The Throne of Grace, Sermon 13
SERMON. XIII.
HEB. IV. 16.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find Grace to help in time of need.
YOU have heard of the helpfulneſs of the Grace of God in time of need; both in geneneral, and with particular inſtances of ſome ſpecial times of need. The laſt whereof, is the time of dying: This I left at laſt day; and would ſpeak a little more unto it, and then conclude all in a few Words.
Death is a Theme of great importance, and of very obvious Influence. If people would let it enter into their ſerious thoughts, and would take a ſerious and ſteddy view of it, they would quickly find more in it and about it, than ever they did, or could hear, by all that is told them. Next to the ſaving Illumination of the Holy Ghoſt, with and by the Word, there is no better School for Men to learn, weigh, and duly to underſtand the things of God in, than a frequent and near view of death. What an edge would this put upon our Praying, Hearing, Worſhip, and Walking? Every thing that is done by Men as dying Perſons, is uſually well done. I ſhall only add this, that there are ſome ſorts of dying, that are very deſirable, in which the Grace of God is very uſeful and needful.
1. Patient dying. Dying is not properly a Duty, but a Suffering. It is not our Act, but there is a manifold Exerciſe of Grace called for, in dying. Never did any Man act in dying, but Jeſus Chriſt, he could lay down his life, and take it again, John 10.17,18. We cannot lay down our Lives, they are not our own. We are bid keep them as long as we lawfully can; and when the great Command comes, Return, we are to yield obedience to it. It is a great Bleſſing to have Patience for dying, and Patience in dying. Heb. 10.36. You have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye may receave the Promiſe. And we often need Patience moſt, when juſt upon the receaving of the Promiſe. We ſhould run with patience the Race ſet before us. Heb. 12.1. And muſt of Patience is uſually moſt needful in the laſt, Stage of this Race. Patience ſhould have her, perfect work. Jam. 1.4. And the perfect and perfecting Work of Patience, is the laſt act of it. We all know that uſually death comes on by ſuch ſteps, as are grievous to the Fleſh: There are Pains, Sickneſs and Languiſhings, that are no ſmall Tryals of Patience; but theſe are in a manner but Tryals of the Patience of the Fleſh: There are other things about dying, that Patience is tryed by; as time and place, and many Circumſtances, that it is no ſmall or eaſie thing to be quietly ſubmitted to. Javob, the Heir of the Promiſe, goes down to Egypt, to Joſeph for Bread, after he is ſtarv'd our of the Land of Promiſe, and muſt die in Egypt, and leave his Family there, where they were to be long and heavily oppreſſed, as the Lord told his Grandfather Abraham. Gen. 15.13. Moſes muſt die on the other ſide of Jordan: David muſt not ſee a Stone laid in the Temple: Joſiah muſt die in Battel, and that, by not hearkening to the words of Necho from the mouth of God. 2 Chron. 35.22. But what of ſuch ſad Circumſtances of dying? did not our Lord himſelf, die under a dark Cloud on his dear Father's Face, and on his own bleſſed Soul? My God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me? were ſad Words from the ſad Soul of our dying bleſſed Lord. His Diſciples forſook him, the Sun forſook him, Earth and Hell bandyed againſt him; yet all was nothing to his Father's forſaking him. How bitter was this to our Lord? and yet how ſweet is it to the Faith of Believers? If you be called to die under a Cloud, remember, the Lord, the Heir, the Purchaſer of Heaven, went to Heaven in the greateſt Storm, that ever blew from Earth, and Hell and Heaven, on any man's Face at death. Men are aſhamed to expreſs any quarrel againſt dying, but there are many things about it, that make us needy of much Grace to help to quiet ſubmitting unto it, both in ſubſtance, and all circumſtances attending it.
