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SERMON XIII.
Heb_4:16
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 general, and with particular instances of some special times of need. The last whereof is the time of dying. This I left off at last day, and would speak a little more to 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 steady 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 (Joh_10:17,Joh_10:18). 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) Ye have need of patience; that after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. And we often need patience most, when just upon the receiving of the promise. We should run with patience the race that is set before us (Heb_12:1). And most 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 trials of patience: but these are in a manner but trials of the patience of the flesh. There are other things about dying that patience is tried by; as time and place, and many circumstances, that is no small or easy thing to be quietly submitted to. Jacob, the heir of the promise, goes down to Egypt, to Joseph, for bread, after he is starved out 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_15:12). Moses must die on the other side of Jordan. David must not see a stone laid in the temple. Josiah must die in battle, and that by not hearkening to the words of Necho from the mouth of God (2Ch_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, death and hell bandied 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 makes 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 (Psa_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’ (1Co_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,Rev_20:15) 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 itself 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 believers 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; yea, nothing of them (Joh_6:39). Not a bone of a believer is to be seen in the field of battle. 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, (Joh_21:19) This spake Jesus, signifying by what death Peter should glorify God. That is honourable dying that brings glory to God. Paul is confident of this as to himself: (Php_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 desires should be, to be enabled by his grace to bear 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 ministered to us abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2Pe_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 Lord’s 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 dispelled 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. Though 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 (Joh_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 conceived 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 corruption, 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 glorify him by begging and believing, and he may glorify 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 mere man again with his own stock; but hath lodged all the grace his people are saved and supplied 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 offspring; 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 willful 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 unskillful 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 trials 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 ourselves. 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 befall us in time, it is dangerous curiosity to be inquisitive. People imagine, that it would be of great advantage to them to foreknow future events, 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, trials, and afflictions, and temptations, you are to meet with in seven years time to come; what a dread would it be 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 Father’s 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 privilege, 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 easy, 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.
Exhort. 2. 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, though 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. Unavoidably 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 days more 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 sell it to sin and Satan, as if they had no use 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 (Mat_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 reflection and remorse more sad and bitter than that that ariseth on the review and sense of this folly, when it is remediless. We read of the worm that dieth not (Mar_9:44,Mar_9:46,Mar_9:48). 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 (Joh_3:9). 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 (Joh_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 men’s perdition under the gospel may be their own entirely.
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: (2Co_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 in 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 receivers 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, (1Co_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. Applied to Christ (1Pe_2:6). The faithful ministers of the gospel lay Christ for a foundation; (1Co_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 thyself upon Christ for a foundation; and it is neither more nor less, nor any thing else. Cast yourselves, 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 ariseth 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 God’s 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 evidences: (1.) When you cannot perceive them, search for them: (2Co_13:5) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your ownselves: know ye not your ownselves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates, or disapproved? The exhortation is so delivered, as to persuade 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: (1Co_2:12) Now we have received, 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 mystery of his grace in us (Eph_1:17 - Eph_1:19), where the apostle prays for the Spirit, for both these ends. David prays for the Lord’s help in his examining of himself (Psa_139:23,Psa_139:24). 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 sight 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 (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 save (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. Whosoever believeth on the Son of God, hath everlasting life (Joh_3:15 - Joh_3:17). 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, (Psa_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 ourselves 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 consciences 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 excise yourselves, to have a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men (Act_24:16). It is usually seen, that times of great trials do dart in some light into men’s 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 (1Ti_1:19). We should hold faith and a good conscience (1Ti_3:9). They cannot be got, nor kept, but together. Whoever suffers shipwreck 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 (1Ti_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 (2Ti_1:9). The inheritance is for them that obtain forgiveness of sins, and who are sanctified by faith in him (Act_26:18). 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 unbeliever, 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, particular, and secret; our Lord’s direction (Mat_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 are not to be cast out) but by fasting and prayer (Mat_17:21). Secret, personal fasts, I am afraid, are very rare amongst Christians in our days. Christ commands and directs us about them (Mat_6:16 - Mat_6:18), as well as about secret prayer (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 (Psa_109:4). The apostles, these extraordinary officers of the primitive church, gave themselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word (Act_6:4). There are times in which private Christians should give themselves to fasting and prayer (1Co_7:5). If you belong to God, he will make you pray: and teach you with briers and thorns, if you will not yield to more gentle methods. How sad is the reflection that riseth in the heart, under some heavy trial, “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 receive 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 man’s plea. He is a proud ignorant person, that seeks or uses any other plea at God’s throne of grace. Free grace is the only thing that faith can first lay hold on. It is a plea that any man may use; it is the constant and powerful plea of a wise believer. 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 has 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 (Psa_116:2). And when he comes to die, and hath prayed his last prayer, with Stephen, (Act_7:59) Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and gets it answered; praying, believing, and the throne of grace itself, 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.
