Psalms 45:13-16

DISCOURSE: 578
THE CHURCH’S BEAUTY AND HAPPINESS

Psalms 45:13. The King’s daughter is all glorious within; her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needle-work: the virgins, her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee: with gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought; they shall enter into the King’s palace.

AMONGST the schoolmen of former days, there were many disputes about works of condignity, and works of congruity as contributing to effect the salvation of men. That in no point of view whatever, did works render men deserving of God’s favours is the avowed sentiment of our Church; yet to the full attainment of salvation, it is quite necessary that every man be holy, and possess what the Scriptures call “a meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light.”
The Church is here represented under the character of a Bride that is to be joined, as in the marriage union, to her Lord. For this she must be prepared: and a preparation shall be given her suited to the occasion. In the former part of this psalm, which is penned on the occasion of her marriage, the excellencies of her Lord are set forth: in this latter part, her excellencies also. Let us consider,

I. Her transcendent qualities—

In the words which we have read, we see,

1. The internal qualities of her mind—

[“The King’s daughter is all glorious within.” She once, in her unconverted state, was corrupt even as others: but she has been “born again,” and “renewed in the spirit of her mind,” and made altogether “a new creature.” Once, being born only after the flesh, she had nothing but what was carnal: but now, having been born of the Spirit, she possesses a truly spiritual nature, or, as St. Peter expresses it, “she is a partaker of the Divine nature [Note: 2 Peter 1:4.];” and is progressively “changed into the image of her Lord himself, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord [Note: 2 Corinthians 3:18.].” Hence “the mind that was in Christ Jesus is found in her [Note: Philippians 2:5.].” She has the same views, the same principles, the same desires, the same delights. There is indeed still a corrupt nature within her, “the flesh lusting against the Spirit, as well as the Spirit against the flesh:” but she longs to be holy, as her Lord is holy; and strives to be “perfect, as her Father which is in heaven is perfect.” When compared with what she was, she differs as light from darkness: but in comparison of what she will be, she is only as the dawn to the meridian sun; for “her path is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”]

2. The external habits of her life—

[“Her clothing is of wrought gold.” This refers to the outward conversation, which is often in Scripture represented as a putting off of the old man, and putting on the new: “Put off, as concerning the former conversation,” says the Apostle, “the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and put on the new man, which after God is created in right-eousness and true holiness [Note: Ephesians 4:22; Ephesians 4:24.].” To the same effect is that other expression of his, “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ [Note: Romans 13:14.]:” that is, let your whole deportment be such as his was; so that any one who beholds you may be constrained to confess, that you “walk as he walked [Note: 1 John 2:6.],” and that, “as he was, so are you in this world [Note: 1 John 4:17.].” Such is every true Believer; nor will the heavenly Bridegroom acknowledge as his, any one, whose spirit, and temper, and conduct do not accord with his. “The raiment of needle-work” may fitly represent the assemblage of all the diversified graces which adorn her. All her dispositions being duly chastised, harmoniously tempered, and opportunely exercised, she shines in every department, and in every act; and at once approves herself faithful to her obligations, and meet for the ulterior honours that shall be conferred upon her.]

Suited to these qualities is,

II.

The felicity prepared for her—

In due time “she shall be brought to the King’s palace,” there to be united to him in indissoluble and everlasting bonds.
Whilst she is here, she is to be employed in making herself ready—
[In royal nuptials, much time was spent in preparing the bride for her husband. In the purification of the virgins from amongst whom King Ahasuerus was to select a wife, a whole year was occupied: “six months in purifying them with oil of myrrh, and other six months with sweet odours of different kinds [Note: Esther 2:12.]:” after which they were presented to him. In like manner we are told, that the Church also is dealt with, in order to prepare her for her heavenly Bridegroom: for it is said, that “Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish [Note: Ephesians 5:25.].”

