,seeagreatdealinit,thatheshouldthusbeginwiththesemen,andthusoffer,soparticularly,thisgracetoeachparticularmanofthem?
But,asItoldyou,thisisnotall;theseJerusalemsinnersmusthavethisofferagainandagain;everyoneofthemmustbeoffereditoverandover。Christwouldnottaketheirfirstrejectionforadenial,northeirsecondrepulseforadenial;buthewillhavegraceofferedonce,andtwice,andthrice,totheseJerusalemsinners。Isnotthisamazinggrace?Christwillnotbeputoff。Thesearethesinnersthataresinnersindeed。Theyaresinnersofthebiggestsort;consequentlysuchasChristcan,iftheyconvertandbesaved,bestservehisendsanddesignsupon。Ofwhichmoreanon。
Butwhatapitchofgraceisthis!Christismindedtoamazetheworld,andtoshew,thatheactethnotlikethechildrenofmen。
Thisisthatwhichhesaidofold。\"Iwillnotexecutethefiercenessofmywrath,IwillnotreturntodestroyEphraim;forI
amGodandnotman;\"Hos。xi。9。Thisisnotthemannerofmen;menareshorterwinded;menaresoonmovedtotakevengeance,andtorightthemselvesinawayofwrathandindignation。ButGodisfullofgrace,fullofpatience,readytoforgive,andonethatdelightsinmercy。Allthisisseeninourtext。Thebiggestsinnersmustfirstbeofferedmercy;theymust,Isay,havethecreamofthegospeloffereduntothem。
Butwewillalittleproceed。Inthethirdchapterwefind,thattheywhoescapedconvertingbythefirstsermon,arecalleduponagain,toacceptofgraceandforgiveness,fortheirmurdercommittedupontheSonofGod。Youhavekilled,yea,\"youhavedenied,theholyoneandthejust,anddesiredamurderertobegranteduntoyou;
andkilledthePrinceoflife。\"Mark,hefallsagainupontheverymenthatactuallywere,asyouhaveitinthechaptersfollowing,hisverybetrayersandmurderers,Actsiii。14,15;asbeingloaththattheyshouldescapethemercyofforgiveness;andexhortsthemagaintorepent,thattheirsinsmight\"beblottedout;\"verses19,20。
Again,inthefourthchapter,hechargesthemafreshwiththismurder,ver。10;butwithaltellsthem,salvationisinnoother。
Then,likeaheavenlydecoy,heputshimselfalsoamongthem,todrawthemthebetterunderthenetofthegospel;saying,\"Thereisnoneothernameunderheavengivenamongmen,wherebywemustbesaved;\"
ver。12。
Inthefifthchapteryoufindthemrailingathim,becausehecontinuedpreachingamongthemsalvationinthenameofJesus。Buthetellsthem,thatthatveryJesuswhomtheyhadslainandhangedonatree,himGodhadraisedup,andexaltedtobeaPrinceandaSaviour,togiverepentancetoIsrael,andforgivenessofsins:ver。
29—31。Stillinsinuating,thatthoughtheyhadkilledhim,andtothisdayrejectedhim,yethisbusinesswastobestowuponthemrepentanceandforgivenessofsins。
’Tistrue,aftertheybegantokillagain,andwhennothingbutkillingwouldservetheirturn,thentheythatwerescatteredabroadwenteverywherepreachingtheword。YetevensomeofthemsohankeredaftertheconversionoftheJews,thattheypreachedthegospelonlytothem。AlsotheapostlesstillmadetheirabodeatJerusalem,inhopesthattheymightyetletdowntheirnetforanotherdraughtoftheseJerusalemsinners。NeitherdidPaulandBarnabas,whoweretheministersofGodtotheGentiles,butofferthegospel,inthefirstplace,tothoseofthemthatfortheirwickednesswerescatteredlikevagabondsamongthenations;yea,andwhentheyrenderedrebellionandblasphemyfortheirserviceandlove,theyreplied,itwasnecessarythatthewordofGodshouldfirsthavebeenspokentothem;Actsi。8;chap。xiii。46,47。
