Prayer - Bunyan - IV - Section II commenced

Required reading
Prayer by John Bunyan (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Section II (Throne of Grace) by reading the Introduction and Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 point 1 (There is a throne of grace).

My summary
Now we start a new section of the book, which originally was a book published on its own - 'The throne of grace'.

In the introduction we are given an overview of the whole section/book.

Then in Chapter One Bunyan makes the point that God has more thrones than the throne of grace.

Next in Chapter Two we read Bunyan's first point about the fact that there is a throne of grace.  Bunyan teaches us:
(i) the import of the term 'grace';
(ii) what is to be inferred from the term, 'throne of grace': men are sinners;
(iii) what this throne of grace is: Jesus;
(iv) where the throne of grace is erected: above the law;
(v) why the law and mercy-seat are so near together: so men remember they are sinners.

What grabbed me
I liked Bunyan's reason why the law and grace are so closely connected: 'This, then may serve to inform some whereabouts they are when they are in their closets, and at prayer.  Are you most dejected when you are at prayer?  Hear me, you are not far from the throne of grace; for your dejection proceeds from your looking into the ark, concerning which God has ordained that whosoever looks shall die (1 Samuel 6.19).  Now if you are indeed so near as to see your sins, by your reading of yourself by the tables in the ark, cast but up thine eyes a little higher and behold, there is the mercy-seat and throne of grace to which you would come, and by which you must be saved.'

If we know we are sinners, we should take heart that we are not far from the throne of grace.

Next week's reading
Continue Section II (Throne of Grace) and Chapter 2 by reading point 2 (How the godly distinguish the throne of grace from other thrones).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.