The Throne of Grace, Sermon 2

The Throne of Grace · Sermon 2

p. 32SERMON. II.

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.

I Did take up this Exhortation, as containing an anſwer to four conſiderable Queſtions, that uſually are in the hearts of them that draw near to God ſeriouſly. 1. Where may we find Him? On a Throne of Grace. Seek him no where elſe, for no where elſe is he to be graciouſly found. 2. How ſhould we come to this Throne? Boldly, with confidence. 3. What is the ground of this boldneſs? It had need be a great and ſolid ground, on p. 33which a ſinner may build Boldneſs, in his approaching to God. This ground is hinted by the Apoſtle in the word therefore: wherefore? Becauſe of our great High-prieſt, the Son of God, in Heaven. ver. 14, 15. Though there be nothing more commonly ſaid and owned, then that all men are ſinners, and that all the acceptance of a ſinner with God, is through Jeſus Chriſt; yet I can aſſure you, that when a perſon ſeeth and knows what it is to be a ſinner, and knows what God is, it is a wonderful difficulty to believe, that it is poſſible that ſuch a ſinner, and ſuch a God, ſhould ever meet in Peace. Peoples dry Notions and Opinions of Jeſus Chriſt, (if there be no more) will ſoon be blown away, with a deen ſight of the ſinfulneſs of ſin, and of the Majeſty of God provoked thereby. 4. The laſt Queſtion is, What ſhall we get by coming? and what: ſhould we come for? The greateſt bleſſings: Mercy and Grace. Theſe bleſſings are comprehenſive of all things needful to make a ſinner happy.

To the firſt of theſe I began to ſpeak, laſt day. That God hath erected a Throne of Grace in the Goſpel, to which men are invited to come. What this Throne of Grace is, is ſpoke to; and that this Throne of Grace is to be diſtinguiſhed from all other Thrones of God, ſpoke of in the word. The Throne of his eſſential glory is unapproachable by all Creatures. The Throne of his Juſti… dreadful to all ſinners: we ſhould pray againſt our coming before this Throne. Pſal. 143.2. He muſt be a proud ignorant fool, that would offer to come p. 34and plead at its Bar, for here all Acts and Sentences paſs according to ſtrict Law and Juſtice; and the Law is an everlaſting condemner of all ſinners. There is alſo the Throne of the Judge at the laſt day. But this Throne is not yet ſet, though it will ſurely be and we know not how ſoon, and ſhould prepare for our appearing before it. 2 Cor. 5.9,10.

But this Throne of Grace is the Gracious manifeſtation of God in Chriſt reconciling the World to himſelf. This is the light of the Glory of Gods Grace ſhining in the face of Jeſus Chriſt. 2 Cor. 4.6. ch. 5.18,19. And to coming to this Throne of Grace, and to God in Chriſt diſpenſing his grace from it, we are here exhorted and encouraged.

In purſuing of this exhortation, I would 1. Prove that all ſhould come. 2. Show wh… will come. 3. and who ſhall be ſpecially welcom…

1. That all ought to come to the Thron… of Grace. All ſinners that hear of it, ſhoul… improve this great priviledge, and ſeek th… enjoyment of Gods Grace and Mercy in J… ſus Chriſt.

1. Becauſe God is not otherwiſe approach… by men in accepted worſhip. No man com… to the Father but by me, ſaith Chriſt. Jo… 14.6. The light of Nature teacheth all … in ſome meaſure, that there is a God, … ſomewhat of his eternal power and God-… Rom. 1.20. And that this God ſhould be w… ſhiped: Therefore … ſome ſort of worſh… is performed by all ſorts of Heathens, … are yet without God, and that becauſe with… p. 35Chriſt, and therefore without hope in the world. Eph. 2.12. Never was there, nor will there be, nor can there be, any gracious approach unto God, nor any addreſs recieved favourably by God, but at this Throne of Grace. Therefore whatever may be ſaid of the zealous devotion, and of the Moral Principles and Practices of the Heathens, yet never any of them did, nor could offer up an acceptable prayer unto God, nor obtain a gracious anſwer from him; not only becauſe they worſhiped an unknown God: Acts 17.23. Gal. 4.8. but mainly, becauſe they worſhiped not at this Throne of Grace; for there can be no Communion with God, there can be nothing graciouſly given by God to Men, nothing done by Men that can be accepted of God; but at this Throne of Grace.