Norwasthistheirpreachingunsuccessfulamongthesepeople:buttheLordJesussowroughtwiththewordthusspoken,thatthousandsofthemcameflockingtohimformercy。Threethousandofthemclosedwithhimatthefirst;andafterwardstwothousandmore;fornowtheywereinnumberaboutfivethousand;whereasbeforesermonswerepreachedtothesemurderers,thenumberofthediscipleswasnotabove\"ahundredandtwenty;\"Actsi。15;chap。ii。41;chap。iv。4。
Alsoamongthesepeoplethatthusflockedtohimformercy,therewasa\"greatcompanyofthepriests;\"chap。vi。7。Nowthepriestsweretheythatwerethegreatestofthesebiggestsinners;theyweretheringleaders,theyweretheinventorsandringleadersinthemischief。
ItwastheythatsetthepeopleagainsttheLordJesus,andthatwerethecausewhytheuproarincreased,untilPilatehadgivensentenceuponhim。\"Thechiefpriestsandelders,\"saysthetext,\"persuaded(thepeople)themultitude,\"thattheyshouldaskBarabbas,anddestroyJesus;Matt。xxvii。20。Andyetbeholdthepriests,yea,agreatcompanyofthepriests,becameobedienttothefaith。
OhthegreatnessofthegraceofChrist,thatheshouldbethusinlovewiththesoulsofJerusalemsinners!thatheshouldbethusdelightedwiththesalvationoftheJerusalemsinners!thatheshouldnotonlywillthathisgospelshouldbeofferedthem,butthatitshouldbeoffereduntothemfirst,andbeforeothersinnerswereadmittedtoahearingofit。\"BeginatJerusalem。\"
Werethisdoctrinewellbelieved,wherewouldtherebeaplaceforadoubt,orafearofthedamnationofthesoul,ifthesinnerbepenitent,howbadalifesoeverhehaslived,howmanysoeverinnumberarehissins?
Butthisgraceishidfromtheeyesofmen;thedevilhidesitfromthem;forheknowsitisalluring,heknowsithasanattractingvirtueinit:forthisisitthataboveallargumentscandrawthesoultoGod。
Icannothelpit,butmustletdropanotherword。Thefirstchurch,theJerusalemchurch,fromwhencethegospelwastobesentintoalltheworld,wasachurchmadeupofJerusalemsinners。ThesegreatsinnerswereherethemostshiningmonumentsoftheexceedinggraceofGod。
ThusyouseeIhaveprovedthedoctrine;andthatnotonlybyshowingyouthatthiswasthepracticeoftheLordJesusChristinhislifetime,buthislastwillwhenhewentuptoGod;saying,BegintopreachatJerusalem。
Yea,itisyetfurthermanifested,inthatwhenhisministersfirstbegantopreachthere,hejoinedhispowertotheword,totheconvertingofthousandsofhisbetrayersandmurderers,andalsomanyoftheringleadingprieststothefaith。
Ishallnowproceed,andshallshowyou,1。Thereasonsofthepoint:
2。Andthenmakesomeapplicationofthewhole。
Theobservation,youknow,isthis:JesusChristwouldhavemercyoffered,inthefirstplace,tothebiggestsinners,totheJerusalemsinners:\"Preachrepentance,andremissionofsins,inmyname,amongallnations,beginningatJerusalem。\"
Thereasonsofthepointare:
First,Becausethebiggestsinnershavemostneedthereof。Hethathasmostneed,reasonsays,shouldbehelpedfirst。Imean,whenahelpinghandisoffered,andnowitis:forthegospelofthegraceofGodissenttohelptheworld;Actsxvi。9。Butthebiggestsinnerhasmostneed。Therefore,inreason,whenmercyissentdownfromheaventomen,theworstofmenshouldhavethefirstofferofit。\"BeginatJerusalem。\"ThisisthereasonwhichtheLordChristhimselfrenders,whyinhislifetimeheleftthebest,andturnedhimtotheworst;whyhesatsoloosefromtherighteous,andstucksoclosetothewicked。\"Thewhole,\"saithhe,\"havenoneedofthephysician,butthesick。Icamenottocalltherighteous,butsinnerstorepentance;\"Markii。15—47。
