HOMILY 12: Christ alone is able to heal the soul, and to adorn her with the robe of grace.
1. IF any one is naked for want of the heavenly clothing, which is the power of the Spirit, (as it is said, " Now if any man have not the Spirit of CHRIST, he is none of his,") let him weep, and entreat the Lord that he may receive the spiritual clothing which is from heaven; that he may have a covering for his soul, disrobed of the Divine power.. For he is clothed with vile affections, that is not clad with the garment of the Spirit.
2. For as in the things that are seen, if any one is naked, he is in much confusion and disgrace,-and even friends turn away from their friends that are naked, thus does GOD turn away from the souls that are not clothed with the garment of the Spirit, in the full assurance of faith, as not "having put on the Lord JESUS CHRIST" in power and in truth.
3. The very first man, when he beheld himself naked, was ashamed. So great is the dishonor that attends nakedness! If therefore, in relation only to the body, the being naked exposes us to so much shame; how much rather is the soul that is unclothed of the Divine power, that is not clad with the raiment not to be described-immortal and spiritual, the Lord JESUS CHRIST, himself,-covered over with shame and dishonorable affections! Every one that is unclothed of that Divine glory, ought to be ashamed of himself, and to acknowledge the disgrace he is under; as Adam was ashamed with respect to his body being naked, though he made himself a covering of fig-leaves. Let therefore such a soul ask of CHRIST, who clothes it with glory which surpasses all expression, without making to itself any covering of vain thoughts, or being deluded with an opinion of its own righteousness.
4. For if any one stands only upon his own righteousness, (not looking for the righteousness of GOD, which is the Lord, who, as the apostle speaks, is made to us righteousness and redemption,) the pains he takes are vain and fruitless. For such an opinion of his own righteousness is at the last day plainly laid open as a filthy rag, as says the prophet, "All our righteousness is as filthy rags." Let us therefore beg of GOD, and entreat him that we may put on the garment of salvation, our Lord JESUS CHRIST.
1. IF any one is naked for want of the heavenly clothing, which is the power of the Spirit, (as it is said, " Now if any man have not the Spirit of CHRIST, he is none of his,") let him weep, and entreat the Lord that he may receive the spiritual clothing which is from heaven; that he may have a covering for his soul, disrobed of the Divine power.. For he is clothed with vile affections, that is not clad with the garment of the Spirit.
2. For as in the things that are seen, if any one is naked, he is in much confusion and disgrace,-and even friends turn away from their friends that are naked, thus does GOD turn away from the souls that are not clothed with the garment of the Spirit, in the full assurance of faith, as not "having put on the Lord JESUS CHRIST" in power and in truth.
3. The very first man, when he beheld himself naked, was ashamed. So great is the dishonor that attends nakedness! If therefore, in relation only to the body, the being naked exposes us to so much shame; how much rather is the soul that is unclothed of the Divine power, that is not clad with the raiment not to be described-immortal and spiritual, the Lord JESUS CHRIST, himself,-covered over with shame and dishonorable affections! Every one that is unclothed of that Divine glory, ought to be ashamed of himself, and to acknowledge the disgrace he is under; as Adam was ashamed with respect to his body being naked, though he made himself a covering of fig-leaves. Let therefore such a soul ask of CHRIST, who clothes it with glory which surpasses all expression, without making to itself any covering of vain thoughts, or being deluded with an opinion of its own righteousness.
4. For if any one stands only upon his own righteousness, (not looking for the righteousness of GOD, which is the Lord, who, as the apostle speaks, is made to us righteousness and redemption,) the pains he takes are vain and fruitless. For such an opinion of his own righteousness is at the last day plainly laid open as a filthy rag, as says the prophet, "All our righteousness is as filthy rags." Let us therefore beg of GOD, and entreat him that we may put on the garment of salvation, our Lord JESUS CHRIST.
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