the furcft ground for our concluding his Near Approach, for then doth
Chrift himfelf affirm it, which formerly had onely been prefumed.
Therefore he tarrieth untill fome kind of falfe Alarm hath made the
Generality to be Secure } and then, Behold, he comes indeed. What
c iufe have all to ftand continually upon their Watch, unlcfs they mean
to be furprized by him, whofe very Coming is not known, fave that it
will be at the moft unlikely time. How weak are they who therefore
think the Time is not fo nigh at hand, becaufe the prcfen: Expectation
of it is not fo G-neral as heretofore it may have been. This doth be-
fpeak our Hearknir.gto that Cry, which giveth Notice of the Bride-
groom's
iht Parable of the Ten Virgins 0; /. i 2 1
groom's Coming when all the Virgins are fart afleep, at Ieaft-wife not
to count it therefore of no weight, fir.ee at fome fucha time the tru.it
ijgnification that yet ever was, will then be made.
4. Chrii] here doth give fome further Notice of his prefeut Coming
befides that of his Harbinger, which feemeth to be more than was ac
his fint Co.mYig in the Flelh, and which is worth our taking Notice of.
He c. me not then to Judge the World, John 12.47. GS now he doth,
Rev. 11. 18. And (hall a Judge fhew more of Gentlenefs (as this
Redundant warning hinteth) than did a Saviour ? But though he now <
will Execute the Judges Office, yet doth he enter on it with a Saviours
Heart: And therefore he doubly warneth Now, becaufe his prefent
Work will be more Dreadful. How loth is Chrift that any at this day
fnould PeriuS, 2 Pet. 3.9.! How are we more_engaged to him than
were the Pharifees, who onely had John Bapttft's Cry : And if the De-
fpifers of that Tingle Invitation were then (hut out for ever, Lake 14.
24. how can thole Foolim Virgins hope toenrer, who have out-ftood
a Second Notice. Therefore this Cry had need be heeded, which elfe
will doubly call for Wrath and Vengeance upon its Difobeyers.
5. This Cry is made at Midnight, or when the Virgins are afleep:
which further lhcws the Riches of his Grace, who waiteth for the fit-
ted Time wherein to make its freenefs Evident, efpecjally fince they
had been Aakened once before, or when they firfr, went out of Babylon,
as is evinced from their Dreaming then, Pfal.\z6. 1. Indeed Chrift
bad Relapfing Slumbercrs tofleep on now, and take their Reft, to (hew
what they Deferved : But yet (to evidence the Riches of his Love )
healfobadthemto Arife, Mat. 26.43.45,46. as herehedealeth with
thefe Virgins Left Men mould boaft of Congruous worth, with re-
ference unto the Grace of God in Chrift, it therefore is beftowed on
them, when in the height of Incongruity or unworthinefs to receive it.
Thus did Chrift Perfonate a Macedonian, entreating Paul to come and
help them, Acis 16. 9,10. Yea,thusunlovelinefsis hisTimeof Love,
Ez.ek. 16. 6.8. who then is moved to Heal, when nothing but Difcou-
ragementsaretobefeen, J fa. 57. 17, 17. The Voice of that Cry had
need be hearkned unto, which otherwife doth fo abound with fin-accen-
ting and forrow-hcightning Grace.
6. How fadly are they Miftaken who think a going Once out will
ferve the turn, which is that great Soul-ruining Mis-apprehenfion
among the Virgins or ProfefTors. The World lyes itiil in Wickednefs,
1 John 5.19. and doth not ftir at all: But Virgins are fuch as have gone
out at firft, and then they Reft, who Generally perifti in that It-ate.
WhenT/rrff/firft wentoutof Egyptthcy went out All together, Exod.
R 12/
1 7 3 The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
12.41. whofc CarkafTes ye: Generally fell in theWildernefs, Nnmb.
14.29. bceaufc they were not alfo free to go out Thence into Land of
Canaan, when called thereunto by thofe of another Spirit, v. 24. 3^
Tnus alio All the Jews went out of Nature into Mofes^ 1 Cor. 10. 2.
but not from Thence into the Righreoufnefs of God in Chrift, Rom. 10.
3 , 4. ( which is Revealed from Faith in Mofcs to Faith in Chri t, Rjm.
1. 17. ) and therefore they were not faved, Rom. 10. 1. And thus one
may have ( \ irtuaily ) forgotten that he was purged from his Old fins,
2 Pet. 1. 9. who having efcaped grafter Lufts, is not a Partaker alfo
oi that Divine Nature, ^.4. whole firft appearance is Gofpel-Faith,
v. 5. All are partakers of the Earthy Adarrfs Image, but they mu't
bear ihe Image of the Heavenly aifo, 1 Ccr. 15.49. or not Inherit his
Heavenly Kingdom, v. 50. nor yet be faved, Eph. 2. 8. fave as they
are God's Workman-fnip Created in Chrift Jefus , v. 10. Let us
therefore. ( at the firft) Go out of Ignorance into Knowledge } and
r en (a Second time ) Out of the Form of Knowledge into Practice
Row. 2. 20, 21. Let us (at firft) Go out of Difobedicnce into Du-
ty } and then ( a Second time ) out of Material Legal Duty, or the
L.t:cr, into the Newnefs of its Spirituality, Rom. 7. 6. Lctus fat
uxit ) Go out of Superftition into Godlincfs or Right Worfhip ; and
then ( a Second time ) out of the Accidental Form of this Right Wor-
fhip, or Notional Profeffion of it into its Life and Power, 2 Tim, 3.5,
Thus in the General.
And as to fuch a Particular Duty and Time, peculiarly referred un-
to in this Parable ; thofe are much miftaken, who think a former-going
out will ferve Cnrift's turn at Prefcnt. He fpeakcth Now, with refe-
rence unto the Virgins Pre fen t Hate, which intimates his Expectation
of their Progrefs beyond or out of thofe attainments, -which in their
Time and Place were not to be Defpifed. He is for Adding unto his
Peoples Priviiedges, John 10. 10. who therefore may expeel the like
from them in point of Duty, 2 Pet. 1. 5. Nor do fuch properly walk
in any of his ways (as all the Saints arefaid to do, Pfal. 119.3. ) who
oncly rake one ftep :hcrein,and fo defiiL However, fuch as do onely Go
from the Phanfees unto John the B.:ptift y and not from John to Chrift,
will be Inferiour unto the leaft in the Kingdom of Heaven,- Mat. 1 1.
1 1. if not in danger of Reverting unto the Pharifees agoin. There-
fore if we have formerly gone out of Babylon or Old Jcrufakm which
Then was, we Now muit Write that Copy over a Second time, with
reference unto what is Now in Being, above what formerly hath been
departed from.
And that we may thus fully folio m God, in Anfwer to this Cry f thefe
1 ilowr.g Motives wiil be of life. Mot. 1.
The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 125
Mot. i. The Call is clear to each of thofe fore-named fteps at fuch
a Time. The mo: r. of which were Duties from thefinlj but Now,
hy way of Eminency. Sin was Defiling alway, but Now Jerufalem
will be feafcVd with Candles, Zeph. 1. 12. Woe therefore to the
Fi'thy and Polluted then, Zeph. 3. 1. It ever was unlawful to Com-
ply with Spiritual Babylon, Dan. 1.8. and 3. 12. but now fome fur-
ther felf-dclivcry is enjoyned, Zech.z.j. which formerly was not'a
Duty, Jer. 29. 4, 5, 6, 7. Chfift never warranted the Privacy of So-
lemn Worflvp j but now the Re-afiumingof furceafed Temple-work
is urged from the Lord himfelf, and by hisMeflengerin his Mcflfage to
thq People," to (hew the clcarncfs of their Call unto it, Hag. 1. 12, 13.
At 'fuch a time the Ancient Prielts mud be New Confecrated, and the
Old Altar purged before God will Accept their Offerings upon that
Altar, £^^.43.26,27. And Spiritual Growth is Eminently Now
expcclcd, the want whereof wiUfadly fignifie, fince'as the Houfeof
David will Then be as an Angel, fo will the Feeble be as David in that
day, Zech. 12.8.
2. The Way is fafe, and more efpecially at fuch a Time, He Walk-
eth Surely who walketh Uprightly, /Vct'.io.Q.^Snec Angels are charged
with him in all fuch ways, Pfal. 91 . 11. and a clear Call to Duty,turns
Night, ( yea, Midnight ) into Day, or fecming Danger into Security,
If*. n.8,9, 10. However, the greatelt. Suffering is that of Sin, fiof
4. 14. All outward Tribulations are nothing to inward Peace, John
16. 33. God's Loving Kindnefs is better than Life it fclf, Pfal. 6}. 3.
The Soul is of more worth than all the World, Ma. 16. 26. and pre-
fent light Afflictions ( in the way of Duty ) are mod at Work, as to
the Crown of Glory, 2 Cor. 4. 17. Yea, at This Time the Holieft
ones are likclieftto be hid from outward Dangers, Zeph. 2. 3. God
will be for a Sanctuary unto fclf-hazarding Non-confederates, Ifa.S.iz.
14. The Timely returners to Temple-work (hall have no caufeto fear,
& a g' 2 -5- And he that goeth out of Old Jerufalem f'both City and
Temple") at fuch a time, may thereby fa ve hisL,ife, Jer. 21.9.
3. The Walk is Recreating. Sin makes the Soul to Cry, Who ft all
Deliver me, Rom. 7. 24. and to thank God, through Jefus Chriir, fo
far as it is Obtained, v. 25 And who would not be glad to lofe his filthy
Rags for Change of Raiment? What merry finging is there in;he w*aj s
of God, Pfal. 1-38.5. as his Redeemed come to S/ and h : flcpt t iter, ttcy fuica-
.avoured to Arifc arid Trim thc.r Lamps, in Anfwcr toth: Cry y
as do the other : G rear is the finglc Force of P. ;agemeor, and
with reference unto fm, ^r.2.25. To Refpa&unto .kind of
good, John ;o. 22. Yea, Jephtfaib ( rathe n he would go back'-J
chofc to Dmy hicnfclf in Sacrificing his oiicly Chi . 1 1. 1 5. Pride
alfo is Predominant in Foohin Virgins, who therefore may do more
crwife th:y would have done, bcaufe they fcorn to come be-
Communion alfo begetteih Love; and Love o
d not a better Principle) to keep her Mother
• 1. 15, 16. Yea, Natural C mfcience will Regret:, to
Part with Ancient Precious Friends, wh:n barely put upon Re ng
ir Joint former Practice, uatill tome more than Ordinary Let doth
inter\ , and i a plaufuic pretence or colour mall be Offered lor
1 Partin
oThis without any Prejudice to Themfelvcs ; and
in ihrt Cafe, fome eafier work will no: berittick at by a Fcoli :\ Virgin.
? Tis nothing (in Cumparifon J for one Awakened to Arife: Nor cm
the Trimming 01' One'o Lamp (oritirring of fome gocd Affedtions^)
ch D et any Man whole Principal Intercfr, or Corruption is
yet untouch' Thus Satan is content to G rat fie t :c Tinner's bawling'
or Conference, by giving him a Dnpenfation to Hear, and
Read; and Pray fometime^, untill that Crying fit be over. Nor is a
W t endangered by what this Trimming of the Lamps im-
ported, no more than Nil :is his Coming unto Chriit ( by Night )
did him ; fine: he was yet within the Compafs of that Liw, John 9 22.
And : n an Harlo: will not do thus much, yet is the moil: Foolifh
Virgin Wiferchantodhtad: a Bofom Friend, by Grudging that which
may befafely gt anted.
5. They might think ( being Foo'.ifh ) this was All; until! the Cry
is, as it were, Expounded by the Wifer Virgins Going further: So
prone are Hypocrites to Magnifie th:ir own Performances. Or they
might think thL would fumce at leaft ; either to carry them out, as at
the fir 't, 0/ to Excufe them, in Cafe they did not Go, having thus fhewn
their good Affection by Trimming of their Lamps.
Pint, they might think their Trimmed Lamps would be fumcient to
carry them out this Second time, as well as at the Fir \ when they did
onely take their Lamps, but no Oyl with them; not minding the Dif-
ference that Now was, both 'as to the Work it feT, and alfo the
ltrength of their Affections* The Work it felf was Then more Eafie,
and their Affections were more Lively, than atthePrefent: But when
poo:
134 ?w Pardble of the Ten Virgins Opened.
poor Sawpfon's Hair was cut, he ft ill was apt to Fancy that making
of himfelf would ferve the turn, as heretofore at other times, Judg.
1 6. 19, 20. This trotting unto fore-Experiences is many times the
Ruine of unfound ProfeiTors,who Argue from a former Practice, unto
their Future perfeverancc, and fo betray themfeives into the Tempter's
hand through their Prefumptuous Confidence. David indeed might
fafely Argue his following Succefs from what he formerly had met with,
1 Sam. 17. 37. becaufe he went in the Name (or Strength ) of God,
S/.45. which Hypocrites do not pretend unto; and therefore, Once
their Good is not in their Own Hand, John. 16. it is no wonder if
their Lamp or Candle be put out, v. 17.
Secondly, they might (atleaft) fuppofe, This would Excufe them,
in Cafe they went no further; having thus (hewn their Willing Mind,
or good Affections, by Trimming of their Lamps. Thus fome poer
Creatures are apt to Fanfy, that good Defires will ferve the turn, who
therefore plead a Love for Chriit, fuch as thofe Virgins had, Cant. 1.
3. who yet were not Efpoufed to him. Thefe Good Affections are
the Bane of Hypocrites, who think to Borrow upon Practice, by their
Prefeming Chriit with good Defires *, but he will not be Mocked. Onely
themfeives are fully fatisfied, if they have but a liking of ChriuVs
ways, a Love for Walkers in them \ cfpecially if they are Up and
Doing, to the Height of their pretended Light. Indeed Chritt fome-
times doth Accept a Willing Mind, but that Rclateth onely to Invinci-
ble Inability, and not to Foolifh Virgins, but the Wife, 2 Ccr. 8. 1 1,
12. both which are fadly mis-applyed by them to themfeives.
6. This Work is of a felf-paying Nature,as well as fafc : and Efhraim
(that filly Crenture, Hof. 7. 11.) is willing to Tread out the Corn,
Hof 10. 11. or W r ork and Eat together, Dent. 25.4. fo is a Foolifh
Virgin. The firit Goingoutwa's attended with prefent Pav,' where-
in the Fool fh Virgins therefore Joyned- (o is their Second Rifing and
Trimming of their Lamps, though not their Second Going forth .• And
Carnal Jews will follow Chriit whilit they are filled with his Loaves,
Job/i6.26. who Walked no more with him, v. 66. when nothing but
Spiritual (or invifible) Bread and Flefh is promifed to them, v. 51.
B ut Rifing doth Refrefh the Confcience much, fodoththe finifying of
Affections : Since it is Natural unto Maids or Virgins to think more on
th?ir Ornaments than on their Rett. Jer. 2. 32. Yea, thev would not
cle be accounted V-rgins ; the Preservation of which Nimc or Title
doth Plentifully Rccompcnfe the Foolifh Virgins prefent Labour, who
therefore arc thus at Work.
Vfe 1. As none were to be counted Virgins Heretofore , fave
they
the V arable of the fen Virgins Opened. 135
they who at the firft went forth to meet the Bridegroom; fo when the
Cry is made, none are to be Accounted Virgins Then, fave they who
thereupon Arofe and Trimmed their Lamps ; fince All the Virgins ( at
fuch a time) are faid to do fo. And fo long onely doth the Warrant
of Communion laft with fuch, and of their being Owned as Profeflbrs ;
who Differed from the Wife at firtlr, as to Reality; but from This
time they ceafe to have the Name of Virgins given to them, and as
that Name is Common to the Foolifti with the Wife, in point of Via-
bility. This fhews the fadnefs of their vifible State, who are not mo-
ved with the Cry, fincethey have thereby forfeited the Name of Vir-
gins, in Chrift's Account, as having flept the fleep of Death. Yea,
they who are not Parted Now from fuch as Thefe, will not themfelves
be counted Virgins.
Vfe 2. Here we may fee one fad Effect of fleep or flumber, viz.
the marring of our Lamps at lead, as their being Trimmed (by awa-
kened one^) evinceth. Now, Virgins ufually are very Neat; there-
fore this confidcration might fuffice to keep fuch ever waking, as they
would not fpoyl their Trimming. How Glorious was their firft Love,
when mining with a Lively Exercife thereof, and Burning with an Ho*
ly Zeal for Chrift at their firft Going # out,together wherewith their Glo-
ry alfo hath been loft. Man's Eye is eminently the Seat of Beauty,
which therefore needs muft be Eclipfed, together with the Clofing of
his Eye with ileep, which is Death's Image. In point of vifibility r
Darknefs it felf is ftaining, Job 3.5. and fleep will Ruffle the fineft
Ornaments in Reality ; therefore none would be feen in their Night-
Habit^, nor will they lye down to (lumber* till they have either put
off their Bravery, or ceafed to be ftudious about its Preservation.
Vfe 3. Hence we may Learn, how far the Wifer and Foolifh Vir-
gins may go together. They All went out at firft, they All were over-
taken with a flumbring Spirit; andnowthey Ail Awaken, Rife, and
Trim their Lamps together. It is a Mercy to be Awakened, but ma-
ny are fo, to their fhame, who either fleep again, or onely Mufe and
Talk a little, and to lefs purpofe, if that be all. It is fome further
Mercy to be Raifed up, which yet an Hypocrite may be Interefted in,
who may not onely Hear Chrift's Voice, Luke 13.26. and be in a
Capacity of doing more, but alfo may Approve what is more Excel-
:, Rom.1.1%. Yea,Fooliihc?^r^wjmay Begin to Run, Gal. 3.3.
and 5. 7. Nay, fuch may alfo Trim their Lamps, as do thefe Foolifh
Virgins; an Empty Houfe may be both Swept and Garnifhed, Mat.
12.44, Such may do many things, Mark^ 6. 20. and Promife more,
Mat. 21, 30. No Judgment can rightly pafs upon Profeflbrs, till we
(hall
I ; I 7hc VurMe of the fgins Opened.
fl 11 fee vc Gore our, by their Ad million to the Bridegroo:
Marriage.
MATTHEW XXV. 8.
An A the FoolrJI) fdiel unto the ifcje, Give us of y cur 0)1 , for
opr L Gone, or ( as the Margin hit k it ) arc Going
i
N this Verfe we have the fir it vifible Difference between thefc Vir-
gins ; and by the Foolifh Virgins own Gonfeflion. From whence
the Obferva-tion is this.
Obfcrv. Upon the Virgins being (All of them) Railed by the Cry
at Mrdrtight, the Foolilhdo acknowledge their want of Oyl or Light,
wfto therefore Call upon the. Wife to give them of their Oyl.
- Where n we have prefentcd to us their, feefinftng fence of wanting
1, iheiro.vnConfcjTionof it, and Dcfire of Supply, together with
the Can fe of both, wi&\ the failing of their Lamps. All which do fairly
' tHe'fc following Q^eitions :o be confidered of.