2. Safe dying. This is very needful, and it is Grace's doing. Many die Patiently, as Men think, that die not ſafely. There are no bands in the death of the wicked ſometimes. Pſal. 73.4. Some go out of this Life to Hell more calmly, than ſome of the Heirs of Glory paſs to their bleſſed home. Safe dying, is to die without any hurt to the Soul; that when the Cage of the Body is broken by death, the Soul, the Bird may take Wing, and fly ſtraight and ſafe to Heaven. Death is the Believers, 1 Cor. 3.22. as well as Life. But what have we to do with death, or death with us? It is a black Boat, that we muſt ſail out of time to Heaven in: And Chriſt ſteers the Boat, and lands all Believers ſafely on Heaven's Shore. This is all we have to do with death. And when all the Paſſengers are brought over, Chriſt will burn this ugly Boat. Rev. 20.14,15. And death and hell (or the Grave) were caſt into the lake of fire; this is the ſecond death. And whoſoever was not found written in the book of Life, was caſt into the lake of fire. And then in the New Jeruſalem, there ſhall be no more death, neither ſorrow nor crying, neither ſhall there be any more pain; for the former things are paſſed away, Rev. 21.4. Who would not venture to paſs out of this bad World to that bleſſed Land, under Chriſt's Conduct, though ſailing through the Gulf of death, be unpleaſant in it ſelf to us? Men for Gain will ſail from one end of the Earth to the other, through heat and cold, and ſtormy Seas and Winds, and manifold Perils, in the probable hope of advantage. But Balievers may be aſſured that they ſhall arrive at their Port. Never did a Believer in Jeſus Chriſt, die or drown in his Voyage to Heaven. They will be all found ſafe and ſound with the Lamb on Mount Zion. Chriſt loſeth none of them; nay, nothing of them. John 6.39. Not a Bone of a Believer is to be ſeen in the Field of Battel. They are all more than conquerors, through him that loved them, Rom. 8.37.
3. It is very deſirable to have an honourable dying. It is a part of the Vanity of this World, that many dote upon, an honourable Burial. Some reſpect indeed ſhould be paid to the dead Bodies of Believers; but honourable dying is a great deal more conſiderable, than that Men call an honourable Burial. Our Lord told Peter of his dying, John 21.19. This ſpake Jeſus, ſignifying by what death Peter ſhould glorifie God. That is honourable dying, that brings Glory to God. Paul is confident of this, as to himſelf, Phil. 1.20. According to my earneſt expectation and my hope, that in nothing I ſhall be aſhamed, but that with all boldneſs, as always, ſo now alſo, Chriſt ſhall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. The moſt honourable dying, is dying for the Lord, this Honour is not given to all his Saints. All Saints die in the Lord, and bleſſed are they, Rev. 14.13. Our deſire ſhould be, to be enabled by his Grace, to hear our dying Teſtimony to Chriſt, and his Goſpel. There have been ſtrong Convictions given to the Conſciences of Sinners, wonderful Supports to the Hearts of ſurviving Saints, by the honourable dying of ſome Believers. Their example, their words, their very looks and Behaviour in the Shadow of death, have been of great uſe to them that have ſeen and heard them.
4. It is alſo deſirable, to have the Mercy of comfortable dying. To have an entrance ministred to us abundantly into the everlaſting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Pet. 1.11. The Lord's dealings with his people in this matter, are a great depth. Some that have given moſt ſhining Evidences of the truth and ſtrength of the Grace of God in them, who have ſpent their days eminently to the Lords Praiſe, and to the edifying of his Body the Church, have gone to Heaven under a Cloud: Others, that were hardly known or regarded in Chriſt's Flock, have gone off the Stage triumphantly. No Obſerver can eſcape the notice of ſuch inſtances. Therefore we muſt not ſay, that Conſolation in dying is a certain ſign of eminency in Grace, or of tenderneſs in Walking. It is not very unuſual, to ſee the greateſt Storm overtake, even a ſtrong Believer, juſt as he is putting into the Harbour. However, this Diſpenſation of the Lord's Grace in granting a comfortable Exit, is what we ſhould beg earneſtly, and pray for heartily. I believe that there are few Chriſtians ſo caſt down with Fears, and clouds, and darkneſs, but if they could be aſſured that all ſhall be diſpell'd at death (and it is ſometimes ſo) and that they ſhould have a clear Evening, and ſtrong Conſolation in their laſt hours, they would bear their preſent Sorrows better. Tho' comfortable dying be not ſimply neceſſary to the Salvation of a Believer; yet it is a Bleſſing more valuable, than many others that are more in our Prayers. Grace can help to it; and a precious help it is, and we ſhould mind it much in our Addreſſes to the Throne of Grace. So much of theſe times of need, and of the help of Grace in them.
