---

I. A VIEW OF THE THRONE.

1. What it is, and why so called. It is God manifesting Himself in our own nature, and dealing with sinners through Christ according to the grace of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 5:19, 20). Now, God's administration of grace toward guilty sinners through Christ may be called a throne, either —

(1) With allusion unto the mercy-seat in the typical temple of Jerusalem; or —

(2) Because of the glorious greatness and royal majesty of God flint shines in this administration of grace through Christ.

2. What comfortable views of God are to be had by a guilty trembling sinner from this throne of grace. In general, every view of God here is inviting and encouraging. More particularly —

(1) God upon a throne of grace is to be seen as "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:3).

(2) From a throne of grace, God is to be seen as a God of love — yea, as love itself (1 John 4:16).

(3) From a throne of grace, a guilty sinner may view Him as a God of peace (Hebrews 13:20).

II. THE FOUNDATION OF THIS THRONE IS JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT.

1. It is an ancient foundation; for Christ was "set up from everlasting, or ever the earth was"; He is "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

2. It is a foundation of God's own laying, and He had pleasure in laying it (Isaiah 28:16).

3. It is a firm foundation (Matthew 16:18).

4. It is a tried foundation. Justice tried it, and found it firm and stable. The powers of hell tried to overturn this foundation; but their kingdom and power was broken in pieces in the enterprise. The saints have all tried this foundation, and proclaim it sufficient to bear their weight; yea, it is sufficient to bear the weight of all mankind — yea, of millions of worlds, if they existed, and would venture upon it (Hebrews 7:25).

5. It is a precious foundation (1 Peter 1:19).

6. It is a most beautiful foundation. What God says of His Church (Isaiah 54:11) is much more true of the throne of grace.

III. NOTICE SOME PILLARS WHEREWITH THE THRONE IS SURROUNDED AND SUPPORTED. The foundation of this throne being laid in the satisfaction of justice, all the other perfections, or attributes, of the Divine nature, fall in for the support of the reign and administration of grace.

IV. INQUIRE WHY GOD WILL HAVE JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT FOR THE FOUNDATION OF HIS THRONE OF GRACE. The answer is, "That grace might reign through righteousness"; that the glory of grace might be displayed in a consistency with the honour of Divine justice. Here a question offers, How does grace reign, or how is the glory of grace displayed in and by the righteousness of a surety?

1. Grace reigns and is displayed in the contrivance of this righteousness; for it is the device of infinite wisdom, animated and inspired by free grace.

2. Grace reigns and is displayed in the acceptation of this righteousness. What but infinite love and grace could prevail with inexorable justice, so far to dispense with the rigour of the law, as to admit of a surety's righteousness in the room of the sinner!

3. Grace reigns in the impetration of this righteousness; for " God (in His amazing grace) sent forth His Son made of a woman," etc.

4. Grace reigns in the revelation of this righteousness. Grace was not content to contrive and bring about this righteousness, but the news of it must be proclaimed to a lost world, as it were by sound of trumpet.

5. Grace reigns through righteousness, inasmuch as that it is by the revelation of this justice-satisfying righteousness that grace conquers and powerfully subdues sinners, brings them under its own government and dominion.

V. APPLICATION.

1. Is it so that justice satisfied, and judgment executed upon the ever-blessed Surety, is the foundation of a throne of grace, then, hence we may see what an expensive piece of work a throne of grace is. Why, the foundation of it is laid in the death and blood of the Son of God.

2. See from this doctrine the glory of a Gospel-dispensation.

3. If it be so that justice satisfied, and judgment executed upon Christ, is the foundation of throne of grace, then see hence, that the salvation of a lost sinner by grace is very consistent with the honour of Divine justice.

4. Has God erected a throne of grace at the expense of the death and satisfaction of His eternal Son? Then I would have you to try, whether you be courtiers about this throne.

(E. Erskine.)

---

---

KJV: Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

WEB: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.