2. All ſhould come to this Throne, becauſe all men have need of the bleſſings diſpenſed at this Throne of Grace. Where there is an univerſal urgent neceſſity, and only one place of ſupply diſcovered, Men are called to betake themſelves thither. The bleſſings diſpenced at the Throne of Grace are equally needed by all. Every Man, every Woman, young or old, rich or poor, are equally needy, becauſe all are unpeakably needy of the Mercy and Grace of God. Some indeed have a greater ſight and ſenſe of their wants than others, (and that is Mercy) but the real neceſſity is common to all; every unpardoned man needs a pardon at this Throne of Grace; but few, if any, value a pardon till they get it, or value the Grace of God; till they feel it. Do you feel your need of p. 36what is given and got at this Throne? Come, then. The Law thunders and roars againſt you, that you may ſee your need of coming hither, for what the Law cannot give, nor hinder you from receiving, nor rob you of when recieved. Do you think in your heart, that you are the moſt needy perſon in all the World, that you need all the Grace and Mercy, or more, than ever any ſinner recieved? Then come the rather, come the ſooner. The needieſt ſoul, the hungrieſt ſinner, the perſon moſt greedy of the Grace of God, ſhould come firſt to Chriſt's door, and beg lowdeſt. Is there any not needy? Alas! many think ſo, but none is ſo. Will you come for hunger and want? A ſenſible hunger, a ſenſe and ſight of need, an appetite after Grace and Mercy, is an Alms that Chriſt can give; and many Profeſſors want it ſadly.

3. The Command is Ʋniverſal to all that hear it. As the Apoſtle ſaith, Rom. 3.19. Theſe things ſaith the Law to them that are under the Law. So I may ſay, This ſaith the Goſpel to all under the ſound of it, come to the Throne of Grace. It is no indifferent thing, God commands all men to come; Believing (that is coming) is commanded. 1 John 3.23. Are you afraid to come? have not I commanded you? Joſhua 1.9. as God ſpake to the Captain of Iſrael. Will Men own Gods authority in the Law, and deny it in the Goſpel? Is he not the ſame God in both? He that commands you to have no other Gods beſides him, doth command you to believe on his Son p. 37Jeſus, who is the true God and eternal Life. 1 John 5.20. If coming to the Throne of Grace were not commanded, not coming to it were no ſin; and who dare ſay ſo? Not believing on Jeſus Chriſt is the great Gopel ſin, becauſe believing on him is the great Goſpel-Duty and work. John 6.29.

Object. But I am afraid he commands not me, others he may command; but not ſuch a vile dead Creature as I am.

Anſw. Are you worſe than ſome he hath commanded? Jer. 3.1,4,5. Thou haſt plaid the harlot with many lovers, yet return again to me ſaith the Lord. Such a practice in your Land, would greatly defile it, ſaith the Lord, but ſuch acts of Grace become the Throne of Grace. Rev. 3.17,18. Are you worſe than poor, and blind and miſerable, and wretched and naked? yet the King of this Throne commands them to come to him, though he ſweetly calls it Counſel; and in it we may joyn his two Names, Wonderfull, Counſelor. Iſ. 9.6.

Object. 2. But Chriſt calls and invites them that are weary and heavy laden. Matth. 11.28. the thirſty, Iſ. 55.1. And I am not ſuch, and therefore he commands not me to come.

Anſw. 1. Do you expect any Grace but at this Throne of Grace? Think you to work it out in your ſelves, and come to him for more? Or to get the beginning ſome where elſe, and then come to Chriſt for the reſt. This bewrays your Pride and Ignorance of the intire corruption of your Nature, and of your Impotency to any good. This frame diſcovers your Ignorance of the Nature of the Grace of God, p. 38that conſiſts in its freedom; as its Glory is, in its being the original cauſe of all Good, done for us, and wrought in us, or by us.

2. Chriſt never bid any man be or do any thing without him, and then come to him, and he would do more for him. Chriſt calls men as he finds them, and then makes them what he would have them. He begins the good work in them and performs it. Phil. 1.6.