There are a few Exhortations from this whole Doctrine of the helpfulneſs of Grace in a time of need, that I would conclude this Text with.
The general Exhortation is this, Learn not only to ſubmit, as to what is determined, and that you cannot alter, but to be heartily content with this wiſe diſpenſation of God about your Need and his Grace, as a Contrivance becoming his Wiſdom, and levelled at your Good.
As, 1. That our Neceſſities are ſo many, ſo great, and ſo unavoidable; and yet there is a ſufficient ſupply provided for them. The new Creature is the moſt needy Creature of all God's Creation. The Lord hath framed the new Creature in a ſingular way, and for a ſingular uſe and end. All other Creatures have their Being from God, and have that Being continued by God in the common Courſe of his wiſe and powerful Providence. But the new Creature is not only of and from God, but it is wrought and hath its being in Christ Jeſus, and its Life is continued by a continual gracious Efflux from him, for without him the new Creature can do nothing, John 15.5. Let not ſuch a Thought ariſe in your Heart (or if it ariſe, give it no entertainment) why hath God made this new Creature ſo needy a Creature as it is? Surely he might have done otherwiſe. He made the firſt Adam in another State: He was made perfect in Soul and Body immediately: His State was perfect; he needed little, and all at hand: But the new Creature is framed weak and neceſſitous, the difference is as great betwixt the first Adam and a Chriſtian at his Regeneration, as betwixt perfect Adam, and a young Babe newly born, or a Child conceaved in the Womb. Yet the Lord hath made proviſion of Grace ſufficient for all theſe Neceſſities. And he loves the glory of his Grace ſo, and takes ſo great delight in giving of his Grace, that he not only lets the Heirs of this Grace fall into the common Pit of Sin and Miſery with others, and ſometimes deeper than many of them that are left, that his Grace may be glorified, in loving them out of the pit of Corraption, as Hezekiah's Word is, Iſa. 38.17. (for all that are converted, are plucked out of their natural damnable State, by a mighty Act of the Love of God. Eph. 2.4.) But when he hath pulled them out, he ſets them down in his Kingdom of Grace, in ſo indigent and weak a condition, that they may glorifie him by begging and believing, and he may glorifie himſelf in giving of his Grace to them. Who ſhould find fault with this wiſe way?
2. Be ſatisfied that this Grace which is your Supply, is all in Chriſt Jeſus, and not in your own hand. Since Adam fell and ruined himſelf and all his Poſterity, by having his and their Stock in his own hand, and ſinning it away, the Lord in Mercy hath reſolved never to intruſt a meer Man again with his own Stock; but hath lodged all the Grace his people are ſaved and ſupplyed by, in Chriſt's hand; and there it is ſafe. Adam was created perfect, and had a ſufficient Stock to have enriched himſelf and all his Off-ſpring; but he was left to his Free will, and ſo came on it. This is an eternal diſgrace to Man's Free will. What muſt the Free will of a Sinner be able to do, when the Free will of perfect ſinleſs Man, opened the Door to Sin, and Death, and Ruin upon the whole World of Mankind? It is therefore graciouſly and wiſely provided, that Free will ſhall have no hand in the Salvation of Sinners (and indeed, Free will to good is but a vain Name, uſurped by willing and wilful Slaves of Sin) and that in its ſtead, the Free Grace of God in Jeſus Chriſt, ſhall be, and do all in all. But we are ſo proud, that we would fain have ſomewhat in our own hand; and are ſo uſed to ſenſe, and unskilful in Believing, that we can hardly reckon that our own, that is not in our Poſſeſſion, and at our diſpoſing. But in this Order, the Lord conſults the Intereſt of his Glory, and the Security of our Salvation, and daily Supplies, by lodging our All in Chriſt's hand, who is able to keep it ſafely for us, and ready and willing to give forth of it to us, according to our real neceſſity.