■Qtteft: i. W hat fence of wanting Oyl, which doth here
feem to be in Fooliln gins* withrefcrence unto themlllvcs?
rtrifw. i. It is a fence at Laft, but not in Time, w&. not in Due
T: iici They- fhould hav: icokt to this at 6r&, but were too Haiiy
then, having enough to fcrve their prefent turn, ?nd not dffiring to
r$ till met r Keccflity doth enforce i\ And thus, when Fie (h
\ Body arc d, a TooInh'Mair may mourn at Laft* ai)d
convinced of h • \. . ., Yrcv. 5, 1 1, 1 2. Thus did .
t of Hell's Fire ( fit kc Dives fee his want of Care, which
hehhriVltf Dcfpaircd' to Redeem, onely would have his Brethren ro
mtdbyhim, Li.k$ 16. 27,28. Yen, thus poor Living \
p I ; Laif, hb\V FdoliiMy his Birth-ii^ht been Sold by
tc ro g* in the Blcfling, Hcb. 12. 16, J-. 'Tis
Ypth of Scree, fave as it alio is in Time, which can Ad /:n:
tnedorkS, qr make it our, that fuch Imp eflfions arc any
. jral M n may have and perifh with. Untime'y
Corn is ploughed up, ufe it is not fea-
-1
2. There
The Fa \ of the Ten Virgim Open:-). J 5 }
. There may be finfuchj a fenfe of want, but not of any Pro-
er Iclf-worth, Rclat n^ toil >ecial Oyl. A Natural Mm may
oc in Love with G x's Portion, but doth not fee r Native Beauty
of her Peron, abitracled from the other. Thefe Foolifh V .ifav;
they could not Go without the Wifcr Virgins Oyl, etfe would the/
pot have Mourned n its A'j fence, till Intcreit did fhew it to be Necef-
lary. Whereas a Gr c ous Soul would have A'! G'ace at Prefent, ar»4
consequently fome whereof there is no prefent Need •, fu^h as is Suf-
fenng Grace in times of Peace ^ and fucb a Degree of any Grace which
is not Abfolute'y NecefTary to Salvation. This fenfe of worth ap-
d in thefe VVifer Virgins, who took Oyl with them at the firll,
although that prefent Expedi:ion might have been made without it.
?. I: is a PafTive fenfe, or from a Forrdgn Evidence, rather than
from an Active felf-cnquiry. They did not fearch their Vefels, as they
fhould have done, until! their Lamps were Going out, which did Ne-
gate the Prefcn: taking Notice of their wanting Oyl, elfe h:d they
I been Ignorant. Thus one may Accidentally be Made to fee, what
lerwife he would not have Enquired after, no more than" Ahab did
h or A-ficayib, if he could fairly hive avoided them. Spiritual
onsarccrofs to Fiefhand Blood, which Felix Had no time to
ir, sl>ls2+. 25. which PiUte ran away from, John 18.33. and
Bal.t.im would have fhunnedif he could : Yea, fomc ProfefTbrs tfand in
need of being urged unto felf-examination, 2 Cor. 13.5. which yet a
Gracious Heart is AcVvcin, Lam. 3. 40. but very few other-. And
though an Hypocrite may Go exceeding far, yet Generally he is no
!untier in fitch a ervice, fave as that Young Man's felf-conceit m-de
him ask Chrift, What !acl\l yet, Mat. 19.20?
4. It is a f.nfeof Consequents, but not of a Procuring Caufe. They
v into the Empcioefs of their Veffels, but not their wretched Neg-
no eh", might have Prevented this before. 'Tis rare to find
a C Hypocrite, with reference to felf-conti
' , of a Moral Nature, vvho yet are deeply fenfibleof wanting Cire in
rCafc ' Cinin was fenGble of his Puflifhment, Gen.^. 13. and
■oh (• fpeel) of fn, Exjd. 10. 16. and others alfo of
v - ice, but no: of being AcceiTary thereunto, through
Wl tine's. S ich eithexlay that Ciufe at Satan's Door,6Y/j.
3- J J. r irge it upon G 3d, fames 1. 15. or elfe Tranihteit
toothers, 1 5.*^. 15.24. button is a B at difowncd by its Natural
M rh:r. : where O r ice alfo is. Whereas an Holy Heart is chiefly
>f his being Active untQ {or an Occafionof) that want of 0^1 ,
T which
T
138 e P arable of the "ten Virgins Opened.
which other wife could be more eafily endured by him, if it wcreoricly
in a way of Suffering, and not of fin.
5. It is a Natural fence, but no way Spiritual. Grace is not Spi-
ritually to tadifecrned in its Total Abfcnce, as it now was with Thefe,
who took No Oyi with them, and fo could not be Spiritually ArTetled
towards it ; clle might one Excrcife Grace before he hath ir. The Spi-
rit of a Mm may kaow what is in fiim, yet with refpeel unto 'the
things of God, that knowledge is nothing which is not from his Spi-
rit : And fo the deepclt Natural fence is Spiritual Non-fence, 1 Cor. 2.
1 1. Whereas a Gracious Soul kes what he hath or wanteth, by ver-
tue of an Heavenly Beam, Comparing Spiritual things with Spiritual,
1 Cor. 2. 13. So that (in fuch) a fence of Abfencc ii both more clear
and lefs Afflicting, becaufe it Argueth fome kind of Prefence. Con-
visions ifTuing from Natural Confcience,are either Flainy or Enraging:
But Heavenly and Spiritual Light is to be known, as by the plainnefs
of its Demonliration, John 16. 8. So by theDuenefsof that Compo-
fure ; which doth Accompany the de^peft fenfibleriefs Occafioned by ir,
jifts 9. 3. 6. Compared with jW^ his Conviction, Alat. 27. 3.5.
• 6, It is a fence of wanting Oyl in Lamps, but not inVellels; the
Latter whereof is of far greater Confcqucnce, as is a found Mind (or
Honell Heart) Compared with the bed AfFeclions. Thus were the
Phanfecs Apprehenfive of fome LclTer failingSj but not more Weighty
Matters, J
2 Or. 5. ir. and want not Light, but onciy Grace to ufe that Talent,
the Hiding whereof will not excufe from being cait into that outer
Darknefi, where they fhail weep in vain, Mat. 25. 30.
2. They here Confefs a Weighty Failure without Affcdion fuitable
thereunto. The want of Oyl (atfuch a time) is of the faddeft con-
fequence, yet do not we read of their Lamenting, but onely faying
Our Lamps are Gone, or Going out. Man is endued with Affections,
which (lincethe Fall) are Diilocatedor Mif-placed, as to their Pro-
per Objects. An Hypocrite is never. Moderate five with Refpecl to
Spiritual Loffes, which he can fignifie without Complaining. This
fome confefs their want of Light, whofe Gummed Eyes are ndr fo much
as wafht with Natural Tears. Affections are both the Outward Evi-
dence, and ftirrers up of Inward Senfe; which they who Bridle now,
when need requireth fuch a vent, will Weep the more hereafter, unto
the multiplying of their fruitlefs forrow. Unfound ProfiiTors may be
Affectionate, 1 Sam. 24. 16. but. unaffecftionate Confedions (in Mo-
mentous Cues) have fmall appearance of their being fouad, but like
the Foolifh V : rgins.
3 . Much Partiality may be Obferved in their Confedion.
1. Tney confefs their Want, or Suffering onely, but not their fin,
or want of Care to be fupplyed at the firft. Moil Bodily Sicknefles are
from Intemperance, yet few Complains of the one, are truly fenfible
of thebther ; much lefs will they Confefs it, fave in a Cafe of Grofs
Exorbitancy. The bare acknowledgment of one's Suffering transfers
the Caufe upon another- bur the confefling of .its in bred Root doth
add Dif^race unto the PlaintifPs forrow. Thus fomebcwa.l their want
of Spiritual flrength, as being an heavy Portion from the Lord - 7 but
take 00 notice of their iluggtfhnefs, as being AccefTary to their own en-
feebling. And it is eafier to be Convinced of a fin, than to Confefs it,
as l)rvtd found,- Pfal. 32. 3.- and much more San , till he was forced
reun'.o, 1 Sam. 15.36. Indeed 'tis Folly to complain of Puniihment,
and not of Sin, which is the Caufe, Law. 3. 39. butyet'eis very Na-
tural, and more efpecially to Foolifh Virgins.
2. They do Confefs the Prefent Failing of their Oyl, but not their
Oyl with them at thc,firfr, as Chriit had truly fcidconcern-
T 2 • ing
1 40 the T arable of the' ten Virgins Opened.
ing them, Mat.z%. 3. They would be thought to have had that,
uh ca now the^ do confefs was Gone, or Going. How weak are they,
who ground the Fallible Nature of Holy Oyl, upon thefe Foolifh Vir-
gins falfe Prctenfion \ as if They were to I e believed more than Cbriir.
But thus an Hypocrite would fave the Reputation of his former llate,
when forced from his prefent Claim. Whit Paint do fuch bcitow upon
Profefled Tombs, by feeking to Embalm that which they do acknow-
ledge to be Dead. But thus, a wrong Foundation is not owned, to-
gether with the failing of a Supcritrudture^ and though fomelcfs mif-
carnage may beconfeiied, yet is fclf-honour (in an Higher cafe) con-
sulted for, in fuch ProfefTors deepett felf-condcmnations, as was ap-
parent in Sanl's Example, 1 Sam. 15. 30.
3. They oncly do Confefs the Failing of their Lamps, andmeerly
with Refpc^t unto this prefent Expedition : But not fo Plainly, their
want of Oyl; at leaft-wife, not their having ( Now ) No Grace at all.
All have their Failings, faith an Hypocrite, and I have mine: making
no Difference ( in point of kind) between himfelf and others*, but
onely in Degree. Agar confeffeth himfelf to be Beneath a Man, Prov.
30.2. and David himfelf, to be Behemoth, or a Beait of the Plural
Number, PfaL 73.22. whilit. Hypocrites will call themfelves of the
Holy City, Ifa./fi. 2. the Seed of Abraham, John 8. 33. the Temple
of the Lord, Jer. 7. 4. Thus fome confefs their want of Light into a
Quty urged unto; but Judge that Ignoranc: to be confident with the
Main, and are offended with the Questioning of their Spiritual itate>
meerly becaufe that Oyl is wanting. It would be well if All were
thus Ingenuous : Hut Ananias and Sapphira would rather Dye, than
make a full and free Confeffion ; and of this Nature is that Acknow-
ledgment which is here made by Foolim Virgins.
4. They do not Deny this Going out to be the Wifer Virgins Duty;
yet will they not confefs rheir own fitting ftill to be their fin \ but Judge
their want of Oyl or Light, fufficiently 'to Vindicate them from that
Charge. A Gracious Heart is fenfible of unknown Errors, and doth
defire to be cleanfed from fecret faults, Pfal. 19. 12. not counting him-
felf to be therefore Juiti fled, /imply, becaufe he knoweth Nothing by
himfelf, iCor. 4.4. but Foolifh Virgins are not Careful (at lead, not
felf-condcmning) in fuch a cafe. It fatisfieth fuch, if they can fay, We
have no Light into fome kind of Practice; the total Neglett whereof
is therefore not Accounted fin, till they (hall come to be Convinced.
Particular Actings of this Nature may fometimes be in Wifer Virgins ;
but yet this is the Principle of Foolifh ones, vytoich therefore mould be
Cauteloufly
The Par. ib! e oj the Ten Virgins Opened. \\i
CoUtejpuly Pleaded by us in any cafe whatever, But this may need^
to be further e'eared up, in a Queilion by it felf.
Queft. 3. How far doth Want of Oyl (or Light) Excufe from
Sine
j4nfxv. i. We may not Difpute the point with God, as to his So-
veraignty and Dominion, Job 25. 2. by vcrtuc whereof the Stars are
faidtobe Not Pure \n h;s. iighr, v. 5. nor yet the Heavens clean, J.b
15. 15. Sfea, vvb.o may therefore cbarge his finiefs Angels with fome
kind of FoUy, fob 4. 18. becaufe of their Ignorance compared with his
Infinite Omnifciency. And if Maryuftly may impute the Father's fin
unto his Innocent Child, mu.h more may God impute the ftrii Man's
Difobcdience u toothers, Rom. 5. jq. # whofe Ignorance ( in that Re-
fpecl) was Absolutely Invincible. And into which Reafon, '(viz.. the
Sovcraignty of his Wi 1 5 J the Rightecu'nefs of Ad^s Fall is Ulti-
mately . They do not fay, Help
us to fuch a Meafureof this Oyl, as you feem to befurnifhed with 3
much !efs do they Defire to have their VefTels filled with it ; but one'.y,
Given* £0/] your Oyl\ as if fome Leflcr quantity would ferve their
turn. An Hypocrite may crave fome Part of Grace, or j a ft fo much
as Gonfcience and Occafion doth require, who yet is loath to bear the
whole, for fear of being too much burthened. Thus fome would have
Retraining Grace, Numb. 22. 34. and Saving Grace at lilt, Numb.
23. 10. Others are for theHigheir, Notions of Spiritual Knowledge,
Prw. 18. 1. A third is for that Good by wtiich Eternal Life may be
Obtained, Mat. 19. 16. together with the favingof his Earthly Inte-
rest, but not otherwife, -v. 21,22. This Argueth that Water is not
Elementary, fave unto Fifhcs; fince other Creatures when moil athirlr,
are yet afraid of being Drown'd in its Abundance.
2. It is not a Defire of Oyl (at all) in VeiTels, but onely to fupply
their Fading Lamps, as the fubjoyned Reafon of their Defiring it doth
Evidence. An Hypocrite is moil follicitous about his Lamps or good
Affe3ions, which if he can but competently keep from Going our, the
Deadnefs'or Extinction of his Principle and Judgment is not the Matter
of his Lamentation. Such moftly are Delighted in that kind of Preach-
ing which worketh mod upon Affections, however dark the Mind is lefr ;
yea, pofiibly Mif-guided, by Reafon of a Zeal for God, but not ac-
cording unto KnowledgeSet. 10.2. This is too Natural unto the Bed:,
fo far as Folly is remaining in them j but is Predominant in Foolifh Vir-
gins,who altogether are deprivedof Heavenly Wifdom. But yet thefe
wifcr Virgins took Oy 1 in their^ VefTels; nor are fuch fatisfied with others
4
•
^^44 Th e TwdM* of thz Ten Virgins Opened.
^^7! in thuRefpccl, as thefe poor Foolifh Virgins would have been ;
but arc for being taught by their Anoynting, and not by any Man
whatever, I John z. 27.
3. It is a Defire of Oyl from Man, ( or from the VVifer Virgins)
but not from Jefus Chrift. Means are not to be Dis-regarded ; but
yet, if any Man lack Oyl or Wifdom, he is hrit bid to Ask of God,
James \.<$. as Solomon did, 2 Chron. 1. 10. but-fo did not thefe Foo'.ifh
Virgins. An Hypocrite will not Delight himfeif in God, Job 27. 10.
A Common Jew willfirit fptnd all upon Phyfuians, Luke 8. 43. and
Carnal Hearts content themfclvcs with Applications made to Inttru-
ments. How few add Prayer unto their Hearing, favein a Formal
way of doing both; and thence it is they are no more Advantaged by
either, • Whereas a Gracious Heart doth know Chfift onely hath the
Key of David, Rev. 3.7. both as to the Speakers Utterance, Col. 4.
3. and Hearers Entrance, Alls 16. 14. therefore fuch chiefly fue to
him. And if a Man may Hypocritically Defire Light of God, Numb.
2.2.19. much more of Man,- who is lefs Dreaded , and who cannot
detect his clofe Dimmulation.
4. It is not Properly a Defire, but rather a Demand, made up of
much appearing Pride and Difcontent \ as thofe words \_Givens~\ do
import. Abrahams Servant could Humbly fay unto a Virgin, Give
frit Q/ pray ibee~\ a little Water , Gen. 24.43. But Jfrael (inaway
of Chiding ) fa id to Afofes, Give us Water, that we may Drin^ Exod.
17.2. So c'othefe Foolifh Virgins fpeak unto the Wife, asyW^bad
Laban to Give him his Wife; not in a way of Supplication, but De-
mind, O;?. 29.21. Give me thy Son, f?.id he unto that Woman, in a
way of Courtcfie, not to himfeif, but her, 1 Kings 17. jq. So fay
■thefe to the Wife, elfe they mult Part, as if Continuance with the.n
were a kindnefs to the Wife. Yea, thefe bid, Give m of your Oyl, as
Jfrael ( Atheiitically ) faid to Afofes, Give us Flefli, Numb. 11. 13.
which was not in his Power to do ; no More than Man can £ive Light
toanother. Thus is an Hypocrite's Defire made up of Pride and Pa f-
fion, inftead of Vertuc, Grace, or Common Reafon.
5. It is a Lazy Defire this of having Light freely Given 3 , without
any (tore of Co:t or Pains. We may not Sell the Truth, but yet are
bidtoBuyit, Prov. 23. 23. And as with our Laborious Searching for
it, Prov. 2.4. fo by our Chearful Suffering the Lofs of all for that Ex-
celling Knowledge, Phil. 3.8. But Man (as Man) knows not the
Pri.e of Oyl or Spiritual Wifdom, Job. 28. 1 3. Nor will an Hypo-
trite Give ought for Truth, at lead: not hazard the Lofs of All, as doth
an Heavenly Merchant for this Pearl, Afar. 13.45,46. An Hypocrite
is
The Parable of the 'ten Virgins Opened. 145
is free to Hear what may be undcrftood by one that's half afleep, and '
could do fomething, if he might no: Suffer; but otherwifc he p!ead-
eth Poverty and Weakrvefs o: Capacity in this Cafe, though not in
other Matters of Equal Difficulty and Expencc. If Light be darted
in upon them, or it they might but fave their Money, fome would ac-
cept of GivenQy\, who elfe will neither Buy nor Walk till forced to
it; and not then neither, faveonely in a way of outward (hew.
6. It is a cold Defire this, not uttered with any fjgn of Earr.e fnefs,
as Aftsz. 37. nor Seconded with Importunity, as A/at. 15.2;. al-
though the other did not plainly fay, Not fo^ ( which words are added
byourTranflators;) nor do they Abfolutely gain-fay the Motion made,
but onely bid them L ratne O go to them that Sell, Mat. 25.9. Paul
Thrice befought the Lord for Grace untill he had it, 2 Cor. 12. 8,9. and
Jacob faid unro the Angel, 1 will not let thee Go, except thou Blefsme,
Gen. 32. 26. Nor is the Cordialnefs, much lefs the Grace or Spirit of
Supp'ication evidenced but by an Holy Violence and Perfeverance,
Eph.6. 18. One might have thought, in fuch a Weighty Cafe, the
Fooliih Virgins would have Repeated their Defire, and then have Pro-
fecuted it with cogent Arguments, at leaft,have bitterly lamented their
Repulfe, inftead of filent Acquiefcing in a firftDenyal. But Hypo-
crites do either Counterfeit a good Defire, or at the beft are onely pref-
fed thereunto by that which is too Weak to bear them out untill it be
obtained.
Que ft. 5 , How came the Fooliih Virgins Lamps ( or good Affltli-
ons ) to go out, before their Work was done?
jinfvp. 1. Becaufe they were not fed with Oyloutof their VefTels,
or from a well-informed Judgment. 'Tis faid, they took No Oyl at
firff ; and then, Not in their VefTels, to be fure : Therefore their Lamps
cou'd not be Lalting. Life in Affections onely is but like unto Sap re-
dding in a Branch, which being fevered from its Root, may fprout a
little (efpecially if thruftinto fome Moifter Ground ) but in a fhort
time will come to nothing. Indeed there is a Gradual Difference ( in
point of Laltingnefs ) between fome Natural Mens Affe&ions, com-
pared withathers,as is between their Bodily Conftitutions ; but though
fome may Live longer, yet all are Mortal, fave as they are Preferved
and Animated by an Immortal Soul or Judgment \ and Violence of Ex-
ere ife doth onely fhorten their continuance. As we would therefore
have our Lamps not to go out, fo let us take heed of Empty Vef-
fels.
