The Throne of Grace, Sermon 3

The Throne of Grace · Sermon 3

p. 56SERMON. III.

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 Have ſpoke of the firſt thing that this Text contains. That God in Jeſus Chriſt, in the Goſpel is on a throne of grace, inviting men to come to him. What this throne of grace is, why all ſhould come, who they be that will come, and who will be ſpecially welcome, you have heard. I was preſſing this Exhortation of coming to this throne. You ſee the Apoſtle in delivering this, takes in himſelf with them he exhorts. Let us come. He had oft come p. 57before, and had been bountifully dealt with at this Court. 1 Tim. 1.14. And the Grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant towards him. This made him commend this Throne ſo highly, and entreat others, and ſtir up himſelf, to frequent addreſſes to it. I did uſe three Arguments to back this Exhortation, and ſhall add a fourth.

1. Was the greatneſs of the priviledge of having a throne of grace to come unto. A priviledge denyed to fallen Angels, and the knowledge of it denyed to the far greater part of Mankinde.

2. This throne of grace is a priviledge full of rich advantages. All Believers know ſomewhat of them. All their acceptance with God, all their acceſs to God, all their communications from him, and fellowſhip with him, all their Bleſſings in time, and their hopes for Eternity, are all owing to this, that God is on a Throne of Grace.

3. This priviledge is of uncertain duration, and ſhort. The Lord the King is for ever, but the Throne of Grace is not for ever: it is but a Time diſpenſation: and limited unto certain ſeaſons. The Goſpel day is uncertain, our life time is uncertain, the Worlds day is uncertain to us, though all determined by God. But above all, the Spirits day is uncertain. How long he will ſtrive, when he will forbear, who can tell? Some godly men have thought, that there are few (if any) that live under a powerful Miniſtry, but at ſome time of their life, the Spirit of God comes cloſe to them, ſo that there is not only a p. 58witneſs given for the Lord in the offers of the Goſpel, but there is a further addition to that witneſs, by ſome ſpecial approaches of Gods Spirit to their hearts. But whatever there be in that obſervation, this is undoubted; that where the Holy Ghoſt makes the ſtrongeſt aſſaults on men, if he be reſiſted and withdraws, the moſt prodigious hardneſs is left behind. Therefore extraordinary, bold, hardned ſinners, cruel Perſecutors, Apoſtates and Mockers of godlineſs, are uſually ſuch, as ſometimes were under ſpecial Conviction; not to ſpeak of the ſin againſt the Holy Ghost, which conſiſts in ſome high Rebellion againſt ſpecial workings of the Spirit of God on mens Conſciences under the Goſpel. This dreadful ſin, Satan perplexeth many Believers with fears of it: But its certain that a diſturbing fear of this guilt, is a proof of a perſons innocency as to it. For whoſoever have fallen into this Abyſs of wickedneſs, are ſo far from fearing the ſin (though they may have a hopeleſs fear of wrath, Heb. 10.26.) that they glory in it, therefore they are ſaid to do deſpite to the Spirit of Grace. Let all that find the Spirit ſtriving with them, take good heed to themſelves, comply with his motions, and ſecure their ſtate ſpeedily, by believing on the Lord Jeſus; for the ſeaſon of his ſtriving is the moſt critical part of our life, and as it iſſues, of greateſt conſequence to Salvation or Damnation.

4. A fourth Argument, I would conclude this point with, is the greatneſs of the ſin of not coming to the Throne of Grace, and the p. 59dreadful wrath it draws on. This ſin is many …ays committed, and many ways avenged. A …ttle of both.

It is committed 1. By mens deſpiſing and …ontemning the Throne of Grace; making light … it. Matth. 22.5. Neglecting ſo great Salva…on. Heb. 2.3. There are many things from whence this contempt ſprings. Either no ſenſe …f their need of what is to be had at the Throne of Grace; or elſe a Dream that they …ay be ſupplyed elſewhere; or Groſs Unbe…ef, that men think in their hearts that all …his account of the Throne of Grace is but a cun…ingly deviſed Fable; Or the nature of the Bleſ…ings, Spiritual and Eternal, unſuitable to, and …ot taking with their carnal Hearts, who …ind earthly things. If the Exhortation had …un thus, Let us come that we may get Silver and obtain Gold to render us rich in this World, what leaping and ſtriving would there be to obey it? Whilſt Grace and Mercy, that men have no ſenſe nor experience of, are deſpiſed, and therefore the Throne of Grace, where only they are to be had, is deſpiſed alſo. The Spirit of God in the Scripture, is at much pains to commend the Worth and Value of the Bleſſings that Christ came to purchaſe, and hath to diſpenſe, and to prefer them above all preſent ſenſible things; yet notwithſtanding all the bright light of the Word darting daily in mens eyes, the droſs and dung of this World is more precious in the eyes, and ſavory to the heart, of every ungodly man, than all the Grace given on Earth, and all the Glory to be given in Heaven.