3. Be ſatisfied with this, That the ſpecial times of our need are not uſually known to us before they come. There is none of the people of God, nor of the Children of Men, that uſually know twenty four hours before, what Temptations and Tryals they may meet with. We know, we may be tempted, but we know not, when, nor how, and in what part the Adverſary may aſſault us, or with what Weapons. We know, we may be afflicted, but we know not with what Rod, nor when. We know we muſt die, but we know not how, nor when. There is a fooliſh and ſinful Curioſity in our Nature, that raiſeth deſires to know future things concerning our ſelves. It were well if Men were duly deſirous to know from the Word, what their eternal State ſhall be. But in other things that may befal us in time, it is dangerous Curioſity to be inquiſitive. People imagine that it would be of great advantage to them to fore-know future Evants as to themſelves. But I am ſure it would be a great diſadvantage, and what you would quickly repent of. If the Lord ſhould reveal to any of you, and ſet in a clear Light before the Eyes of your Mind, all the particular Providences, Tryals, and Afflictions, and Temptations you are to meet with in ſeven Years time to come; what a dread would it be to you? You would ſoon beg that it might be forgot again. It is a great deal better for us, that future things that belong to God, are ſecret and kept from us; and that we are led on believing, and come to the Waters in our way to Heaven, one after another, and get through them, by the gracious Conduct of our bleſſed Guide, Chriſt. He will give no Chriſtian a particular and exact Map of all his Way, and Stages, and Entertainment in this Wilderneſs-Journey to Heaven, though our, Lord hath fixed them all in his Decree. Should it not be enough for us, that he will lead us well, and ſafely; that no Water ſhall drown us, that he will never leave us, but be with us wherever he leads us, and will bring us ſafe home at laſt to his Fathers Houſe?
4. Be ſatisfied with this part of his wiſe Order, That this Supply of his Grace to help in time of need, muſt be come for. Not only that we may come for it, which is a great Priviledge; but that we muſt come for it, if we would have it. Is there any ſo unreaſonable as to find fault with this Order? is it not fair and eaſie, ask and have? Would any have Grace to help them, unſought? If you would have it; you are asking it. Is it not fit then to come for it, and tell Chriſt you would have it? If you would not have it, you are praying againſt it: And wicked are thoſe Prayers, that are in averſion from the Grace of Chriſt? Every Believer will find his Heart reconciled to this Order. They know that there is a Bleſſing in coming, as well as a Bleſſing to be got by coming. And moſt Chriſtians, I am apt to think, continue their Approaches to the Throne of Grace, as much, if not more, from the Delight they find in coming, as from the Profit they find by coming; though theſe two are not inconſiſtent. He that delights not himſelf in the Lord, will not always call upon God. Job 27.10. So much for this general Exhortation.
2. Exhort. In the next place, I would ſpeak ſomewhat to them that are not acquainted with the Grace of God, nor with the Throne of Grace. Graceleſs people is ſo bad a name, that few will own it, tho' many deſerve it. Such fill up much room in moſt. Aſſemblies, and ſometimes may ſtep up into the Pulpit in the name of Miniſters of that Grace of God, they never knew but in a Book. But God calls all by their right names, and only can make Men anſwer to thoſe names. Let theſe four things enter into ſuch Folks Thoughts.
1. Ʋnavoidably a time of need will come, that the Grace of God can only help in. None, but a great Atheiſt can, make any doubt of this. Doſt thou believe there is a God? that thou art a Mortal Man, whom a few more days will turn out of this World? Doſt thou believe that thou haſt an immortal Soul, that muſt be for ever? (and how much a Beaſt is that Man, and worſe than a Beaſt, that doubts of any of theſe?) If thou believe theſe plain Principles, canſt thou doubt but a time of need will come, wherein nothing can ſtand thee in any ſtead, but only this God's Mercy, and Grace?
