Pilgrim's Progress §351: But I replied, Lord, I am a great, a very great sinner.
Source: John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress (1678) (§351) · external_aligned
But I replied, Lord, I am a great, a very great sinner. And he answered, "My grace is sufficient for thee." Then I said, But, Lord, what is believing? And then I saw from that saying, "He that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst", that believing and coming was all one; and that he that came, that is, ran out in his heart and affections after salvation by Christ, he indeed believed in Christ. Then the water stood in mine eyes, and I asked further. But, Lord, may such a great sinner as I am be indeed accepted of thee, and be saved by thee? And I heard him say, "And him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." Then I said, But how, Lord, must I consider of thee in my coming to thee, that my faith may be placed aright upon thee? Then he said, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." "He is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." "He died for our sins, and rose again for our justification." "He loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." "He is mediator betwixt God and us." "He ever liveth to make intercession for us." From all which I gathered, that I must look for righteousness in his person, and for satisfaction for my sins by his blood; that what he did in obedience to his Father's law, and in submitting to the penalty thereof, was not for himself, but for him that will accept it for his salvation, and be thankful. And now was my heart full of joy, mine eyes full of tears, and mine affections running over with love to the name, people, and ways of Jesus Christ.
Witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15)
- manuscript_tradition: First edition Nathaniel Ponder, London 1678 — original imprint
- critical_edition: Oxford World's Classics — Roger Sharrock, 1960/1984
- republication: Project Gutenberg — Pilgrim's Progress
- republication: Internet Archive — multiple editions
- non_government_archive: Christian Classics Ethereal Library
- citation_tradition: Cited extensively by Spurgeon, Edwards, modern Reformed writers