called or compared to a river, to answer those un- | perhaps to show of what a low esteem it is with satiable desires, and to wash away those mountain- the rich and the full. The destitute indeed emous doubts that attend those that indeed do thirst brace the rock instead of a shelter, and the poor for that drink. The man that thirsteth with and needy, they seek water: but they that can spiritual thirst, fears nothing more than that there drink wine in bowls, that can solace themselves is not enough to quench his thirst. All the pro- with, as they think, better things, they come not mises and sayings of God's ministers to such a man to this river to drink; they never say they shall seem but as thimbles instead of bowls. Ps. Ixiii. 1; die if they drink not of this water. It is, thereexliii. 6. I mean so long as his thirst and doubts fore, for the poor and needy, God will lead THEM walk hand in hand together. There is not enough to his 'living fountains of waters,' and will wipe in this promise; I find not enough in that promise away all tears from THEIR eyes.' Re. vii. 17. And to quench the drought of my thirsting soul. He that thus I pass the second and come to the third parthirsteth aright, nothing but God can quench his ticular, and that is, to show the head and spring thirst. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living from whence this river proceeds, or springs. God.' Ps. xlii. 2; lxiii.. 1; cxliii. 6. Well, what shall be done for this man? Will his God humour him, and answer his desires? Mark what follows:

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none,' (and they can find none, when all the promises seem to be dry, and like clouds that return after the rain), 'and their tongue faileth for thirst, I, the Lord, will hear them.' Aye, but Lord, what wilt thou do to quench their thirst? I will open rivers,' saith he, in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. Is. xli. 17, 18. Behold! here are rivers and fountains, a pool, and springs, and all to quench the thirst of them that thirst for God.

[THE HEAD OR WELL-SPRING OF THE WATER OF LIFE.]

[THIRD.] Rivers have their heads from whence they rise, out of which they spring, and so, accordingly, we read this river has; wherefore he saith, He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.'

[GOD.] God is here to be taken for the whole Godhead, Father, Son, and Spirit, for that grace proceeds from them all; the grace of the Father, the grace of the Son, and the grace of the Spirit is here included. Hence, as the Father is called Wherefore, as I said, such provision for the the God of grace:' 1 Pc. v. 10; so the Son is said to thirsty intimates their fears of want and the crav- be full of grace, grace to be communicated, Jn. i. ing appetite of their souls after God. Right spirit- 14-16, and the Holy Ghost is called the Spirit of ual thirst is not to be satisfied without abundance grace.' He. x. 29. So then by this we perceive whence of grace. And they shall be abundantly satisfied grace comes. Were all the world gracious, if God with the fatness of thy house, and thou shalt make were not gracious, what was man the better? If them drink of the river of thy pleasures.' Ps. xxxvi. 8. the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Ghost, arc Seventh. The grace of God is compared to a gracious, if they were not all gracious, what would river, to show the greatness of the family of God. it profit? But now God is gracious, the three He has a family, a great family, and, therefore, it persons in the Godhead are gracious, and so long is not a little that must be provided for them. they that seek grace are provided for; for that, When Israel went out of Egypt, and thirsted by there proceeds from them a river, or grace like a the way, God provided for them a river; he made flowing stream; indeed the original of grace to it gush out of the rock; for, alas! what less than sinners is the good will of God; none can imagine a river could quench the thirst of more than six how loving God is to sinful man. A little of it is hundred thousand men, besides women and chil-seen, but they that see most, see but a little. dren? Ps. lxxviii. 20.

I say, what less than a river could do it? When the people lusted for flesh, Moses said, 'Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them to suffice them? Nu. xi. 22. Even so could not less than a river sustain and suffice that great people. Now his people in gospel days are not to be diminished, but increased; and if then they had need of a river, surely now of a sea; but the river is deep and broad, full, and abounds, or rises with water, so it will suffice.

[THE LAMB.] But there is added, and of the Lamb.' The Lamb is, Jesus as sacrificed, Jesus as man, and suffering. Hence you have the Lamb, at the first vision of the throne, set forth unto us, that is, as slain. 'And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain.' Re. v. 6. Wherefore, by this word. Lamb, we are to understand who, or by what means, grace doth now run from the throne of God, like a river, to the world. It is because of, or through the Lamb. We are justified freely by through the redemption that 3 Z-4 A

Eighth. The grace of God is compared to a river, the grace of God

VOL. III.

is in Christ Jesus, whom God hath set forth to be | from under the threshold, it may be to intimate

that they ran but low formerly, if compared to what they do now. Which might also be signified by this, that they issued out,' that that issues out ordinarily comes forth but slowly. Also the prophet saith, the first time he went through the waters, they were but up to the ancles. Eze. But what is ancle-deep to that which followeth after? It is said also to come out from Jerusalem, where, I perceive, were no great rivers, to intimate, that as long as the first priesthood, first temple, and type, were in their splendour, only the shadow of heavenly things were in use, and that then grace ran but slowly, nor would run much faster, because Jesus was not yet glorified. For the Spirit and abundance of grace was to be given not before but after his ascension.