p. 602. This ſin of not coming, is committed by delaying to come. The call of God is, Let us come: The anſwer of many hearts is, Let us delay to come. Whence think you that theſe delays come? We have it daily to bewail before God and you, that a multitude will come together to hear, and do ſo day by day; yet all that can be ſaid to them, from their childhood to their old Age, never prevailed with many of them, to ſpend one hour in ſerious treating at the Throne of Grace, with God in Chriſt, for the eternal Salvation of their Souls. It is undeniable that ye are but a pack of groſs Hypocrites, if you attend on the means of grace in the Aſſemblies of Saints, and yet have no particular perſonal errand to the Throne of Grace, for your own Souls. The Salvation of the Soul is not carried on in a crowd. The Grace of God muſt be particularly applyed to you, and you muſt particularly apply it to your ſelves, and your ſelves to the Throne of Grace, if ever you be ſaved. The fellowſhip of Saints was never ordained for this end, to render perſonal applications to God needleſs; and it is groſly abuſed when it is ſo perverted. It is impoſſible that a perſon can have any true fellowſhip with Saints in any ordinance of God, unleſs he have particular buſineſs at the Throne of Grace for himſelf. He hath indeed no true Religion, whoſe all of Religion is in Company and in Publick. Yet we ſee how backward many Profeſſors are to this perſonal treating with God; how many ſhifts and delays they make. To ſuch I ſay, would it not be a terror to you, if p. 61either God or Man, or Angels, or the Devil, ſhould tell you this day, that from this time to your dying day, you ſhall never have leaſure, nor heart, nor time, to ſpend one quarter of an hour in dealing with God for your eternal Salvation! Would not this be terrible to you? But the ſame dreadful thing is daily done by mens delays. The call of God is to day, you ſay to morrow; when to morrow comes, then you ſay next day; when that comes, you put it ſtill farther off. This you may be ſure of, that whatever is the true ſpring and cauſe of delays in this matter, will ſtill remain and gather ſtrength, unleſs the Grace of God come in. Men deceive themſelves with vain pretences; but the true ſpring of all delays in treating in earneſt with God, at the Throne of Grace, is Unbelief and Unwillingneſs; and the more they are indulged by delaying, the ſtronger they grow. Therefore the Holy Ghost ſaith, to day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Heb. 3.7,8. See how the Spirit of God fixeth an oppoſition betwixt theſe two, preſent hearing, and preſent hardening, and a conjunction betwixt theſe two, preſent not hearing, and hardening. If there is preſent hearing, there is no preſent hardening: if not, there is. The refuſal given to the to days call of God, hardens the heart againſt to morrows call. O that men dreaded delays as moſt perillous things, and the cauſe of the everlaſting ruine of multitudes under the Goſpel!

p. 623. Another way wherein this ſin of no… coming to the Throne of Gods Grace is acted, is i… refuſing to come. All do not ſo groſly, bu… ſome do. There are two ſorts of refuſers, th… Secure and the Diſcouraged. There is a wof… plague of ſecure deſpair, a ſtrange plague, but … certain one. Some people find things are ba… with them as to their Souls, ſins many, corruptions ſtrong, they have made ſome eſſay to get matters mended, and all in vain; whereon they conclude that it will never be better and they ſit down in ſecurity, and give themſelves up to their pleaſures. Iſa. 22.13. Le… us eat and drink, for to morrow we ſhall die. A ſtrange Argument: approach of death uſually marrs the taſte of pleaſure. The hand writing on the Wall, even when not known, marr'd Belſhazzars. cheer. Dan. 5. This is a very miſerable and ſinful caſe. It ſprings from mens being ignorant of the true remedy, when they were ſick of ſin; and becauſe all the Phyſick and Phyſicians they uſed and tried, did them no good, they conclude their ſickneſs is unto death. But let ſuch know that there is Hope in Iſrael concerning this thing. Only come and ſee, and try what may be done. Beware of deſpair; it is the Devils ſin; but he hath reaſon for it, for he is condemned, and all doors of hope are eternally ſhut upon him, or rather none was ever opened to him. But for a man, that hath the riches of Gods long-ſuffering, forbearance and patience (Rom. 2.4.) daily laid out upon him, that hath the door of grace ſet open to him, and the Lord calling, entreating, promiſing acceptance on p. 63his coming, for ſuch a man to give over all hope, is a ſin ſome way worſe than the Devils, a frame pleaſing only to the Devil, moſt diſhonourable to God, and his Son Jeſus Christ, and to the Holy Ghoſt (I do not call it the ſin againſt the Holy Ghost.) A reflection on all the glorious appearances and manifeſtations of the Throne of Grace, and moſt ſurely damning, if continued in. Away with it ſpeedily; conclude thy caſe is not deſperate, and if you cannot ſhake it off, come to the Throne of Grace and complain of it. If ye can but ſee the Throne and him that ſits upon it, deſpair will vaniſh as a Night-Owl on the bright ſhining of the Sun of Righteouſneſs. Deſpair cannot live in the preſence of the glorious grace of Jeſus Christ. Come then and ſee, and lay hold on the hope ſet before you. The other Refuſers to come, are the Diſcouraged; they do not deſpair that their caſe cannot be mended, but they ſee ſo much and ſo many things out of Order, that their hearts fail them in applying to the only Remedy. In the time of their Carnal Security, and Ignorance of God and of themſelves (that bred and kept up that Security) they could ruſh into Gods preſence without fear, and call and count all the bleſſings of the Covenant theirs, without any doubt, and yet without any ground: But when God begun to deal with them, and to come cloſe to them, and to ſend in light and life into their Conſciences, then they ſee their former miſtakes; they ſee their utter want and great need of thoſe bleſſings, they once dreamed they were rich in the poſſeſſion p. 64of; they ſee their utter unworthineſs of them, and therefore find it hard to believe that ever the Lord will welcome them to the Throne of his Grace. Uſually beginners in Chriſtianity have greater light and ſenſe as to their neceſſity of ſaving Grace and Mercy, then about the Lords willingneſs to give them. And this is the ſeaſon wherein Satan doth uſually come in (if permitted, and often he is) with his Temptations and fiery darts, that they felt nothing of, while they were in his Kingdom and power of darkneſs. To ſuch I would propoſe 3 things.