2. Becaufe the very Lamps of Foolifh Virgins ( or their Affections,
as in Themfelves confidered ) are much Inferiour to the other's in point
• V of
:
146 The Parable of the ten Virgins Opened.
*of Laftingnef,. Saints arc compared to Green Firr-Trces, Hof.\^ %
8. whole very Boughs ( uh.chanfu'cr unco Sp .1 Attection> ) re-
tain their Gieenefs Long.- But Flvpocrites Attentions at the belt aie
onely Carnal- and if a Carnal Mind he Deal',.. a^,..8.6. much more
are fuch Ariections Mortal. They alfothat are Cnrht's, have Crucified
that Inordinacy of AffecTion. which others kill Labour under, Gal. 5.
24. ar\d Violent Poffions are of no long continuance. Yea, Hypo-
crites r. ire cl ions are like thole Lamps or Candles, which have fome
fvvailing Thief in thcin, or fome Particular Object fixt upon, which
(as a Sucker) makes the Branch to wither: whereas a Good Man
guideth his Affections with Diicretion, Pfal. 112.5. which therefore
lait the longer. Taus we may Learn, botn why the Foolifh Virgins
Lamps go out,' and ho w we may fecure our own, vit. by getting our
affections Sanctified.
. 3. Becaufe the very .Oyl wherewith the Fooiifh Virgins Lamps arc
fed, is alfo differing from the others in point of Fatnefs, Purity and
ft If- multiplying ; all which are Influential to its Laftingnefs. The Fool-
ifh Virgin Oyl was onely Common at the be:t; and Nature's Oyl
( compared with that of Grace) doth quickly fpend it felf, and upon
tboic fore-mentioned A . . - s may be thus made our.
1. Spiritual things are altb Fat, and consequently not fo apt to waif.
Such. is the Moi'tu re of the Olive-Tree, Judg.9.9. especially of Chrilr,
Rom. II, 17. and of thofe Bleffings obtained through Faith on him, I fa.
55.2. and through Communion with him, Pfal. 36.8. and 63.5.
Jer. 31. 14. Therefore Affections' fed with fuch likdfeonfidefatioi.s
arec lorelauing Nature } and thcoce it is that True Believers are
not fofu jject to Back-Hide, becaufe their Motives to continue it ill are
of a more Lively and Eternal make, John 6.67, &$. But choifelfc
a;thly De'ucates, in point of Moral Ncurilliing, are very Lean, Pfal.
c cave the Eater's itomach alway Craving, Pfal. 78. 29-,
1 Affections' fed therewith, are apt to faint upontheir being
d he that cn-ely Dnnketh of inch Water will Thii
c-gaitt> 4. 12, Yea, Lower things are no way fatisfying, Jfi.}<$.
y continue:, EccL 1.8. and Increafe, Eccl.<$. ic. There-
acting upon that Account (in wavs of Duty ) are at the
mi, compared with ojthers, Prov. 19. 23. and 14. 14.
nich is >piri:ual, isalfo Pure, 1 Tim. 4. 12. and Purest
:. in a il fence) will burn the longeit time 3
creforethat Sicred Lamp vvhich was to be alway burning, was Or-
) oe kd with pure Ov'-Olivc beaten, Exod.1j.20. Now, a
Divine Command is Pure, Pfl 19. 8. fo is that Wifdom from above,
James
i
The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 147
Jxves 3. 17. yea, Co is a Believers Hope of Future Glory, 1 John 3.
therefore Affeclions fed with fuch like Arguments, are of a long
nnnuance. Since God's Command endures for ever, fo doth 4iis
Duty whofe Outward Peace gives place to Purity, and wbofr very
Hope is of a Soul-purifying Nature. But Earthly Lower Motives are
Compounded, as is the Matter whereof fome Lights are made, which
reibre quickly fpend thcmfclves with fpitting, and leave a Noifomc
Snuff behind them. Therefore the Foolifh Virgins Lamps go out, with
e ifive fmcll unto the Wife,who thenceforth cannot bear to ha\'e
Communion with them any longer, but wifh them alfo to be Gone,
• 2 5- 9.
3 . That which is Spirituals of a felf-multiplying Nature alfo,v/nere-
in the Wifer Virgins Oy'l is like that of the Widows, z Kings 4. 3,4.
J that which Multiplyeth in its pouring our, muft needs be Laiung.
Inherent Grace is ( partly ) therefore EverlaiUng, becaufe it is aiway
Growing, Pfd. 92. 12. 14. fo is a Suffering Saints future Glory, 2 Cor.
4. 17. and Prefent Confolations, 2 Cor. 1.5. yea, his Faith alfo, 2 The/.
1. 3? 4. therefore Affections fed with fuch a kind of Oyl, are as a weH
watered Tree, whofe Fruit and Leaf continue in a Time of Heat and
Drought, jer. 17.7,8. But Lower things are of a Pafiang Nature,
1 John. 2. 16, 17. uncertain at the bert, 1 Tim. 6. 17. and at the lail
will come to Nothing, v. 7. yea, Perifh with the llfing, Col.z.zz.
therefore Affections led therewith mull: needs be of a fading Nature ;
especially fince Lower Motives are apt in time to Deaden Men's Af-
fections unto Spiritual Objects : whereas that which is Spiritual, is al-
fo the Preferver and Embalmer of that Affeclion, which is thereby
maintained.
The Truth of all which may yet more fully be made our, by taking
a Particular Notice of thofe Motives (or that Oyl) wherewith the
Lamps or good Affections of unfound Profeffors unto Duty, are main-
tained. AH which are Fading. As,
1. When Duty is Affected for its Novelty, which may not be fb ea-
sily perceived at the firlr, as afterwards. Athenians fpent their time
othing elfc but telling and hearing fome New thing, Atts 17. 21.
therefore had fome Affection for PaaFs New Dot to be Defpifcd*
but yet not to bcTrufted in, as Peter's inftance fadly fheweth, Mat.
26. 3 5. 74. Courage may carry through a Natural Undertakings Sam.
10.12,13. and Vows of Old were of Religious Force, Jttdg. 11.39.
but other Armour isprefcribed in Gofpcl-times, Eph.6.io>i r. Chrift
having chofen what is Weak, that fo no Flefh fhould Glory in his Pre-
fcn:e, 1 Cor. 1.27. 29. Courage is under the Command of Reafon*
and when the Captain Runs, (as Reafon will, in Spiritual Cafes ) the
(touted of his Souldiers cannot ftand, for lack of Conduct : And Reso-
lutions are depending upon Courage, which therefore needs muir. Run
together with it. Whereas a Gracious Heart is not fo much for faying
what he will do, as Labouring to fet Duty home upon his Heart, Pfal.
44. 20, 21. and waiting upon God for Light and Strength, Pfal. 25.
45. Oppofing Faith to Natural Fear, Pfal. 56. 3. who therefore is
not Moved, Pfal. 16. 8. and 62. 2.
6. When Duty is affecled inatimeof Safety, and upon that Ac-
count. Birds hatched in a Summers Seafon are Generally Gone (at
lead-wife will not fing) in Winter: Whereas thofe Primitive Chri-
ftians were moil Faithful, who were Converted in a Time of Perfec-
tion. Men walking in the Fields for Recreation, are driven back by
an appearing ftorm : but therefore fuch will neither Sow nor Reap,
EccL 1 1.4. Peace is a Mercy, Atts$. 31. to be Prayed for, iTim.
2. but he that is not an hardy Souldier, will never be a Faithful Chru
• ftian, iTtm.z. 3. Therefore a Gracious Heart is not for Lingring
till the ftorm be over, becaufe he longeth to be Matter of that great
Temptation. Yea, therefore God inureth His unto fome kindof daily
Tryals 5
•
,G The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
Tryals, left (being over-tender ) they fhould give back upon a fud-
d'.n change. And though fuch Poffibly may have a P e fant Jourr.ey,
yet it is not depending thereupon, but fully purpof ough it fhould
Rain from fmt to laft, becaufc their Bufincfs requireir* ha d haz-
ard.
7. When Pride is the Main Impulfiveunto Duty, as to irs being
cither ftnt undertaken upon that Account, or therefore (chiefly) Per
fevered in. ' Thus Honour did excise the Phanfees to be O'.c i M5
and others (having once Begun) will not Defift, for fear of being
Mocked: Both which are of Infcriourllfe, but not fit to be truited
with the Chief Command in a Religiou; Service. The Lull of the
Flefh 7 (or Worldly Pleafures) and the Luitof the Eyes (or Worldly
Riches) do feem both oi them (Generally) to be prefcrr'd before
c Pride of Life, or Worldly Honour, 1 John 2. 16. to (hew the
Weaknefs of this Latter Motive, compared with the other Two,
though All of them are Worldly, and confequcntly of a Patting Nature,
v. ij. Few will Begin to Run in Wifdom's Paths, if Honour be the
Onely Prize ; much lefs will they PerfLf. herein, ii Pleafures and Pro-
fits Jbe thereby Hazarded, through Fear of Pcrfccuion ; fince in that
Cafe, it is accounted One's grcateil: Honour to confult for fuch a Prin-
cipal felf-prefervation, though by Difgraceful felf-contradicling Practi-
ces.
8. When Duty and Affections arc Contracted, meerly becaufe of
Prefent wages expected thereupon. T lie never Will be Faithful boul-
dierountoChri:!, who are not iatishVd with the publick Faith of Hea-
ven in that refpeel, and prefent NecefLrics, 2 Cor. 4. 18- 1 T/w.6.8.
Thefe Fool ifh Virgins (at th:ir firit £ out) had ltpre of fuch En-
couragements, together wherewith their Lamps for good ArTcclions)
are Now Extinguiihed. An Heart that is Taken with the World,
doth ever incline, as doth a Needle, ro that Load-ilone wherewith it
hath been Touched ^ and Golpcl- Duty is vet diredtly Oppofite there-
unto, as is the South un: • the \ J h. Therefore Chriit doth Prepare
his Voluntiers with fuch like Proclamations at the firlr, Mat. 8. 19,
20. (hewing the 1 neon tween Love of the World and
of the Father, 1 Job* 2. 15. at lei .r-wife in ncct of Lartingnefs,
Mat, 5. 24. There is fome 1- s in Earth ftiftgs, which yet will
Fade, if not bedewed da lv, Gen. 27. $9. fo will thofe Lamps' ( or
good Affections ) Which \la:nlv are maintained with that kind of hun-
gry o>i.
9. When Dutv is under fhe Sole or Principal Command of Natural
Confidence, and ilavifh fear of Condemnation entailed upon Difobe-
dience.
■
Tl Par Me of the Ten Virgins Opened* 151
dicn. lTo is a Serviceable llndcr-Officer, Commi/fionated by
MarK, iG- 16. and therefore all Fear of Suffering i'sjioc
when it is Saprcam, James 2. 19. But Natural
; fubject to be !' in ibmc, 1 Tim. 4. 2. and in all Un-
usi. 15. yea, robe weak ned in the Be;t,
1 C .7. therefore not fit to be confided in, fave as it is Accompa-
nies 01 Fauh enfeigfted, ^nd without which it is not good,
1 T/";. 1. . i'$ Future Promifes are nothing ( with a
tot oriel, 2 T/?». 4. 10. fo prefent Suffering (in
the . I eafily be too many for an Hypocrite's future
fears cure. Therefore Chriit doth not- trull Confcience
wichl se, but doth Himfcif dwell in them by his
Spin, an - d wel!i;ig Spirit dotn enable them to keep what is
Cotr. nitted ; xlim. J. 14.
10. \ . Attentions unto Duty are mceriy bottomed upon
the eofhi[ proper Priviedgcs from the Lord himfelf, which
are believed to bj had in fuch a way. 'Tis true indeed the Love of
(for v. it he hath already done) is of a Soul-conllraining
2 Cor. 5.14. nfcxt unto which is Hope of Future Glory,
but as tne Saints Duty is not proper, fo neither can it be
. . , " .• as it iiVuethe . from a Nobler and more Lailing Prin-
le. A Child of Light may walk in Darknefs, If*. 50. 10. whofe
ty ( in ihit Cafe ) would fail, if he were onely animated by a fenfe
Pnviledges. Therefore fo many tumble in the ways of Chriit, be-
caufethcy meet not with thofelsvcomes from him which were too pe-
iptovsly Expecled, and too much Leaned on. Chriffc was Delighted
in God's will, as fuch, Hcb.io.y. therefore he Fainted not, though
feemingly forfakenby his Father, Mat. 27.4.6. and nothing fhortof
it fame Oyl ( wherewith he was Anointed ) viz.. the Love of Naked
Duty, will keep our Lamps from Going out.
Vfi r. Godahvay can, and in due time he will constrain the Fool-
rgins to -eonfefs their being Inferiour to the W'fe, in point of
!, or fomc more choice Accomnlifhments. Thus Pharaoh was en-
forced to cotifefs, that Mofes was more prevailing than Himfelf with
God in Prayer, Exod. 8. 8. and Ba'aam al fo, thjit his Prefent ftate was
not fo Happy asi thatof Jfrael, Numb. 2 3 . 1 o. Yea, Sunlit laii was
ic to lk;nifi£ that David was more Righteous than himfelf* 1 Sum.
24. 17. As God can punifh the ftoutell Heart, J fa. 10. 12. andcaufe
the Arrogancy of fuch to ccafe, I ft. 1 3 . 1 1 . So he can make the proud-
Pharifee to call himfelf the chiefell fihncr , J Tim. 1. 15. who fome-
times thought he had wherein to Truft, PbiL 3.4,5. jibab's falfe
Prophet
1
1 5 2 The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
Prophet (corned to be thought Infcrio r v ificajab, i Kings 22. 24.
untiilhe went into an inner Chamber to Hidi himfeit, unto tne (ham?
of his Profeflion, andthen he faw \t 9 v\ 25 . ( pmptiance with an .^m >
will, andbafe unworthy felf-withdrawing car, evince the Abfcnc >f
God's Spirit in Men, and will at lait convnxe iuch of their falfe e-
tending thereunto in Times of Peace.
2. Thofe are not worthy to be caliccf Virgins, who are Condi ncd
by thefe Foolilh Virgins Carriage to the. Wife, in iuch a C and
Time. Thefe do not call the other Defperate, Schifmatical, 1 fclf-
conceited, for Offering to go out without their Company : Eliab icre-
fore was an Invidious Fellow, who neither would Engage (!i elf)
with that Goliath, nor yet let David go without a Ccnfure, 1 Sat. 17.
28. Thefe do not call their Darkncfs Light, nor boait, of their ] *w
Trimmed Lamps, but do Confefs their going out : Saul therefore w is
exceeding Impudent, who did alTert his having been Obedient, againit
both Senfe and Confcience, 1 Sam. 15. 13, 14. Thefe do not fcorn to
be Intruded, nor Totally Neglecl the ufeot Means, but freely come
unto the Wife, to be partakers of their Oyl: Therefore proud Ar,.a-
zjah was near his End, who fcorncd to be Taught by his Imenour,
2 Chron. 25. 15, 16. So were EUab'sSons, who caufeleily Rai'ed up-
on Mofes, but icorned to come up unto him, to have the Cafe Decided
in a Friendly way, Numb. 16. 12, 1 3, 14. 32.
3. The Foolifh Virgins Lamps are alway apt to fade, and will atlaft
Go out, efpecially atfuch a Time, or when the Cry is made. They
are fat bell) but as a Morning Cloud, Hof. 6. 4. unrooted Seed, Mat.
13.5. Houfes upon the Sand, Mat. 7. 26. Profefibrs, Dtut. 5.28.
without an Heart, v. 29. and of an Earthy make, 1 Cor. 15.45. or
without (trength, Rom. j.6. all which evince their being api to fail.
Yea, fuch will (atthelait) come down indeed, fince Hypocrites will
not alway Pray, Jobzy. 10. nor yet Believe but for a while, Luke 8.
13. but will be choaked with the World, Mat. 13.22. being oncly
Zealous for Men's Traditions, Mat. 15.2. or meetly Counterfeiting
Good Affect. ons, Mark, 7. 6. And more efpecially at fuch a time,
when God will lead Back-Aiders forth with workers of Iniquity, Pfal.
125 5. Discovering Foundations unto the Neck, Hab.$.ii. when
two third Parts fhall be cutoff, Zech. 13.8. and Chaff fhall be b^rnt
up, M*t. 3. 12. in Order to the Purging out of Rebels fam among
his People, E^k. 20. 38.
Ti.is is a Failure of High Concernment, which I fhall therefore a lit-
tle (hew the Symptoms of. A d fo the Symptoms of Decaying good
Affections (or Fading Lamps) are briefly thefe.
Sympt. 1. When
The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 155
Synspt. f. When onely in an hour of Temptation there (cents ro
a want of Light into that Truth or Duty, which formerly ( and in
v Blood ) was never Doubted of. It Peter knows not Chr! f, Afot*
26. 7-. nor Nab*!!, who Famous David is, 1SAm.z5.iQ. nor Ifrael^
lat's become of A/ofes, Exod.jz. 1. Ic is not fo much from Ignctr
s want of Love. That Lamp ( nd not its Oyl) is to be biam-
, whofe Light is alway clear, untill lome N;p or Guiiof Windcodi
put it cur : and in that CxfeMen wrongfully complain of Darknefs.
lis true, Back-tliders never were Judicious; and ycr their not Con-
tmui g in the Truth, is ncxtly caufedby the failing of their Affections,
and is a fign thereof. A Real Friend doth Love ( a Thing or Pedbn )
alway, Prtv. 17. 17. therefore Adverfity will make no Alteration, fo
long as Fiiendfhip doth continue, however injudicious that ArTeclion is.
AndlcinpMan deceive himfelf, his Turning aiide from Chriif. cannot
be from a Better Light, but want of Love.
2. When every fmalJ Occafion is improved by ProfefTors, whcieon
to fall, or be Offended. Love covereth a Real Sin, P;ov. 10. 12. and
Charity bclivcth all things, 1 Cor. 13. 7. efpecially when there is
Ground for Confidence (as in this Cafe there is J thatfuch a Thing
or Perfon is not Culpable, when mo J: fufpec/led. But when the Fool-
ifh Virgins Motion ( for Oyl or Light ) is foon Denied, efpecially
when Humans fuing for his Life is moll unreafonably mifconlrued,
Ejlh. 7. 8. Yea, when a Man is therefore called an Enemy, for telling
that which cannot be denyed to be a Truth, 6W.4.16. Such Mens Af-
fections certainly qre Altered. Well might they be Concluded to be
Envious or Dif-afTecTed, Mm. 27. 18. who could not fay, what Evil
Chri:l had done, and yet Cr^ed out to have him Crucified, ^.23. Where-
as he that doth Love his Mafter, will not Accept of Freedom Offered,
jE.wW.21.5. Nor will Rath Lave her dearly Beloved Mother, although
fhe hath a fair Occafion Miniitred, Ruth 1. 15, 16. nor will ought Se-
parate a True Believer from his Love of Chritt, Rom.% 35.