Wherefore, now Jesus is ascended, now he is glorified, now grace proceeds from the throne, not from the threshold of the house. 'He shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb.'

Nor doth the Lamb of God, by becoming a means, through death, of the conveyance of grace to us, at all darken the nature or glory of grace, | xlvii. 3, 4. but rather doth set it off the more. For wherein can grace or love more appear than in his laying down his life for us? I speak now of the grace of the Son. And wherein could the nature and glory of grace of the Father more appear than in giving his Son to death for us, that grace might, in a way of justice as well as mercy, be bestowed upon the world? Wherefore, as he saith here, that the river of water of life proceedeth from God, so he adds that the Lamb, because he would have us while we are entangled and overcome with this river of God's pleasure, not forget what it cost the Lamb of God that this grace might come unto us. For the riches of grace and of wisdom are, that grace comes to us not only in a way of mercy and compassion, but in a way of justice and equity; but that could be by no other means but by redeeming blood. Which redeeming blood came not from us, nor yet through our contrivance or advice; wherefore, whatever it is to the Lamb, still all is of grace to us. Yea, the higher, the greater, the richer is grace, by how much the more it cost the Father and the Lamb, that we might enjoy it. When a man shall not only design me a purse of gold, but shall venture his life to bring it to me, this is grace indeed. But, alas! what are a thousand such short comparisons to the unsearchable love of Christ.

The Lamb, then, is he from whom, by, or through whom the grace of God doth come to us. It proceeds from the throne of God and of the Lamb. And it proceeds from him now as a donator: from him, not only as a means of conveyance, but as one that has power to give grace; power, as he is the Son of Man. For as the Son of Man he is the Lamb, and as he is the Lamb it cometh from him. The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins.' Mat. ix. 6. And that before he had actually paid to God the price of our redemption. But how much more now? Wherefore Paul, in his prayer for grace and peace for saints, supplicates both God and the Lamb-Grace be to you, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.' Ep. i. 2. 1 Co. i. 3. 2 Co. i. 2. Ga. i. 3.

'Proceeding out of the throne.' Formerly this river of water is said to come from under the threshold of the house of the Lord. Eze. xlvii. 1. And it is, said again, they shall go out from Jerusalem,' that is, the church or house of God still. Zec. xiv. 8. In that they are said to come out

THE THRONE. That of which the mercy-seat was a type, that which is called the throne of grace. Ex. xxv. 17. He. iv. 16. And it is called the throne of grace, even, therefore, because it is that from or out of which proceeds this river of water of life, this overflowing grace of God. Now, it may be asked what is the throne of grace? and I shall answer it is the humanity of Christ. He is the throne, he is the Jacob in which God sitteth. Is. xxii. 22, 23. And he shall be for a glorious throne to his Father's house. Re, iii. 7. The fulness of the Godhead dwells in him bodily; and God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, nor can grace come to men but by Christ, nor can God rest as to our salvation but in him. But because I have spoken of this thing more particularly upon that text, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,' &c., I shall, therefore, here say no more.

Only, methinks, it is a glorious title that the Holy Ghost has given to the humanity of Christ, in that he calls it the throne of God; and methinks he gives it the highest preference in that he saith, out thence proceeds a pure river of water of life: we will a little, therefore, speak something to this word—the throne, the throne of God.

First. A throne is the seat of majesty and greatness; it is not for things of an inferior quality to ascend or assume a throne. Now, then, since this river of water of life proceeds from the throne, it intimates, that in grace and mercy there is great majesty; for grace, as it proceeds, has a voice from the throne. And, indeed, there is nothing in heaven or earth that can so AWE the heart as the grace of God. Ho. iii. 5. It is that which makes a man fear, it is that which makes a man tremble, it is that which makes a man bow and bend, and

break to pieces. Je. xxxii. 9.

Nothing has that majesty and commanding greatness in and upon the hearts of the sons of men as has the grace of God. So that, I say, when he saith that this river of grace proceeds out of the throne of God, it is to show us what a majesty, what a commanding greatness, there is in grace. The love of Christ constraineth us.