1. What is the ground of thy diſcouragement? Hereto I know they will ſay a great deal, and it may be more than is true. I grant all can be ſaid to be true. But the ſum of all is, I am a great ſinner and exceeding miſerable. Be humbled as low as Hell in the ſenſe thereof, yet be not diſcouraged. What is in thy caſe, but what is common? only thou ſees and feels for thy ſelf, and ſo did others.

2. What is the tendency of it? doth it tend to keep thee aloof from the Throne of Grace? it is then of Satan.

3. What can be the cure of it. You would not be always in this heartleſs frame: how think you to get it removed? By keeping ſtill from the Throne of Grace? Will, or can, any ſpiritual plagues be cured, but by Chriſt the Phyſician? Or any ſpiritual Bleſſing be got, but at his door? Can you expect it without coming and begging? David took the right courſe with his fainting heart. Pſal. 42.5. p. 65He challengeth his Soul for its diſquietment, He chargeth it to truſt in God; and becauſe he had not prevailed with his Soul, he brings it to God by Faith. ver. 6. O my God, my Soul is caſt down within me. Do ye ſo, and call upon him by that name, God that comforteth thoſe that are caſt down. 2 Cor. 7.6.

I ſhall name no more of the ways this ſin is acted, then theſe three, deſpiſing, delaying, and refuſing. Several other Expreſſions there are of this ſin in the Word; but if you be kept from theſe three, you are innocent from the great Tranſgreſſion.

2. What is the Wrath revealed from Heaven, for this Great ſin of not coming to the Throne of Grace.

1. God teſtifies his Diſpleaſure againſt this ſin, by taking away of his Goſpel; nothing is more juſt with God, then, that when his Grace is ſlighted, the means of Grace ſhould be removed. If the Lord argue ſo as to correction. Iſa. 1.5. Why ſhould ye be ſtricken any more? Ye will revolt more and more: much more may he argue thus, Why ſhould I keep up a Throne of Grace any longer? You will but deſpiſe it more and more. Chriſt teacheth a ſad parable, Matth. 21.33. &c. and makes a juſt, but dreadful application of it to the hearers. ver. 43. Therefore I ſay unto you, the Kingdom of God (another name of the Throne of Grace) ſhall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. They were cut off for their unbelief. Rom. 11.20. With what face can an unbeliever beg of God the continuance of the means of Grace, p. 66who hath no mind to enjoy the end and bleſſin… of thoſe means? A general contempt of the Grace of God, enfeebleth the Spirit, of Miniſters and Chriſtians, in ſtanding before the Lord for the continuance of the Goſpel, with a people that uſe it not. This dreadful Judgment hath been often threatned in the Word, and inflicted in the ſevere Providence of God, on many once famous Churches and Nations. As the Lord ſaith, But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I ſet my name at the firſt, and ſee what I did to it for the wickedneſs of my people Iſrael. Jer. 7.12. So may I ſay, go to Jeruſalem and the Seven Churches in Aſia, go to Greece and Africa, where many a famous Church was planted, and learn to fear for your ſelves. Not to ſpeak of later deſolations in ours and our Fathers days. The Lords removing of his Goſpel is a judgment that is very deep: As the Apoſtle ſpeaks of the ſame ſubject. Rom. 11.33. We may take notice of this judgment as brought on by prevailing errors in and about the foundation, Jeſus Christ; or by gradual Apoſtaſie and Impurity of Converſation in Profeſſors; or by the rage of perſecution, wearing out the Saints of the most High. Dan. 7.25. But yet we have good grounds from the word of God, to believe and hope, that the Goſpel may be ſecured to a Generation, ordinarily, if they be careful to get the bleſſing thereof, and to walk worthy of it. If the grace of God its ſelf be prized, the means of grace will be continued.

p. 672. The Lord witneſſeth his diſpleaſure againſt ſlighters of his grace, by fearful outward Judgments. So far'd it with Jeruſalem, according to our Lords prediction. Luke 19.42,43,44. It hath been a Remark of wiſe Obſervers of the Providence of God towards Nations, ſince the Reformation from Popery, that in thoſe places where the greateſt light of the Goſpel hath ſhined, there the greateſt judgments have been inflicted. As in Germany, France, and amongſt our ſelves in Brittain.