3. Theſe and many ſuch like Calls and Invitations, do not limit and reſtrain the univerſality of the Goſpel command, but do graciouſly apply it to ſuch caſes wherein they that are, are apt to think that they are ſpecially excepted. What is more common than ſuch arguings of Unbelief? I have a vaſt load of ſin lying on me, I have ſpent my time and ſtrength and money, on Sin and Vanity, I have been wearied in the greatneſs of my way of departing from the Lord, and therefore the Lord will not recieve me. Therefore, ſuch are named particularly by the Lord, and ſpecially called.

Therefore let no man whatſoever he hath been, or is, think that he is not commanded to come to this Throne of Grace. Take the command, lay it on your Conſcience, give Obedience to it; take the command for your Warrant; and never fear but ye ſhall be welcome. Can your ſoul ſay, Lord, no man out of Hell is more needy of thy ſaving Grace than I, no ſinner, more unworthy of it than I, yet becauſe thou commandeſt me to come, I come to beg and to recieve. He will ſweetly recieve you. Him that cometh to me I will in p. 39no wiſe caſt out. John 6.37. A Text that hath been an Anchor-hold to many a ſinking ſinner.

4. All ſhould come to the Throne of Grace, becauſe of the univerſality, vaſt extent and indefiniteneſs of the promiſe of welcome to all that come. The Command of God is a warrant and ground for our Obedience, and the Promiſe is a ground for confidence. The promiſe is Gods great mean for working faith: Faith is the impreſſion God makes on the ſoul of a man by the Promiſe. When God takes the promiſe of the Goſpel, and applies it with the power of his grace upon the ſoul, it leaves an abiding Mark and Signature, and that is Faith. The promiſe comes as the promiſe of a faithful God who cannot lie, of a great ſalvation, to a great ſinner. When the ſinner ſeeth and feels the truth and goodneſs of this promiſe, he believes. This promiſe of God is to be preached to all that hear the Goſpel: or rather, this promiſe is the Goſpel, the Lord will make it effectual as he ſeeth good. The Apoſtle Peter encouraged ſuch men to come to the throne of grace, who, if ever any in the world ſhould have been kept back, it ſhould have been they: a crew of the bloody Murtherers of the Son of God. But the word preached by Peter takes hold of their ſouls: and they cry out, What ſhall we do? No wonder they ſaid ſo, when the cry of Chriſts Blood was in their Conſciences. The Apoſtle ſaith to them Act. 2.38. Repent and be baptiſed every one of you in the name of the Jeſus Chriſt, for the remiſſion of ſins, and ye ſhall receive the gift of the Holy Ghoſt. &c. their ſin was very great, p. 40peculiar to them only, none before, nor after them, were guilty of this. The cry of innocent blood is a dreadful cry; but this was more than all the Murthers ever committed in the World. It was the murthering of the Son of God, it was ſlaying the Prince of Life, it was all that the Devil and wicked World could do, to cut the Throat of the Goſpel, and of all the Elect of God; and, this wicked Act was done againſt Chriſt, becauſe he taught that he was the Son of God, and that he came from the Father to be the Saviour of the World. Yet ſaith the Apoſtle to them, Repent and be baptized in his name, for the remiſſion of that ſin, you that have been dipt in his blood, and ſo dreadfully guilty by the ſhedding of it, be baptized in his name for the remiſſion of that guilt and of all others. This calling for repenting of their guilt of Chriſt's blood, was plainly a requiring of Faith in him; not only that he was the Lord Chriſt they had ſlain in their unblief, but that pardon in the vertue of that Blood, might be had by them on their betaking themſelves to him by Faith. So did the ſame Apoſtle preach to the Council, Acts 5.28,31. when he and his Brethren were charged by the High-priest for filling Jeruſalem with the Doctrine of Chriſt, and intending to bring his blood upon them. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Iſrael, and forgiveneſs of Sins. He directs them to look to Chriſt as the giver of repentance for, and of forgiveneſs of all their ſins, not excluding, but by v. 30. plainly p. 41including the greateſt of all their ſins, their ſlaying of Chriſt, and hanging him on a tree; and this they did with wicked hands, Acts 2.23. and with hearts as wicked as their hands. Yet thus did Peter preach Chriſt: So well did he remember his Lords command, Luke 24.47. That repentance and remiſſion of ſins ſhould be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jeruſalem. His argument is, Acts 2.39. For the promiſe is to you and your children. Had they not ſlain the Heir, and foundation of all the promiſes? had they not done as much as men could do, to forfeit all intereſt in the promiſe? Yes; but Peter ſtill invites them to the throne of grace, by an intereſt yet in the promiſe. The promiſe of grace and ſalvation by Jeſus Chriſt, is the Rope and Cord that God caſts out to ſinking ſinners: its equally in the offer of all in the Goſpel. Its true, that the Lord means and deſigns it to ſome particular perſons; but that deſign is ſecret, and utterly unknown to all, till the promiſe it ſelf be apprehended by Faith, or finally rejected by unbelief. See Jer. 38.7,14. Ebed-mclech let down a Rope to draw Jeremiah out of the dungeon by. The cords could never have pulled him up, unleſs the Prophet had put them under him, and unleſs his friend had drawn him up: He did ſo, and ventures on this mean of eſcape: He ventures on the ſtrength of the cold, and on the truſtineſs of his friend; if either of them had failed him, he might have fallen down and broke his neck, or ſtuck ſtill in the mire, and ſtarved in the Pit. The caſe is ſo here. The p. 42promiſe of Salvation is a great ſecurity, but it is ſo only to them that caſt themſelves on it, and truſt to it. Whoever will truſt Gods promiſe in Chriſt, will find that it is able to bear all their weight, if it were never ſo great. Therefore lay this warm promiſe to thy cold heart, and by the Lords bleſſing, life and warmth will come in. Try the ſtrength of the promiſe, by caſting all thy burden on it, and it will never ſink under thee, nor thou periſh by its failing. Chriſtians think that the promiſes of God are a bleſſed Charter (and ſo indeed they are) but few mind the promiſes as Gods tendered and offered ſecurity to men; whereby, as means he works faith in his choſen, and by the offer of them to all in the Goſpel, leaves unbelievers unexcuſable. Sinners periſh under the Goſpel, not becauſe there is no cord of ſalvation caſt out to them, but becauſe they either love the pit they are in; or cannot truſt Gods faithful promiſe of ſalvation by Chriſt, for their delivery.

