of God's power on their souls, they ofFer themselves up to God " as first-fruits to God and to the Lamb." The first fruits of every thing were God's peculiar portion : nor couid any man appropriate them to his own use without being guilty of sacrilege. And such are all who are truly converted* unto God''. Under this character then they present themselves to him : they know that " they are not their own, but his : and therefore they desire to glorify him with theu' bodies and theu- spirits, which are his'." They account this " a reasonable service ™ ;" and they engage in it with their whole hearts.
Having consecrated themselves to God, they endeavour to be faithful to their engagements. This is what is meant, when it is said in my text, " They were not defiled with women ; for they are virgins." It is of spiritual fornication that the Apostle speaks. This is a common figure in the holy Scrip- tures. Men are often said to " go a whoring after their idols." But the saints in glory have kept themselves from spiritual, as well as from open and outward, idolatry. They have given up themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, as a virgin betroths her- self to her husband " : and they have " kept themselves pure ;" not transferring to any rival the regards which are due to God alone.
Nor is it from overt acts only that they have abstained, but from luifaithfulness even of thought or desire. They know that God requires the heart : and that the smallest alienation of the affections from him would excite his just resentment. They have therefore laboured to be sincere and without of- fence before him : and through the grace and mercy of their God " they have been preserved blameless":" so that "in theh' mouth there was no guile; and they are found without fault before the throne of God."
Here you see the whole Christian life depicted ; and the process by which every saint in glory is fitted for his place. The whole work of grace originates with God, and is carried on by God to its final issue. But man is neither an unwilling nor inactive servant in the house of his God. He is aware that he must be meet for the inheritance of heaven before he can possibly enjoy it. This meetness therefore he aspu-es after, and labours for with all his might: and, through the operation of God's grace upon his soul, he is fully prepared for glory, being perfected after the Divine image, an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile.]
Permit me now to address you all, 1 . As candidates for heaven — [Men who are candidates for earthly honours find that
much " Jam. i. 18. ' 1 Cor. vi. 20. "" Rom. xii. 1.
° 2 Cor, xi. 2. " Jude, ver. 24.