3. The Lord viſits for this ſin with ſpiritual judgments, the moſt wrathful diſpenſations of God on this ſide Hell. As hardneſs of heart, blindneſs of mind, ſearedneſs of Conſcience, vileneſs of affections; Judgments, which they that are under, never feel nor complain of, nor will be convinced of, though they are ſometimes viſible to others. If the Lord inflict them on the Heathen for their abuſe of the dim light of Nature. Rom. 1.21,24,26,28. How much greater are ſuch that are ſent for the abuſe of the light of the Goſpel? That dreadful Commiſſion given to the moſt eminent Prophet Iſaiah, ch. 6.9,10. is often applyed and fulfilled in the New Teſtament. Matth. 13.14. and John 12.39,40. Therefore they could not believe (their ſin was, v. 37. they believed not on him; here is their plague, they could not believe) becauſe that Eſaias ſaid again, he hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, that they ſhould not ſee with their eyes, nor underſtand with their hearts, and be converted, and I ſhould heal them, Paul applies p. 68it to ſome of his unbelieving Hearers, with a ſtrange Preface, Well ſpake the Holy Ghoſt by Eſaias to our Fathers, ſaying, Acts 28.25. The Intereſt and Influence of God in ſuch ſpiritual Judgments, is a great depth: They are always juſt, and always deep; and dreadful are their effects: They on whom they fall, feel nothing, ſee nothing, fear nothing. So that truly we may ſay, as Pſal. 68 35. O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places. But ſuch as have a Heart to the Grace of God, and would fain be bleſſed thereby, need not fear thoſe Judgments, and ſhall never feel them.

4. Laſtly, The Wrath of God againſt ſuch as come not to the throne of grace, is engraven in the ſingular vengeance of eternal Ruine. There is ſomething ſingular in their Hell. The Law ſends all unpardoned Sinners to a Law-Hell. The Lord ſend Deſpiſers of ſaving grace, to a ſpecial Hell, Heb. 2.3. and 10.29. A much ſorer puniſhment. No Quarters in Hell are tolerable; yet our Lord ſaith, Matth. 11.22,24. That it ſhall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, Sodom and Gomorrah, then for the Cities where he preaehed, and wrought mighty works. We ſhould be thankful for this fair warning. I am afraid that there are very few that do truly believe this, That the Condition of a Sinner under the Goſpel, tha… is of a blameleſs Converſation, and makes a fai… Profeſſion, only he is an Unbeliever in Jeſu… Chriſt, and one that hath no buſineſs at th… throne of grace; he hath no other fault but tha… (and he needs no more to ruin him) that thi… Man's Caſe is worſe now, and will be worſe a… p. 69the laſt day; than that of the Inhabitants of Sodom, on whom the Lord rained down Hell from Heaven. Many of our gay Profeſſors, and civil moral Men, would think themſelves highly affronted and undervalued, to be put in the Balances with filthy Sodomites. If it were poſſible that thou had no fault but only Unbelief, thy Sin is greater, thy Judgment will be more dreadful, thy State worſe for Eternity, than that of the vileſt of the Nations, to whom the throne of grace was never revealed, John 15.22. If I had not come and ſpoken to them, they had not had ſin: but now they have no cloak, for their ſin. And to the ſame purpoſe our Lord ſpake to them, ver. 24. They were Sinners before, but the Contempt of that Diſpenſation of grace that Chriſt brought to them, rendered them ſingular Tranſgreſſors. So John 3.17. God ſent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be ſaved. Are then all ſaved, and none condemned? No, ver. 18. Of the World that hear of God's Son, ſome believe on him, and they are not condemned, but ſaved; and others believe not on him, and therefore are condemned, ver. 19. What is the Condemnation? Light is come into the world, and men loved darkneſs rather than light, becauſe their deeds are evil. The Law condemns them becauſe their Deeds are evil: The deſpiſed Goſpel condemns them, becauſe they refuſe the only Remedy. Law-Sin is poyſon to the Soul, and kills as ſuch. Unbelief is rejecting the only Antidote, and kills as ſuch. Look to one Scripture more, Luke 19.27. But thoſe mine Enemies, that would not that I ſhould reign over them, p. 70bring hither, and ſlay them before me. It is not uſual for Kings and Princes to have Criminals executed in their preſence, but command it to be done by mean hands, in ſome remoter place. But Chriſt will have his Enemies ſlain before him. To be ſlain in Chriſts preſence is double deſtruction, 2 Theſſ. 1.9. Who ſhall be puniſhed with everlaſting deſtruction (ever a deſtroying, never deſtroyed; the Deſtroyer puniſheth eternally, and the Deſtroyed ſuffer eternally) from the preſence of the Lord: The meaning is not only, that a great part of this Puniſhment ſtands in being deprived for eternity of the gracious preſence of Jeſus Chriſt; as in Matth. 25.41. The firſt and ſaddeſt Word in the laſt Sentence, is, Depart from me: Juſt; for they ſaid to him, Depart from us, for we deſire not the knowledge of thy ways, Job 21.14. Let all trembling Believers and Lovers of Chriſt, perſwade themſelves, that they ſhall never hear it pronounced againſt them. All that make it their buſineſs to come to Chriſt, that make it their daily ſuit, that he would come to them, ſhall not hear, depart from me, but, come to me ye bleſſed; ye often came for a Bleſſing, and got many by coming, now come to receave the Bleſſing of the Kingdom. But this Word, from the preſence of the Lord, ſaith further, that this Deſtruction flows from Chriſt's angry and glorious Preſence; and that it ſhall alſo be in his Preſence; as Rev. 14.10. It is in the preſence of the holy Angels, and in the preſence of the Lamb, they are tormented, for ever.

p. 71Thus having opened the firſt Head in the Text, That there is a throne of grace erected and revealed in the Goſpel, to which Men are invited to come, I ſhall only apply it in two Queſtions, and the Lord apply them to your Conſciences, and make them give a right and true Anſwer: They are two ſhort plain ones. 1. Have you come. 2. Will ye come.