So much of the firſt thing, the proving that all ought to come to the Throne of Grace, or to God in Chriſt ſitting on it. God is not otherwiſe approachable, univerſal need of this Throne, and of the bleſſings given at it, an univerſal call and command of God to come, an univerſal promiſe to all that do come; all prove that all men ſhould come.

2. But though it be the Duty of all to come, yet but few do come; we would therefore ſee, who they he that will come to the Throne of Grace. Of ſuch we have two words.

p. 431. Such as are given of the Father to the Son, all they, and they only, will come to this Throne of Grace. All that the Father giveth to me, ſhall come to me, ſaith Chriſt. John 6.37. Ye believe not, becauſe ye are not of my ſheep. John 10.26. The high ſpring of all the effectual calling and coming of men to Chriſt is this, they that are ordained to eternal life believe, and none but they. It would be very unfit, that the Book of Life ſhould be opened to, and read by any preacher of the Goſpel. I think not that ever any Apostle had it opened to them, with reſpect to others, So that they ſhould be able, when looking on the multitude they preached to, to ſay, theſe are appointed for Eternal Life, and theſe paſt by. But they being happily in the dark as to this ſecret purpoſe of God, did offer ſalvation through Jeſus Chriſt to all that heard them. So Paul Acts 13.38,39,40. Be it known unto you, men and Brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveneſs of ſins, and by him all that believe are juſtified from all things, from which you could not be juſtified by the Law of Moſes. Having told them this good news, he ver. 40.41. warns them. Beware therefore leſt that come upon you which is ſpoken of in the Prophets, Behold ye deſpiſers, and wonder and periſh: after his repeated pains on them, its ſaid ver. 48. As many as were ordained to eternal life believed. It was a ſevere application of this word, that a very worthy Divine made of it; that all the elect of God in this place, were gathered in, by Faul's miniſtry in it, at this time. The grace of election is the p. 44ſpring of Faith. 2 Theſ. 2.13. 1 Pet. 1.2. But this grace of Election is not ſeen, but in the gift and light of faith.

