This is a faithful sayings and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom l am the chief. Howbeit, for this cause, I obtained mercy; that in me, first Jesus Christ might show forth all long suffering, for a pattern to them, which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 1 Timothy 1:15-16.
Whoever is in himself convinced that he is a very guilty, nay, the chief of sinners, may look upon himself also as freely justified and saved through Christ; he being come to save all sinners without exception, even the most enormous. They who believe this, make light of no sin, far from it; on every motion of sin they apply the blood of Christ, which as it is humbling, so it cherishes in them a filial confidence to draw near to God through Christ.
Plunged in a gulf of dark despair
We wretched sinners lay;
Without one cheerful beam of hope
Or spark of glimmering day.
With pitying eyes the prince of grace
Beheld our helpless grief,
He saw, and (O amazing love! )
He ran to our relief.
Down from the shining seats above
With joyful haste he fled,
Entered the grave in mortal flesh,
And dwelt among the dead.
He spoiled the powers of darkness thus.
And broke our iron chains,
Jesus has freed our captive souls
From everlasting pains.