cunning, because they put up their names in their prayers among them
that feign it, saying, God, I thank thee I am not so bad as the
worst. But believe it, if they be saved at all, they shall be saved
in the last place. The first in their own eyes shall be served last;
and the last or worst shall be first. The text insinuates it, "Begin
at Jerusalem;" and reason backs it, for they have most need. Behold
ye, therefore, how God's ways are above ours; we are for serving the
worst last, God is for serving the worst first. The man at the pool,
that to my thinking was longest in his disease, and most helpless as
to his cure, was first healed; yea, he only was healed; for we read
that Christ healed him, but we read not then that he healed one more
there! John v. 1-10.

Wherefore, if thou wouldst soonest be served, put in thy name among
the very worst of sinners. Say, when thou art upon thy knees, Lord,
here is a Jerusalem sinner! a sinner of the biggest size! one whose
burden is of the greatest bulk and heaviest weight! one that cannot
stand long without sinking into hell, without thy supporting hand!
"Be not thou far from me, O Lord! O my strength, haste thou to help
me I say, put in thy name with Magdalen, with Manasseh, that thou
mayst fare as the Magdalen and the Manasseh sinners do. The man in
the gospel made the desperate condition of his child an argument with
Christ to haste his cure: "Sir, come down," saith he, "ere my child
die;" John iv. 49, and Christ regarded his haste, saying, "Go thy
way; thy son liveth;" ver. 50. Haste requires haste. David was for
speed; "Deliver me speedily;" "Hear me speedily;" "Answer me
speedily;" Psalm xxxi. 2; lxix. 17; cii. 2. But why speedily? I am
in "the net;" "I am in trouble;" "My days are consumed like smoke;"
Psalm xxxi. 4; lxix. 17; cii. 3. Deep calleth unto deep, necessity
calls for help; great necessity for present help.