2. This preſent time you have, is the only time given you for preparing for the time of need that muſt come. How little is that precious golden Talent, Time, laid out for that the Lord gives it for? Can Men think that God gives them time, to ſpend it in the ways they ſpend it? That muſt be ill-ſpent time, that is ſpent ſo, as Men know they muſt either repent of, or periſh by. We are bid redeem the time, Eph. 5.16. But moſt Men throw it away, or fell it to Sin and Satan, as if they had no the for it. The beſt uſe of time, is to ſpend it in preparing for Eternity. All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come, Job 14.14. Theſe are well-ſpent Days. But how few of the Hours of your Days are thus ſpent?
3. There can be no greater folly, than to neglect this preſent only ſeaſon of preparing for an unavoidable time of extremity. Our Lord in the Parable, calls the five negligent Virgins, fooliſh, Matth. 25.2. If a Man throw away his Eſtate, in Folly and Vanity, the World will brand him with the name of a Fool, and juſtly: If a Man throws away his Health and Life, there is Folly in that too. But for a Man to throw away his Soul, and all his hopes of well-being for Eternity, is the rankeſt of all Folly; yet is the World ſo full of ſuch Fools, that very few give it its true Name. He muſt be greatly plagued with blindneſs and ſtupidity, that is not convinced, that that is the greateſt Folly, that ſhuts a Man eternally out of Heaven, and locks him up in Hell.
4. There can be no reflexion and remorſe more ſad and bitter, than that, that riſeth on the Review and Senſe of this Folly, when it is remedileſs. We read of the worm that dieth not, Mark 9.44,46,48. This is commonly underſtood of Conſcience. Conſcience ſtings two ways; and one way, more dreadfully than the other. Conſcience ſtings for Sin, as it is an offence againſt God, a breach of his Holy Law, and as it expoſeth the Sinner to God's dreadful Anger. But Conſcience ſtings more dreadfully, for neglecting the Remedy for Sin; provided in Chriſt, and revealed to Men in the Goſpel. Therefore our Lord lays the Condemnation of the World that periſheth under the Goſpel, on this. John 3.19. It is not laid on the evil of their deeds, but on this, that their love to their deeds, made them hate the Light that diſcovered them, and the Grace that only can pardon and heal them. Men periſh not under the Goſpel, becauſe they are Sinners againſt God's Law (though the leaſt Sin deſerves Hell; and they that have not the Light of the Goſpel, are juſtly judged by the Law) but becauſe they believe not in Jeſus Christ, John 3.18. And Believers in Chriſt are not ſaved, becauſe they are Holy (though all that believe, are Holy) but becauſe they are in Chriſt by Faith: That the Glory of Salvation may be Chriſt's entirely, and the blame of Mens Perdition under the Goſpel, may be their own intirely.
Let Men therefore prevent this dreadful Ruin, by giving an ear to him that calleth them. Chriſt offers you Salvation from a Throne of Grace: Come and take it: Come and put forth your Hand, and take and eat of the Tree of Life, and live for ever. You muſt all ſhortly ſtand before Chriſt's Throne, when it will be no more a Throne of Grace. 2 Cor. 5.10. We muſt all appear before the Judgment-ſeat of Chriſt. That will be a time of great need; and none can ſtand with Peace before that Throne, but they that have been acquainted with this Throne of Grace in my Text. Chriſt on the Throne of Grace, and Chriſt on the Judgment-ſeat, is the ſame Chriſt. Christ in the Goſpel, and Chriſt on the Clouds, is the ſame Chriſt: Yet we muſt diſtinguiſh: Chriſt on the Throne of Grace is no Judge; and Chriſt on the Judgment-Seat, hath no Grace to diſpenſe. Now is his time of diſpenſing Grace; then will be the day of his puniſhing the Deſpiſers of Grace, and of giving the Crown of Glory, to the Receavers of his Grace.
In the laſt place, I would give a few Directions unto real Chriſtians, in order to your providing of Grace to help in time of need.