1. Have you come to the throne of grace? Do you know and are ſure that you have come? As Peter ſaid, John 6.68,69. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of ſuch comers. Heb. 12.24. But ye are come to Jeſus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the Blood of ſprinkling, that ſpeaketh better things than that of Abel. You are all Hearers of the throne of grace; many are Talkers of it, and ſome Diſputers and Contenders about this throne; but are you Comers to it? Is your Heart on it, your Buſineſs at it, and your daily exerciſe about it? You are in the outward Court; Doth that ſatisfie you? Alas! many poor Souls die and periſh there. To help to ſome Conviction, how is it with you as to this, I would ask,

1. Have you come to the throne of grace? Then you have ſeen the King. He is a poor ſorry Courtier, that goes to Court every day, and never ſeeth the King's Face. As Abſolom, 2 Sam. 14.24,28. Alas! many live in Jeruſalem all their days, and never ſee the King that dwells in Zion. When Paul was brought to the throne of grace, Chriſt was revealed in him and to him, Gal. 1.15,16. When Men p. 72are brought and come to the throne of grace, they receave the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 4.6. There is a ſeeing of him, joined with believing on him, John 6.40. All that ſee Jeſus Chriſt, muſt have Eyes from him to ſee him with. The Spirit of Wiſdom and Revelation in the knowledge of him, that enlightens the Eyes of mens Ʋnderſtanding, Eph. 1.17,18. His Eye-Salve can only make blind Sinners to ſee, Rev. 3.18. Are Men in doubt whether they have ſeen Chriſt or not? Whence doth it proceed? Is Chriſt ſo mean, and dark, and ordinary an Object, that Men may ſee him, and not know that they ſee him? A Man may doubt whether his Eyes take up a dim cloudy Star in a dark night: But the Sun doth not ſhine, or the Man is blind, if he lift up his Face, and doubt whether he ſee the Sun at noon day. There is a Manifeſtation of Chriſt promiſed, John 14.21,23. which, when made by him, and perceaved by his people, removeth all Doubtings, ſo that the Soul muſt ſay, as Iſa. 25.9. This is our God, this is the Lord. But this meaſure is not ordinary, nor conſtantly to be expected. Is there any like unto Jeſus Chriſt? Are any of his Companions, as they are called, Song. 1.7. ſo like to him, that a Believer cannot diſcern the difference? Never did a Man ſee Jeſus Chriſt by the Eye of Faith, but he is by that ſight of him, perſwaded that there is none to be compared with him. No Man is converted and made a believer, but by a Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt. A Man may be awakened with a view of God's Glory; he may be alarmed p. 73by a ſight of Sin and Hell; and may be rouſed out of his ſleep of ſecurity, by the thunders of Sinai; but he is never converted, and made a Chriſtian, but by a Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt, as glorious in his Robes of Salvation. Whence then is it that all Believers on him, do not own his manifeſting himſelf to them, and their ſeeing of him? It is in part, from the weakneſs of their ſight, the greatneſs of the glory of him they ſee, and their ſtrong deſire to ſee him better. But for ſuch as have ſpent their days about the throne of grace, and yet never ſaw Jeſus Christ, and the Glory of God in his Face as a Saviour, ſo as to diſgrace all things in compariſon with him, ſo as to raiſe deſires after more of him, and ſo as to fill their Hearts with Love, Wonder, and Praiſe, ſuch have been at the Court, but have not ſeen the King on his Throne.

2. Are you come to the throne of grace? What made you come? what Errand did you come upon? No Man comes without an Errand. We need not make and ſeek one; we have enow at hand, if we would but uſe them. What Wants felt you at home? And what of his Fulneſs was taking with you? Can you ſay, I have a naked filthy Soul, and I am aſhamed to look on it, but how well would the Robe of his Righteouſneſs fit and adorn it? I am empty of all Good, and he is full of all Grace, on purpoſe to fill periſhing Souls, and I come for a ſhare thereof. The Bleſſing of many ready to periſh hath come upon him, and I come for his rich Salvation, and would leave my poor, but eternal Bleſſing on him. p. 72duplicate page p. 73duplicate page p. 74They that have no particular preſſing buſineſs about their Soul's Salvation, may talk of the Throne of Grace, but do not indeed come to it.

3. What got ye? If you come indeed, you receave. If you receave not, you come not. Say not, you have receaved nothing, becauſe you have not got all you would have. It is neceſſary, that ſuch as come, get ſomewhat; but it is not fit that they ſhould receave all that they want. A life of Faith muſt be lived, and dependance; and begging, ſtill kept on foot. But ſomewhat is ſtill given and got, though the Gift be not always ſeen, and owned. But tell me, Chriſtians indeed, have you not ſometimes got that at the throne of grace, that ye would not take a World for? Did you ever apply to this throne in earneſt, and found it in vain? Have you not ſometimes got a Glance of Chriſt through the Latteſs, Song 2.9. that hath made you forget your Poverty, and remember your Miſery no more? Know ye not what it is to have a ſmile of his Countenance, and a token that you have found favour in his Eyes? Have you not got at this throne, a word of Promiſe that hath fed and feaſted thy Faith? Jer. 15.16. Thy Words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoycing of mine heart, for I am called by thy Name, O Lord God of Hoſts. Have you not ſometimes got the Door of Faith opened, and the Eye of Faith ſharpened, that ye could ſee within the Vail, and behold the good Land, and the bleſſed Lord of it, and thy happy Intereſt in both? Let not this Throne be diſparaged p. 75both by the true emptineſs of Hypocrites, that are about it, rather than at it, and by the peeviſhneſs of real Believers. There are no poor Courtiers at this Court; they are all rich, Rev. 2.9. They are only poor in Spirit, but not ſo poor as they think, for a Kingdom is theirs, that is better than all Kingdoms under Heaven, Matth. 5.3. The World count Believers poor, becauſe they ſee they often have not outward Riches, and they are blind and cannot ſee their ſpiritual Riches in Poſſeſſion and Reverſion. The Believer thinks himſelf poor, becauſe he ſeeth not all he hath in Poſſeſſion, 1 Cor. 3.21,23. and becauſe he would ſo fain have all he hath a right to. Phil. 3.12.14. and the hope of. Or becauſe his Charters are hid, or his Eyes are dim, that he cannot read them.