3. When Means afforded for Satisfaction ( as to the Truth of fuch
a Duty ) are very (leightly attended unto, if at all. Heflaily Medi-
tatcth in tri,e Lawof Godj who dearly Lovethit, Vfd. 119.97. ^ n ^
he that Cordially difireth Heavenly W 7 ifdom will fcparate himfelf
( from other Bufinefs) to feek it, Prov. 18. 1. Nor is a Love-lick
' Spoufe Difcouraged ( by what fhe mccteth with) from the Purfuincc
of her Be'ovcd, Cant. 5 . 6, 7, 8. But Dilatory Hearers, who fcigned-
ly are for a more Convenient Seafon, ^6^24.25. and fuch as put a
Qucition, but itay not for its'Anfwer, J^/218. 38. efpecially they
who will not fo much as come unto the Light 9 John 3. 20. ¥ca, they
who
1
1
154 The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
who Pcrfunclorily convcrfe about Enquiries of this Nature, or do not
Hear in Hearing, Mat. 13.1$. do plainly evidence their want of Love
unto the Truth, 2 Tbe'f. 2. 10. Thus fomc are cafily convided of De-
caying good Affe cftions, becaufe the itrenuoufnefs of their Endeavour
dot'i no way fuit the (hew* of their Defirc.
4. When Ordinary Light is not fufficicnr, without fomc more than
Neceiiary Demonstration ; which yet in other like Cafes is by fuch
Perfons thought to be unreafonably cxpeilcd by another. God made
Man upright, or Plain-hearted, but he hath found out many bsd In-
ventions or Evafions, Eccl. 7. 29. and out of his own Mouth fhall he
be Judged, Luke 19.22. Some things of Old were Darkly hinted,
much more in Gofpel-timcs, Pfal.4.9. 4.. Mat. 13.34. to Try Men's
Ingenuity, Mat. 15. 15,16. or who are cf that Chofen Number, that
will Obey as foon as they fhall Hear, Pfal. 18.44. Love made the
Spoufe ( when half afleep ) to Hear the Voice of her Beloved, Cant.
5.2. And Davit's Delighting in the Will of God, did make him light
of Hearing, Pfal. 40. 6. 8. And if EUJha had not been very Cmdid,
he wou'd not fo readily have known the Meaning of Elijah's Mantle
ciit upon him, 1 Kings 19. 19,20. 'Th true, Man's Reafon may not
DiclareGofpel-Dutics, yet is there room for Candour in fuch Cafes ;
and Perfons Dull of Hearing, Mat. 13. 15. have not the Love of God
in them, John 5.42.
5. When clear. Convictions are not Accompanied with fpeedy Ani-
ons : it being an undoubted fign of Weaknefs in that Child, which ftay-
eth long in the place of breaking forth, Hof. 3.1;. -A ftrong Affcclion
is rather apt to be* too forward, as Mofes was, to have his Siiicr healed,
Numb. 12.13. as David was to Build a Temple, 2 Sam, j. 2. 5. and
as the People were to make Chrift King, John 6. 15. however fuch are
in Pain, till they have Vent, and then are molt Refremed, Job 32.19,
20. Faith is not Hafty 3 Jfa.2S.16. and Hope can wait, Rom. 8.25.
but Love is all upon the Spur, and if there be noth : ng from Without
to hinder, one Day is then Accounted aThoufand Years, 2 Pet. 3. 8.
Therefore fuch are for making Hafte, Pfal. 119. 60. and not conferring
with Flefhand Blood, Gal. 1. 1.6. but do Immediately endeavour to
comply with fign i fid Duty, sltts 16. 10. Whereas Lot's Lingring
(tili in Sodom y Gen. 19. 16. after a double Item given, v. 12. 15. did
plainly evidence he had no great Affection to be gone.
6. X en Souls are glad of being Hindred, and who are therefore
Catching at, or readily at lead improve the firft Advantage fairly Of-
fered for fuch a Purpofc. As Hatred watcheth for anothers Halting,
Jcr. 20. 10 and Envy 1 feeketh for Occafions, 2 Cor. n, iz. or falfe
Witnef-
1
The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 155
Wltncfles, Mat. 26. 59, fo Love Dcvifcth Liberal things, If*. 52.
and waiteth to be Gracious, tfa* 30. 18. David was Glad when othei *
did invite him unto Duty, Pfal. 122. 1. whofe Soul did break with
Longing for it, Pfal. 119. 20. and 41. 1,2. Nor would Paul be c J i:-
d with Heart-breaking Imp3rtunities, -Alls 12. 13, 14. but did
whit in him lay, to fhun Obitrudtions, Gal.i. 17. and fadly Bewail.
Rom. j. 24 his being fometimes Captivated, i>. 23. <^r Hindrcd from
that good which he fain would have done, v. 19. Whereas they have
but imall AfF.clion for their Duty, who wait but for a Wind to carry
them off, Jchn 6. 65,66. or willingly Obey Man's countermand, Hof
5. 11. yea, they who do not call: about to be Delivered from aforcibie
Ciptivty, Jer. 41. 13, 14,
7. When any thing is loved More than- Chrift or Duty, Mat. ic.
A Child may truly Love his Parents both alike, and Cnriit did
duly Love All his Difciples, Johnii. 1. though John was Eminently
his Beloved, 1/.23. but Chriit is not Be'oved Duly, if Life it felf (as
Well as O'jr Relations) be not Hated by us in Competition with our
Duty unto him, Luke 14.26. David Dcfired Nothing upon Earth,
Compared with God, Pfal. 73.25. Nor was Paul moved with the
fear of Lofing All, if what he had to do for Chriit might be but fmifhed,
Adsio. 23,24. and nothing ihort of this, will cl arly Evidence a
True Difciple's Love, Jobnu. 17, 18. And though a Temporary
failing of this Fruit in Peter , Mat. 26. 34. might be confident with its
Never failing Root, Z/f/^22.32. yet they who fall with him, and do
not alfo Rife again, will not be Credited, as to the Truth of their Pro-
fefTed good Affection. An Hypocrite may Suffer much, but yet their
Lamps are quite Gone out, who do Habitually Affecl ought more than
Chrii, and do thus Evidence it.
8 . When that Reproach which fome Men caft upon the ways of God,
is Ligf tly born by thofe who do Profefs to walk therein. How would
the Wifer Virgins have been Moved, in cafe the Fooliih had Reviled
them, becaufe of Going forth. Love is made up of Sympathy, and as
in drift, Albsg. 4. fo in his People, Pfal.69.9. And though Paul
would have fome Oppofers to be Taught with Meeknefs, 2 lim. 2. 25.
yetcouldnothebear Blafpheming Jews, >4#j 13.45,46. Yea, Da-
vid's Love to God made him Hate the Haters of him, and to be Grieved
withthem, Pfal. 1 39. 21. as with his greateft Enemies, ^.22. Two
contrary Matters cannot be ferved with the fame Affection, Mat. 6.
24. and next unto a Saints being Angry with himfelf, 2 Cor. 7. 11. he
cannot but Declare againft the fins cf others, Mic. 3. 8. Paffion is to
be watched over, Eph. 4. 26. a^d Perfonal Cafes call for Moderation,
, X Z Nnmb,
1 5 6 ihc ? arable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
'umb. 12. 2,3. but let us have a care of fmothering Zeal by our Di-
ction, fo as to mike our Love for Chrilt a Matter Difputabfc.
9. When Souls arc Satisfied with Ignoble and Dull Performances of
that D'.ity which God rcquireth. Love .fcorns to be affrighted into
Duty, 17*6114.18. or b-ifely to be Hired thereunto, Dan. 5. 17. \et
will :t Act unto itsutmcit,as that whLh Ddvid did with good Affect ;on,
1 Chron. 29. 3. he a'.fo did with all his Might, v. 2. * ome Fray and
Hear, as they fhoird Bjy and Marry, 1 Cor. 7. 29, 30. and as the
manner of their Acting is, fuch is the Meafure 1 : eir Affection, and
fui table thereunto (a: hit) will be the Natt ( their Pay, 1 Sam.
2. 30. The wcakcit. Creature hath an Heart, and Soul, and Mind,
and Strengtl crewith God (in the firlr jpfacej ihoidd be Lov Samfftx, J 6. 15. How canft thou fay, I L-.ze thee, when
ine Heart ( ; n a Duty) is not with me, bit haft oft Mocked me y and
not yet told me wherein thy great ftrength lyeth ? A Cuitomary Yawn in
Drouzy, Wandring, Sieighty Worfhipper of God, is one whole
Lamp ( or good* Affection unto Duty) is cither Gone, or Going
out.
jo When Souls arc not Affected duly wi:h nnoth.rs Duty, where-
ia Thcmfelves are no: fo properly concerned. Indeed lorn: \u.l Com-
mend that Dutv unto others, wherein Thcmfelves would be Excu fed,
^/.fr.23.4. This is a ferf condemning Approbation, Rom.z. 18.21.
Bur others onclv Cry that Duty up wherein Themfelvesare Eminently
Engaged \ Bu: is feif-Lovc, and not a Proper Love of D ity. Love
is com men fur a fed by its Object, therefore Chriit doth i.ot call that
Love or FriCndftlip which is r.o: both Indefinite, John 14. 15. andllni-
verfal, John 15. 14. forbidding his Difciples to fault that Good which
others did tf ho walked not with them, M*rkjp, 38/39. Mcfes De-
nted, that all the Lords Peopl re as he, Numb. 1 1. 29. and others
fredfaftnefs was that b \i Paul was Preferved alive, 1 Thef.$.S.
Ye?, Rcj in C lrift's out-fhining him, John 3. 26. 29 The
Spirit in a Saint m . Luit to Envy, Janes 4.. 5. but Men of an Habi-
• tua! Invr< irit ('approving nought but what is in themTelves) arc
v.v i of Love to Chrift or Duf
Thefe a is of Decaying Lamps, or good Affections;
t keeping whereof Alive, (for Chriftand Duty,) thefe
:ives mv ^f Llf
Mot. 1. Aff:dions in Man arc Noble Faculties, and Spiritual Ob-
jcetsare thcIJ , which God hath therefore aptly joyned, Co'. 3.1.
and fuch no Mm Ihould put afunder, Mat. 19. Adam in Paradife
had
1
The TarMc of the Ten Virgins Opened. 1 5 7
had all the Creatures in their Prime, yet could he not find an Help
meet for himfelf among them all, Gen. 2. 2o.*that IneA's the Noble-,
nefs 01 Man's Affections, whofe Nature is ilill the fame, but that
Man's Fdoliih Heart is Darkened, Rom. 1.21. Epb 4. 18. • VVi!l
wi e Man lurch Rags together with Silver Threds? Or fpill Rofe-
:er upon the Ground? Or caif, away his Love and Perfonupon a
Fool ifh Woman? S c'i arc thefe Lower things, Beggarly, Gal. 4. 9.
, Phil. 3.19. and Fooliih, iT/w.6.9. What Pity it is,
that Princes Daughters, Cam.y.i, mould Marry fo much beneatn
mfelves, when Courted or Dcfiredby him, v. 10. who is the King
61 Kings, Rev. J 9. 16. the Treafury of wifdom, Col. 2. 3. tt.cgreat-
1 Heir imaginable, Htb. 1. 2. and chiefett of TenThoufand in point
o! Beauty, Cant. 5.10.
2. Afredtiona in Mm are Lajting, efpecially his Love or* Charity)
which will Abide when Faith and Hope (hall fail, 1 Cor. 13. 13. and
Spiritual Objeds are the mo i Incorruptible, Rom. 1.2;. whiht. Earthly.
things are gf a Fading Nature, //^. 24.4 why (houLi our Eyes then
be Li thereupon, Prcv. 23.5? Will any wife Young Man lay out
his whole E tate upon a faking Houfc, when he rrjight have a better ?
How fwect arc Chrift's Embracer, Cant. 2. 6. whofe Arms are Ever-
laitmg, Dent. 33.27. comp red with other Lovers, whom we mull
be Divorced from by Deatn, 1 T/w. 6. 7. if not before? Aifeclions
will continue with us unto all Eternity, butnot taeir worid'y Objects,;
and how will Sinners grieve in Hell, who ( through meer Foolifhnefs)
will then have Nothing to fix the ; r Lcve upon. V Vhercas they whofe
Aifeclions Now.are wholly given up unto the Lord, will be {q far from
want hat to Love Hereafter, asthuLove (in its Happieir Exer-
cife) will be the Chief (if not the Sole) Survivor of their Afieftfr
ons.
3. LovcisofGod, ijohn^.y. who therefore is called the God of
Love, 2 Cor. 13. 11. and in a Natural fence as. well as Spiritual, fince
he is the Father of our Souls or Spirits, Hcb. 12. 9. and confequcntly
(alio) of our Affec/tion-. Now, fhall not re that Plants a \ T \nQ,A4at.
21.33. Receive its Fruit, ^.34? Shall he.that Feeds a Flock, not eat
the Milk thereof, 1 Cor. 9. 7? Shall not a Father be fir.t Served with
his Child's Activity? Houfes are firltly at their Builder's Service ; Ri-
vers return unto the Sea, from whence they came, Ecd. 1.7. Trees
fhed their Leaves upon the Ground that bears them : And then (hall
Jfrael onely bring forth Fru t unto Himfelf,. Hvf. 10. 1. Isica fmall
thing with us to take God's Jewels, Broidered Garm: ts, Oyl and Ho-
ney; yea, his very Sons and Daughters, and give them (from himfelf)
to
1 58 Tht Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
toothers, Ew\. 16. 17, 1 8, 19, 20? To Love ought more than him
without whom nothingfould be Loved, is moil unworthy, and the
juit matter of greateit ielf-abhorring.
4. Affections fcem to be the cleared: Evidence of God in Man, as to
his Infrnitenefs; in which regard, Low finite Objects are no way Ad-
equate thereunto. There may be a Dcfire in Man of More than is at-
tained by him, or dearly underftood,'or can be had, or mould be Aimed
at, yea, more than he is able to Receive, fo Boundlefs are his Affecti-
ons, and therefore Meet for none but Chrift. Some things may bede-
fired, when are forbidden, Gen. 3.6. and finful Objects fhould not be
Loved r Rom. 12. 9. but let him be Anathema Maranatka, who Loves
notChriit, 1CVr.16.22. Some Die of Love unto the Creature, be-
caufe they cannot have it: but none are more than Sick of Love for
Chriff, Cant. 5. 8. who at the laft, will be fclf-manifefting unto fich
as Love him, John 14,21. No' Earthly thing fhould be Affected over-
much, but Love to Chriit. will never turn into a Luir, Dent. 6.5. Yea,
Spiritual Objecls will make room for their Reception and Comprehcn-
fion, Eph.$. 17, 18. and^as the Lord is fatisfying, Pfal. 73.25. fo he
that Loveth him, Loves other things in their due manner, Alark^iz.
30,41. All which befpeak our Love for him.
5, Affections are the Glofs of Actions, .and without which the great-
eit Doer, and utmoft Sufferer is as nothing in God's Account, 1 Cor..
13.3. Love is the fulfilling of the Law, Row. 15. 10. the firfl: Fruit
of the Spirit, 6W. 5. 22. whofe Sallct is better than a (tailed Ox, Prov.
15. 17. and a Man's Kindnefs is his Defire, Prov. 39 22. Yea, all
the Subitanceof his Houfe (compared with Love) is utterly to be
contemned, Cant. 8.7. Chrift's Love is better than Wine, Cant. 1.
2. and his Loving kmdnefs, than Life it felf, /y^/- 63.3. nor doth the
Cedar Wood,- or Silver Pillars, or'Goiden Bottom, ox Purple Cover-
ing, fo much fetout his (lately Cnaiiot, as that its Mid't is Paved with
Love, Cant. 3.9, 10. . Yea, Chrilr. doth alfo count his People's Love
much better than Wine, Cant. 4. 10. remcmbnng JfraeCs Kindnefs,
Jer. 2. 2. whom he oft proved to know their Love, Dent. 13. 3. his
Valuation whereef oppeareth by what he hath prepared -for fuch as
Love him, 1 Cor. 2. 9. and therefore David Dtfircd ro greater Mercy
than what he had (or fuch, Pfal. 119. 132.
6. Affections are the Bringcrs forth of Actions; and as no Work is
done at all, nCife Affections be wholly wanting; fo where rhefe are
not ftrong r.nd Lively, nothing is done with J>^y, or \k ithout Difficulty.
Judgment is as the Head, and our Affections as the Feet : Therefore he
cutteth off the Feet, who fendeth by a Fool, that wanteth both, Prov.
26.
The Tar Me of the Ten Virgins Opened. 159
26. 6. jltleaft-wife, our Affections are as the Wheels unto a Chariot,
which Drivel \ Heaviiy when thofe are taken off, Exod. 14. 25. Love
i ht of Acting, which doth not call ks Duty Grievous, 1 John
y 7. nor is it Quenched with many Waters, Cant. 8.7. but doth con-
ftrainj 2 Cor. 5. 14. in fpight of all Difcouragements, 2 Cor. 12. 15.
hereas Men void of Love to Chrtft complain of Wearinefs, Mai. 1.
1?. wifhmgthe Work 'were over, j4mos8.$. and waiting for an Op-
portunity or. being Difcharged from it, which he who Loves his Ma-
iler Will not Accept of, Exod. 21.5, Let us therefore keep up Affecti-
ons, unlefs we have a mind to cafi off Duty.
7. Affections have a re-acting Influence upon the Judgment, as they
are Weak or Lively, which iliould provoke our Care in that regard.
Lamps in the Letter, do onely fpend their Oyl or Light, which (in
theMyitcry) \e Mnltiplyed by a flaming good Affection, and Qrieth
• up together >uth its Going our. Nay, though Oyl may be in the Vef-
fcl, yet is there no Proper Light, fave as that Oyl is rlr An the Lamp
or good Affection. Therefore Men never want fufficient Light for that
which they Affect, but Generally do complain of Darknefs, together
with the fecting of their Love. Thofe Jews had not the Love of'God
in them, Jobn^.^z. who therefore faid; they Knew not Chritt, John
7.27. although they Knew him well enough, v. 28. Nor is it to be
wondred at, fince Things orPerfonsnot Affected are not much Heeded;"
yea, mot Men's Judgments are Commanded by Affections fince the Fall:
Therefore if once o ur Lamps go out, wefhall no longer fee our Way
into a D if- affected Dutv.
8. Affections alfo are very Tickle, and therein like to Lamps, which
( if they be not Guarded ) will foon Blowout. A Garment may have
loft its Glofs, whofe Sub lance is not yetConfumed; a Razor may
have loj'-t, its Edge, which is not yet Gap'c or Broken \ a Flower may
have (bed its Leaves, whofe Root and St.dk do (fill continue: Such is
the Fading Nature of Men's Affections. TheSpoufes H-Mrt(or Judg-
ment) was Awake when her Affections were aileep, C*int. 5.2. and
there may be Love in the Root for Chrift, as was in Peter, whofe Fruit
or Exercifcwas wholly gone when he Denied him. Yea, one may Act
for God, and yet without Affection; Witnefs not onely Zipporah's An-
gry Duty, £,^.4.25. and others (huffing at if, Alal.1.13. but alfo
the Confitency that is between One's giving Alms, A/at. 6.2. and yet
omitting Mercy, Mat. 23.23. yea, all a Man's Goods unto the Poor,
yet without Charity, 1 Cor. 13.3. Affections are like Cryttal Glaffes
quickly crackt, but not by Man to be Amended.
9. If our Affections be not fixed upon Chrift, they will then fatten.
other-
V
1 60 The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
otherwhere unto our Dif-ad vantage. One may have Power'over his
own Will, in point cf Marriage, i Cor. 7. 37. who yet mu t needs
AfTecl fomething or other :, and if notChntt,then either bin Or Creature*
comlorts will haveull. Incline my Heart nntotby Law, ( fam. JJ.rjid)
and not to CovetonftJefs, Pial. 119.36. q. d. \\ Thou uoi't not fecure
roc for thy fclf, then Mammon will be fure to have me. Affections
cannot keep their Virgin-ftatc, but will Efpoufe fome Early Objecl.-
And when SjuIs are'not alway RaviuYd with Chrttt's Love, the Ser-
pent will creep in Upon them. Yea, if ought elfe be Milter or our Af-
fections, God will be Hated by us, Mat.b. 24. there being no Mid-
dle kind of Abnegation (on either partj between him and the Creature,
as is betweenone Creature and another. Therefore let us hflect Cnri.t
and our Duty, elfe will it not be long before we Hate them both.