1. Lay the Foundation ſure; a time of need will try it. 1 Cor. 3.11. Other Foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jeſus Chriſt. The Father hath laid Chriſt for a Foundation, Iſa. 28.16. Therefore thus ſaith the Lord God, behold I lay in Zion for a foundation, a ſtone, a tried ſtone, a precious corner-ſtone, a ſure foundation: He that believeth ſhall not make haſte. Applyed to Chriſt. 1 Pet. 2.6. The faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel, lay Chriſt for a Foundation. 1 Cor. 3.10. According to the grace of God, which is given unto me, as a wiſe Maſter-builder, I have laid the foundation. But how can a poor Sinner lay Chriſt for a Foundation to himſelf? Turn but the Words, and the Queſtion is anſwered: Thy laying of Chriſt for a Foundation, is thy laying thy ſelf upon Chriſt as a Foundation; and it is neither more nor leſs, nor any thing elſe. Caſt your ſelves, and all your Concerns about Salvation on Chriſt alone. Let him bear all: He only can, and calls for this from you. One of the firſt Queſtions that riſeth in the mind of a Chriſtian in a time of need, is this: Is the Foundation right laid? Am I founded on Chriſt? The Storm will try the Foundation: It were great wiſdom to ſecure that before the Storm come.
2. Clear up your Evidences against a time of need. The Evidences of a Chriſtian are not his Charters for Heaven (the Covenant of Grace contains them) but they are as Light, by which a Chriſtian reads his Charters. Evidences are of great uſe in a time of need. They ſtand in Gods Work in us. Our Faith ſtands on God's word of Promiſe to us, and on Chriſt's Work for us; the Evidences of Believers, ſtand in God's gracious working in, and on, and by them. Theſe four Words I would give about your Evidence. 1. When you cannot perceave them, ſearch for them, 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your ſelves whether you be in the Faith: prove your own ſelves: know ye not your own ſelves, how that Jeſus Chriſt is in you, except you be reprobates? or diſapproved. The Exhortation is ſo delivered, as to perſwade us, that very narrow and exact ſearching is called for in this Work. May not that Chriſtian's Heart condemn him, who is daily complaining of his Ignorance of his State, when he knows that ſerious ſelf-examination is neglected by him? 2. If upon ſearching you cannot yet find, beg the help of the Spirit of God to diſcover his own work in you. 1 Cor. 2.12. Now we have receaved, not the Spirit of the World, but the Spirit which is of God, that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God. The Illumination of the Holy Ghoſt is not only ſimply needful, to give us a ſaving knowledge of the Myſtery of the Goſpel, but is ſo alſo to give us a right knowledge of the my ſtory of his Grace in us. Eph. 1.17,18,19. where the Apoſtle prays for the Spirit, for both theſe ends. David prays for the Lord's help in his examining of himſelf. Pſal. 139,23,24. A Heart laid open to God's ſearch, a Heart willing to have all in it viewed and diſcovered by the Lord, is an upright ſincere Heart. Whoever is willing to know his worſt, is not ſtark naught: Yet he that ſeeth but the leaſt half of his badneſs, will judge himſelf to be very bad. 3. If you cannot yet find your Evidences, make them preſently. Many Chriſtians need this advice. They formerly had Evidences of their Intereſt in Chriſt; they had a clear fight of the Truth and Fruits of their Faith, and Love, and Repentance: this refreſhing Sight is gone, and they mourn as without the Sun, as Job ſpeaks, chap 30.28. Let ſuch take this courſe: Act afreſh that Grace, when you are doubtful whether you ever acted it before. See you at preſent no clear Evidences of your former believing? Act Faith preſently. There are few things more evident, than ſtrong believing is, in the very acting of it. And if the acting of Faith on Jeſus Chriſt, as ſpeaking in righteouſneſs, and mighty to ſaue, Iſa. 63.1. be evident to thee, thou haſt the beſt Evidence for eternal Life, that is in all the Bible: Moſt of the Promiſes run this way. Whoever believeth on the Son of God, hath everlaſting life. John 3.15,16,17. It is the gracious and wiſe Conſtitution of the Lord; that no Grace can be ordinarily evident to a Man in whom it is, ſo, as in, and by, the exerciſe and acting of it. 4. When you find Evidences of God's Work in you, Bleſs the Worker and Diſcoverer of them, and believe more and more. Say with David, Pſal. 71.14. I will hope continually, and will yet praiſe thee more and more. It is juſt with God, and merciful too, that darkneſs ſhould come upon that Man's Evidences, who ſits down upon them, and bleſſeth himſelf in them, more than he doth God for them; and pleaſeth himſelf in a life of Senſe, with neglecting the life of Faith.