Aboveyouread,thatthescribesandphariseessaidtohisdisciples,\"Howisitthatheeatethanddrinkethwithpublicansandsinners?\"
Alas!theydidnotknowthereason:buttheLordrendersthemone,andsuchanoneasisbothnaturalandcogent,saying,Thesehaveneed,mostneed。TheirgreatnecessityrequiresthatIshouldbemostfriendly,andshowmygracefirsttothem。
Notthattheotherweresinless,andsohadnoneedofaSaviour;butthepublicansandtheircompanionswerethebiggestsinners;theywere,astoview,worsethanthescribes;andthereforeinreasonshouldbehelpedfirst,becausetheyhadmostneedofaSaviour。
Menthatareatthepointtodiehavemoreneedofthephysicianthantheythatarebutnowandthentroubledwithanheart—faintingqualm。
Thepublicansandsinnerswere,asitwere,inthemouthofdeath;
deathwasswallowingofthemdown:andthereforetheLordJesusreceivesthemfirst,offersthemmercyfirst。\"Thewholehavenoneedofthephysician,butthesick。Icamenottocalltherighteous,butsinnerstorepentance。\"Thesick,asIsaid,isthebiggestsinner,whetherheseeshisdiseaseornot。Heisstainedfromheadtofoot,fromhearttolifeandconversation。Thisman,ineveryman’sjudgment,hasthemostneedofmercy。Thereisnothingattendshimfrombedtoboard,andfromboardtobedagain,butthevisiblecharacters,andobvioussymptoms,ofeternaldamnation。Thisthereforeisthemanthathasneed,mostneed;andthereforeinreasonshouldbehelpedinthefirstplace。Thusitwaswiththepeopleconcernedinthetext,theyweretheworstofsinners,Jerusalemsinners,sinnersofthebiggestsize;andthereforesuchashadthegreatestneed;whereforetheymusthavemercyofferedtothem,beforeitbeofferedanywhereelseintheworld。\"BeginatJerusalem,\"offermercyfirsttoaJerusalemsinner。Thismanhasmostneed,heisfarthestfromGod,nearesttohell,andsoonethathasmostneed。Thisman’ssinsareinnumberthemost,incrytheloudest,inweighttheheaviest,andconsequentlywillsinkhimsoonest:whereforehehasmostneedofmercy。ThismanisshutupinSatan’shand,fastestboundinthecordsofhissins:onethatjusticeiswhettinghisswordtocutoff;andthereforehasmostneed,notonlyofmercy,butthatitshouldbeextendedtohiminthefirstplace。
Butalittlefurthertoshowyouthetruenatureofthisreason,towit,ThatJesusChristwouldhavemercyoffered,inthefirstplace,tothebiggestsinners。
First,Mercyarisethfromthebowelsandcompassion,frompity,andfromafeelingoftheconditionofthoseinmisery。\"Inhislove,andinhispity,hesavethus。\"Andagain,\"TheLordispitiful,verypitiful,andofgreatmercy;\"Isa。lxiii。9;Jamesv。11。
Now,wherepityandcompassionis,thereisyearningofbowels;andwherethereisthat,thereisareadinesstohelp。And,Isayagain,themoredeplorableanddreadfultheconditionis,themoredirectlydothbowelsandcompassionturnthemselvestosuch,andofferhelpanddeliverance。Allthisflowsfromourfirstscriptureproof;I
cametocallthemthathaveneed;tocallthemfirst,whiletherestlookonandmurmur。
\"HowshallIgivetheeup,Ephraim?\"EphraimwasarevolterfromGod,amanthathadgivenhimselfuptodevilism:acompanyofmen,thetentribes,thatworshippeddevils,whileJudahkeptwithhisGod。\"ButhowshallIgivetheeup,Ephraim?HowshallIdeliverthee,Israel?HowshallImaketheeasAdmah?HowshallIsettheeasZeboim?(andyetthouartworsethanthey:norhasSamariacommittedhalfthysins);Ezek。xvi。46—51。Myheartisturnedwithinme,andmyrepentingsarekindledtogether;\"Hos。xi。8。