10. God's Love unto his People doth provoke their fuitablc Return,
elfe will they be Inferiour unto Publicans, Mat. 5. ^6. and S»imers,
Lkke 6. 32. ^He Loved them fir ft, which doth prevenr Upbraiding,
but calls for after-love, ijobn^. 19. His Love to them fur pattern
Knowledge, Eph. 3. 19. and (hall their Love to him not be made known
at all, or very little f He Loves them with an Evcrlaiting Love, Jtr.
31. 3. And did a iheam yet ever fail ^without a wonderj wl.ofe Spring
continued ? No Man hath Greater Love from any, than have'the Saints
from Chriit, John 15. 13. and are they not then unworthy of him, m
cafe they Love ought More than him, Mat. 10. 37 ? He loved them,
when in their Blood, E%Jiiu 16. 8. whilit they were Sinners, Row. 5.
8. and mall not they love this altogether lovely one, Cavt. 5. 16. whole
iharpeft Rebukes are big with Love, Rev. 3. 19? cfpecially f.jch who
have had much forgiven, Lu'^e 7, 42. Nothing can feparate them from
the Love of God in Chriit, Rom. 8.39. who then fliail Operate Chrift
from their Love of him, v. 35, 37, 3 ?
11. Love is the grcateft Faclor, and many times with very little
Charge, which (houid Entourage us to k:cp;t Up(for^Chri(l) with ut-
moitcjre. A^oodMan fets his Love upon the Lord, therefore God
Promifeth to Deliver him.btCGufe he thereby fcem; to know his Name,
Pfal. 91. 14, whereas bare want of Love ( to C-rm) incurrs the fad-
de.t Excommunication, 1 Cor. 16.22. Yea, David's Love was *m-
pl/ Recompenfcd, when it was oneiy in his Heart to Bj ild an Houie
for God, zSam.j. 11. 1 Cbron. 28.1. therefore the Poorcit Saint (hall
be Rewarded for their Benevolence, wl ich fome cowld never Evidence,
fave by theirgood Affection, Mat. 25. 34,35. And if Saints fhali be
dealt with by the Lord, according to their Love, their Portion then
mult needs be Endlefs, forfuch hath been their good Affecjon, however
fhort
•
The T arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 161
fhort rhch* Actions be. Yea, therefore both Their Happincfs and others
Miicry will be Eternal, or Anfwcrablc to their Lndlels Love.
its do Profefs much Love for Chriit, Soul- love, Cant. i. 7.
and their being Sick thereof, Cant. z. 5. yea, their being al way ready
to break with an Indefinite Longing alter his Judgments or their Duty,
. 1 19. 20. If Peter's Queition were put by C uiii to any here,
John Zi. 15. their Anfwer would be like his, as to the Truth ( if not
ifure) of their Affection ; and would be Grieved ( as he was,
17. ) if rhcir ProfefFion of that Nature be not Cr^itcd j yea, all the
I fay Amen unto that Curfc, 1 Cor. 16.22. zslfrael did
)ld unto thofc Comminations, Dcut.zy.z6. Therefore thefe
1 iliHi Virgins would be thought to have io much Affection ftill, as to
Pefire nnre \ or rather they onely meant the want of Light, ( and not
e, ) by this Confeffion of Lamps going our. therefore Lone
{, at ye bu Saints, Pfal, 31.2,3. and do not cneiy make a (hew
the i . 31. but let it be without Diffimulation, Rem. 12.
9. tad not in Word, iJobn'$.i$. fince Grace is onely Ike robe their
P rti n who Love Chriit, in fincerity, Eph.O.zq..
1 3 . There can be no true inward Peace or Satisfaction fo long as there
is a Rcftraint upon Affection towards Chriit and Duty. As Anguifh
fhut up is urangling, Job. 7. 1 1. fo is a Gracious Heart in Pain while
k> Auctions are unduly ltopt, in point of Godly forrow, K Pfal. 32.3.
S:rong De'.lrc, Job 32.19,20. and Holy Zeal, Pfal. 39. 2. Jer.zo.9.
Pfal, 119. 20. It therefore is good to be Zealoufy Jlffcfted alway in a
good things Gal. 4. 18. Yea, a good Confcicnce (it Awakened) is
not at quiet, nor doth enjoy it felt with Comfort fo long as its Affecti-
ons for Chri t arc Dead; and therefore David Prays for being Quick-
ncd in God's way, Pfal. 119. 37. according to his Word, v.25. and
for his Names fake, Pfal. 143. ir. ^o would he call upon him, Pfal.
So. 18. A d with what Faith can they (whoLovenot C; ri:~t) expect
the Manifeitation of his Love to them, which is fo prom ifed onely,
John 14. zi ? Yea, with what Face can they Defire it other wife, as if
it were not all the Reafon in the World, that a Wive's and Husband's
Love fhould be Reciprocal, Hof. 3.3.
14. The Going out of Lamps (or Failing of our Affections ) is one
fad Sign of Fooliih Virgins, and more cfpecially at fuchatime, or in
thefe latter Days. Poor un-efpoufed Virgins may have a Love for
Chriit, Cant. 1.3. what fhall we then think of fuch who Love him nor,
fince all thellprightare there faid to Love him, v. 4 ? The bell Mate-
rial Actions are not fo Charaftcriftical ( of vifibleSaint-fliipJ as Af-
fections 5 and Filial Duty is thus Diftinguifhed from that of Servants,
Y Phil.
1 62 The ? arable of the ten Virgins Opened.
Fhil. 2. 20. 22. therefore the (hedding of this Flower exceeds theFal-
! kg oi thai Fruit, in point of Spiritual Difcrimination. The Cooling
of Proi'etibrs Love is fn;d to be the Predominant Diilemper of fuch a
T.me, M.>t. 24. 12. and Time-Temptations are dreadful Symptoms.
Thus are the Wife and Foohlh Virgins (here) Diltir.guimed : And
Typical Epbejiu is Threatned with unchurching (and confequently,
With ben.* viiioly un-Saintcd ) for leaving her tint Love, Rev. 2.
. 15. Exringuifrmji Limps (in fuch a Day as this) will hardly be
ever L'ghred more until! the Door be (hut. Tne Nearer that any Union
IS f .s thatof Brethren) the Greater is its Divifion upon a Breach,
and lb much the more Hard is its being re-united, Prov. 18. 19. And
as Affcclions are Enobled by their Objecls,fo love for Chriit Degenera-
ting into fleightinefs, doth therefore enier into the Depth of Putrefacti-
on, as Beit things do, when fallen into Decay, which confequeutly
are mo i irrecoverable. Thence is it, that fo few Adulterers (or Back-
fhders ) do Return, Prov. 2. 19. fo Boilterous is that Affection which
is not kept within the bounds of its allowed Object. And Time-
T^mptation. ( fuch as this is at prefent) are more especially Malig-
nan: or fncuryb'e, becaufe they are a Spiritual Plague or Token of
Qod\ Difple i!urc, by which his Own are feparated from the World,
PfJ. 12. 7. Therefore let our Affcclions be well Guarded Now, un-
Ids we mean to have thofe Lamps put out for ever.
16. Let us duly weigh ihit dreadful Sentence paffed upon fuch as
love not Chriit, 1 Cor . 16. 22. There was of O'd, and there ft ill is a
Two-fold O.dinary Spiritual Cenfure upon Offenders:, the one of which
was, to be (hut out or the Camp for fo long time, Deut.23. 10. which
Was a Type of that With-druwmg, 2 Thef. 3.6. 14, 15. The Other
was, to be cut off, Exod. 12. 15. which Anfwercth unto Gofpel-Ex-
communication, Gal. 5.32. Yet might a Perfon (fo dealt with) be
> Taken in again, 2 Cor. 2. 8. But feme were not to be fo much as Pray-
ed fo^ 1 John 5. 16. as being never to be forgiven, Mat. 12. 32. but
to be called Anathema, or fet afide, until! the Lord (hall come, whkh
Maranatha fignifieth } the former of w hich is a 6 rcik^ word, the other
Syritck^t which latter was the common Language of the Jews at that
day: To intimate, that he who loves not Chriit, was to be Curfed by
Jews and Greeks ('or Gentiles^ 1 Cor. 1.24 ) till Chriit mall come
and fay, Depart ye Curfed, Alat. 25.41. Not but thatevcry finde-
ferveth Death, Rom. 6. 21. nor but that finncrs (of this kind ) may
be Recovered ^ onely to Represent the Danger of not loving Chriit,
oext unco that of finning again; t the Holy Gholh
And
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. x6%
And as we would keep our Affections up for Chriit. and Duty, thefc
following Helps may be of life.
i. Let us itand Gazing uponthefe Objects, as thofe Apofllcs did,
when Cnriit Afcended, Alts i. 10. nor ihall we need to fear our being
therefore checked, as they were then, v. n. becaufc their fledfatt
looking Terminated upon his Flcih, unto our Admonition. As is the
Sfghf, fo is Imprcflion; Beholding Changcth, 2 Cor. 3. 18. and Vi-
fi^ndoth Affimilate, 1 John 1.2. Yea, Job concluded the working of
his Friends Affections towards him, in cafe they would but look upon
bim, Job 6. 28. as looking upon Chriit doth make his Piercers mourn,
Zecb. 12. 10. with Supplication. Therefore Job made a Covenant
with his Eyes, ]ib 3 1. 1 . and Drunkards are bid to take heed of look-
ing upon the Wine, Prov. 23. 31. Yea, when Christ would not be
Overcome, he bids the Spoufe to Turn away from him, Cant. 6.$. So
Powerful is Sight upon Affection. And if Ten Thoufand Objects were
in View, Chriit would appear to be thechiefeit of them all, Cant.
5. 10.
2. Let us endeavour alfo to Trim fuch Objects, fmceour Affections
unto Tnings and Perfonsare much Inflamed by the Bravery of their
Adorning, as Hirlots too well know, ]er. 2. 33. Nor doth Chriflc
need to be fetout by'us, fave as an Eye of Faith can Drefs him with
hisO.vn, or rather fee him as he is, or as he fat the least J will at
the lair, appear in Glory. Men therefore Hide their Faces from him,
tf*- 53- 3- becaufe his Vifage is firit marred by them, I fa. 52. 14. ei-
ther by Gripping him of his irately Robes, or by difcolouring them with
their Evil Eye. Could we but look at Jefus, as he is Now fet upon
his Father's Throne, Heb. n. 2. how mould we Run with Patience
the Race that is fet before us, v. 1. Since Duty hath the fame Deben-
tures, and which as furely will bedifcharged. zTim.z.n. Yea, how
would Duty at the Prefent Ravidi, could webut Eye its Native Beau-
ty, our being therein mod: like to Chrift, together with that Peace
which doth attend it.
3. 3f any One Duty would be alway loved by us, fo let our Love
be Univcrfal, and let us not Defpife the leaft; at leaft-wife not the
Grearer Benches of it, fuch as Time-Duties are by way of Eminency.
He that Defpifcth any of his ways, (hall Die, Prov. 19. 16. his Love
thereunto will Decay; it being with Obedience, as with a Faggot,the
imallefl: of whofe fticks (when plucked out) doth loofenall the reft.
A Killing Cold is oft-times got (in tender Bodies) by leaving off a Thin-
ner Garment; yea, by not having it clofely Girt about u 3. And Peter cmi-
9 nently
The T arable of the ten Virgins Opened. 1 6f
ncntly, till he had Wept moft Bitterly, Mat. 26. 74,75. and then he
Loved Chritt (ever after) to the Death, Johnz'i.ij,\%. C u n.fc
would be glad to hear Bick Aiding Ephraim to bemoan himlclr, Je .31.
18, 19, 20. "Such Breakings forth upon our Lips would comfort 10 y
Evidence fomes hopes of a Recovery, v. 20, 2 1 . Thefe Foolish Vir-
gins do confcfs their Fading Limps with un-afflcted Hearts, who Go
to Buy more Oyl, Mat. 25. 10. but not wiih Weeping, as Jtr. 50.4.
nor do they Return with lelf-condemning, Mat. 25.11. that 4Mto%
their Hopciefncfs, v.\z. Remember whence we are fallen, and Re-
pent, as we wou'd Rife again, Rev. 2. 5. %
12. Let us b: much in Prayer, that God wou'd Direct our Hearts in
the Loveof him,2 7lbf/".3.5. and that he would incline them to his Law,
Pfdi.iTQ. 36. and not to any Evil thing, Ffti. 141. J. As he. is the
Father of Lights, James I. 17. fohis Almighty Hand mut Guard our
Lamps, as doth a Lanthorn, elfe every Guli of Wind will blow them
out. He tumeth the Heart to Hate, Pfal. 105.25. and Efaiis Hatred
into L^ve, Gen. 334. who alio can prepare the Heart unto himfelf,
by keeping that Affeclicn up (forever) which elfe is Subjecl to Decay,
1 Chron. 29.18. This Fire firlt cometh from Above; ad though fore-
named Helps may lay the (ticks together, yet Prayer mu i Blow it up,
elfe will it foon go out. Had thefe Poor Foolifh Virgins gone to
Chrift, (who onely went to their Companions,) they might have
gained from himfelf, what neither was in their own Power to keep
Alive, (t//&. their Lamps, ) nor in the Others to Reitore.
- MATTHEW XXV. 9.
But the Wife Anfcoered^ faying, Not fo, left there he not enough
for us and you 3 hut Go ye rather to them that Sell, and Buy
for your felves.
IN thefe words we have the Wife Virgins Anfwer unto the Others
fore-going Motion. Wherein we may Obferve, Firlt, a Gentle
Denying of them, rather Implyed in that word [bttt 3 than plainly
fignifiedi thofe word [_Not fo~} not being in the Greeks Secondly,
a Satisfactory Reafon rendrcd ; Left there be not enough for hs and you,
ThirdJy, a Giving them (yet) what Help they can, by way of
*• Ex-
1 68 The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
Exhortation nnd Direction, to Go and Buy of fuck as Sell.
From all which, the General Obfcrvation is as followeth.
Obferv. In Anfwer to the Foolifh Virgins Motion, for Oyl or Light,
the Wifcr (in thefe latter days) will rather wifh the Others goingun-
to fuch as Sell, in Order to their Buying of it for themfclves.
Quef}. i. How came the Wife Virgins to be fo Calm, confidering
the Others great Mifcarriagc, whofe Lamps were now Gone our,
through want of Care to take Oyl with them at the firft ?
Anf\x\ i. Thcfe Foolifh Virgins here do not Provoke the Wife unto
their Faces by any unhandfome word or carriage : and in that Cafe,few
will Begin to Quarrel upon ChrinVs Account, till PaflTion is flirred up
by Perfonal Provocations. There is a great Fault among ProfefTors in
that regard, who count Plain dealing Paflion, and fo Defilt therefrom,
untill themfclves are throughly vexed, or PaflTionate indeed} and then
fuch will fpcakout. We ought to follow Peace with all Men, Heb.
12.14. but not to Purchafe it by Theft and Murder, fuch as Mans fin-
ful filence is, to Chrift and to his Brother, Jer. 23.30. £^.^33.8.
Thus doth felf-love difpenfe with Duty, under a Pretence of ftudying
Peace, till Interert hath made fuch Furious, inftcadof being truly Faith-
ful, which feldom is of any ufe, James 1. 20. fave onely to Difcovtr
thofe PaflTionate Reprovers Difftmulation.
2. The Wifer Virgins might Perceive the others inability to bear
plain down-right dealing at the prefent; and this might caufe their be-
ing filent. Rebukes are Pearls too good for Swine, Mat. j.6. Nor
may a Scorner be Reproved, Prov. 9.7, 8. And when that Prophet was
bid forbear, he Warrantably did fo, as a Token of the others Ruine,
2Cbron.2$. 16. As Men would not be cart: out, fo let them take heed
of Mocking, Cert. 21. 9, 10, and as they would not be let alone, folet
them take heed of being Joy ned to their evil ways, Hcf^.ij. Yea,
let them Encourage others as they would Hcalingly be Reproved by
them, Pfal. 141. 5. Saints have not fo many fmiles from Chrift ( as
yet) becaufe they cannot bear them; nor others fupen that Account)
fomc fructifying ihowers from his Clouded brows. And though (at
fuchatimc) Gentiles may be compelled to come in, Luke 14. 23. yet
Old Profefling Jews will foon Difcourage their Inviters, v. 24.
3. Thefe very Wife Virgins were lately wakened out of their flccp-
ing with the other, which might Occafion their want of Zeal. Diilem-
peredfleep ( fuch as this was) doth Naturally tend to make the Spirits
dull \ and much more in a Moral fence. Confcience in David was faft
afleep when he could be fo fierce againft that in Another, whereof him-
felf was then fo Guilty, 2 Sam. 12,5,6,7. 'Tis meet for Slumberers
' to
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 1 69
to Rub their Eyes, before they can Difccrn ( at lea ft Reprove) ano-
ther's iluggifruefs. Chrift's Teaching was Authoritative, in Compe-
tition with that of Hypocrites, M.it.j.29. whole guilty Conference
(when Appealed unto) made them Defut from pro'fecuting their Im-
peachment of another, Joh?i 8.7. 9. And-as tbofe Typical Snuffers
were made of pureit Gold, Exod, 37. 23. fo Perfons Newly Rail
from a Fall, have feldom fo much Confidence, as to Rebuke their fel-
lows, till throughly purified from Enfeebling guilt.
4. They might be Tender in Judging upon the prefent cafe , how far
a failing of this Nature was their fin ; or how far fuch a fin might be
confident wi:h the Main; or whether their Lamps were not Recover-
able: And therefore onely might Exhort initead of {harp Rebuking.
Chrilt did more deeply Cenfure the Foolilh Virgins of his Time, than
his Difciples could well bear, Mat. : i$.tz. and fame Wife Virgins
( at this Day ) like not fuch kind of Tartnefs. Few are Convinced ,
that Ignorance doth notExcufe from fin, or that Time-Duties are of
fuch Importance, as to have Saint-ihip gathered up thereinto: who
therefore dare not Judge Men upon that Account. And fince the Scrip-
re fo much calls for Gentlenefs, it is a thing fo grateful of it felf, as
that few Men can bear it's Contrary in any cafe, though every whit as
plainly Warranted, efpecially among Back-fliders. But thofe Tor-
menting WitnefTes were onely Two, Rev, 11. 10. the Generality are
Moderate.
5. Wife Virgins alway are Inferiour to the Foolilh, in point of
Intcrefr, ; which is a fore Temptation, not to Irritate, and which but
few can overcome. Soundelt. ProfefTors generally arc Poor, compa-
red with others, 1 Cor. 4. 8. and Poor Men ufe Intreaties, leaving
rough Anfwers to the Rich, Prov. 18.23. who feldom themfelves are
fo dealt with, fave by a more than Ordinary Pro'phet,as of Old. Sound-
eft ProfefTors alfo are but few : And where is that Mica)ah, who da-
reth to Rebuke four hundred Lying Flatterers ? Yea, Foolilh Virgins
arc of the firft Magnitude, unto the dwellers upos Earth, as is the
Moon, bcciu fe of its being nearer unto fenfe: And as Proud Pharifces
deride Plain dealing, Luke 16. 14. prefuming upon their high Efteem,
^.15 fo none but Chrift and J^tfdurft roughly handle them, until the
Spirit was poured down, Attsz. 17.23. and when that Difpenfation
comes again, Ifa. 32. 15. then ltarnmerers will fpeak plainly, ver.
