" Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted, that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white : for the fine linen is the right- eousness of saints u." And may I not say, that we ministers are assistants to the Bride ? O blessed office, to prepare you, brethren, for that great solemnity, when )^ou shall be for ever united to the heavenly Bridegroom ! Gladly would we see you adorned with all the graces of the Spirit. Gladly would we see you habited in white raiment from head to foot, without one spot that should be unsuited to your high character1. And we do indeed account it an honour to be instrumental, in any measure, to the preparing of you for this glorious consum- mation. Beloved brethren, concur with us in this good work. Attend to all the counsels which are given you from the Lord ; and readily adopt " every method which he has ordained for your purification ;" that, when you come into his presence, you may find the most " cordial acceptance with him," and " re- ceive at his hands a crown of glory that fadeth not awayy."]
11 Rev. xix. 7, 8. x Rev. iii. 4.
y Esth. ii. 12, 17. with 1 Pet. v. 4.