ButwheredoyoufindthatevertheLorddidthusyearninhisbowelsforandafteranyself—righteousman?No,no;theyarethepublicansandharlots,idolatersandJerusalemsinners,forwhomhisbowelsthusyearnandtumbleaboutwithinhim:for,alas!poorworms,theyhavemostneedofmercy。
HadnotthegoodSamaritanmorecompassionforthatmanthatfellamongthieves(thoughthatfallwasoccasionedbyhisgoingfromtheplacewheretheyworshippedGod,toJericho,thecursedcity)thanwereadhehadforanyotherbesides?Hiswinewasforhim,hisoilwasforhim,hisbeastforhim;hispenny,hiscare,andhisswaddlingbandsforhim;foralas!wretch,hehadmostneed;Lukex。30—35。
Zaccheusthepublican,thechiefofthepublicans,onethathadmadehimselfthericherbywrongingofothers;theLordatthattimesingledhimoutfromalltherestofhisbrotherpublicans,andthatinthefaceofmanyPharisees,andproclaimedintheaudienceofthemall,thatthatdaysalvationwascometohishouse;Lukexix。1—8。
ThewomanalsothathadbeenbounddownbySatanforeighteenyearstogether,hiscompassionsputtinghimuponit,heloosedher,thoughthosethatstoodbysnarledathimforsodoing;Lukexiii。11—13,AndwhythewomanofSarepta,andwhyNaamantheSyrian,ratherthanwidowsandlepersinIsrael,butbecausetheirconditionsweremoredeplorable,(forthat)theyweremostforlorn,andfarthestfromhelp;Lukeiv。25,27。
ButIsay,whyallthese,thusnamed?whyhavewenotacatalogueofsomeholymenthatweresointheirowneyes,andinthejudgmentoftheworld?Alasifatanytimeanyofthemarementioned,howseeminglycoldlydoththerecordofscripturepresentthemtous?
Nicodemus,anightprofessor,andSimonthepharisee,withhisfiftypence;andtheirgreatignoranceofthemethodsofgrace,wehavenowandthentouchedupon。
Mercyseemstobeoutofhisproperchannel,whenitdealswithself—
righteousmen;butthenitrunswithafullstreamwhenitextendsitselftothebiggestsinners。AsGod’smercyisnotregulatedbyman’sgoodness,norobtainedbyman’sworthiness;sonotmuchsetoutbysavingofanysuch。Butmoreofthisanon。
Andhereletmeaskmyreaderaquestion:supposethatasthouartwalkingbysomepondside,thoushouldstespyinitfourorfivechildrenallindangerofdrowning,andoneinmoredangerthanalltherest,judgewhichhasmostneedtobehelpedoutfirst?Iknowthouwiltsay,hethatisnearestdrowning。Why,thisisthecase;
thebiggersinner,thenearerdrowning;thereforethebiggersinnerthemoreneedofmercy;yea,ofhelpbymercyinthefirstplace。
Andtothisourtextagrees,whenitsaith,\"BeginningatJerusalem。\"
LettheJerusalemsinner,saysChrist,havethefirstoffer,thefirstinvitation,thefirsttenderofmygraceandmercy,forheisthebiggestsinner,andsohasmostneedthereof。
Secondly,ChristJesuswouldhavemercyofferedinthefirstplacetothebiggestsinners,becausewhenthey,anyofthem,receiveit,itredoundsmosttothefameofhisname。
ChristJesus,asyoumayperceive,hasputhimselfunderthetermofaphysician,adoctorforcuringofdiseases:andyouknowthatapplauseandfame,arethingsthatphysiciansmuchdesire。Thatisitthathelpsthemtopatients,andthatalsothatwillhelptheirpatientstocommitthemselvestotheirskillforcure,withthemoreconfidenceandreposeofspirit。Andthebestwayforadoctororphysiciantogethimselfaname,is,inthefirstplace,totakeinhand,andcuresomesuchasallothershavegivenoffforlostanddead。Physiciansgetneithernamenorfamebyprickingofwheals,orprickingoutthistles,orbylayingofplaisterstothescratchofapin;everyoldwomancandothis。Butiftheywouldhaveanameandafame,iftheywillhaveitquicklytheymust,asIsaid,dosomegreatanddesperatecures。Letthemfetchonetolifethatwasdead;