2. All ſuch and only they will come to the throne of grace, that are drawn by the Father. John 6.44,45. No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath ſent me, draw him, and I will raiſe him up at the laſt day. It is written in the Prophets, And they ſhall be all taught of God: Every man therefore that hath heard and learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Obſerve here the two Univerſals. No man can come unleſs drawn, every man that is drawn, doth come.

The firſt decries the power of Nature, the latter advanceth the power of God's grace. The utter Impotence of Nature, and Omnipotence of grace, in the buſineſs of Mans Salvation, are ſtumbling blocks to all the ungodly, but are foundations in Chriſtian Doctrine. The one lays Man in the duſt; the other raiſeth him on a new bottom of the grace of God. When God hath a mind to draw a ſinner to Christ, and to make him a Believer on him to Salvation; He teacheth him ſecretly and by a ſtrong hand, He whiſpers into his Heart, the excellency of the Saviour, and greatneſs of his Salvation, ſo, that ſurely the periſhing ſinner comes to Chriſt, and as ſurely is welcomed and ſaved by him.

3. But who ſhall be welcome? Surely all that, come ſhall be welcome, as the word everywhere wineſſeth, and all that ever tryed it have found and teſtifie it by their experience. For as the Son refuſed none that were given p. 45him of the Father in their eternal Counſel, but took every one of them as his charge to redeem them; ſo all they and only they being drawn by the Father, and made willing to come to Chriſt, are made welcome by him. John 6.37. He knows his ſheep, when wandering on the Mountains, John 10.16,27.28. and accordingly receives them: when the Father drives home the loſt Sheep to their great Shepherd, Chriſt knows them before he opens the fold to them, and becauſe he knows them, he lets them in, that they may find paſture, and feed on him and his grace to Eternal Life.

But there are ſome that are ſpecially welcome to Chriſt, and ſpeed well at this throne of grace.

As. 1. They that come when they can do nothing elſe, they that come to the Throne of grace as their laſt ſhift. We know not what to do, but our eyes are upon thee, ſaid Jehoſhaphat. 2 Chron. 20.12. Sincereſt believing, and ſtrongeſt believing, is acted, when a man hath no prop at all to lean upon, but God alone. Believing, is called fleing. We have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope ſet before us. Heb. 6.18. Now who flees? Only he that can ſtand no longer, that is not able to deal with his Adverſary and Danger, that hath no hope of prevailing by his ſtrength, and therefore betakes himſelf to his heels. It is mens great ſin to endeavour to ſeek that elſewhere, that only is to be found here, Mercy and Grace. But it's the greateſt Sin of all, to count all loſt, as long as this Throne ſtands, and the Lord calls men to come to it. Be deeply humbled, p. 46and covered with ſhame, yet come no… withſtanding. Such is the corruption of o… hearts, and the Lord ſeeth it well, that … Sinners could find grace and mercy a… where elſe, they would never come to th… throne of grace for it. Chriſt is the laſt ſhi… of a diſtreſſed ſinner, yet bleſſed be his nam… he welcomes the comer. The woman Mar… 5.25,35. tryes many means ere ſhe comes t… Chriſt, Yet ſped well when ſhe came a… laſt.

2. They are welcome to the throne of grac… that come o…teſt and ask the greateſt thing… Its otherwiſe in addreſſes to friends, or grea… men on earth. You may be welcome t… them, if you come now and then, and i… you ask little things; but if you come daily, and ask great things, and grow in your ſuit, they will quickly be weary of you. But wha… ſaith the King on this Throne of Grace. Joh… 16.24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in m… Name: ask and ye ſhall recieve that your j… may be full. Had not they asked formerly great things? that he would expound his wor… to them. Matth. 13.36. that he would tea… them to pray, Luke 11.1. That he would increaſe their faith. Luke 17.5. But all thi… was as nothing to Chriſt, nothing in regar… of the great things he had to give, and the… ſtood in need of. This is a great word o… Chriſt's. Ask and I will give, and ye ſhall recieve; ask ſtill more and ye ſhall recieve mor… even till your joy be full. The reaſon wh… our ſouls are ſo empty of joy, is becauſe o… mouths are empty of prayer. Chriſt's love quarrels p. 47with his people, are 3.1. That they do not ask great things and often. 2. That they do not receive what he is ſo ready to give. Our narrow Veſſels cannot take in large …oods from the fountain of living water. 4. They th… do not praiſe for what they recieve. It is his due, our duty, and our great mercy. Both prayer and praiſe widens the heart for recieving more of Chriſts fulneſs.