This process is going forward through the whole of this life. Every work of Providence, every communication of grace, every afflictive dispensation, and every joyous occurrence, is intended to advance it; that so at last the soul of the Believer may be altogether “worthy to stand before” the King of kings, and to be admitted to the closest fellowship with him for ever and ever.]
This work completed, she is introduced “into the palace of her Lord”—
[It was customary for a number of bridemaids to attend upon the bride, in order to welcome her to her destined home [Note: Matthew 25:1.]. Accordingly it is said, “The virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought with her to the King’s palace.” Even here, whenever any are united unto the Lord, many, both of saints and angels, are ready to congratulate them on the blissful occasion. And how much more will this be the case, when those who are espoused to him in this world shall be brought to consummate their nuptials in the realms of bliss! We read of angels waiting upon Lazarus to bear his spirit to Abraham’s bosom. So at the departure of every saint we may well conceive of multitudes of angels and of their former friends coming forth to welcome their arrival. And O! what Joy will fill every soul! It is said, “With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought:” and we may see in the book of Revelations the whole ceremony pass, as it were, before our eyes. “I heard the voice of a great multitude, saying, Allelujah! 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 white linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage-supper of the Lamb [Note: Revelation 19:6.].” Yes, blessed are they indeed, whether in the character of the spouse or her attendants: for though on earth they are different, in heaven they are the same; the one being the collective body of the Church, of which the others are the individual members. This representation, it must be confessed, is figurative: but under the figure there is a reality: for, as the Scripture says, “These are the true sayings of God [Note: Revelation 19:9.]!”]

Address—
1.

Those who have never yet been espoused to Christ—

[Let it not be forgotten, that this is a very common figure in Scripture to represent the surrender of the soul to God. To his Church of old, God said by the prophet Hosea, “Thou shalt abide for me many days; (referring, like our text, to the purifications preparatory to nuptials;) thou shalt not play the harlot; and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee [Note: Hosea 3:3.].” And again; “I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies: I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness, and thou shalt know the Lord [Note: Hosea 2:19.].” In the New Testament also every believer is spoken of in this view: “I have espoused you to one Husband,” says St. Paul, “that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ [Note: 2 Corinthians 11:2.].” Know ye then, that if you have never solemnly engaged yourselves to Christ, as a virgin does to the object of her affections, and so pledged yourselves, as not for a moment to admit a rival to your heart, you are not yet Christians indeed: you may bear the name; but you have no just title to the character. I call upon you therefore to do this without delay. And, if you desire to postpone this necessary act, I ask, Whom have you found so worthy of your affections as the Lord Jesus Christ? Who has done so much for you to deserve them? — — — and who will ever make you so rich a return? — — — Say not, “What is thy Beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us [Note: Song of Solomon 5:9.]:” for there is none to be compared with Him, either in heaven or on earth. “He is fairer than the children of men [Note: Psalms 45:2.]:” “He is the chiefest among ten thousand:” “He is altogether lovely [Note: Song of Solomon 5:10; Song of Solomon 5:16.].” O, rest not, till with holy confidence you can say, “This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend, O daughters of Jerusalem [Note: Song of Solomon 5:16.].” And so set yourselves from this moment to prepare yourselves for him, that he may shortly “bring you to his banqueting-house, and his banner over you be love [Note: Song of Solomon 2:4.].”]

2. Those who profess to stand in the relation of his Spouse—

[Look forward for the period when he will come and take you to himself. The precise hour of his arrival is not known: but it will not be very long, at all events. In the mean time, let your preparation for him be diligent and unintermitted. Seek to be daily more and more “glorious within,” and to have your clothing of wrought gold ever ready; so that if his arrival be ever so sudden, he may not find you unprepared for his call. Be jealous over yourselves; and forgive me if I also be jealous over you, in relation to this matter. You know how “the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety” even in Paradise: and you may be sure that he will use his utmost efforts to “corrupt you from the simplicity that is in Christ [Note: 2 Corinthians 11:3.].” Be on your guard therefore, lest either in principle or in practice you turn aside from him. He has numberless instruments whom he employs as his agents to deceive the world; “deceitful workers, who can transform themselves into the Apostles of Christ; as he himself also is not unfrequently transformed into an angel of light [Note: 2 Corinthians 11:13.].” But entreat of God to keep you: beg of him to “hedge up your way with thorns, and even to build up a wall around you, that, if you should for a moment incline to follow after your former lovers — — —, you may not be able to find your paths.” If unhappily you have gone in pursuit of them — — —, implore of God, that “you may never find them; or, having found, may never overtake them:” or, if you have overtaken them — — —, separate yourselves instantly from them, and say, “I will go and return to my first husband; for then it was better with me than now [Note: Hosea 2:6.]” — — —]