letthemrecoveronetohiswitsthatwasmad;letthemmakeonethatwasbornblindtosee;orletthemgiveripewitstoafool;thesearenotablecures,andhethatcandothus,andifhedoththusfirst,heshallhavethenameandfamehedesires;hemayliea—bedtillnoon。
Why,ChristJesusforgivethsinsforaname,andsobegetsofhimselfagoodreportintheheartsofthechildrenofmen。Andthereforeinreasonhemustbewilling,asalsohedidcommand,thathismercyshouldbeofferedfirsttothebiggestsinners。
\"Iwillforgivetheirsins,iniquities,andtransgressions,\"sayshe,\"anditshallturntomeforanameofjoy,andapraiseandanhonour,beforeallthenationsoftheearth;\"Jer。xxxiii。8,9。
Andhenceitis,thatathisfirstappearinghetookuponhimtodosuchmightyworks:hegotafamethereby,hegotanamethereby;
Matt。iv。23,24。
WhenChristhadcastthelegionofdevilsoutofthemanofwhomyouread,Markv。,hebidhimgohometohisfriends,andtellit:\"Gohome,\"saithhe,\"tothyfriends,andtellthemhowgreatthingsGodhasdoneforthee,andhashadcompassiononthee;\"Markv。19。
ChristJesusseeksaname,anddesirethafameintheworld;andtherefore,orthebettertoobtainthat,hecommandsthatmercyshouldfirstbeprofferedtothebiggestsinners,because,bythesavingofoneofthemhemakesallmenmarvel。As’tissaidofthemanlastmentioned,whomChristcuredtowardsthebeginningofhisministry:\"Andhedeparted,\"saysthetext,\"andbegantopublishinDecapolis,howgreatthingsJesushaddoneforhim;andallmendidmarvel,\"ver。20。
WhenJohntoldChrist,thattheysawonecastingoutdevilsinhisname,andtheyforbadehim,becausehefollowednotwiththem,whatistheanswerofChrist?\"Forbidhimnot:forthereisnomanwhichshalldoamiracleinmyname,thatcanlightlyspeakevilofme。\"
No;theywillrathercausehispraisetobeheard,andhisnametobemagnified,andsoputgloryontheheadofChrist。
Butwewillfollowalittleourmetaphor:Christ,asIsaid,hasputhimselfunderthetermofaphysician;consequentlyhedesireththathisfame,astothesalvationofsinners,mayspreadabroad,andthattheworldmayseewhathecando。Andtothisend,hehasnotonlycommanded,thatthebiggestsinnersshouldhavethefirstofferofhismercy,buthas,asphysiciansdo,putouthisbills,andpublishedhisdoings,thatthingsmaybereadandtalkedof。Yea,hehasmoreover,inthesehisblessedbills,theholyscripturesImean,insertedtheverynamesofpersons,theplacesoftheirabode,andthegreatcuresthat,bythemeansofhissalvations,hehaswroughtuponthemtothisveryend。Hereis,Item,suchaone,bymygraceandredeemingblood,wasmadeamonumentofeverlastinglife;andsuchaone,bymyperfectobedience,becameanheirofglory。Andthenheproduceththeirnames。
Item,IsavedLotfromtheguiltanddamnationthathehadprocuredtohimselfbyhisincest。
Item,IsavedDavidfromthevengeancethatbelongedtohimforcommittingofadulteryandmurder。
HereisalsoSolomon,Manasseh,Peter,Magdalen,andmanyothers,madementionofinthisbook。Yea,herearetheirnames,theirsins,andtheirsalvationsrecordedtogether,thatyoumayreadandknowwhataSaviourheis,anddohimhonourintheworld。Forwhyarethesethingsthusrecorded,buttoshowtosinnerswhathecando,tothepraiseandgloryofhisgrace?