4.
6. The Lord himfelf might have a Righteous Over-ruling Hand, in
their being filent unto fuch , at fuch a Time. He hath the Key of
Utterance, Col. 4. 3. and when he Shuttetb, no Man can Open, Rev.
' Z 3.
Ijo The Para&le of the Ten Virgins Opened.
?. 7. A Morel (or Preceptive) Bar is alway laid upon his People's
Rcprehenfions, in fome Cafes, or when clear Duties are Difputcd ;
Hof. 4. 4. and fometimes an Effectual (or Phyfical ;) Bar dcth force
the ai to be dumb. Thus Naaman^s halving it with God, ( after fo
full a Conviction and Obliging Mercy, J was juftly Punifhed with
EhJhSs filcnce and feeming Approbation, 2 Kings 5. 17, 18, 19. The
Time is Now haitnng, for God himftlf to Anfwer fuch Hypocritical
Enq irers of him, E^t\. 14.4. who therefore will not let his Ser-
vants fpeak, v. 3. And thus fome are not Plainly fpoken unto, Mat,
13.13. lea;t they ihould See and Hear, and Underftand, and be Con-
verted, unto their being Healed, v. 15.
Queft. 2. What is the Meaning of that Denial which is here made
(by thefe Wife Virgins ) unto the Foohfh Virgins Motion for Oyl
or Light?
jinfw. To which I Anfwer.
Firlt, Negatively.
1. It is not to be underdood, as if the Wife Virgins were ( in the
lead ) unwilling to have lent what Help they could, in cafe the Other
had been truly ferious. This would not have confided with their
Wifdom, but would have fignified their being alfo Foolifh ; flnce the
Lips of the Wife Difperfe Knowledge, but the Heart of the Foolifh
doth not fo, Prov. 15.7. A Gracious Heart Longeth to Impart that
Spiritual Gift, whereof he doth partake, Rom. 1.11. doing therein
to Others, as he would be dealt with by them, v.iz. Oyl is Diffu-
sive, efpecially where Gifts and Graces are in Conjunction: therefore
it fadly fignifieth, when utmod Spiritual Help is not Afforded, from
Envy, Sluggifhnefs, or Spiritual Pride .- Satan may Hinder, onceand
cgiin, iThcf.2. 18. fomay Diverfionsotherways, Rom. 15.22. Yea,
fometimes Paul was Hindred by the Holy Ghoft, Atts 16.6,7. wna
elfe did count himfelf a Debtor unto All, Rom. i, 14.
1. Nor is it meant, as if the Wife Virgins ( abfolutely ) were
unable to have given Oyl unto the Foolifh. 'Tis true, all Man's fuf-
ficiency (for fuch a work) is of the Lord, 2 Cor. 3.5. as well as
Efficacy, 1 Cor. 3.7. yet are Men workers together with hi'rri, 2 Cor.
6. 1 . who therefore have this Oyl or Trcafure in their Earthen Vefleis,
2 CV. 4. 7. Paul could Beget, in Bonds, Philem. 10. and he that is
not Able to be a Spiritual Father, was Typically of Old debarred from
that Pried-hood, Le v. 21.20. which was a Type of Gofpel Saint-
fhip, 1 Pet. 2. 9. nor might fuch enter into the Congregation, or be
Accounted Ifraelites, Dent. 23. 1. Nor will the Saints Oyl (in this
Refpeft ) forbear to Multiply, fo long as there are any chofen Vefleis
kit
The V arable of the Ten Virgin* Opened. 171
left for it to over-flow into, as 2 Kings 4.6. or not untill Eleftion hath
, one bearing Children \ and then this Oyl will flay, as did that Wid-
H.-Jows, ferving to pay its Owners Debts, andforSubfiftance, 2 Kings
4- 7.
3. Nor is that Cautionary Reafon £ Left there be not encnol) for tu
and yo:i~\ to be Interpreted, as if this Spiritual Contribution would
Exhault the Wifer Virgins itore, as at the fir J: bluih it feemcth to im-
port. There was no Ledening of ChriiVs Vertue,by what went from
him, Luke 8. 46. nor is the Sun darkened by its mining: Nor is a
Saint the Poorer for his Spiritual Liberality. Yea, Grace is thus kept
Bright with life, which other wife might gather Rutr, and fo Corrupt,
as Gold it felf is apt to Canker, James 5.1,. unto its Owner's Dif-
advantage. And as unmeet with holding tendeth unto Poverty, fo he
Inereafeth, who duly fcattereth, Prov. 1 1.24. and watereth himfelf
by watering others, v. 25 as Talent-Occupiers do Experience, Mat.
25.20. Lamps, in the Letter and Myftery, herein Agree, that nei-
ther of them are Dirainifhed by Lighting Others: Myftical Lamps
herein are fingular, becaufe their Oyl is Multiplyed by Diitributior,
Thus much as to the Negative. But then,
1 1. Affirmatively. They might thus fpeak unto the Foolifh Vir-
gins.
1. To prove the Cordialnefs of their Defirc, if not to check the if
fleightinefs and Cirnality therein. When, that Samaritan Woman
fleightily and Carnally defiredChrLt's Ever-living water, §ohn 4. 15.
heonely Anfwered her with a.Diverfion, v. 16. q.d. I will be other-
wife fought unto before a Motion of that Nature fhall be fatisfied.
However Cordialnefs is thus Expreimentcd. Thus Jofhm tryed the
Truth of JfraeFs Profefling to Serve the Lord, Jojl). 1^.16. byhisRe-
jeclingof it, v. 19. till they had Doubted it, v. 21. and then he let
it pifs, v. ii. Tnus Naomi refufed Ruth's firft Refolution to Accom-
pany her, Rath 1. 10. 15. meerly to prove her ftedfaftnefs, v. 16, 17,
18. as did Elijah to EUfta, 1 Kings 2. 2. and Chrift himfelf unto thofe
twoDifciples, Luke 24 28,29. Had not the Foolifh Virgins been in-
different, fo Model! a Denial would have wrought another way 3 there-
fore this Tryal was not unwifely made.
2. To Check the FoolHh Virgins coming Onely unto them for OyT,
without any further Pains or Coft, who therefore bid them (rather}
Go to them that Sell, and Buy. Thus Naaman was bid to Go and
Wafh in Jordan, 1 Ki-ngs f, 10. and thofe Ten Lepers to Go and
fhew themfelves unto the Piieit, Lukeij. 14. and Ifrael, to Buy of
Efax, Meat and Water, Dent. 1. 6. notfromunwillingnefctoGratifie
• , . Z 2 them
»
l fa ihc V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
them upon other terms, but to Rebuke felf-love. And though a Gr\^
c:o s Heart is free to do for others what he can, yet doth he fend f. \
toChrftl, as without whom he can do nothings and^vho doth chici*-
feck his Glory. Thus to dilTwade from Terminating upon In truments
( af:er a work is done) was Peter's Vcrtue, Alls 3. 12. and thus to
fend (before hand) the Fooliih Virgins unto Chn.r, was the Wife
Virgins felf-denyal. It is our Grace and Duty not to fatisfic anothcrs
wifh, when either God is likely to be Robbed, or fome more fad Di-
ltemper to be Indulged.
3. To Ihew the Wife Virgins fenfe of having Oyl little enough, and
none to fpare, as ( in Propriety of Speech) the Other's Motion did
import: Therefore thefc Anfwer, Left there be not enough for its and yon.
As he that Loveth Silver, s rot fattsficd, Eccl. 5. 10. So he that Lo-
vethOyl (or Grace, and Spiritual Light, J is as the Sen, which is not
Full, though all the Rivers run into it, Eccl. 1 7. Tnus is a truly
Gracious Heart Dktinguilhed from Hypocrites, by his bchg alway
fearful, let he fhould not have Oyl enough, which others are afraid of
having too much of. And more efpecially Wife Virgins are follicitous,
with reference unto Time-Truths and Duties; which are Expenfive ,
and therefore need the greater Stock : Yei.which are alfo very Curious,
.and therefore need the cleared Light. 'Tis true, their Lighting others
isno way felf-diminifhihg ; but their Denial here may onely intimate
\;nto the other, hew Low they were in their own Eyes, and what an
High e ~:ccm they hid of Oyl, as to its Worth and Life.
4. To Ggnific ( perhaps ) how Difficult it was for them to make this
Prcfen: Dur^y out, unto another, above Mo;t other Duties, 'Tis true,
Time-TrutflSare verv Plain, as Excellent things are, to him that Un-
der rtandeth, Prov. 8. 6. 9. yet are they hardly to be underftood by
Others, 2 Pet. 3. 16 f and to be uttered by the Beit, Heb.%.i\. Few
at this Day perceive that More is in this Second going forth, than at the
Fir.t: Nor can it be yet made out, but with a ftarnmeringLip, as was
fore- tc Id, lfa.2%. 11. or with a ftrange Tongue, as Paul explaineth
it, 1C0r.14.2r. Truths are but rarely feen, at their firft coming up,
till God finTimeJ frnll mike fome clearer Revelation, Phil. 3.1^'.
prtill the Cuftomary Pradice of Sober Chriftians, fhall filence them
wri _m to be Contentious, 1 Cor. 11. 14. 16. Let not the Fooliih
Virgiqs wonder, in cafe the Wife (atfirlt) have no more Light into
un:rudden Paths, than will juft ferve their turn - 7 as is here hinted.
5. T e'e bid the Other go, and Buy Oyl for Themfelvcs ; becaufc
t! them fee with their Own Eyes, and not with Others,
in Matters of this Nature. Un found Profeflbrs f like fome bad Hus-
bands )
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 173
bands) Live moil upon Borrowing : But Gofpcl-Saints arc for the Pro-
ving of their Own work, Gal. 6. 4.. and working with their Own
Hand, 1 Thef. 4. 1 1. and bc.ng perfwaded in their own Heart-, Rom. 14.
5. Tnus (hall Men have Rejoycing in their own felves, Gal. 6. 4.
Thus (hall they have Reward, according to their own Labour 1 Cor.
3.8. thus Trees are to be known by their own Fruit, Luke 6. 4.6. nor
will the Be t Seed abide with him, which hath not Root in Himfelf,
Mat. 13. 2i. Therefore Wife Men are onely for the Life and Diltn-
bution of what is their own, Prov. 5. 15, 16, 17. and they who make
Truth their own, have right to call Heaven their own a'fo, though
EarthJy mon be Another's, Luke 16. 11, 12. and this is Buying for
ones feff.
6. They might thus fpeak to get rid of the Others Company, whom
y now had no Pleafure in, fo much as to Difcourfe any longer with
em.
1 . P .irtly, Becaufe of their Back-Aiding from a former Practice and
ProtllTion. They had gone out Before; but now their Lamps were
Gone, or Going our; and with a Noifom fmell unto thefe Wifer Vir-
gins, which might Occafion this Qntck ( though Fair) Difmiffion.
God hath no Pleafure in him that draweth b'ack, Hcb.io. 38. becaufe
Apo'.tates are as Smoakunto his Nofe, Ifa. 65. 5. therefore Chrilt will
not Parley with thefe late Returners, Mat. 25. 12. no more than do
nefe other now. Nor is it to be wondrcd at, fince Myftical Lamps
are apt to go out for Company, Mat. 24. 1 2. yea, their very Snuffs
arc molt, Offenfivej'ike Dead Mens CarkaiTes, which do Occafion thofe
Alive to flop their Nofes, Ez.ck. 39 1 1 . and Co their Speech muit needs
be Hindred. As Men would have Difcourfe (with Chriil, or with
his People) to be Convinced j fo let them take heed of wearying
others wirh fuch bad Savours, or Dead Affeclions.
2. Becaufe the Wife Virgins might perceive their being unlikely to
Convince the other, by any thing Offered for fuch a purpofe. Thefe
Foolifh Virgins ( Doubtlelly ) had already heard, what could be faid,
1 wherefore ihould they hear the fame again, who had no mind to be
the Truth's Difciplcs, John 9.27? The Cry had cleared up the Nature of
this Duty: Nor do they Complain of wanting ought, but Lamps, or
good Affections thereunto } and when the Judgment is not Supream,.
'tis but in vain to Rcafon with Mens Affeclions. It was an Argument
of Abigail's Wifdom, to be filent, till NabaPs Reafon was Reltored,
1 S*m. 25. 26. 27. nor will Men Plough upon the Rock, Amos 6. 12.
yea, Saints are bid with-draw from ftrifes of Words, and from Per-
verfc Difputings, 1 Tw.G^fi. If Men will not Believe, Ghrift will
fay
1 74 The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
fay little, Luke 32.67. And if Wife Virgins be not like to Profit
Others, they will not vex Thcmfelves with vain Difcourfe.
Que ft. 3. Who are thefe Sellers of Oylor Light, and why are they
foci tied ?
Anfvp. It mutt be meant of Chrilr, or of his Servants, there being
no other whom thefe wife Virgins would V\\ the Other Go unto.
Now, as to Saints, the Generality of Profellbrs are intended by
thefe Virgins- therefore They cannot be the Sellers here, fii.ee half
of them do bid the other half, to Go and Buy clfewherc.
'Tis true indeed, there have been Two Anointed ones for Sons of
Oyl) by way of Eminency, Zecb.4.14.. who (with Re (peel to
Chrilr) are termed Olive-Branches, v. 12. but Olive-Tree?, with
reference unto others, v. 11. and thefe are faid to Empty the Golden
Oyl out of Thcmfelves, through their Two Golden Pipes, v. 12. or
Sanclif* d Mediums, viz.. the Word and Prayer, 1 Tim. 4. 5. And
this is ( in EfTccl) to Sell \ fo that fuch Eminently en!ightnedones(or
the Maintainers of others Lamps with Oyl, Zcch 4.. 2,3.) may^Stly
fhare (with Chrift himfelf) in fuch a Title, above the Generality of
Profeilbr?. Onely it thence will follow, thatflumbring (wife) Vir-
gins are no Proper VVitneiTcs ; fince ( when AwakenecO they do not
Challenge to thcmfelves the Name of Oyl-Emptyers, ( or Sellers of
it unto Others,) which yet is given by Chriit unto the VVitncfTes,^^.
*U 4.
But yet I rather chufe to give this Title (here) to Chrifl:a!one,who
is the Heir of all things, Heb. 1.2, and consequently, the fole Pro-
prietor, or Proper Seller of this Commodity. Yet ma^ his fmgle
Perfon be Reprefentcd here, by that word Q the m \ ] not onely, be-
caufe he heth his under. Servants, but alfo thofc Seven Spirits of God,
Rev. 3.1. by whom he Selleth tjiefe Commodities in his ftead, and
with his Approbation, John 16. 13. And fo we read of feveral things,
wherewith Chrilt's Shop is Furnimed, and under the Notion of their
being put to Sile. In which regard, I ftand here at his Door, (like
fome Apprentice ) inviting PafTengcrs to come and Buy.
1 . Do you lack any Meat or Drink, poor Hungring, Thirty Souls ?
•Come Buy and Eat, //rf.55.1. here's Meat and Drink indeed, John
6. 55. This water- will prevent your future Thirft, John 4. 14. end he
that Eateth of this Bread, (hall never Dye, John 6. 50. whereas you
will be Cheated otherwhere, Jfa. 55. 2.
2. Do you lack any Wine, poor Drooping Hearts ? Come hither,
yea, come Buy VVine,//^ 5.1. this Wine is well Refined on the Lees.
Ifa.25.6. Old Wine, which is the Beft, Luke 5. 39. yea, that
whicr
The V arable of the ten Virgins Opened. 1 75
which is better than any Wine whatever, Cant. 1.2. nor is itmeafir
redoutbyCups,butFlaggons, Cant, 2.5. whereof one may with fafety
(as well as freedom ) Drink abundantly, Cant. 5. 1.
j. Do you lack any Milk, poor little Children/ Comchither, yea,
come, Buy Wine and Mill?, J ft. 55.1. both which may fafely be
Drunk together, Cant. 5.1. and this Milk is finccre, which therefore
is to be Defircd, 1 Pet. 2. 2. that New-born Babes may Grow there-
by : It is the Milk of that Red Heifer, Numb. 19. 2. and of that
Goat, Lev. 16. 20. both which are very Nourifhing : This Miik is
under the Spoufes Tongue, Cant. 4. 11. becaufefhe lyeth fucking at
Chrift's Breilr.
4. Do you lack any Cloaths or Money, poor Naked Beggars ? /
Cottnfel thee ( faith Chrift ) to Buy of me Gold Tryedid the Fire y and
White Raiment, that thou maift be Clcathed, Rev. 3. 18. HisGoldwill
never Ru(t, nor will his Garments Moth-eat : his Robes will cover ail
your Nakednefc, fo will h:s Money pay your Debts : His Clo^l^ will
add Inherent Beauty, his Money anfwerethall things, however poor
its all PoffeiTorfeemeth, 2 Cor. 6. 10.
5. Once more; Do you lack your Sight, poor Fooiiin Virgins?
Chriltalfo hath Eye-falve to Sell, which he doth Counfel you to Buy
of him, Rev.-$. 18. That is the Oyl here fpoken of, (or the Com-
modity now in my Hand) with reference unto which, Chrift is here
called a Seller. The Nature of which Oyl hath formerly been cleared
up : It onely now remains to fliew,why Chrid is called the Seller of it,
or wherein he is like a Tradefman ? which thus appeared.
1. Tradefmen have ftore of what they put- to Sale , and fo hath
Chriit. Here is enough for him and others; therein he differeth from
thefe Wife Virgins. He hath the Xreafury of Wifdom, CV.2.3..
in whom all fulnefs dwelleth, Col. 1. 19. and fuch a Fulnefs as is to be
Received from, John 1. 16. As none have caufe to wave his Offer,,
from their pretending to have enough, Gen. 33. 9. fonone hath caufe
to fear his being Prejudiced by it, fmce hehathall^as Jacob faid, v. 11.
and as the Hebrew word there fignifieth. He promifeth to fill the wideft 1
Mouth, Pfat. 81.10. and hath enough for all the World; yea, fa-
tisaeth ever Cuftomer, and yet he is the fame for ever. His uncreated
Oyl can Make ( with one word fpeakingj whatever Oyl the.Creamre
needeth ; therefore his flock mutt needs continue.
2. A Tradefman hath Authority to Sell,, and fo hath Ghriiit. He is
the Proprietor of what he hath, byVertue of tic Father's Gift, Mat._
28. 18. and his own Purchafe, Phil. 2. 8, 9. and is ir riot Lawful for
him then, to do what he will with liis-own,,^^. 20.18? He can pro-
duct
1 76 the Parable of the Ten.Virgins Opined.
duct his Letters Patents ; therefore fear not to Trade with him, for
him hath God the Father Sealed, John6.zj. Buy \a hat you pleafe
him, it never fhall be Taken from you, if G ind Needful, Luke
10.42. Yea, though his Servant (7/^c) did partake the Ptrfon,
: Jacob had the Blemng Hill, becaule the Mailer did fo Order it,
Gev.zj, 33. Robbers, John 10. 1. may Sell what they have itolicn,
.23. :o. but (hall not therefore Profit others, Lecaufe not
3 . Tradefmcn are Free to deal with any, and fo is Chrift. Ho, every
one th.it Thirfteth, Ifa. 55. 1. and whofoever will. Rev. 22. 17. Rich
or Poor, Old or Young, Good or Bad, one or other, let him come.
