decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth her- self with her jewels^."]
But beyond all doubt it is chiefly formed of our own inherent righteousness —
[Moral qualities are often represented under the figure of a garment*'. By them chiefly we " put on the Lord Jesus Christ'." And they beyond all question form the garment which renders us acceptable guests at the wedding feast in heaven''. In fact, it is holiness alone that constitutes our meetness for heaven*; and makes us "worthy" to partake of all the felicity and glory of that blessed place™. I speak not of worthiness in a way of merit: that no man can have : but, in a way of fitness and suitableness, every man must have it : nor without it can any soul ever enter into the Divine presence".]
We must however be careful not to confound these
two ideas —
\_The righteousness of Christ is necessary to justify us before God : our own inivard personal righteousness is neces- sary to make us meet for glory. We must not separate them ; for they cannot exist apart; Jieither, on the other hand, may we confoiind them : they must each be used for their respective ends. To disregard inherent righteousness would be down- right antinomianism : on the other hand, to blend it in any degree with the righteousness of Christ for ovxr justification before God, would be self-righteousness, and would make void the whole Gospel". Food and raiment are equally necessary for our existence : but each has its proper office : neither can supply the lack of the other. So it is with imputed and inherent righteousness: neither can be dispensed with, nor can either occupy the other's place. To be accepted of God we must put on the righteousness of Christ; and to enjoy his presence, we must " put on the new man, which, after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness p."]
Such then being the wedding-garment, I proceed to shew,
II. The importance of it to every child of man —
A person habited in mean apparel would not be suffered to continue at the wedding-feast of an earthly monarch : much less shall guilty and polluted souls
g Tsai. Ixi. 10. ^ Ps. cxxxii. 9. Job xxix. 14. 1 Pet. v. 5.
' Rom. xiii. 14. ^ Rev. xix. 7, 8. > Col. i. 12.
«' Rev. iii. 4. » Heb. xii. 14. ° Gal. v. 3, 4.
1' Eph. iv. 24,