Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Let us often contemplate Jesus Christ on his two thrones, that of his mercy, and that of his justice; of his mercy, where at present he is seated as our compassionate high priest, to bestow on us the riches of his grace; of his justice, where he will one day sit as judge, to examine most rigorously both our faith and our practice. Our separated brethren pretend to prove from this text that we need no help of saints to obtain any favour. But by this argument they may as well take away the helps and prayers of the living for one another. For we do not require the help of either the saints in heaven, or of our brethren on earth, through any mistrust of God's mercy, but on account of our own unworthiness, convinced that the prayer of a just man availeth more with Him, than the desire of a grievous sinner; and of a number making intercession together, rather than of one alone. This they cannot deny, except they deny the holy Scriptures. Neither do we come less to Him, or with less confidenc...
What throne of grace is he speaking of? That royal throne concerning which it is said, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit on My right hand. Psalm 110:1
What is let us come boldly? Because we have a sinless High Priest contending with the world. For, says He, Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world John 16:33; for, this is to suffer all things, and yet to be pure from sins. Although we (he means) are under sin, yet He is sinless.
How is it that we should approach boldly? Because now it is a throne of Grace, not a throne of Judgment. Therefore boldly, that we may obtain mercy, even such as we are seeking. For the affair is [one of] munificence, a royal largess.
And may find grace to help in time of need [for help in due season]. He well said, for help in time of need. If you approach now (he means) you will receive both grace and mercy, for you approach in due season; but if you approach then, no longer [will you receive it]. For then the approach is unseasonable, for it is not...
233. – Having exhorted them to hasten to enter into God’s rest, and as an inducement citing Christ’s greatness according to His divine nature, the Apostle here does the same in regard to His human nature. He does three things: first, he states His dignity; secondly, he shows his piety (v. 15); thirdly, he urges us to have confidence in Him (v. 16).
234. – He says, therefore: Thus we have said that we can speak to Him, Who is the living Word, the true judge and the high priest, Since we have a great high priest: ‘You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedech’ (Ps. 104:4). Nor is He just a high priest, but He is a great one: ‘and the Lord showed me Jesus the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord’ (Zech 3:1) But He is called great, because He is not a high priest of temporal goods only, but of goods to come: ‘but Christ being come a high priest of the good things to come’ (below 9:11). Now two things pertained to a great high priest: one was his office, n...