3. They are ſpecially welcome to the throne of grace that come to ſtay, reſolving never to leave it: That not only come to it at a pinch and ſtrait, but come to abide there. Our Lord teacheth ſeveral Parables, to encourage and direct us in plying the throne of grace. Luke 11.5,13. and Luke 18.1,8. Jacob was a bleſſed man, and knew well the manner of this Court: When he wreſtled with the Angel. Gen. 32.24.30. And that. Angel was the King of the Throne of Grace. Hoſ. 12.3,4,5. After a long nights wreſtling, with weeping and ſupplications; ſaith the Lord, Gen. 32.26. Let me go for the day breaketh. Jacob anſwers, I will not let thee go, except thou bleſs me. I will, or I will not, looks like ill manners in ſpeaking to God; he ſaith not, How can I hold thee if thou haſt a mind to go? is it poſſible that I can detain thee? Can a man hold God, when he hath a mind to be gone? But Jacob knew his party, and percieved that he tryed him, if he would part without a bleſſing. Nay, ſaith Jacob, if thou ask my leave and conſent to part ſo, I will never give it, let the day break, and the next night come, the great Bleſſer, and lame halting Jacob, ſhall never part, p. 48with Jacobs conſent, without a bleſſing. And he prevailed. He had got his Fathers bleſſing by the cunning of his Mother, Gen. 27. had it again ratified by his Father- Gen. 28.3,4. He had the Lords Bleſſing. Gen. 28.12,16. He got it renewed again on the Lords calling him to return to Canaan. Gen. 31.3. Yet he was in a new ſtrait, and wanted a new bleſſing, and wreſtled for it, and obtained it. Let all the Seed of Jacob imitate his practice, and they ſhall ſhare in his Bleſſing, and be fed with the heritage of Jacob their Father, as the word is Iſa. 58.14.

In preſſing the Exhortation in the Text, I ſhall lay before you a few conſiderations.

1. Conſider the Greatneſs of this priviledge. That there is a throne of grace erected for ſinners, and revealed to them. This throne is only erected for ſinners: it had never been but for ſinners. A throne of grace, ſuppoſeth that there are guilty ſinners to ſtand before it, and to get good by it. The greatneſs of this priviledge is apparent, in comparing the State of fallen Man with that of fallen Angels: And in comparing their State that have the Goſpel, with theirs that are without it.

1. Compare the ſtate of fallen Man with that of falten Angels. Whatſoever the proper meaning of that word is. Pſal. 8.5. Thou. hoſt made him a little lower than the Angels: theſe two may be well concieved; that Man in, his original make was lower in dignity than the Angels, and that Man was made a little after the Angels were made: And long after it could not be, for the whole Old Creation was compleatly p. 49finiſhed in ſix days. The Angels that fell are ſo ſinful and miſerable, that we cannot ſpeak any good of them. Yet in their firſt make, they were a very glorious part of the Creation. Notwithſtanding, when they ſinned, there was no throne of grace provided for them. God ſpared not the Angels that ſinned, but caſt them down to Hell. 2 Pet. 2.4. Yet for his Elect, he ſpared not his own Son. Rom. 8.32. The Devils (for ſuch ſin made them) immediatly upon their ſinning, were as much condemned as ever they ſhall be; I ſay not, as much executed, for it ſeems that their full torment is reſerved to the laſt day. Jude 6. 2 Pet. 2.4. Art thou come to torment us before the time! Matth. 8.29. ſay they to Chriſt. No wonder the Devil be ſuch an Enemy to the Goſpel of Man's Salvation, and a hater of the Throne of Grace. The wonder is, that men ſhould be deceived by Satan, to deſpiſe and ſlight this great priviledge. Let Chriſtians take a view of this aſtoniſhing appearance of Gods Grace, that fallen Angels are all paſt by, and fallen Men taken up; not indeed all of them, but a great many, as one day will declare. Heb. 2.16. For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels; but he took on him the Seed of Abraham.