When Moses went up to the mount the first time to receive the law, he did exceedingly fear and quake. Why? because of the fire and smoke, thick darkness and thunder, &c. But when he went up the second time thither, he made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.' But why? because it was before proclaimed that the Lord was merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin,' &c. Ex. xxxiv. 6-9.

There is nothing overmastereth the heart like grace, and so obligeth to sincere and unfeigned obedience as that. Examine me, O Lord,' said David, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy loving kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.' Ps. xxvi. 2, 3. Therefore, he saith again, O Lord our God, how excellent is thy loving kindness' in all the earth! and that loving kindness is marvellous; for it has that majesty and that excellent glory in it as to command the heart and subdue sin. And, therefore, grace has given to it the title of sovereignty, or of one that reigns. The throne is called the throne of grace,' He. iv. 16, that on which it sits and reigns, as well as that from whence it proceeds: Grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.' Ro. v. 21.

of eternal damnation because thou wouldst not be saved by grace? Consider of this, I say, for grace is now in authority, it reigns and proceeds from the THRONE. Now, you know, it is dangerous opposing, rejecting, despising, or disowning of them in authority; better speak against twenty than against one that is in authority. If the wrath of a king is as messengers of death,' Fr. xvi. 14, if the wrath of the king is as the roaring of a lion,' what is the wrath of God? Pr. xix. 12. And you know, to despise grace, to refuse pardon, to be unwilling to be saved from the guilt and punishment due to treasons, the king's way, since that also is the best way, how will that provoke? how hot will that make wrath? But to accept of grace, especially when it is free grace, grace that reigns, grace from the throne, how sweet is it? His favour is as dew upon the grass."

This, therefore, calls for thy most grave and sedate thoughts. Thou art in a strait, wilt thou fly before Moses, or with David fall into the hands of the Lord? wilt thou go to hell for sin, or to life by grace? One of the two, as was said before, must be thy lot: for grace is king, is upon the throne, and will admit of no other way to glory. In and by it thou must stand, if thou hast any hope, or canst at all rejoice in hope of the glory of God.' Ro. v. 2.

Third. As the throne is the seat of majesty and authority, so it is the highest seat of authority. There is none above the throne, there is no appeal from the throne. There are inferior courts of judicature, there are under-governors, and they may sometimes, perhaps, be faulty; wherefore in some cases an appeal from such may be lawful or permitted; but from the throne none can appeal. Now grace is upon the throne, reigns upon the throne, proceeds from the throne. A man may appeal from the law to the throne, from Moses to Christ, from him that spake on earth to him that speaks from heaven; but from heaven to earth, from Christ to Moses, none can appeal, Moses himself has forbid it. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of your brethren like, unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.' Ac. iii. 22, 23.

Second. As a throne is a seat of majesty and greatness, and so can awe, so it is the seat of authority and legislative power, and so will awe; this is confirmed from what was said but now, ' grace reigns.' Wherefore it is expected that they that hear the word of God's grace should submit thereto, and that at their peril. He that believes not shall be damned,' is a word of power, of law, and of authority, and the contemner shall find it so. Grace proceeds from the throne, from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Wherefore, sinner, here is laid a necessity upon thee, one of the two must be thy lot; either thou must accept of God's grace, and be content to be saved freely See here, this NEW prophet judges in the highest thereby, notwithstanding all thy undeservings and court; he is master of grace, the throne by which unworthiness, or else thou must be damned for grace reigns; and even Moses admits that from himthy rebellion and for thy rejecting of this grace. self an appeal may be made to this prophet; yea, Wherefore, consider with thyself and think what he allows that men may flee from himself to this is best to be done. Is it better that thou submit prophet for refuge; but there must be no appeal to the grace and mercy of God, and that thou from him. Thou must hear him or die. How shall acceptest of grace to reign for thee, in thee, and we escape, if we turn away from him that speakover thee, than that thou shouldst run the hazard | eth from heaven?' He. xii. 25,

This, therefore, is to be duly weighed and deeply | that we should be to the praise of his glory.' Ep. considered by us. It is not a saint, nor a minister, i. 11, 12. So that this throne is a throne of glory. nor a prophet, nor an angel that speaks, for all these are but servants, but inferiors; no, it is a voice from the throne, from authority, from the highest authority; it is the Lord from heaven. This grace proceeds from the throne, and, therefore, men must stand and fall by what shall come from hence. He that comes not hither to drink shall die for thirst. He that refuses this water now, shall not have so much as will hang upon the tip of his finger, if it would save his soul, hereafter. 'How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.' He. ii. 3.

