Trapp on Prayer

I am currently reading through John Trapp's NT commentary - just finishing off 2 Corinthians. I thought this quote was pretty good. I write a bit more about Trapp here.

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“We must also note the universal word, whosoever. For God admitteth all men unto himself without exception, and by this means doth he invite them to salvation, as Paul gathereth in the tenth chapter to the Romans, and as the prophet had set it down before, “Thou, Lord, which hearest the prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come,” (Psalm 65:2.) Therefore, forasmuch as no man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men; neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief.” 
(John Calvin: Acts 2:21)

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Title of the Book: The Jerusalem Sinner Saved
Author: John Bunyan
Publisher: Banner of Truth
Publisher's address or where the book may be obtained: 3 Murrayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6EL
Year of publication: First printed 1691 This edition 2005
Number of pages: 127
Hardback or paperback: Paperback
Price: £5.00
ISBN: 0-85151-914-8

This book (available here online in .pdf file) is yet another evangelistic gem from the prolific pen of the Puritan, John Bunyan. The whole thrust is to show how the vilest sinner can be saved, by taking the words of Christ in Luke 24:47 "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Why start at Jerusalem? Simply, because they were the greatest sinners on earth. They had just crucified the Lord of Glory and if they could be saved, then no other sinner should despair.

Bunyan writes systematically and from the heart, commenting, "I have been vile myself, but have obtained mercy; and I would have my companions in sin partake of mercy too: and, therefore, I have writ this little book." Unlike some of his other books, Bunyan's points and sub points are not so numerous and therefore easier to follow. He simply explains the text, gives 8 reasons why Christ should be offered to the greatest sinners first, draws 11 doctrinal applications, answers 4 possible objections and then concludes with a further encouragement to receive Christ and his benefits. A most helpful analysis appears at the back of the book.

Bunyan's quaintness is seen in this book.  In a self confessed homely illustration, to show that Satan's kingdom is greatly weakened when the worst sinners are saved, he speaks of a louse infested family where the quickest way to clear the whole family is to sweeten the skin, head and clothes of the chief breeders. This book also contains the oft quoted dialogue which Bunyan imagined took place between Peter and the Jerusalem sinners at Pentecost. As they objected that they had plotted the murder of the Son of God, had spat in his face and mocked Him etc., Peter simply replied that forgiveness of sins was to be preached to every one of them. 

Obviously, we would like to see wicked sinners access this slim, easy read, and very presentable volume. It is a good read too for all Reformed preachers. Here is one Calvinist who has no difficulty with the words: "Don't let Jesus lose his longing, since it is for thy salvation…" (Introduction p. xv) However, overall, Bunyan does not present a weak, helpless Christ but One mighty to save. It would be good also for those whose emphasis seems to be to keep the non elect out rather than gather the true elect in.

Colin Maxwell

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 Note: In the last 15 months or so, I gave myself time during my private devotions to reading David Dickson on the Psalms.  Intermingled with reading Dickson, I also took on Charles Bridges on Proverbs both for the sake of variety and obviously for content value in its own right. Both commentaries adopted different styles of writing - Dickson being more terse while Bridges adopted the more ponderous mid 19th Century style. However, both yielded much profit in their respective spheres of commenting. I finished Dickson a couple of weeks ago. I have taken on the slimmer volume of Charles Bridges on Ecclesiastes. 

Dickson was a 17th Century Covenanting Presbyterian in Scotland, while Bridges was an English  Evangelical Anglican.  Both these volumes lay long on my shelves - not totally unread but occasionally consulted, but only (as said) read through completely on the last 15 months. Both are great spiritual works. Banner of Truth is to be commended for these quality reprints. #HighlyRecommended

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READ PURITAN BOOKS

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CH SPURGEON ON THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH

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Exhaustive resource page of Spurgeon's statements on Calvinism

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