His Voice is to the Sons of Man^Prov. 8.4. and untoTnee, yea, even to
Thee, Prov.zz. 19. And he that cometh to him, flidl in no wife
C t by htm, John 6. 37. He onely findeth fault with Men's unwil-
lingnefs-7^^ 5. 4c. nor doth he Turn away from any, till they have
Judge^Pemfelves unworthy of his Gracious Offer, Ails 1 3. 46. Yea,
former Provocations are no Let to Perfons pricked in, their Hearts j for
unto fuch the Promifc is, by way of Tender, as well as others, Alls
-• 37*38,39- "
4. Tnat which a Tradefman Selleth, is the Buyers own, between
them two-} fo is it between a Soul and Chriit. Therefore his Gifts are
faid to be without Repentance, Rom. 11.29. cecaufc they are Sold,
as to Affurance, though freely Given, Rom.^.^z. as to any Proper
Price, 7/^.55.1. A Gift bellowed upon Servants, is onely theirs till
fuch a Time, £^^.46.17. before which Time, it may be Taken away,
if naif- improved, Hcf. 2. 8,9. but Spiritual Riches are a True Believ-
ers own, £^15.11,12. who is a Son, Johni.iz. therefore his
Gift is a Poflemon by Inh:ritGn:e, Ez.ek.4.6.16. 'Tis firmly Promifed,
ijohnz.25. and with an Oath, Heb. 6. 17. before fuffieient VVitncfs,
1 John 5.7. an Earneft whereof is alio given, Epb. 1. 14.
5. Tradefmcn Invite their Cuftomers, but do net offer to Enforce
them, fave onely in a way of Moral fuafion ; and fo doth Chrift. He
onely hinteth the Happinefs of being Intereited in his Offers together
with the Danger of Refufing them, Alkrk.i6.i6. and that's the whole
of his Compelling tocome in, Luke 14.23. He may be Heard to fay,
jHcvt long m ! l ye Love Simplicity, Prov. 1.22? When will ye bevpift %
Pfal. 94! 8 ? Why will ye Die, Ezck. 1 & 3 1 ? but elfe , be at your
Choice, whom you will Serve, Jofh.z^. 15. The Man of Sin is for
Coercion, Rev. 13. 16. but herein partly doth the eafinefs of Chriit's
¥0 U appear, becaufe it is not Put upon a Perfon's Neck, till he is wil-
g to Take it up, AM. 11.29,30, ,
6, Tradefmcn
«
The T arable, of the ten Virgins Opened. l ; 7
6. Tradefmen are wont to Part with no Commodities, but upon
fuch propofed terms; no more doth Chrilr. Oncly ChriJt herein enf-
fcreth much from other Tradefmen, becaufe Himfelf is not Advai.ta-
d, nor is the Soul at all Impoverished by any of thofe terms infilled
on. Which are as followeth.-
1 . You mull Come unto him. His Chapmen are oftner bid to Come,
Buy, //#. 55.1. to intimate, that if they mean to Buy, they
Le fure to Come. He May be found of fuch as do not feck him,.
(.6$. 1. but Ordinarily he will be firft Enquired of, E^ek. 36.37.
Joftph had Corn enough, yet muft his own Brethren Come and Buy,
G>*. Mark 10. 47. q me to
j • , v. 50. Chrhu.sk'd him, What (in Paiuc ,;„0 > %e
done untohi.:, v. 51. Cfe'riil onely Echoeth unto the (f Features Voice;
which (if Particular) is fuitably reply od unto, M^\ 10. 51, 52.
•A a uft
\yS 'lie Terabit of the ten Virgins Opened.
till when jhis Call is as Indefinite,?. 49.1s is the others Cry, v. 48. And
therein have a Care to pitch upon what is of grcatcft Worth and Need ;
fo will Infcriour things be added, 2ViatA.il,, without asking, 1 Kings
?. ti. 13. You would have Oyl, ( faith Cnrifl:, ) what kind of Oyl?
the very Bell ( fay you ) the Purest Oyl : So may you have both it,
and what is Common alfo.
4. His Offer muft be duly Prized. It may beTendrcdunto AU,but
is not Sold, fave unto fuch who thereto Eminently are Invited, lfa a
55.1. . .11.28. There mull be fo much fenfc, both of its Worth,
and of our Need thereof, as to Provoke the Will, Rev. 22. 17*. elfe
fhall we never Buy it of him. 'Tis true, there is a Paffive Union firil,
(or pre-ommunication of Chrill's Commodity) which doth Beget
Defirc; but till there bean Active cloze, (proceeding from that De-
firc Exercifcd,) there is no Full or Proper Interest. It is a Marriage-
conrracl this, wherein the Man firfl takes the Woman, but (he/nufl
fo take the Man ; till when, the Marriage is not Compleated : Nor
cm ought elfe be Sold or Bought.
5.. Y*ou muft receive this Oylinto your Veffels, elfe will Chriftne-
verSellit, meerly to feed your Lamps, or flafhy Pre fent good Affecti-
ons. It was not defired by thefe Foolilh Virgins, fave onely with re-
fpetf: unto their Lamps;, and therefore (Poffibly) the Wife Denycd
them ; fo will Chrift certainly. In cafe you would have Oyl ( faith
Chrift) where is your Veffel ? Give me thine Heart, Prov.23.26. and
1 will fill it, Pfal, 81. 10. If there be no Veffel, his OvI will ffay,
2 Kings 4. 6- and 'tis Abfurd to think, that Oyl for Wifdom) can
Subjected, fave in the Judgment. Some onely would have Oyl ap-
plyed to their Itching Ears; others, unto their Tongue, to make it
Nimbre; others, unto fomc Wound, till it be Healed : But Grace or
VVtfdomis not Thine, unlefs it entreth into thine Heart, Prov.2. 10.
no more than finful Temptations are, untill the Heart be therewith
filted.
6. Your Veffclsalfo muft be Emptied, elfe can you not Receive his
Oyl, which is not Sold by htm, untill it be immediately Delivered.
Some other Liquors will Incorporate ; but Darknefs will as foon Agree
wjth Light, as* Sin with Grace. Some fain would keep their Puddle-
water /till; and foChnft's Oyl fhould fpill upon the Ground, which
he wnli not endure." And what a Fool is he, who doth refufe Chrift's
lately Robes, becaufehe may not have them put upon his Filthy Gar-
ments? Let go your Airy felf- conceit - ; elfe that alone may focfufficicnt
to Obltrucl the be(t Replenifhmerit : As in a Stomach filled with wind:
X& ? ChnftNvillnotbe \vc>q, fave with the Lofs of Common Oyl, and'
" ' all
Tie Varallepf the ten Virgins Opened. 179
thofc things which heretofore have been Accounted Gain, Thil. 3,
7. You mirt receive the whole of his Commodity. Chnft is an whole-
Sale Merchant oncly. He is a Vine, whofc Fruit is Cluttered. He
doth not Sell his Oyl by Drops or Spoonfu's \ you mull have All or
Nunc. His Water is not to be had, bu t by a Quill united to his Con-
duit-Pipe. Some are fo Moderate, fo Partial in their Defires, as that
Chrilt hath no mind to Parley with them. Yea, his whole Shop and
Perfon too inuft: go together, to every of his Speeding Chapmen *, Ruth
and her Land might not be feparated, Ruth 4.5. And what a Mercy
is it unto Saints, that Chrilt and all his Spiritual BleiTings are thus Uni-
ted, Eph. 1,3. unto their being made Compieat in him, Col. z.\o\
How readily is this Accepted of, in other Cafes, fave with Refpecl to
Chrift's Commodit cs!
8. You mult be content to take it as it Cometh } which (at the M-
may not be ^o Delightful, as afterwards. If any part of Chrift's Com-
modities may be called worfe than other, the Beit are Laft ; but you
mult take them as they Rife, that being the Cuftom of his Shop. There
is a Teaching and a Crowning Oyl \ an Oyl for Light,ar,d Oylof Glad-
nefs } Oyl for a Sacrifice, and Oyl for Food : But Leah muit firft be
had, Gen. 29. 26. and Supjper is not until the Work be over, Luke
17. 7, 8. nor may we receive the Promife, till we have done the Will
of God, Heb. 10. 36. Thofe never will go Through withChriit, who
will not Buy, fave what is clear (un:o an Eye of fenfe) at its fir ft
running • who will not learn the Chriitian's Primmer,becaufe his Crofs
is the fir t Letter in that Row, Mat. 16.24. who would have the Bot-
tom of C rift's Oyl firft poured out, which cannot be expected.
9. You muft be willing to lay all down, both in a Myftical and Lite-
ral fence, giving him leave to Take it if he pleafeth, and without grudg-
ing. He onely deals with Generous Chapmen, who value him above
their All, in any RefpecTt whatever. Thofe are not worthy of him,
who Love ought More than him, Mat. 10. 37. nor (hall thofe Comers
fpeed with him, who Hate not what is Deareit to them, in cafe he cal-
leth for it,. Luke 14.26. His Terms are thefe ; thy Gold and Silver,
and Wife and Children, ( the Goodlieft of them all ) are Mine,as Ben-
hadtd faid to Ahab\ 2 Kings 20.3 . nor will he be fatisfied with thy bare
AfTenting hereunto, ^.4, unlefs they be Delivered up, when called
for, v. 5,6. Indeed he either will not take this Money, as Gen. 42.
25. or will reftore an hundred-Fold, Marl^ 10. 30. but yet it mult be
ail laiddown, as Gen. 43. 21, 22.' yea, Spiritual Priviledgesalfo.
10. You muT be alfo very Thankful, with reference unto ^irtlcaft-
• A a z
180 Th$ Varahle of .the Ten Virgin s OpetieJ.
wife, notwithstanding) the hardeft terms which have been fignified.
Tnis will Evince its being Given, in your elkcm, as it fo h, in his ac-
count; whofe being cailcd a Seller here, yea, whofe fore-named Price
rnti ted on, dom no way Interfere with the Freenefs of his Gift. His
great Defign is to fet forth the Glory of his Grace, Eph. i. 6. which is
Eclipfed by Men's unthankfulnefs, or by a Cloud upon their Brow. This
hath been the Pnc7t:c: of all his fpecding Chapmen; this you muft do,
or he and yo# will not Agree: And though a Cheapncr may think
much, yet is Dif-fatisfac/fcion incontinent with its being Sold. There-
fore fay nor, 'Tis Naught, 'Tis Naught, as many Buyers ufe to do ;
ftnee, when thou haft; it, I dare heboid to fay, thou wilt Boaft of it,
Prov. 20. 14,
1 1. You muft be fure to hold your Purfes. That's one of this Sel-
ler's Terms; Come buy 7 yea^ come y but without Money, Jfa. 55. 1.
Plead not for more, becaufe cf what you have; plead not for any> be-
caufe of your Deferving it, or being Worthy to receive it. Count
not your Duty Payment, fray not till you have got a Price, or Prefent
in your Hand : But come as Poor and Vile in your own Eyes as may
be ; Chrift onely deals with Spiritual Beggars. Some hope to fpeed,
becaufe they are full handed ; thy Aloney Perijh with thee : Some dare
not come, they are fo Poor; but if thirie Heart be willing to Accept
him, as afore-faid, come- and Welcome. I do not fay, that Chrift is
thine, but thou mail! freely come and Buy; yea, none but Nothings
are Traded with;
12. You muft Engage to keep this Oyl; which as he will not Take
away, Luke 10.42. foneither mu't you Let it Go, Prov. 4. 13. He
Sclicth by Indentures, putting his Fear into the Heart (his Oyl into
the Vcftel ) upon thofe Terms, Jer.32. 40. Jer. 50. 5. 2 Tim. 1. 14.
That which is fubjeel ( wholly ) to be Loft, is neither any fpecial Oyl,
nor was it ever Sold by him : Yet fhall a carelefs Lofcr ( of Common
things ) pay more for what is Lent, than doth the Buyer, Exod. 22.7.
9. But he that bids you Buy the Truth, doth alfo charge you not to
Sell it, Prov. 22. 23. Andtincehis Commodity is your Life, Prov.4.
13. you would be a Lofer by its Sale, though all the World (hould be
Exchanged for it, Alat. 16. 26. Efan had not the Blefting, becaufe
he was Free to fell his Birth-right, Hcb. 12. 16,17. which Jacob would
never part with more, and thereby evidenced his having Bought it.
13. You muft Improve this Oyl for him, and not Receive his Grace
in vain, 2 Cor. 6. 1. or turn it into Lafcivioufnefs, Jude 4. Tis not
elfefold; nor isthatHoly.Oyl, which is thus apt to be Abufed. There
* omekindof Oyl which may-be fet before an Idol, Hof.f.,%. but that
is
Parable of the Ten Virgins- Opened. 1 8 i
is Common, and likely to I ken away, v. 9. which doth evince
its being nor fold, but Lent. Let your Di'fig.n be good, in your De-
firing Oylor Light, and you fhal! rave it: Oh what an cafie Price is
this ! And as a Demon. iraticn of its being thus improved, he doth ex-
pect to be firlt ferved by you, in a way of felf-denyal, or fird Fruits;
)ea he Rcfioue [or you to gather. Nor will a Wife Servant grudge
to Occupy that Talent for his Maker's life, which doth redound a: lai
unto his own Advantage.
14. As you would Buy, or Laftingly partakeof the Root and Fruit
of this good Olive-Tree, Rom. 1 j. 17. take heed of Boafting, v. 18.
with reference unto the Root or Branches, or with refpeel unto the
Thing it felf. Boaftnor, as to the Thing it kl^ which is not Theirs
oare not Humble, 1 Pet. 5. 5. it being the Nature of thisOylto
keep all other things be!ow it felr. Boat not againft the Branches, or
fuch who Now may want this Oyl ; but carry your felves, in that re-
fpeel:,. as thefe Wife Virgins do unto the Foolifh ; which did more ful-
ly evidence their having Bought it, than did the others Motion for
fome part thereof. Boa!l not ( cfpechllyj againft the Root or Chrift,
as if he did not Bear thee : As if he were Beholden to thee for thy Fruit;
as if it were not Hi?, while it is Thine, wlr'ch that wife Servant did
confefs, Luke 19. 16. and by that means he hid the whole, with fome
Addition, v. 24.
15. You mult not Trifle, but fee unto this work betimes. Thcreis
a Time of Finding, Pfal. 32.6. j4nd thofe that feek^me Early Jh ail
findme, faith EflTential Wildom, Prov.S.ij. When once the Mailer
of this Shop or Houfe hath (hut the Door, fome Men will feek to enter
in, butnot beable, Lake 13.24,25. Oh feek him therefore, while
he may be found, Ifa. 55.6. while he is Calling, while you are wak-
: ; while fin is Modcit, while you are fomewhat Tender ; while Sa-
tan is Retrained, andChrift at work, whether by his Spirit, Word,
or Providences. * I would Difcourage none, by telling them my Pre-
fent Fears, as to the Foolifh Virgins Cafe , but it is high time to Run
and Cry, Lord, Oyl for me, before the Door be (hut.
16. You mud be willing.to Communicate this Oyl (or Light) to
others alfo, as you are able, and as Occafion is afforded; unlefs the Scrip-
ture gives a Difpenfation; The wife Virgins (here) dofeem unable j
d fcorners are not to be Inftructed, Prov. 9. 8. but otherwife you are
Receivers, that you might Give, Mat. 10.8. Your Light mut thine
before the World, Mat, 5. 14, 1 5, 1 6, and not be Covered, or in a fecret
place, if you would have your Candle Lighted (or fold) by Chrifr,
Luke 1 1.3 3. When thou art Con verted, itrengthen others, Lnk$ 22.32.
W,hofe
182 Tht Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
hofe D:c it is, when in thy Power, Proy.\ K 2j. This is to Occupy
inc Oyl for Chri f, which is one of his Terms infilled on. This is
the belt way to have it Multiplied, Luke 6. 3S. clfe is it not Sold or
Given to you, no mere I s f in Reality ) Forgiven, who doth
not alfo Forgive another, A 5. Nor doth Obnoxioufncfs to
Perfecution ( in a Common Cafe) uifpcnfe herewith ; this being that
Cafe, wherein thine All is called for, Mat. 10. 27, 28. without fur
mini g to which Term, this Oyl is never Sold to any, Mat. 13.
46.
Que ft. 4. Why doth Chriftchufe to Sell his Oyl?
Anfw. 1. That Co it might be Reprefented fure; as being fairly
Bought and Sold. Gifts arc depending upon the Givers good AfTecli-
ons, Hof. 13. 11. but Jacob kept the Birth-right itill, which he had
Bought, (and confequcntly, the Blefling alfo ) though Efan Hated
him, Cui. 27.4 t. And though God's fpecial Gifts are faid to be with-
out Repentance, Rom. 11.29. yet isa Doubting Confcience better
f:tijfred with ChriiVs being faid ( as here ) to Sell it, according unto
Commoi Rules of Judging. Therefore God Buys his People with a
Price, that fo they might be His, without Difpute, 1 Cor. 6. 20. Yea,
therefore he fometimes Sold them unto others, Judg. 2. 14. to make
t'.afeB lvers think, they had a Lawful Title to them, J fa. 49.24. Now,
God is willing to fh:w abundantly his own Immutability unto the Heirs
of Promise, Hcb. 6. 17. who therefore calls his Gift their Purchafe.
1. To hint the Wo* th of his Commodities. Gifts ufually art lef-
fcr things; as Thread and Paper : But things of Worth are Evidenced
by a Price demanded. Indeed Chriit is Invaluable, Prov. 8. 1 1. there-
fore hemult be Given, ornotbehad: Butyet the Soul mull Buy him
with his All, Mat. 13.44. t0 ^h cw his Worth as much as may be.
Men will not Run and Cry for Apprehended Trifles ; therefore there
doing onety ^o for Chriit, doth intimate his being Valued by them.
Especially when Paul did freely fuffer the Lofs of All things for his fake,
Accounting his former inments Dung, Compared with him, Phil.
3.8. And though a finners finis nothing, becaufe it wants thegoodof
Being , yea, worfe than Nothing, becaufe that Soul had better not
have Eeen, AL r t. 26. 24. Yet is it his right Eye, Mat. $. 29. the
Lofs whereof doth Argue Higheft Valuation, Cat. 4. 15.
3. 1 o his Chapmen's Honour (as well as Satisfaction) might
be confultcd for, by him, ( and by this means) together with his
own. He hath made all things f Firflly ) for Himfelf, Prov. 16.4.
becaufe there is no Higher End} which therefore doth accordingly Ob-
lige hi: .Creatures in all their Actings, 1 Cor. 10, 31. who alfo arc
En-
Th-: r arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 183
Encouraged to Honour him, by his confd ting for their Honour, in a
:ond pi ice, i Sam. 2. 30. He doth put Honour upon Himfelf, by
nding upon fomekind of Price : His People alfo do much Honour
him, by their Accepthg him upon his own Propofals: And he will
therefore alfo have them Buy ? that fo their Gcneroufnefs might he thus
Evidenced (as was by David^ 2 Sam. 24.23.24.) And feeming Richc;,
who can thus Purcha'fe their very-tfurchifer, by that precious Fait :,
2 Pti. t. 1. which is fo All-corn m.uving, Mir, 15. 18.
4. To fignifie its being not to be Challenged, as a D.'z- 7 nor upon
Terms, fave with its Owner's Leave. That which is fairly Said, may
be Demanded, in way of Righteoufncfs \ therefore if Saints confef,-,
The Lord ft and Faithful to Forgive, 1 John :. 9. becaufe {in
Chriit ) they have laid down his Price; till when, both Parties are at
Liberty. A Tenant's Rent may be Required, but not a Tradesman's
unboughtWare: Norcanfuch be Conitrained to Seil, ro more than
Chapmen are to Buy. No Flein mull Glory in His prefencc, 1 Cor.