2. Q. Will ye come? All is ready: Come to this Throne, Matth. 22.4. If ye have never come, begin juſt now: If ye have come often, come more often, and come better, come nearer and cloſer ſtill. Is there any thing wanting in you? Come, for all ſupply is here. Are you guilty? Come for Pardon: Many drawn Pardons are at this Court, drawn up ſweetly by free Grace, ſealed with the Blood of Jeſus: Come to this Throne, and add your Seal of Faith to one for your ſelf, and it ſhall be a Charter for Glory to you, lying warm at your Heart as long as you live, and will be your Paſs-port at death. But becauſe the following Words of the Apoſtle in this verſe contain Arguments for coming, I ſay the leſs now.

p. 76So much for the firſt Head of Doctrine in the Text.

The ſecond Head is, How we ſhould come to this throne of grace. Come boldly, ſaith the Holy Ghoſt, by Paul's Pen.

The Point I would ſpeak to from it, is this:

That there is a Boldneſs in Mens approaching to the Throne of Grace, that is allowed and commanded. For the Apoſtle doth not only mention it as a Priviledge allowed, but as a Duty or Frame injoined and commanded. So that he that comes not with this Boldneſs, not only ſits down ſhort of his Allowance, but ſins in diſobeying a plain Command. The Priviledge is ſpoke of in Eph. 3.12. In whom (ou… Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as ver. 11.) we have boldneſs and acceſs with confidence, by the faith of him. In Heb. 10.19.22. both the Priviledge is aſſerted, and the Improvement of it commanded, in drawing near with full aſſurance of Faith, and that to the holieſt of all.

On this Point I would ſhew, 1. What this Boldneſs is, that is allowed in approaching to the throne of grace. 2. What are the Grounds of this Boldneſs.

1. What is the Boldneſs allowed in coming to the throne of grace. There is a Boldneſs that is not allowed, and that I would warn you of.

1. There is a Boldneſs of Ignorance and Irreverence. When Men come into God's Preſence, and neither know him, nor themſelves, nor the Matters they think they come about; ſuch are Fools, that conſider not that they do p. 77evil, nor remember that he is in Heaven, and they upon Earth, Eccleſ. 5.1,2. God is greatly to be feared in the Aſſembly of the Saints; and to be had in reverence of all that are about him, Pſal. 89.7. This Boldneſs is forbidden, Pſal. 2.11.

2. There is a Boldneſs of Peremptorineſs, that is not allowed to any Man, not to a Believer himſelf. People may, and do often, forget themſelves; as we uſe to ſay, too much Familiarity breeds Contempt. Condeſcenſions from Superiours, oft make Inferiours forget their place. The Lord deals ſo graciouſly with his People, hears their Prayers readily, ſtoops low to them in his Love and Pity, that unleſs they watch and keep a Guard on their Spirits, they may ſoon fall into the Sin of being too ſaucy and peremptory with God.

The firſt Prayer in the Bible, made by the greateſt Believer in the World, Abraham, is upon a moſt condeſcending appearance of God to him: The Son of God in humane ſhape, becomes Abraham's Gueſt at Meat, Gen. 18. Some think that Chriſt reſpects this appearance in John 8.56. Your Father Abraham rejoyced to ſee my day, and he ſaw it, and was glad. He gives him the laſt Promiſe of a Son, with a determination of the preciſe time of its accompliſhment, ver. 10. He deals with him as a Friend (and ſo Abraham is called, 2 Chron. 20.7. Iſa. 41.8. and Jam. 2.23. But all Believers are called Friends by Chriſt, John 15.14,15.) and after a great Commendation of Abraham, the Lord tells him his purpoſe of wrath againſt Sodom, ver. 17. to ver. 22. The Angels p. 78are ſent to execute the Vengeance, and Abraham ſtands before the Lord to plead for Mercy. With what Boldneſs and Reverence doth he plead? The more the Lord ſtoops in condeſcending to his Petitions, the more low doth Abraham lye before him. He neither forgot the Lord's Majeſty, nor his own Meanneſs, and expreſſeth again and again, a holy Fear of offending by his renewed Suits, ver. 27, 30, 31, 32. I would have you conſidering this Inſtance of Prayer, becauſe it is the firſt recorded in the Word, and becauſe it was excellently managed by the Father of the Faithful. So Gideon prays in Judg. 6.39. And Gideon ſaid unto God, Let not thine anger be hot againſt me, and will ſpeak but this once. I am afraid that many ſincere Chriſtians are guilty of this Peremptorineſs: The Lord hath been ſo condeſcending to them, that they become too peremptory about ſome Particulars. Beware of it, and ſee how the Lord hath dealt with his People, and the beſt of them, Pſal. 99.6,7,8. See Moſes's Lot in this Matter. He had often ſought of God, and prevailed, Pſal. 106.23. Therefore the Lord ſaid, that he would deſtroy them, had not Moſes, his choſen, ſtood before him in the Breach, to turn away his Wrath, leſt he ſhould deſtroy them. A Man to whom God ſpake Face to Face, a Man to whom God ſpake ſo amazing Words, Let me alone, that my Wrath may wax hot againſt them, Exod. 32.10. and Numb. 14.20. I have pardoned according to thy word. Yet even this Moſes in a ſmall matter, for Life, to croſs Jordan, and to ſee the promiſed Land, hath this Anſwer, Deut. 3.26. Let it ſuffice thee, p. 79ſpeak no more unto me of this matter. Samuel is check'd alſo in a ſmall matter, that had prevailed for far greater, 1 Sam. 16.1. How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, ſeeing I have rejected him? A Caſe may be ſuch, that though Moſes and Samuel ſtood before the Lord, they ſhould not prevail, Jer. 15.1. It is the only Priviledge of Jeſus Chriſt, to be always heard, John 11.42. Yet he in his Agony, pray'd ſo as to teach us to beware of this ſinful Boldneſs, Matth. 26.39. If it be poſſible, let this Cup paſs from me, nevertheleſs not as I will, but as thou wilt. Believers muſt remember, that in all Caſes they muſt deal humbly, and in ſome Caſes they muſt take Denyals Patiently.