Anditisobservable,asIsaidbefore,wehavebutverylittleofthesalvationoflittlesinnersmentionedinGod’sbook,becausethatwouldnothaveansweredthedesign,towit,tobringgloryandfametothenameoftheSonofGod。
Whatshouldbethereason,thinkyou,whyChristshouldsoeasilytakeadenialofthegreatones,thatwerethegrandeuroftheworld,andstrugglesohardforhedge—creepersandhighwaymen(asthatparable,Lukexiv。,seemstoimporthedoth),buttoshowforththerichesofthegloryofhisgracetohispraise?ThisIsay,isonereasontobesure。
Theythathadtheirgrounds,theiryokeofoxen,andtheirmarriagejoys,wereinvitedtocome;buttheymadetheirexcuse,andthatservedtheturn。Butwhenhecomestodealwiththeworst,hesaithtohisservants,Goyeoutandbringtheminhither。\"Gooutquickly,andbringinhitherthepoor,themaimed,thehalt,andtheblind。\"Andtheydidso:andhesaidagain,\"Gooutintothehighwaysandhedges,andcompelthemtocomein,thatmyhousemaybefilled;\"Lukexiv。18,19,23。Thesepoor,lame,maimed,blind,hedge—creepersandhighwaymen,mustcomein,mustbeforcedin。
These,ifsaved,willmakehismeritsshine。
WhenChristwascrucified,andhangedupbetweentheearthandheavens,thereweretwothievescrucifiedwithhim;andbehold,helaysholdofoneofthemandwillhavehimawaywithhimtoglory。
Wasnotthisastrangeact,andadisplayofunthoughtofgrace?
Weretherenonebutthievesthere,orweretherestofthatcompanyoutofhisreach?Couldhenot,thinkyou,havestoopedfromthecrosstotheground,andhavelaidholdonsomehonestermanifhewould?Yes,doubtless。Oh!butthenhewouldnothavedisplayedhisgrace,norsohavepursuedhisowndesigns,namely,togettohimselfapraiseandaname:butnowhehasdoneittopurpose。Forwhothatshallreadthisstory,butmustconfess,thattheSonofGodisfullofgrace;foraproofoftherichesthereof,heleftbehindhim,whenuponthecrosshetookthethiefawaywithhimtoglory。Norcanthisoneactofhisbeburied;itwillbetalkedoftotheendoftheworldtohispraise。\"Menshallspeakofthemightofthyterribleacts,andwilldeclarethygreatness;theyshallabundantlyutterthememoryofthygreatgoodness,andshallsingofthyrighteousness。Theyshallspeakofthegloryofthykingdom,andtalkofthypower;tomakeknowntothesonsofmenhismightyacts,andthegloriousmajestyofhiskingdom;\"Psalmcxlv。6—12。
WhenthewordofGodcameamongtheconjurersandthosesoothsayersthatyoureadof,Actsxix。,andhadprevailedwithsomeofthemtoacceptofthegraceofChrist,theHolyGhostrecordsitwithaboast,forthatitwouldredoundtohispraise,saying,\"Andmanyofthemthatusedcuriousarts,broughttheirbookstogether,andburnedthembeforeallmen:andcountedthepriceofthem,andfounditfiftythousandpiecesofsilver。SomightilygrewthewordofGod,andprevailed;\"Actsxix。19,20。ItwrenchedoutoftheclutchesofSatansomeofthoseofwhomhethoughthimselfmostsure。
\"SomightilygrewthewordofGod。\"Itgrewmightily,itencroacheduponthekingdomofthedevil。Itpursuedhim,andtooktheprey;itforcedhimtoletgohishold:itbroughtawaycaptive,asprisonerstakenbyforceofarms,someofthemostvaliantofhisarmy:itfetchedbackfrom,asitwere,theconfinesofhell,someofthosethatwerehismosttrusty,andthatwithhellhadbeenatanagreement:itmadethemcomeandconfesstheirdeeds,andburntheirbooksbeforeallmen:\"SomightilygrewthewordofGod,andprevailed。\"