2. Conſider the greatneſs of this priviledge in the Revelation of it. You have it, but the greateſt part of the World have it not. They that cannot receive the Truth of God revealed in the word, about the Soveraignty of Grace in Election, and the Efficacy of diſtinguiſhing Grace in Calling, muſt ſee the ſame Soveraignty acted in diſpenſing or witholding the means of Grace, as pleaſeth him. And to be p. 50utterly ignorant that there is a Throne of Grace, renders people as miſerable as if there was no Throne of Grace at all. They that never hear of Christ muſt periſh. It is an idle dream that the efficacy of Christ's Death may be apply'd and profitable to the ſaving of adult perſons that never heard of him. There is no Salvation for Men but by Jeſus Chriſt; there is no knowing of it or partaking of it, but by the word of Truth, the Goſpel of our Salvation Eph. 1.13. Christ and his name go together. Acts 4.12. Neither is there Salvation in any other; No Saviour but he. For there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we muſt be ſaved. No other way of getting good by him, but by hearing of his Name, and believing on his Name. How ſhall they believe on him, of whom they have not heard? Rom. 10.14. It is a wonderful Mercy to hear of Him: But Wo to them that hear and do not believe. None can believe without hearing, Rom. 10.17. But alas! many hear, and believe not. Iſa. 53.1.

2. Conſider the great advantages of this priviledge, of having a Throne of Grace erected for us, and revealed to us. All bleſſings may be had here, by coming for them. If there was ſuch a Throne in this world for Silver and Gold, and Health and outward Mercies, what ſtrange crowding would there be to it? The Bleſſings to be had here, are innumerable for multitude; All ſpiritual bleſſings in heavenly things in Chriſt Jeſus. Eph. 1.3. Bleſſings invaluable for their worth: Eternal in their duration, most free in their Tenure, and all p. 51given in Love. Every act of favour from the throne of grace, is more worth than all God's common Mercies. Lord, lift up upon us the light of thy countenance. Pſal. 4.6,7. that will put joy into the ſoul. Every thing given at the throne of grace is a bleſſing of Grace. Its very name ſhould teach people how to come, and how to call what they get at it. If it be a throne of Grace, we ſhould come to it as empty needy Beggars, and when we recieve any thing there, we ſhould call and count it Grace. Ask all Saints on Earth, and they will witneſs that great and good things are to be had at the throne of grace: Try it your ſelves, and you will find it is not invain to beg here. Nay, the damned in Hell, do bear ſad witneſs that great are the bleſſings that are to be had at the throne of grace, which they feel and know by their woful and eternal loſs of them. The glorified in Heaven, know what a rich throne of grace this is. Only ſinners on earth will not believe this, nor uſe this throne as they ſhould.

3. Conſider, that this Court and Throne is of ſhort continuance. It will not be kept up always. There is a limitation of the time of its laſting. As Heb. 4.7. He limiteth a certain day. The day of the continuance of the throne of grace, is bounded and limited with four days. The day of a mans life, the Goſpel day, the Worlds day, and the Spirits day.

1. The day of every mans life. This hath bounds ſet to it by God. Job 14.5. The throne of Grace continues unto men no longer than they live. When men die, they go not to the throne of grace, but of Glory and Judgment. p. 52If we have ſped well at the throne of grace, we ſhall be welcome to the throne of glory. The uncertainty and ſhortneſs of life, with the certainty of the expiring of all Treaties betwixt God and us about Salvation, at the end of Life, ſhould make people careful to ſecure the main matter in Gods time.

2. There is the Goſpel day; this is alſo ſet and limited by the Lord. He hath determined how many offers you ſhall have of Chriſt, and when they come to an end, there will not be one more. And then the throne of grace is taken down, as to you. Luke 19.42. If thou hadst known, even thou, at leaſt in this thy day, the things that belong to thy peace, but now they are hid from thine eyes, ſaith our Lord to Jeruſalem. This was the ending determining day to Jeruſalem as a City, and to its Inhabitants as a Body, though many particular perſons had another day of grace. Yet the ſlipping of that day, hangs on that poor people and their Poſterity to this very day.

