in our text ? Yet that shall be : nor shall all the powers of darkness ever prevent it. Be strong then, and of good courage, thou desponding soul ; and go unto thy God with the prayer of faith. Then, though thou hast been like the prodigal in extravagance and sin, thou shalt be clothed in the best robe that is in thy Father's house, and " be presented faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy d."]
2. Let none abuse this honour to the purposes of licentiousness —
[There are those who " turn the very grace of God into licentiousness ;" and who pervert the doctrine of imputed righteousness to sanction and to justify their continuance in sin. But it is a certain fact, " that Christ is never made righteousness to any man, without being made his sancti- fication alsoe." If Christ have redeemed you by his blood, it is that you may be made " a peculiar people, zealous of good works f." Without this inward change, all your joy and glory- ing will be an empty boast : and " every sacrifice which you offer to your God, will be an abomination to himg." You well know the fate of him who presumed to sit down at the mar- riage supper, not having on a wedding garment : and if he, a mere guest, " was cast out into outer darkness," what must be the fate of one who should claim the privileges of the Bride herself, whilst yet she possessed not the only qualities that could endear her to the Lord? Be assured, you must be " all glorious within, and have your clothing also of wrought gold," if you would find acceptance with the King of kings, and " be brought with gladness and rejoicing to the palace" of the heavenly Bridegroom11.]
A Jude, ver. 24. e i Cor. i, 30. f Tit. ii. 14.
e Prov. xv. 8. i» Ps. xlv. 13—15.