[It unfits the soul for the society of the wicked. It in- duces a " meetness for the heavenly inheritance." It is a source of joys which shall be consummated in glory.]
The Holy Scriptures enable us to discern,
II. What are the marks of our being ripe —
Nothing can be more awful than the thought that a sinner is ripe for everlasting misery. Yet it may be justly apprehended that he is so,
1. When he is given over to a total insensibility —
[Custom in sinning will harden the heart and sear the conscience. When a person is arrived at such a state, he is fitted for destruction. This is both figuratively6 and plainly f declared in the Scriptures.]
2. When he continues wilfully in sin against con- viction—
[There are some who determine to hold fast their sins. These have reason to think that God's Spirit will be taken from themg. They may expect to be utterly given up to their own lusts h.]
Saints, on the other hand, may be judged ripe for glory,
1. When they simply rely on the Lord Jesus —
[We fix upon the lowest marks of true grace. Faith in Christ is exercised by the weakest saint : yet to that is eternal happiness annexed1. Of consequence, he who possesses it must be fit for glory.]
2. When they unfeignedly desire to be conformed to his image —
[There is a great difference in the attainments of different Christians, and much allowance must be made for a difference in their respective advantages ; but all desire to be " holy as God is holy." " Vessels thus sanctified are meet for their Master's use k.]
While space is yet allowed us, it becomes us to consider,
III. What shall be done when we are ripe —
e Heb. vi. 8. f Prov. xxix. 1. e Gen. vi. 3.
h Rom. i. 28. Ezek. xxiv. 13, 14. « John iii. 36.
k 2 Tim. ii. 21.