Wherefore, when we read that out of the throne | Greeks, to the wise, is foolishness, and the preachproceeds a river of grace; when we read this pro- ing of it a foolish thing to them; but it will appear ceedeth out of the throne of God, it is as much as even then, when the conclusion of all things is come, to say the wise God, who most perfectly knoweth and when these wise ones, by their wisdom, have all ways, counteth, in his wisdom, that to save men fooled themselves to hell, that this foolishness of by grace is the best, most safe, and sure way: God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace, is stronger than men.' 1 Co. i. 21-25. to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed.' Ro. iv. 16. And, again, forgiveness is according to the riches of his grace, wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence. Ep. i. 7, 8.— Wherefore, to set grace upon the throne, to let grace proceed out of the throne as a river, is by the wise God, the only wise God, counted the best way, the safest way, the way that doth best suit the condition of a sinful man, and that tends most to the utter disappointment of the devil, and death, and hell. Grace can justify freely, when it will, who it will, from what it will. Grace can continue to pardon, favour, and save from falls, in falls, out of falls. Grace can comfort, relieve, and help those that have hurt themselves. And grace can bring the unworthy to glory. This the law cannot do, this man cannot do, this angels cannot do, this God cannot do, but only by the riches of his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Wherefore, seeing God has set grace on the throne, and ordered that it should proceed from this throne to the world; yea, seeing he has made it king, and granted to it, to it only, the authority and sovereignty of saving souls, he has magnified not only his love, but his wisdom and his prudence before the sons of men. This, then, is his great device, the master-piece of all his witty inventions; and, therefore, it is said, as was hinted before, in this thing he hath proceeded towards us in ALL wisdom and prudence. 2 Sa. xiv. 14. Pr. viii. 11, 12.

So then, he that comes to, and drinks of this water, glorifies God for his wisdom, praises God for his wisdom. Such an one saith that God is only wise, and, bowing his head, saith again, to God only wise, be glory both now and for ever. Amen.' But he that shall contemn this grace, confronts the highest wisdom, even wisdom upon the throne; he saith to himself, I am wiser than Daniel, than the judgment of God. I could have found out a more safe way to heaven myself; and had I been of God's council, I would have told him

so.

All this, so horrible blasphemy, naturally proceeds from him that liketh not that grace should be king on the throne, and should proceed out of the throne to the world; but 'shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him?' He that reproveth God, let him answer it. Job xl. 2.

1

The text says, that this very doctrine to the

By the text,' in this and other places, is meant the text of sacred Scripture; not the particular passage, or text, on which this treatise is founded.-(ED.)

Christ Jesus, because he was low in the world, is trampled upon by some, but he is a glorious throne to his Father's house for since his humility was the lowest of all, now he is exalted to be the throne of God, yea, is made the fountain whence grace continually flows, like the rivers, and comes down to us like a mighty stream. Wherefore, I will conclude this with both comfort and caution with comfort, and that because of the security that they are under that indeed have submitted themselves to grace; 'sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace.' And let it be a caution to those that despise. Take heed, it is dangerous affronting of the wisdom of God. Now here is the wisdom of God, even wisdom upon the throne. It pleased God, for the glory of his wisdom, to make this the way to wit, to set up grace to reign. I have often thought, and sometimes said, if God will be pleased with any way, surely he will be pleased with his own. Now this is the way of his own devising, the fruit and effect of his own wisdom; wherefore, sinner, please him, please him in that wherein he is well pleased. Come to the waters, cast thyself into them, and fear not drowning; let God alone to cause them to carry thee into his paradise, that thou mayest see his throne.

6

Sixth. The throne is the seat of faithfulness, the place of performing of engagements and promises. When I shall receive the congregation,' saith Christ, I will judge uprightly,' that is faithfully. Ps. lxxv. 2. And now he has received it, and is made head over all things to it. Ep. i. 22, 23. And for this cause is he upon the throne, yea, is the throne, from whence proceeds all this grace, that like a river doth flow, and glide from heaven into the world. This river, then, is nothing else but the fulfilling of promises; the faithful fulfilling of promises. If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.' Jn. xvi. 7. "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh,' &c. Ac. ii. 16-18. Now this river is the Spirit, the Spirit and grace of God, which was promised by the Father and the Son, and now it comes running from the throne of God and of the Lamb. For being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear.' Ac. ii. 33.