testimony by martyrdom, had not "washed their "robes and made them white" in their own blood. No doubt they had repented and turned to God, and led holy lives, and wrought good works, and patiently endured: but according to the apostle's vision, all this, in itself, had done nothing towards the washing and purifying of their garments. For "they had washed their robes and made them white "in the blood of the Lamb." "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me and I "shall be whiter than snow." The idea of washing garments in blood, and so rendering them "white as snow," could hardly have entered into the thoughts of man, if it had not been suggested by revelation: and, indeed it can hardly be rendered intelligible except through the doctrine of the atonement, and redemption by the blood of Christ; and "the fountain" which, on the cross, he "opened for sin and uncleanness.' "We must all appear" before God; but in what apparel must we appear before him? For "we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righ"teousnesses are as filthy rags."2 We are like Joshua the high priest after the captivity, as he was seen in vision by Zechariah. Appearing in his office as Israel's typical mediator, instead of his rich sacerdotal robes, or even the clean linen garments of the priests, he was "clothed in filthy garments."3 Thus it is with us. We can neither appear before God, as accepted worshippers, a spiritual priesthood, before his throne of grace; nor stand before his throne of judgment on the great 1 Zech. xii. 1. 2 Is. lxiv. 6. Zech. iii. 1-6. decisive day; nor be admitted into his presence, as sitting on the throne of glory in heaven; without "change of raiment." We must have" the wedding garment," if we would share "the marriage 66 supper of the Lamb." 1 We must know the import of those words of the redeemed church of God, as spoken by the prophet Isaiah, "I will "greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joy"ful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with "the robe of righteousness."2 We must "put on "the Lord Jesus Christ," 3 both for justification and sanctification. We must be "washed, and sancti“fied, and justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, "and by the Spirit of our God."4 As sinful creatures we need deliverance from guilt, by a free forgiveness, and " the gift of righteousness, unto justification of life." He who, as a true believer, "is thus far washed, needeth not save to wash his "feet: 6 but he needs washing from the guilt of his daily sins of omission and commission, and from the imperfections, if not from the defilements of his very best services. As good Bishop Beveridge says, When I preach, I sin; when I pray, I sin; ' when I receive the Lord's supper, I sin; my repentance needs repenting of, and my tears of godly sorrow need washing in the blood of Christ." Or, as the judicious Hooker observes, 'The best 'things that we do, have something in them to be pardoned: how then can we do any thing meritorious, or worthy to be rewarded? We acknow 'Matt. xxii. 11-13. Rev. xix. 7-9. Rom. v. 17, 18. 2 Is. lxii. 10. 1 Cor. vi. 11. 6 John xiii. 10. 'ledge the dutiful necessity of doing well; but the 'meritorious dignity of doing well we utterly reOur continual suit to God is, to bear nounce. ' with our infirmities, and pardon our offences.'— But in Christ alone "we have redemption through "his blood, even the forgiveness of our sins." As polluted and defiled, likewise, we need not only regeneration, but the continued" renewing of the "Holy Spirit," as given to us through the redemption and mediation of the Lamb of God. Grant, O Lord, that we, being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily by renewed by the Holy Spirit, through Jesus 'Christ our Lord." When the side of the crucified Jesus was pierced, " forthwith there came forth "blood and water," 2 the emblem of our being washed from guilt through his atoning blood, and of our hearts being cleansed from defilement by his sanctifying Spirit.-When, therefore, we daily depend on him, and come to God through him for pardon and acceptance, and renewal unto holiness; when we rely on him, in the diligent use of every means of grace, and a conscientious attention to every duty, and watchfulness against all sin, for teaching, inclining, and strengthening grace; when, in this dependance, we" follow after "holiness," and aim to "cleanse ourselves from "all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holi"ness in the fear of God;" when by diligent selfexamination, and earnest prayer to God, "to "search us and prove us, and shew us what is in "our heart," we discover more and more of our Col. for Christmas day. 2 John xix. 34, 35. 1 John v. 6 fulness, and in penitent faith, seek forgiveness through the blood of Christ, and be purified by his Holy Spirit from every remaining spot and stain, and rendered more exactly conformed to his image: then we "wash our robes and make them white in "the blood of the Lamb." 66 Thus each of that company which the apostle saw had been employed on earth: but the work was then completed; their " robes were white in "the blood of the Lamb;" Christ had "presented "them to himself, as a glorified church, not having spot, or blemish, or any such thing:" and now they had only thankfully to say, "Unto him who "hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in "his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory " and dominion for ever and ever: Amen. " 66 Compare this my brethren, with the faithful but inadequate sketch of the character above given, and ask yourselves, was she not, for nearly fifty years, daily employed in washing her robes, and "making them white in the blood of the Lamb?" -To the last hour 'a vile sinner' in her own estimation, her whole trust was placed on "the Lamb “ of God who taketh away the sin of the world : " and her most ardent desire was that she might be made perfectly holy by his new creating Spirit. Perhaps no one ever more sincerely used the words of that beautiful collect in our church service: 'Almighty God, who hast given thine only Son "to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an 'ensample of godly life; give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inesti'mable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves 'to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Often indeed was she almost out of heart and patience; not through pains and trials, but because she could not attain that perfection of which she heard, and after which she ardently aspired, yea panted." I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for thy commandments."2 But she has now attained it she has joined "the spirits "of just men made perfect." "Hope deferred "maketh the heart sick but, when the desire “cometh, it is a tree of life."3 Long had she said, as dying Jacob, "I have waited for thy salvation, "O Lord:" and probably, being kept from the courts of the Lord by age and infirmity, she was at the close of the week, expecting a solitary and perhaps joyless Lord's day, when behold, he sends his messenger, (for "fire and stormy winds "fulfil his word,") and conveys her at once to his courts above, to spend the day, yea an eternal day, among the heavenly worshippers! What a transition! How different the morning from the preceding evening and night! "Sorrow may con"tinue for a night; but joy cometh in the morn"ing." Often, no doubt, she had accommodated, as many do, words spoken on a very different occasion; "Why is his chariot so long in coming? "Why tarry the wheels of his chariot?"4 But the chariot suddenly came even "a chariot of fire,” Col. 2d. Sunday after Easter. 2 Ps. cxix. 131. 'Judges v. 28. |