March 12 AM

The King's daughter is all glorious within; her clothing is of wrought gold. Psalm 45:13.

Thus Jehovah, the sovereign Lord of all, who "calleth things that be not, as though they were," speaketh by his Spirit of his church. By the pen of the royal prophet, the Lord describes the beauty and glory of all his members. They are viewed by God the Father, from all eternity, in Christ Jesus the heavenly bridegroom. They are beloved and chosen in him—"saved in the Lord Jesus with an everlasting salvation." Isa. 45:17. They are made all glorious within; without, they are most richly clothed.

What the church is viewed from eternity, that each member is destined to, and shall be made in time. For the establishing and comfort of our faith and hope, which is in God, here is a sweet, a near and dear relation spoken of, and which ever subsists: the church is the King of glory's daughter, "the Lamb's wife," Rev. 21:9, according to the immutable law of love, which, like the laws of the Medes and Persians, changeth not. Therefore she shall possess and enjoy her portion and dowry, which is designed for her. Though in herself she is [evil], yet is she most gloriously arrayed with the perfect comeliness which Jesus puts upon her, Ezek. 16:14. But she knows not of, nor glories in this outward clothing, till she is all glorious within. When the blessed Spirit hath quickened, enlightened, and possessed the soul, of the rich graces of faith and love, then in a holy triumph of heavenly joy and ecstasy she cries out, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in MY God; for he hath clothed ME with the garments of salvation, he hath covered ME with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels, etc." Isa. 61:10.

Thus the righteousness, the perfect righteousness of Jesus is our clothing; like gold for its value and purity; like wrought gold, being the work of the life of Jesus, to an exact conformity of the perfect law. Our inward glory lies in the graces of the Holy Spirit, in the hidden man of the heart. By the former, we have a title to glory; by the latter, we have evidence of interest in, and meetness for the kingdom. Thus faith's views are struck from the impression of the royal signet of God's word. Woe to licentious tongues, who would deprive the church of her INWARD glory and holiness. Woe to those sacrilegious hands of Pharisees, who would strip the church of her glorious robe of imputed righteousness. "For, saith the Lord, I will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye." Zech. 2:5-8.