Thus,therefore,youseewhyChristwillhavemercyofferedinthefirstplacetothebiggestsinners;theyhavemostneedthereof;andthisisthemostreadywaytoextolhisnamethatridethupontheheavenstoourhelp。But,Thirdly,ChristJesuswouldhavemercyofferedinthefirstplacetothebiggestsinners,becausebytheirforgivenessandsalvation,othershearingofit,willbeencouragedthemoretocometohimforlife。
Forthephysician,bycuringthemostdesperateatthefirst,dothnotonlygethimselfaname,butbegetsencouragementinthemindsofotherdiseasedfolktocometohimforhelp。HenceyoureadofourLord,thatafter,throughhistendermercy,hehadcuredmanyofgreatdiseases,hisfamewasspreadabroad,\"Theybroughtuntohimallsickpeoplethatweretakenwithdiversdiseasesandtorments,andthosewhichwerepossessedwithdevils,andthosewhichwerelunatic,andthosethathadthepalsy,andhehealedthem。AndtherefollowedhimgreatmultitudesofpeoplefromGalilee,andDecapolis,andJerusalem,andJudea,andfrombeyondJordan;\"Matt。iv。24,25。
Seehere,hefirstbyworkinggetshimselfafame,aname,andrenown,andnowmentakeencouragement,andbringfromallquarterstheirdiseasedtohim,beinghelped,bywhattheyhadheard,tobelievethattheirdiseasedshouldbehealed。
Now,ashedidwiththoseoutwardcures,sohedoesintheproffersofhisgraceandmercy:heproffersthatinthefirstplacetothebiggestsinners,thatothersmaytakehearttocometohimtobesaved。Iwillgiveyouascriptureortwo,ImeantoshowyouthatChrist,bycommandingthathismercyshouldinthefirstplacebeofferedtothebiggestofsinners,hasadesigntherebytoencourageandprovokeotherstocomealsotohimformercy。
\"God,\"saithPaul,\"whoisrichinmercy,forhisgreatlovewherewithhelovedus,evenwhenweweredeadinsins,hathquickenedustogetherwithChrist(bygraceyearesaved);andhathraisedusuptogether,andmadeussittogetherinheavenlyplacesinChristJesus。\"Butwhydidhedoallthis?\"ThatintheagestocomehemightshewtheexceedingrichesofhisgraceinhiskindnesstowardsusthroughChristJesus;\"Eph。ii。4—7。
See,hereisadesign;GodletsouthismercytoEphesusofdesign,eventoshewtotheagestocometheexceedingrichesofhisgrace,inhiskindnesstothemthroughChristJesus。Andwhytoshewbythesetheexceedingrichesofhisgracetotheagestocome,throughChristJesus,buttoallurethem,andtheirchildrenalso,tocometohim,andtopartakeofthesamegracethroughChristJesus?
ButwhatwasPaul,andtheEphesiansinners?(ofPaulwewillspeakanon)。TheseEphesiansinners,theyweremendeadinsins,menthatwalkedaccordingtothedictatesandmotionsofthedevil;
worshippersofDiana,thateffeminategoddess;menfarofffromGod,aliensandstrangerstoallgoodthings;suchaswerefarofffromthat,asIsaid,andconsequentlyinamostdeplorablecondition。AstheJerusalemsinnerswereofthehighestsortamongtheJews,sotheseEphesiansinnerswereofthehighestsortamongtheGentiles;
Eph。ii。1—3,11,12;Actsxix。35。
WhereforeasbytheJerusalemsinners,insavingthemfirst,hehadadesigntoprovokeotherstocometohimformercy,sothesamedesignisheresetonfootagain,inhiscallingandconvertingtheEphesiansinners,\"Thatintheagestocomehemightshewtheexceedingrichesofhisgrace,\"sayshe,\"inhiskindnesstowardsusthroughChristJesus。\"Thereisyetonehintbehind。ItissaidthatGodsavedtheseforhislove;thatis,asIthink,forthesettingforth,forthecommendationsofhislove,fortheadvanceofhislove,intheheartsandmindsofthemthatshouldcomeafter。Aswhoshouldsay,Godhashadmercyupon,andbeengracioustoyou,thathemightshewtoothers,fortheirencouragement,thattheyhavegroundtocometohimtobesaved。WhenGodsavesonegreatsinner,itistoencourageanothergreatsinnertocometohimformercy。