3. There is the Worlds day: and then the day of grace will end as to all, when the Bridegroom cometh, they that are ready enter with him to the marriage, and the door was ſhut. Matth. 25.10. There was no more grace to be diſpenſed to men; and we know not when that day will come. Miſerable is their caſe, who ſhall ſee Christ coming in the Clouds of Heaven, before they have ſeen him by Faith in the Goſpel; who heart the voice of the Archangel and the Trump of God, before they have heard the quickning voyce of the Son of God from the throne of grace; who have neglected calling on him in p. 53time, and begin out of time. Luke 13.25. When the Maſter of the houſe is riſen up, and hath ſhut to the door, and ye begin to ſtand without, and to knock at the door, ſaying, Lord, Lord, open to us. Is it not juſt that they ſhould be kept at the ſhut door, that would not enter at an open door in Christ's time, and when he called? When Chriſt comes and hath ſhut the door, no man will be let in, knock as he will. Now while the throne of grace is patent, no man will be kept out, be what he will, that hath a mind to enter, and knocks for entrance.

4. There is the Spirits day. Here is a great depth of Gods Soveraignty and Wiſdom, a great depth of his Severity, an unaccountable and awful Judgment; how the Spirit of God ſtrives with men in the Goſpel, how near he comes to them ſometimes, how cloſe he beſiegeth them, that they ſeem to be on the point of yielding, and are not far from the kingdom of God, and yet he draws back his hand and leaves them. I believe that many ungodly men, many reprobates, have been ſometimes in their life nearer to Heaven (if ſuch may be ſaid to be near to Heaven that never come there) then many an Elect perſon was half an hour before his Converſion. Gen. 6.3. My Spirit ſhall not always ſtrive with man. What kind of ſtriving this was, and what became of them ſtriven with, we have. 1 Pet. 3.19,20. Nothing will more bitterly aggravate the eternal miſery of the Damned, than the remembrance of this, that they had a day, and in that day grace offered to them, and that they did reject p. 54the offer. Mens carnal hearts are now full of cavils againſt the unſearchable methods and ways of God towards the Sons of Men; but the laſt days Judgment will determine and declare, That in the perdition of the Ungodly, there was, and is, moſt pure and unſpotted Juſtice and Righteouſneſs, and in the ſalvation of all the Elect, pure, perfect, and predominant grace, that reigned in them, and over them, and through them, till it brought them to Heaven.

Wherefore, ſeeing the having of a throne of grace is a priviledge of ſo great importance, and of ſo uncertain continuance, there ſhould be the greater care to make diligent and preſent improvement of it. Why ſhould any man let this throne of Grace ſtand empty? Will men provoke the Lord to ſay, in vain have I ſet up a throne of grace for ſinners, that come not at it?

Again conſider, the Wrath that will follow on the neglect, and not improving of this great priviledge. The Sin is many ways committed, and the judgments of many ſorts, that are inflicted. But I leave this to the next occaſion.

Except you in your perſonal exerciſe and experience do know what this throne of grace is, and what is got there; you may be Chriſtians hereafter, but as yet you are none, unleſs you experience what this throne of grace is, by frequent repairing to it, and by frequent receiving good at it. That Man or Woman, whatever his or her name be in the world or the Church of Chriſt, that never p. 55found any need for, or uſe of, or benefit by this throne of grace, is ſurely a dead ſinner. People may ſafely and ſurely judge of both the State and Frame of their Souls, by their buſineſs at the throne of grace. Never got any Soul life, but by an act of grace and power from this throne. No Soul can be kept in life, but by daily entercourſe with it. Its as impoſſible that theſe Bodies of ours ſhould be maintained in life and ſtrength, without Meat and Drink and Air, as it is for the Soul of a Believer to proſper without daily plying the throne of grace.

Let therefore the Exhortation in the Text be complyed with, come to this throne. Say therefore, Lord I am invited to come to the throne of thy grace, and none have more need of that grace than I, and there is enough of grace there for me; and therefore I will come and beg, and get, and abide, and bleſs the Giver, and become happy by Recieving.