“Even so come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Finish thy work; fulfil all thy promises; answer fully all the prayers of all thy people. Put an end to sin, and time, and trouble, and temptation: and hasten the marriage day, that thy people may be glad and rejoice, and give honour to thee (Rev_19:7). Let the bride be made ready, and let the Bridegroom appear in his wedding-garments of glory. O how blessed will the meeting and the marriage be! He married his bride when on earth, in garments dyed in his own precious blood; and the bride receives him as glorious, even in his bloody raiment. This most precious blood was shed in love to his bride, and for her salvation; and therefore he is amiable to her in that dress. Believers in Christ are contracted to a slain husband; but shall be married to him in a far other manifestation of himself. How great is the difference betwixt our dearest Lord Jesus, under his cross, and under his crown? And yet, under his cross, he is infinitely amiable to a believer’s heart and eye. If it were not that the light of that glorious day of his appearance will prevent all mistakes, the nations of them which are saved (as they are called, for their multitude out of all nations, Rev_21:24) might doubt, (but doubt they cannot; but wonder they will, both at him and at themselves, 2Th_1:10), and say, Is this that blessed Saviour I believed on so feebly? whom I trusted with my soul and its salvation, with so much fainting, and with so many fears? Is this he whom I loved so little, and so coldly? Is this he whom (all the time I lived on earth, after he had revealed himself to me), I depended and lived on by faith, and that with so many staggerings through unbelief, because I knew not so well, as now I do, whom I then believed?
“And until this blessed day come, (and come it will; for it is promised and sworn by him who cannot lie. It is not far off; for it is above sixteen hundred years since he testified, Surely I come quickly, Rev_22:20. It is his last promise to his bride), let his most excellent name be poured out as ointment; and let the savour of his knowledge be made manifest in every place. Let his saving blessed death be remembered, gloried in, and fed upon, by all believers: (the greatest token of his love to us, the only price of our redemption, 1Pe_1:19, and the only fold of our souls). Let his justifying righteousness be only mentioned before God on earth by believing sinners, as it will be only mentioned by glorified praising saints in heaven. Let the throne of grace, reared up by the Father in his Son, and consecrated by the blood of his Son, God manifest in the flesh, be revealed to the darkened world, and set up amongst the blinded nations: and let grace from thence be dispensed to many thousands of perishing sinners. Let the glory of God’s free, most free, every way free grace in Jesus Christ, shine so in the nations, as it may (and when that glory shines, it will) darken, confound, and put to shame, all the Antichristian darkness, (and dreams of false Christs of mean’s making, and of works, hire, and merit, under all their names and pretences), and make it all hateful in sinners eyes, as it is hurtful to their souls, and as it is hateful in God’s sight. Let the praises of my Lord and my God, as recovered Thomas calls him (Joh_20:28), fill heaven and earth; and fill the hearts, and fill the mouths, and shine in the lives of all believers on his name; and let his praise fill all the gospel-worship in all the churches, till the day of the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Tit_2:13). And unto these wises let every believer on, and sincere lover of Jesus Christ, say (and every one that is such, will say) Amen. So let it be, so will it be.”