3. There is the boldneſs of preſumption, Preſumption is like Faith in appearance, but in reality it is very unlike it. Preſumption works this way, the Preſumer may have the mercy in his eye, but he hath no promiſe in his eye. Take heed to this. If there be ſtrong deſires after a mercy, and that mercy not pleaded for as in the promiſe, there is a ſpice of preſumption in that pleading. The reaſon why Believers ask ſo great things of God, is becauſe God hath promiſed ſo great things to them. 2 Sam. 7.27. Hence it is that preſumption acts ordinarily in pleading with God, not for the main ſpiritual bleſſings, but for ſome outward mercy that their hearts may be too much ſet upon. It is about ſuch, that Believers ſhould watch againſt this preſumptuous boldneſs. But if the pleading at the Throne of Grace, be about Salvation and ſpiritual Bleſſings, the difference p. 80betwixt Faith and Preſumption appears in this. Preſumption can never plead with God neither in deep diſtreſs, nor in the view of ſin. But it is the excellent property of Faith, that it can plead with God in both caſes. Pſal. 65.3. Iniquities prevail againſt me; but as for our tranſgreſſions, thou ſhalt purge them away. Spoken like a Believer; and Pſal. 130.3,4. If thou Lord ſhouldeſt mark iniquities, O Lord, who ſhall ſtand? But can David ſtand! Yes, and he ſtands on this ground, But there is forgiveneſs with thee, that thou mayeſt be feared. There is juſt cauſe to ſuſpect that there is preſumption in that Mans heart, when his Boldneſs is only kept up, when ſin is out of ſight, and diſappears. A Believer believes moſt humbly, and often moſt ſtrongly, when his Sinfulneſs and Unworthineſs is beſt ſeen: For true Boldneſs of Faith is not ſupported by any good and worth in us, but by what is in Chriſt. The boldneſs of Faith cannot be entertained with regarding of iniquity in the heart. Pſal. 66.18. 1 John 3.20. Yet it can, with the being and ſeeing of Iniquity in both heart and life. Rom. 7.24,25. 1 Tim. 1.15. But of this furder from the next head, of the Boldneſs of Faith; I now touch it only as it differs from the preſumptuous Boldneſs that is allowed to none. Again, Faith can ſtand under that diſtreſs, that breaks the back of Preſumption. Job 13.15,16. Though he ſlay me, yet will I truſt in him; but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He alſo ſhall be my Salvation, for an Hypocrite ſhall not come before him, He hath taken away my Children all at once, p. 81my Eſtate in one day, hath taken away my health, and made me miſerable, to a Proverb in all Ages; although he ſhould proceed and ſlay me with his own hand, my ſlayer is my Saviour, my death ſhall be my Salvation. Great words and hard to be ſpoken in the day of heavy tryal, God ſlaying Job, is Job's Salvation. God ſlays, Job truſts, and maintains his confidence under the ſtroke. No Hypocrite can do this, and many Believers do but bungle at the doing of it. There is an extremity, a coming on every man, that will try and diſcover what mettle there is in his Faith, Prepare for it.

What then is the Boldneſs allowed in coming to the throne of grace? It muſt not be an ignorant, peremptory or preſumptuous boldneſs. What muſt it then be?

Anſw. It is only the Boldneſs of Faith. Eph. 3.12. Heb.10.19. The Boldneſs of Faith hath this in general in it, that it is grounded and bottomed on ſomewhat without a man, and on nothing in him. It is grounded on Jeſus Chriſt, as we ſhall hear further. It is a great miſtake in Chriſtians to think, that they cannot come to the throne of grace with Boldneſs, becauſe of the many Infirmities in their Hearts and in their Addreſſes. Your complaint may be juſt and true, but the Inference is not good. Do you never in your counting your Infirmities, put in this great one amongſt them in your Confeſſions, the want of Boldneſs of Faith? For this Boldneſs ſtands not in any thing in us, and done by us: We muſt not come boldly, becauſe we can pray well, and plead hard; we muſt p. 82not think to be heard in Heaven, neither becauſe of our much ſpeaking, nor well ſpeaking, Matth. 6.7. as the Phariſees did. The boldneſs of Faith hath a higher and more noble and firm Foundation, even Jeſus Chriſt.