Hesavedthethief,toencouragethievestocometohimformercy;hesavedMagdalen,toencourageotherMagdalenstocometohimformercy;hesavedSaul,toencourageSaulstocometohimformercy;
andthisPaulhimselfdothsay,\"Forthiscause,\"saithhe,\"I
obtainedmercy,thatinmefirstJesusChristmightshewforthalllong—sufferingforapatterntothemwhichshouldhereafterbelieveonhimtolifeeverlasting;\"1Tim。i。16。
Howplainarethewords!Christ,insavingofme,hasgiventotheworldapatternofhisgrace,thattheymightseeandbelieve,andcome,andbesaved;thattheythataretobebornhereaftermightbelieveonJesusChristtolifeeverlasting。
ButwhatwasPaul?Why,hetellsyouhimself;Iam,sayshe,thechiefofsinners:Iwas,sayshe,ablaspheme;apersecutor,aninjuriousperson;butIobtainedmercy;1Tim。i。14,15。Ay,thatiswellforyou,Paul;butwhatadvantagehavewethereby?Oh,verymuch,saithhe;for,\"forthiscauseIobtainedmercy,thatinmefirst,JesusChristmightshewalllong—sufferingforapatterntothemwhichshallbelieveonhimtolifeeverlasting。\"
Thus,therefore,youseethatthisthirdreasonisofstrength,namely,thatJesusChristwouldhavemercyofferedinthefirstplacetothebiggestsinners,because,bytheirforgivenessandsalvation,others,hearingofit,willbeencouragedthemoretocometohimformercy。
ItmaywellthereforebesaidtoGod,Thoudelightestinmercy,andmercypleasesthee;Mich。vii。18。
ButwhobelievesthatthiswasGod’sdesigninshewingmercyofold——
namely,thatwethatcomeaftermighttakecouragetocometohimformercy;orthatJesusChristwouldhavemercyofferedinthefirstplacetothebiggestsinners,tostirupotherstocometohimforlife?Thisisnotthemannerofmen,OGod!
ButDavidsawthisbetimes;thereforehemakesthisoneargumentwithGod,thathewouldblotouthistransgressions,thathewouldforgivehisadultery,hismurders,andhorriblehypocrisy。Doit,OLord,saithhe,doit,and\"thenwillIteachtransgressorsthyways,andsinnersshallbeconverteduntothee;\"Psalmli。7—13。
HeknewthattheconversionofsinnerswouldbeaworkhighlypleasingtoGod,asbeingthatwhichhehaddesignedbeforehemademountainorhill:whereforehecomes,andhesaith,Saveme,OLord;
ifthouwiltbutsaveme,Iwillfallinwiththydesign;IwillhelptobringwhatsinnerstotheeIcan。And,Lord,Iamwillingtobemadeapreachermyself;forthatIhavebeenahorriblesinner:
wherefore,ifthoushaltforgivemygreattransgressions,Ishallbeafitmantotellofthywondrousgracetoothers。Yea,Lord,Idarepromise,thatifthouwilthavemercyuponme,itshalltendtothegloryofthygrace,andalsototheincreaseofthykingdom;forI
willtellit,andsinnerswillhearon’t。Andthereisnothingsosuitethwiththehearingsinnerasmercy,andtobeinformedthatGodiswillingtobestowituponhim。\"Iwillteachtransgressorsthyways,andsinnersshallbeconverteduntothee。\"
NorwillChristJesusmissofhisdesigninprofferingofmercyinthefirstplacetothebiggestsinners。YouknowwhatworktheLord,bylayingholdofthewomanofSamaria,madeamongthepeoplethere。
Theyknewthatshewasatownsinner,anadulteress,yea,onethatafterthemostaudaciousmannerlivedinuncleannesswithamanthatwasnotherhusband:butwhenshe,fromaturnuponherheart,wentintothecity,andsaidtoherneighbours,\"Come,\"Ohhowtheycame!
howtheyflockedoutofthecitytoJesusChrist!\"Thentheywentoutofthecity,andcametohim。\"\"AndmanyoftheSamaritans(peopleperhapsasbadasherself)believedonhim,forthesayingofthewoman,whichtestified,saying,hetoldmeallthateverIdid;\"
Johniv。39。