Now it is easy to apprehend how great an influence these things have into our whole course of walking before God, and how much of our lives and ways is taken up with them,—either afflictions, or persecutions, or temptations, or defections from God, or signal dif- ficult duties, or changes, are continually before us, and the last of them, death, lies still at the door,—and there is none of these but render their seasons times of need. It may, indeed, then be said, ‘ Wherein doth the specialty of the grace and aid mentioned consist, seeing it is that which we always stand in need of, and al- ways receive?’ I answer, that indeed all grace is special grace. It proceeds not from any common principle, but from the especial love of God in Christ; and is given out in an especial, distinguishing manner ; and that for especial ends and purposes; so that no supply of it hath a peculiar specialty in its own nature. But it is here so called because it is suited unto especial occasions, to be “ seasonable help in a time of need.” And although we may stand in need of it always, yet we do not so always on the same account, which gives it its specialty. Sometimes one thing, sometimes another, makes it needful and suitable. That which presently presseth upon us, be it affliction or persecution, be it duty or change, it makes the grace we seek for “help in a time of need.” And God is pleased so to dispose of things that we shall have occasion at all times to make our applications unto him for especial assistance. If things should be left unto an ordinary course, without some peculiar concernment to excite us, to awaken us, it is inconceivable how formal and secure we should quickly grow. Wherefore we have, in the wisdom of God, always somewhat that in particular presseth upon us, to make us intent, earnest, and vigilant in our addresses to him for help. And the especial supplies which we obtain on any particular occa- sion afford a contribution of new spiritual strength to the soul for all its duties. The remaining observations may be briefly pre- sented; for hence it appears,—
Obs. II. That there is with God in Christ, God on his throne of grace, a spring of suitable and seasonable help for all times and oc- casions of difficulty. He is “the God of all grace,” and a fountain of living waters is with him for the refreshment of every weary and thirsty soul. - Obs. III. All help, succour, or spiritual assistance in our straits -and difficulties, proceeds from mere mercy and grace, or the good- ness, kindness, and benignity of God in Christ: “ That we may receive mercy, and obtain grace to help.” Our help is from grace and mercy; and thence must it be, or we must be for ever helpless. And, not to exclude that sense of the words,—
438 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. V.
Obs. IV. When we have, through Christ, obtained mercy and grace for our persons, we need not fear but that we shall have suitable and seasonable help for our duties, If we “obtain mercy” and “find grace,” we shall have “help.”
Obs. V. The way to obtain help from God is by a due gospel application of our souls for it to the throne of grace: “ Let us come” for it “to the throne of grace.” How this application is to be made by faith and supplications, and how indispensable it is for the pro- curing of the aid aimed at, shall be elsewhere declared.
Obs. VI. Great discouragements are used to interpose themselves in our minds and against our faith, when we stand in need of espe- cial help from God, and would make our application unto him for relief. It is included in the exhortation to “come with boldness;” that is, to cast off and conquer all those discouragements, and to use confidence of acceptance and liberty of speech before him.
Obs. VII. Faith’s consideration of the interposition of Christ in our behalf, as our high priest, is the only way to remove discou- ragements, and to give us boldness in our access unto God: “ Let us come therefore with boldness;” that is, on the account of the care, love, and faithfulness of Christ as our high priest, before dis- coursed on. And we may add,—
Obs. VIII. That in all our approaches unto God, we are to consider him as on athrone. Though it be a “throne of grace,” yet it is still a throne; the consideration whereof should influence our minds with “reverence and godly fear” in all things wherein we have to do with him.
These observations are, as included in the text, so of importance in themselves, as concerning the principal parts of the life of faith, and our daily spiritual exercise in our walking before God; yet I shall forbear any enlargements upon them, that these discourses be not drawn forth unto too great a length.
Mévy rai Oem d65en
CHAPTER V.
THERE are three general parts of this chapter;—First, A descrip- tion of the office and duties of a high priest, verses 1-4. Secondly, The application of this general description unto the person and priesthood of Jesus Christ in particular, verses 5-10. Thirdly, An occasional diversion into a reproof of and expostulation with the Hebrews, for and about their backwardness in learning the myste-