We know the throne of grace from other thrones by the glory that it
always appears in when revealed to us of God: its glory outshines
all; there is no such glory to be seen anywhere else, either in
heaven or earth. But I say, this comes by the sight that God gives,
not by any excellency that there is in my natural understanding, as
such: my understanding and apprehension, simply as natural, are
blind and foolish; wherefore, when I set to work in mine own spirit
and in the power of mine own abilities, to reach to this throne of
grace and to perceive somewhat of the glory thereof, then am I dark,
rude, foolish; I see nothing, and my heart grows flat, dull,
savorless, lifeless, and has no warmth in the duty; but it mounts up
with wings like an eagle when the throne is truly apprehended.
This throne is the seat of grace and mercy, and therefore it is
called the mercy-seat and throne of grace. This throne turns all
into grace, all into mercy; this throne makes all things work
together for good. It is said of Saul's sons, 2 Sam. 21:10-14, they
were not buried after they were hanged until water dropped upon them
out of heaven; and it may be said of us, there is nothing suffered
to come near us until it is washed in that water that proceeds from
the throne of grace. Hence afflictions flow from grace; persecutions
flow from grace; poverty, sickness, yea, death itself is now made
ours by the grace of God through Christ. Psa. 119:67-71; 1 Cor.
3:22; Rev. 3:19; Heb. 12:5-7. O grace, O happy church of God! all
things that happen to thee are for Christ's sake turned into grace.
They talk of the philosopher's stone, and how if one had it, it
would turn all things into gold. Oh, but can it turn all things into
grace--can it make all things work together for good? No, no; this
quality, virtue, excellency--what shall I call it?--nothing has in
it but the grace that reigns on the throne of grace, the river that
proceeds from the throne of God. This, this turns majesty,
authority, the highest authority, glory, wisdom, faithfulness,
justice, and all into grace. Here is a throne; may God let us see
it. John had the honor to see it, and to see the streams proceeding
from it. O sweet sight, O heart-cherishing sight! "He showed me a
pure river of water of life proceeding out of the throne of God."
Indeed, as was hinted before, in the days of the reign of antichrist
there are not those visions of this throne, nor of the river that
proceedeth therefrom: now he holdeth back the face of his throne,
and spreadeth a cloud upon it; but the preserving, saving benefits
thereof we have, as also have all the saints in the most cloudy and
dark day. And since we can see so little, we must believe the more;
and by believing, give glory to God. We must also labor for more
clear scripture knowledge of this throne, for the holy word of God
is the perspective-glass by which we may, and the magnifying-glass
that will cause us to behold with open face the glory of this Lord.
2 Cor. 3: 18.
"A throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne;" that is,
God. And this intimates his desirable rest for ever; for to sit is
to rest, and Christ is his rest for ever. Was it not therefore well
worth the seeing-yea, if John had taken the pains to go up thither
upon his hands and knees?
It is grace that chooses, it is grace that calleth; it is grace that
preserveth, and it is grace that brings to glory, even the grace
that, like a river of water of life, proceeds from this" throne of
grace;" and hence it is, that from first to last, we must cry,
Grace, grace, unto it.
Thus you see what a throne the Christian is invited to: it is a
throne of grace whereon doth sit the God of all grace; it is a
throne of grace before which the Lord Jesus ministers continually
for us; it is a throne of grace sprinkled with the blood, and in the
midst of which is a Lamb as it had been slain; it is a throne with a
rainbow round about it, which is the token of the everlasting
covenant, and out of which proceeds a river, a pure river of water
of life, clear as crystal.
Look then for these signs of the throne of grace, all you that would
come to it, and rest not until by some of them you know that you are
even come to it: they are all to be seen, have you but eyes; and the
sight of them is very delectable, and has a natural tendency to
revive and quicken the soul.