The Throne of Grace

(Continued from page 240.)

We find three most solemn things in the Old Testament, in which the mercy-seat (the type of the throne of grace in the New Testament) was applied unto. 1. The most solemn approach was made unto God, in the high priest’s going in once a year to the holiest of all, where the mercy seat was. This was made, not by the people in their own persons; nor by any ordinary Levite, who were privileged with a greater nearness to God than the people (Numb. xvi, 9); nor by any of the inferior priests of the house of Aaron, to which family the office of priesthood was by divine appointment confined; nor by the high priest himself, but only once a year, at a determinate time, and with many appointed ceremonies of preparation and performance. Some tell us of a custom in their worship, that music, by singing and instruments, was used by the people, to express their joy and praise, when the high priest returned safe out from that sacred and awful place, the holy of holies. 2. The most solemn atonement for the sins of Israel was made at the mercy seat. This was done in that yearly entrance of the high priest into the holiest of all (Lev. xvi, 12, 13), especially verse 14. And he (Aaron the first of that order of priests) shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward: and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times (ver. 30). On that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. 3. The most solemn answers were given by God to their high priest (Exod. xxv, 17-22), where we have the institution of the mercy seat, and the form of it. And there (saith the Lord) I will meet with thee; and I will commune with thee; and again (Exod. xxx, 6). What the Old Testament Urim and Thummim was, and what their Shechinah was, neither Jew know, nor Christian know, though they guess; only that they were special manifestations of the grace, and favour, and mind of God, which expired with, and some of them, it is thought, before the end of that ministration. But all these three glories, and dignities, and advantages of their mercy seat are all to be found in Christ Jesus; who represents his people before God, and presents them to him; who hath made the perfect atonement for all his Israel; and who declares to his church, all the saving will of God, which he heard and received of his Father.

The apostle here in this epistle, and in this text, would have all believers in Christ to know, that the New Testament throne of grace is the same in substance with, and with great advantage above the Old Testament mercy seat. See Heb. ix, 4-8.

The truth I would speak to is this:

DOCTR.—That God in the gospel sits on a throne of grace, and from it calls and invites sinners to come unto him.

Let us come to the throne of grace, certainly means, Let us now come to God sitting on a throne of grace; let us take both direction and encouragement to come to God, because he is on a throne of grace.

In handling of this point of doctrine, I would shew three things:

1. What this throne of grace is, and how distinguished from other thrones of God spoke of in the word.

2. Why it is so called, a throne, and a throne of grace.

3. What coming to this throne is.

1. What is this throne of grace, and how distinguished from other thrones of God spoke of in the word?

These other I would first name, to prevent mistakes.

1. We find a throne of glory much spoke of: a throne of the essential, incomprehensible glory of God. This no man can approach to. Of this the apostle speaks (I Tim., vi, 16): He dwelleth in light that no man can approach to, whom no man hath seen, nor can see. Marvellous is this light. We find the more light there be in or about a person or thing, the more easily and clearly it is perceived: as the sun is such a glorious body, that though it be at a vast distance from the earth we dwell on, we yet can take it up with our eyes immediately. As soon as it shines, we can see it, because of its light. It is its own light, and nothing else, that doth, or can discover it. If the sun did withdraw its own light, all the eyes of men, and all the artificial fire and light men can make, would never help us to find it out. But such is the majesty of God, that he is clothed with it (Psal. xciii, 1). Men are dazzled and confounded by a little ray of his glory: With God is terrible majesty (Job xxxvii, 22). This is not the throne we are called to come unto. They are but triflers in religion, that know not in their experience how overwhelming the views and thoughts of God’s majesty and glory are, when he is not seen as on a throne of grace. I remembered God, and was troubled, saith one saint (Psal. lxxvii, 3). I am troubled at his presence, when I consider, I am afraid of him, saith another (Job xxiii, 15). No wonder Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God (Judg. xiii, 22), when a view of the heavenly glory of Jesus Christ makes John, who was wont to lean on his bosom in his humbled state to fall down at his feet as dead (Rev. i, 17).

2. There is a throne of God’s government of the world oft spoke of (Psal. ix, 4, 7). On this throne God sits, and rules all things at his pleasure, and in infinite wisdom. This throne is to be believably regarded by us; but it is not the throne of grace that sinners are called to come unto for grace and mercy.

3. There is a throne of God’s justice spoken of. This is that throne David deprecates his being brought before (Psal. cxliii). 2. Enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. If a man be wronged and oppressed by men stronger than he, he may appeal to this throne of justice, and expect redress. But if a man’s business be with God, he should be afraid of this throne of justice. Men are oft proud and vain in their thoughts, and before others: but if the Lord call them before this high court of justice, they will surely be cast (Job ix, 2, 3). How should a man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. When God sits on a throne of justice, to judge men according to his law and their works, nothing but condemnation can justly be pronounced on sinners. Whoever he be of sinful Adam’s seed that expecteth saving favour from God’s throne of justice, will find himself woefully deceived.

4. We find the throne of the last judgment. Before this all must appear (II Cor., v. 10; Rev. xx, 12). This is not the throne of grace in the text. No grace or mercy is shown to any from this throne, but to them that have plied and sped at the throne of grace before. When our Lord comes, and sits on the throne of his glory (Matth. xxv, 31) no sinner that hath despised his grace now, will find any quarter then (Luke xix, 27).

What then is this throne of grace? It is God in Christ dealing with men according to the grace of the gospel. It is God in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing to them their trespasses (II Cor. v. 10). It is Christ set forth by God to be a propitiation (Rom. iii, 25). This is the true mercy seat, or throne of grace, or propitiation (I John. ii, 2 and iv, 10). This is the new court, or throne erected by God, and declared in the gospel, to which sinful man is invited to come.

(To be continued.)