3. Make good uſe of your former Experiences of the Mercy and Grace of God, helping you in former times of need. The Lord's kindneſs is not ſhown to us for the preſent time only, but for the time to come. It is not given to us, to play or pleaſe our ſelves with at preſent, but for good and needful uſes, for ſtrengthening of our Faith, exciting of Praiſe, and directing and encouraging us to come to the ſame Door, we were formerly relieved at. It is a part of the work of Faith, to look back on formerly-beſtowed Mercy and Grace, as well as to look forward to the greater and better things to come. It is a great Sin, but very common, that a Believer, who hath many Years Experience of the Mercy of God, if there be a ſtop put to the Stream of Mercy, he is often as much ſhaken in his Faith, as if he had never taſted that the Lord is gracious.
4. In preparing for a time of need, be careful to keep your Conſcience's clean. There is no worſe Company in an evil day, than an evil Conſcience. It is worſe Company than the Devil's. His Company is that of a Tempter and Accuſer, but an evil Conſcience is a Judge condemning, and an Executioner tormenting a Man. Therefore herein exerciſe your ſelves to have a Conſcience void of offence toward God, and toward Men. Acts 24.16. It is uſually ſeen, that times of great Tryals, do dart in ſome Light into Mens Conſciences, and do make Men look into their Hearts and Ways more narrowly, and ſpy ſmall Faults that they could not ſee at other times: For they are days of darkneſs in one ſenſe, and days of light in another. Study therefore to keep thy Conſcience clean and pure, by holy and tender walking, and by daily believing: For it is the Blood of Chriſt that only can purge the Conſcience from dead works to ſerve the living God, Heb. 9.14. And let me aſſure you of this (and if you will not believe it, I dare ſay you will feel it, and feel it the more then, if you believe it not now) that ſuch as make all their care about their Conſciences, to ſtand in watchfulneſs about their Hearts and Ways, and are utterly eſtranged from believing Applications to the Blood of Jeſus, when an evil Day and an evil Conſcience meet together (and meet they will) that they will be in a ſad and dreadful Confuſion. And no better will their Condition be, who upon a falſe Pretence (and in this caſe it is always falſe) of truſting in Chriſt, have no care either of their Conſcience or Converſation. The Myſtery of the Faith is to be held (and kept) in a pure Conſcience, 1 Tim. 3.9. We ſhould hold Faith and a good Conſcience, 1 Tim. 1.19. they cannot be got, nor kept, but together: Whoever ſuffers Shipwrack of the one, loſeth the other. Chriſt is the Saviour of Sinners, but he is no Miniſter of Sin. Gal. 2.17. He came into the world to ſave ſinners. 1 Tim. 1.15. Not to ſave Saints, for there are none in it but of his making; and his making Sinners to be Saints, is a notable part of his ſaving, 2 Tim. 1.9. The Inheritance is for them that obtain forgiveneſs of Sins, and who are ſanctified by Faith in him. Acts 26.28. None are ſaved but the Sanctified; and none are ſanctified but by Faith in Chriſt Jeſus. There may be in an Unbeliever, a Picture and ſhadow of Holineſs; but it is an Abomination in the ſight of God; whatever the Man that hath it, or they that ſee it, may think of it. A holy Ʋnbeliever, or an unholy Believer, never was ſince the World began, nor will be, while it laſts.
5. Multiply your Addreſſes to the Throne of Grace before the time of need come. Happy were that Chriſtian, that could cry as earneſtly for that Grace (that can help him) before the time of need come, as he will ſee it needful to have it, when that time doth come. But it is the weakneſs of our Minds as Men, and of our Grace as Chriſtians, that we cannot take up ſo clear a Proſpect of things to come, and that they are not ſo big in our Eyes at a diſtance, as when preſent. Yet by Faith we may foreſee times of need, and ſhould pray much for Grace to help us, when that time comes. Suppoſe you ſhould for twenty years together, beg that Grace and Mercy, that you ſhould not have occaſion for, till thoſe years were expired; would there be any hurt in it?