I ſhall conclude this Diſcourſe with theſe three Acts of this allowed and commanded Boldneſs of Faith.

1. Believe firmly that the Throne of Grace is erected for poor empty ſinful Creatures, juſt ſuch as you be. As Paul ſaith of the Law, 1 Tim. 1.9. It is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawleſs and diſobedient; ſo may we ſay of the throne of grace, it is not made, framed and revealed for the holy and happy, but for miſerable Creatures that want Mercy, and ſinful helpleſs Creatures that want Grace. By what is diſpenſed here, we may know for whom, and for what ſort of Folks it was deſign'd and erected.

2. Believe firmly, that coming to the Throne of Grace by you, is allowed and commanded by the Lord. Say confidently, while I am coming to the throne of grace for Mercy and Grace, I am in the Work that the Lord would have me to be in. Take in all Diſcoveries you have made unto you, or that you can find out by ſearching, of the Weakneſs and Infirmities that are in your way of addreſſing to it, own them humbly, but maintain this ſtedfaſtly, that though you cannot do as you would, as others do, nor as you are bid, that yet you are doing what ye are bid. They are called, Luke 14.21. Who are the poor and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind! See a Promiſe looking that way, p. 83Jer. 31.8.9. Now, may not the halt and maimed be confident, that they are coming, when called, although they cannot go ſo faſt and ſtraight as others do? Every Believer walks in the ſteps of the Faith of Abraham, Rom. 4.12. though not his Pace. When you draw near to the throne of grace, aſſure your Hearts you are in your Duty, though many do it better than you do.

3. Believe firmly that upon coming you ſhall ſpeed. This is coming with the boldneſs of Faith. We ſhould not come with a may be the Lord will be gracious: It's true, that in ſome particulars not abſolutely promiſed, nor ſimply needful to Salvation, this may be, is all we can have, or ſhould ſeek. But in addreſſing for Saving Mercy and Grace, people ſhould come expecting Succeſs. It had been a cold Word, if it had been ſaid, Let us come to the Throne of Grace, it may be we ſhall obtain Mercy and find Grace. No, the Apoſtle ſpeaks in another Dialect, Let us come that we may obtain: Never doubt of obtaining if you come. I ſay not that the confidence of good Entertainment at this Throne is common to all comers to it: But only that it is the Duty of all that come for God's Mercy and Grace in Jeſus Chriſt, to perſwade their Hearts that they ſhall obtain and find it; and good grounds there are for it, as we ſhall hear.

How is it with you, Chriſtians? you often come to this Throne: What are the Thoughts of your Hearts as to the iſſue of your Addreſſes? It may be you think it is well if you can reach ſo far as this, It may be the Lord p. 84will receave and welcome me, and therefore I will try. Though there is often Faith lurking under ſuch doubtings, and though a may be ſhould ſtir up Men to come; yet this is far from the boldneſs of Faith, which glorifies this Throne, and him that ſitteth on it, and which is ſo becoming and profitable to all that approach it. See how an Old Teſtament-Saint ſpeaks, Job 23.3,6. O that I knew where I might find him; that I might come even to his Seat (that is this Throne) I would order my cauſe before him, and fill my mouth with Arguments. But cannot God eaſily ſtop this Man's Mouth? and bring Arguments againſt Job, that he could not anſwer? Yes ſurely, he can, but he will not. Will he plead againſt me with his great power? No; but he will put ſtrength in me. He that I plead with, will help me to plead and prevail. Few Christians know how much Glory is given to God, by an enlarged Heart filled with believing expectations of good from him; and how a Heart thus enlarged by Faith, is fitted and diſpoſed for receaving a large Bleſſing We eaſily conceave how ſharp Hunger and Thirſt, ſtrong Deſires, deep ſenſe of Need, and mighty Pleadings and Importunity, do prepare the way for great Receavings; but we little think, how much force is in the bare-like Argument of Faith, Pſal. 16.1. Preſerve me, O God, for in thee do I put my truſt, Pſal. 33.22. Let thy merey, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee, Pſal. 57.1. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me, for my Soul truſteth in thee. There is a mighty force in ſuch Pleadings of Faith. p. 85I know no help but in and with thee, I expect it from thee, and therefore beg it of thee. Faith in a Believer never roſe ſo high, but the Lord's gracious Anſwer went higher, Eph. 3.20. Look well to your Faith, Believers, raiſe it high, uſe it well, and plead by it, and plead upon it. Bleſſed Jeſus will never caſt that Soul into Hell, that cannot forbear to entertain in his Heart an expectation of eternal Life from him, in the Virtue of his precious Blood, and on the Warrant of his gracious Promiſe. He that believeth on him ſhall never be confounded. Never was any, neither ſhall you, if you believe. It was a great Word of Faith, ſpoke by a dying Man, who had been converted in a ſingular way, betwixt his Condemnation and Execution, of whom Mr. Fleming ſpeaks in the Fulfilling of the Scriptures; his laſt Words were theſe, ſpoke with a mighty ſhout, Never Man periſhed with his Face towards ſweet Chriſt Jeſus.