a sinner, a sinner of the greatest size; but I obtained mercy; 1 Tim
i. 15, 16.

Shall not this lay obligation 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 bestowed upon me?

Ay, Paul! this is something; thou speakest like a man, like a man
affected, and carried away with the love and grace 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, so much 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 looked 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 world's end, and find none. But, as I said,
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.