Suited to these qualities is,
II. The felicity prepared for her —
In due time " she shall be brought to the King's palace/' there to be united to him in indissoluble and everlasting bonds.
Whilst she is here, she is to be employed in making herself ready —
[In royal nuptials, much time was spent in preparing the bride for her husband. In the purification of the virgins from amongst whom King Ahasuerus was to select a wife, a whole year was occupied : " six months in purifying them with oil of myrrh, and other six months with sweet odours of different kinds^:" after which they were presented to him. In like manner we are told, that the Church also is dealt with, in order to prepare her for her heavenly Bridegroom : for it is said, that " Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the ivashing of water hy the tvord, that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing ; but that it should be holy and without blemish \"
This process is going forward through the whole of this life. Every work of Providence, every communication of grace, every afflictive dispensation, and every joyous occurrence, is intended to advance it ; that so at last the soul of the Believer may be altogether " worthy to stand before" the King of kings, and to be admitted to the closest fellowship with him for ever and ever.]
This work completed, she is introduced " into the palace of her Lord" —
d Eph. iv. 22, 24. « Rom. xiii. 14. f 1 John ii. 6.
g 1 John iv. 17. 1' Esther ii. 12, 13. ' Eph. v. 25—27.