written, "they have washed their robes and made them white in the
8. Through it his garments are purified.—Of the blessed above it is written, "they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." It is this that so thoroughly purifies our raiment, making it for beauty and for glory to resemble that of our great High Priest himself. Not one stain of earth is permitted to defile us. And thus clothed, we are not only made fit for having fellowship with God, but for standing "before his throne," for "serving him day and night in his temple." The brightness of angelic raiment cannot equal ours, for it is divine. We can take our place amid angels, yet never blush. We can compare our robes with theirs, yet feel no shame. So perfect, so resplendent have they been made by this blood of the Lamb.
9. Through it all blessing flows.—The "good things to come," spoken of by the apostle, are all connected with this blood. It is the blood that makes it befitting in God to bestow these blessings, and which emboldens the sinner to draw near in order to receive them. All that is excellent and glorious is connected with this blood. This is the river that bears to him all blessings on its crimson stream, pouring in without ceasing every thing that God has to confer. "Of what use is this fountain to believers? (asks an old writer.) Many and great; all their graces flow from it; all their duties are to be washed in it; all their comforts are maintained by it."
Thus it is that the saint rejoices in this blood. It was the knowledge of it that first shed peace into his soul, and it is the same knowledge that maintains throughout life that peace which then began. It was in being led by the Holy Spirit to the knowledge of this blood that he became a saint, and it is in continuing to know it that he continues a saint. His only answer to the whispers of conscience, is "the blood that was shed." His great protection against the fiery darts of the wicked one, is "the blood that was shed." His preparation for the duties of each day is a fresh application to the blood, in which he bathes his conscience anew each morning as he rises.