6. In any ſpecial Proſpect of an approaching time of need, make ſpecial Addreſſes to the Throne of Grace for Grace, to help in that time. There are two things in theſe Addreſſes I recommend to you. 1. Let them be Perſonal, Partticular and Secret. Our Lord's Direction, Matth. 6.6. Many Chriſtians find it an eaſier thing to keep a day of Prayer with others, than to ſpend an hour in Prayer in ſecret by themſelves. It were far eaſier to know a Man's Frame and State by his ſecret dealings with God, (if we were acquainted with them) than by all his Profeſſions and Duties beſides. 2. Let theſe Addreſſes be ſometimes ſolemn and long. There are ſome Mercies not to be got (as ſome ſort of Devils not to be cast out) but by faſting and prayer, Matth. 17.21. Secret, perſonal Faſts, I am afraid, are very rare amongſt Chriſtians in our Days. Chriſt commands and directs us about them, Matth. 6.16.17,18. as well as about ſecret Prayer, Matth. 6.6,7. Miniſters ſhould not load Christians, with work above the Strength of their Bodies, or Minds, or Grace. But ſurely, it is but reaſonable Service required of you, that you ſhould make Addreſſes to the Throne of Grace, in ſome ſuitableneſs to your need of that Grace, that is diſpenſed from it.
There are four things, which, if they were the Fruit of my ſpeaking, and of your hearing ſo often from this Text, we ſhould both have cauſe to bleſs the Lord, who teacheth his people to profit, Iſa. 48.17.
1. If you learn to pray better, and to ply Prayer more. David gave himſelf to Prayer, Pſal. 109.4. The Apoſtles, thoſe extraordinary Officers of the Primitive Church, gave themſelves continually to Prayer, and to the Miniſtery of the Word. Acts 6.4. There are times in which private Chriſtians, ſhould give themſelves to faſting and prayer, 1. Cor. 7.5. If you belong to God, he will make you pray, and reach you with Briars and Thorns, if you will not yield to more gentle Methods. How ſad is the Reflection that riſeth in the Heart, under ſome heavy Tryal, This is brought on me for my indulged diſtance, and eſtrangement from God?
2. If you learn to mind Chriſt more, and make more uſe of him in your Praying. He is the King on this Throne of Grace. As much as Chriſt is out of your Minds in Praying, ſo much are you out in Praying, and your Praying out of that it ought to be. That which we beg, is out of Chriſt's Store: In whoſe Name do we beg it, but in his? for whoſe ſake, but for his? Out of whoſe hand do we receave what we ask and get, but out of his? It is marvellous that People ſhould pretend to Prayer, and think they pray, who yet forget Jeſus Chriſt, who is all in all, in all right Prayer.
3. If you learn to mind and plead more God's Free-Grace in Jeſus Chriſt, in your praying. Free-Grace is the ſenſible humble Min's Plea: he is a proud ignorant Perſon, that ſeeks or uſeth any other Plea at God's Throne of Grace. Free-Grace is the only thing that Faith can firſt lay hold on; it's a Plea that any Man may uſe: it is the conſtant and powerful Plea of a wiſe Beſiever. It anſwers every caſe, and ſuits every Prayer; and the loweſt Caſe, and the higheſt Prayer, beſt.
4. If you learn, never to leave off improving of chriſt, and pleading for Grace at this Throne of Grace, till ye have no more need of Grace: And that will never be as long as you live. If any Man fall into ſuch a Dream, that he is got beyond the need of Grace, and ſo of Praying, he is one that never rightly knew himſelf, nor Grace, nor Chriſt, nor Praying. The Believer knows he ſtands in need of Chriſt and Grace, and therefore prays, as long as he liveth, as David reſolved, Pſal. 116.2. And when he comes to die, and hath prayed his laſt Prayer, with Stephen, Acts 7.59. Lord Jeſus, receave my Spirit, and gets it anſwered, Praying, Believing, and the Throne of Grace it ſelf, as to him, is at an end; and everlaſting Praiſes before the Throne of Glory, of God, and of the Lamb, begin, never to have an end.