1. 29, which as the Freenefs of his Gift confultcth for, Eph. 2.9. fo
doth his Sale : That fo, his being Dif-obligcd might Appear, both, as
a Bencf.icTor, arid as a Tradefman j which doth Exclude all kind of
Boafting.
5. That fo his Commodity might be the more Endeared, as Bought
thirigsare. Propriety ( though mcerly fromaGift) doth much En-
dear, 1 Kings 21. 3. efpeciaily when it is purchafed; as that Ew-Lamb
was as his Daughter who had bought it, 2 Sam. 12. 3. Thus Jacob
would be Buried in that Field which Abraham Bought, 6V//.49. 29,
30. He that had Bought a piece of Ground, muft, needs go fee it, though
at aCoftly Rase, Lnkp 14.18. And 5z'a»'s prime Argument with God y
to be remembred, was, her having been .his Ancient purchafe, PfaL
74.2. Mothers (ufually) are mod Affectionate, becaufe their Chil-
dren co!^ Them Deare(r, Prov. 4. 3. and 3.1.2. and God is very care-
ful of thofc whom he hath purchafed with his own Blood, Alt's 20.
28. So was Chri \ unto Paul, whom he had won ( or Bought ) with
Lofing all his former Gains, Phil. 3. 8.
6. That Foolilh Virgins might be Difcovered, who fain would have
Oyl Freely Given, andkeep their Money ftill, fromfinfuifleightinefs,
and bafe fclf-lovc, if not from Envy, and for a wicked End. The
pooreft Chapman hath fome Money, I fa. 55.2. which he might keep,
if it wou'd either profit him,or not be vainly fpentelfe- where: And in
that Cafe, he doth but (hew his own unworthinefs, who Grudgeth Chrift
the having of it. .Thofc Men deferve to be uncafedby him, who will
not give (for his Commodity ) what doth not profit them to keep 5-
! an
»
1 84 We Vdrable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
and from a Defign thereby to Acl unto his Dif-advantnge. Thus alfo
will their Mouth be ftopt, with reference unto their being Denicd,and
others Speeding, fince bis Commodity is at the Buyers Service.
i^ How is that Freely Given, Rom. 5. 15. which yet is Sold?
Either by Gcdor Chriit.
Atifxv. 1. The Father Sclleth, Ixcaufc the Sen laid down his price,
unto the full, in point of Matter, f#r his Eleft; both as to God's vin-
i iclive Jvc thofe Terms.
From whence it foliowcth, that as the Creature is a Buyer, foC ri.i is
properly a Giver, though called a Seller: 3. Becaufe
■
The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. * § £
3. Becaufe the Chapman is not Damaged, but much Enriched by
very parting with this Money, as well as by what is Exchanged
for ir. Thy very Coming unto Chri/r, is both a Labour and Recrea-
tion, Mat. 1 r. 28, 29. Thy Godly forrow is not to be Repented of,
2 Cor. 7. 10. no more than iweatingin a Fever. Thy Thiffting after
hirn, doth make his Tafte the more Delightful, Prov.zy 7. It is a
Mercy to have thy VefTel Emptied of what is in it • and yet a greater
Mercy to have it called for, in Order to its being filled with Grace,
Pfil.%1.10. Yea, it is not for thine Advantage, to have his Oyl run
fomewhat Thick at firir, and Clearer afterwards, Luke 16.25? Its
being Improved forHim, will prove thy Gain at lait, Luks 19.16,17.
fo will thy greatelr. Loffes for its fake, Mat. 5. 10. the Expectation
whereof doth onely make continued Enjoyments fo much the more Safe
and fwect, Hcb. 1 1. 17. 19.
4. Becaufehe is the Sole Proprietor, as of his Own Commodity, To
of the Buyer's Money alfo: And in that cafe, felf-payers are Free-
Overs. Thou canft not check him with thy Comingto him, becaufe
thou Li veil and Moveft in him, Atts 17. 28. Thy forrow is*an Af-
fection in thee, of his Creating \ the Exercife whereof thy fin hath al-
fo made to be a Moral Debt. What hall: thou ( as to Outward B!ef-
Slngr, ) which thou had not Received from him, E^ek^. 16. 10, 1 1, 12 ?
And may he not then Require their being All laid down, without a
Commutation? Thine whole Activity is from himfelf} thy Praifcs
and Improvements are his Due: Yea, he it is who worketh in thee,
to Will and Do, according to the Terms propofed, Phil. 2. 13. there-
fore if hhrahnm^JQxt Juftified by works, he hath whereof to Glory,
but not beforethe Lord, Rom. 4. 2. for who hath fir ft given to him,and
it (hall be Recompcn fed, Ram. 11. 35. elfe paying him with hisown,
doth onely evidence the Freenefs of his Gift.
Vfe 1. Wife Virgins have very Low and Jealous thoughts of their
own Spiritual Hock, as is here fignjfied; and more especially , when
Newly wakened out of their iinful flumbring, for which there is fpffi-
cient Rea r on. Sleep is Expensive, as Sicknefs is, whereof this is ore
kin J j and therefore Love it not, for fear of coming unto Poverty,Prot;
20. 13. However fuch are apt to be fufpitious, beyond their Ground}
Departure from the Lord x be ; 7g both the Fruit of unbelief, Heb.i*
2. andcaufeof fuch-like Doucting. Yea, a Returning Prodigal is
to be known by Holy humble Apprehensions of his worth, Lhk$i§,
19. and Oyl or VVifdotn, Led. 7. 23. Indeed, the truly wife are
ever Lowly, Prov. 19.2. whilft ethers think they have Er.OLgh, not
onely for Themfelves and Others help, but alfo to Iparc fomc part for
' B b Satan,
186 The Para&k of the ten Virgins Opened.
Satan, who therefore are bold to dally with his Temptations ; but fuch
Men's Folly (hews their Real want of Oyl, or wifdom.
3. Wife Virgins arc ( in the fir ft place) for Themfelves.with refe-
rence im:o the, r Spiritual Interefr. It is not onely warran:ab!e, but
( in this cafe ) it is their Duty and their Wifdom. In Outward things
Man ought to Love his Neighbour as Himfelf, in Oppofition unto Ma-
lice, Lev. 19. 18. and inRefpcclof Truth, though not Degree, fave
infomemorc than Ordinary Cafes, ijobn 3.16. but not in Spirituals.
And though Tdul wifht himfelf accurft from Chrift (forothcrs) in
pciint of Spiritual Privilcdgcs, Rcm.Q.^. wherein he alfo might have a
Special warrant \ yet did he not wifh his being a Tranfgreffor for their
fake, fave as Civile was by way of Imputation. God's Glory fhould
be preferred by us, before our own Salvation ; but let us not do Evil,
though Good may come, Rom. 3,8. in that Refpc. 7. Therefore,
with reference unto Duty, it was the Spoufe's Grief, that Ihe had kept
orhers Vineyards, and not our own, Cant. 1.6.
3. Wife Virgin; are very loath to fay, Not fo, unto a Motion made
for Spiritual help, in any cafe whatever. Thofe words £ Not fo 2 are
not in the Greeks-, bu: added by our Tranflators, as being grounded up-
on the wife Virgins nTence. Nor do they Abfolutely bid the other Go
elfc where, but onely rather } and with Rcfpect unto the Fooliih Vir-
gins greater benefit, who by that means might have Oyl without bor-
rowing. Some do with-holdanothers Due, when it is in the power of
their hand to do it, Prov. 3. 27. but Saints are forward to be Chari-
table, Pfiil.ii2.$. faveasmeer Duty doth forbid them: Chrift had
Companion upon others, and as with reference unto their Bodies, Mat.
15. 32. fo much more with Refpecl unto their Souls, M*rk 6. 34.
And Chriftians have their Name from him \ nor are Men worthy to be
fo called, in cafe they be of NabaPs Churlifh Difpofition, 1 Sam. 25^
:r.
4. Wife Virgins are for giving fatisfaclion unto others r with reference
unto their very Negatives. Some will not hear the ftrongeft Reafon
Offered again:l thcmfclves, Zech. 7. n. thefe Men are Beaiis, 1 Cor.
25.32. Others will give no Reafon for their Practice, but their Will,
Exod. 15. 9. thefe are not Prudent Men, Prov. 26. 16. Others ex-
pect that every Light Excufe fhould ferve the turn, Luke 14. 18. but
thofe were Carnal Jews, or Fooliuh Virgins. Howlhamefully have
fome endeavoured to filence thofe with Childifh Arfwers, who have
beenferious indefiring Oyl, or Spiritual help. But Grace is not for
Dallying, efpecially notinMementous cafes, but alway is provided
af a Rational Anfwcr with Holy fear, 1 Pet.-*,. 15. expecting that
Chrift
ihe Paralleof the ten Virgins Opened. 1&7
Chri.c will one day call for an Account (or Reafon) of Ulc words,
Mat. 12. 36. Nor can they be fuppofed to have Fai.h, w| i-.rc un-
ictfonable or Abfurd, 2 Tbcf 3.2.
5. Poor Fooliih Virgins are not likely (In thefe- latter days,) to
gain Oyl from the Wife by their Communion with them, or addreffes
to them. Together with the Rifing of God's Light and Glory upon
Siorty Profeifors of an Earthy Spirit will be covered with Grofs Dark-
nefs, //*. 60.1,2. None of the wicked at fuch a time fhall underftand,
Dan. j 2. i o. the Matters of their Peace will then be hidden from their
Eyes, Lake 19. 42. and as the unlearned (then) fo will the Learned
be, in point of Ignorance, Jfa. 29.11,12. Christians Communion
( heretofore ) may have been both Preventive and Recovering-, but
henceforth no more of that Vine,untiil its Fruit (hall be renewed, Mat.
26.29. Newly Awakened ones love not to (fir 5 Helps ready to be
laid aiide are very weak, and when the payment is, the work i; over :
Therefore this Difpenfation rnufr, needs be fixing. I would not Dif-
courage from the ufe of Means, but Doubt their Efficacy at this Day,
with Refpecl unto Foolifh Virgins.
6. It may not be wondred at, if Wife and Foolifh Virgins be Ob-
ferved (in thefe latter days) to have but little Intercourfe, as is here
fignified. There is not any thing confiderable doth befall us, but is Re-
vealed, hmosi.'j. if Men did but confult the Scriptures, Luke 24.27.
Thus, as to this particular, between the time of Chriit's Afcending,
( which Anfwereth unto that of of his VVitnelTes, Rev. 11. 12.) and
theJDefcending of the Holy Ghofr, (whkh Anfwereth uatothe Seventh
Trumpets founding,) Chrift's Party were a!one,A#j i.i3,i4.choofing
fome other inftead of Judas, ^.15. and did not meddle with the Jews
till afterwards, huts 2. 1. which Anfwereth unto the Viols Difpenfa-
tio\ And thus, untill the Spirit (in thefe iatter days) is poured
from on High, the Fruitful Field for Old ProfclTors) is counted for a
Foreft, Ifa. 32. 15. not fown with Exhortations, nor Ploughed with
Reproofs. This Interval is rather a time of Prayer and filence, Rev. 8.
1. alluding unto that, /,«£* 1..9, 10.
7. Wifo Virgins ( at fuch a time ) are freely willingto let the other
Go from them, tor mutual good. What (hall we then judge of them,
or by what Name muft they be called, who cannot hear a feparation
from their Old Companions by any means ? Some count it ftrange,that
o:hers do forbear their wonted Imcrcourfe : Butcana wife Jvlan del'ght
to Reafon with unprofitable Talk, J0& 1-5.2,3? Such are Exhorted to
fa veThcmfelves from that untoward Generation, hUsi. 40. who are
Offended with plain down-right dealing, andNon-comp ! iance with a
» fc b z finful
i83 ihe Tar able of the ten Virgins Opened.
finful Prohibition, kfts 5. 28. Nor can the Foolifh Virgins Go and
Buy Oyl for thcmfclves, unlcfs Communion wirh the wife be discon-
tinued, as is here hinted. Tne onely way to Benefit Apoftates, is to let
then Go; who Other wi ft are apt to Blefs thcmfelvcs with being
fo fat owned, therefore with-draw, 2 Thef. 3. 14.
8. Wife Virgins lend what help they can, by way of Exhortation
and Direction unto thofe whom they may not be able to In'iruct. This
is the Lail Remedy to be ufed; a bidding Ordinary means farewell j
like that lad digging about a Barren Fig-Tree, Luke 13.8,9. or bring-
ing the Matter unto Mofcs^ Exod. \ S. 26. Thus is the Spirits willingnefs
Evinced, together with its weaknefs ; thus is a Departing Saint's
breath Tweet unto the Iafr: thus is Chrift Evidenced by them to be
above them, and this is Grace's Valediction unto far-fpent finners. In-
deed Man's utmo:l hi lp is onely Miniilerial; and Chrift referveth fome
peculiar work unro him felf, May. 9. 18. whom therefore thefe wife
Virgins fend the other unto. When Instruments are out of Breath,
and Ordinary Means have tryed their utmoft \ yet is there hope in him,
who can recover fro nihe Grave : And thus far Grace is willing to Ac-
company a Dving Creature, which is the Lad Office to be perform-
ed.
9. Cirift will be (now) Gore unto, by fuch as want his Oylor
Light, and will not come to them, as heretofore his manner was, Epb.
2. 17. Fie will be Enquired of at fuch a time, E^el^. 36. 37. and will
be fought for, E/of.3.5. till when he Goeth and rejurneth to his
place, Hof.5.15. or Heaven, 1 Kings S. $0. TheTcmple fomc-
time was his dwelling place, Pfal. j6. 2. but now his Glory is remov-
ed thence, JE&dtj t't.23-. unrill it mail Return, £^.43.4. There-
fore he muft be followed by fuch as mean- to find him, Cant. 3. 1,2. This
is the Fruit of finful Dallying, *wt. the Hiding of his Face, Dent. 31.
20. or felf-with-drawing, Cant. 5. 6. and in that cafe, felf-ftirringup
is Neceflary, //*. 64. 7. 'tis well if that will fcrve. Time finners
mufl not onely feck, but alfo ftrive, Luke 1 3. 24. and fuch do but de-
ceive themfelvcs, if they conclude their having of this Oyl ( which for-
merly hath been Neglected; without forae more than Ordinary O
and Pains, as is here fignified.
10. Oyl [_for our [elves'^ was alway both our Duty and our wif-
dom to be Labouring after, which in thefe latter days will eminently
be urged unto and infixed on by all wife Virgins. Foundations fnow
willbeDifcbvered, //*£. 3. 13. there will be no room for Borrowing,
nor will ProfefTors be Advantaged, favc by what is their own. Their I
Motion here doth evidence Chrift's pefign, which is, to have Me.
Principle<
The T \r\ibk of the To: Virgins Opened. 189
Principled for their Duty, and not to fatisfie jhemfelves (as thefe
poor Foolifh Virgins would have done) with bare Revived Lamps or
good ArTcclions, wherewirh Chrift is not fatisficd, nor his People.
Wile Virgins may be known by this, their putting others upon fclf-
enquiries ; who therefore will not lend a Form of Knowledge, left
that mould fatisfie without its Power. Such may be thought to be re-
ferved -, Lut as Chrirt hath a Righteous Hand therein, fo they may have
an Holy Aim, viz.. the others greater Benefit.
11. There arc Oyl-Sellers ftill, whom Men are bid to Buy it of, as
they would have it for Themfelves. Chriil onely can Ertate a Soul in
Ught, and by that meensfecure it; which clfe is apt to be Removed \
nor will he Recompenfe a Man, fave with Refpecl unto what is his
own, 1 Cor, 3. 8, But you mult Buy it, and its Price hath been al-
ready fct j nor wiilone Farthing be abated: Therefore let none pre-
fume his In.ereft therein, who hath not (doth not) come up unto thofe
fore-named Terms. And 'tis a Mercy that it may be had; whichthefe
Wife Virgins dofuppofe, eife would they not have bid the other Go
and Buy: Nor is the Door (aid to have been ("hut till afterward, Mat.
25. 10." The near Approaching of which Day doth call for Mutual
Exhortation, ZM.10.25* while it is called, To Day, -Heb. 3. 13. be-
fore it be too late. And as a Bargain of this Nature would be itruck
up, thefe following Directions may be of life.
1. You mull be content to Go, or (in fome fence) to Part with
thofe Wife Virgins, whom ( heretofore ) a Right of walking witrr
( in point of State-Communion ) hath been Challenged. Keep with
them dill, as Precious Friends; but ceafe from any Higher Claim, or
from pretending unto the famenefs of your Spiritual Cafe and State with
theirs. There is that Maketh himfelf Rich, who yet hath Nothing,
Prov. 13.7. and as.that Man is not Relieved by another, fo neither will
he work himfe!f, till eafed 0^ that foolifh Fanfie. The Pharifees were not
Baptized of John. Lu- 7 30.becaufe unwilling to confefs their fins, Mat.
3.6,7,8. Nor would tro r c Jews come unto Chi ill, John 5. 40. who
boldly called God their Fath-er, John 8.4.1. no more than Perfons un-
convinced of their Blindnefs, will Buy Eye-falve, ^z/. 3. 17, 18. Oh
let us ratner Buy Oyl twice than be without if, from Groundlefs
ielf conceit.
2. Set out his Oyl with higheit Commendations, as to its Virtues,
Worth, and Need. Think not to have its Price abated by your
ileighty undervaluings, as in your dealing with other Tradefrnen. O-
thersbid See for Love, and Buy for Money; but here, your Money
is your Love : Therefore he biddeth mod: for Oyl, who doth moft
, Prizs*.
Prize it. Wife Virgins Hide their Love from Men, led they mould
elfe be ileighted by them : But ChrihVs Adinirers have learnt the Art of
Gaining upon his Affeclions. Children will Cry for what they would
have, and fomuft you for Spiritual Knowledge, Prov. 2. 3. Ohthat
thou wert my Brother, faith the to Chrilt, Cant. 8. i» And fay you un-
to Wifdom, Tboit art my Sifter, Prov. 7.4. Git Vnderflandwg with
all thy Getting, Prov. 4. 7. Exalt her, v. 8. who Loveth him that
Loveth her, Prov. 8. 17. Our Eftimations, Sighs, and Tears, are
Currant Gold with Chrid, though nothing Valued by other Trades-
men.
3. Take heed by any means of Dallying with him. Make not Two
words, for Fear of a Deny al. He came no more unto thofe 6W*r*7/.f,
who did but once defire him to be gone, LuksS. 37. nor would
he ever after deal with thofe who had Rejected his firlt Offer, Lnk$
14. 24. Were it not to Befriend you, ( to Plcafure You more than
HimfclfJ he would not Sell it: And Love Defpifed is the moil Pro-
voking. Yea, he who fell not in with Paul's firlt Offer, never defired
more the fight of that Commodity, AVvs 24. 25. However this Trades-
man's Loweit Price is at the firit, as Late Repentants do Experience,
who formerly have Dallied with his Offers: How Cheap did Lydia
Buy, Jl&s 16.14. Compared with thofe Second Comers, Aftsz.ij.
You cannot be without his Oyl, nor doth your Confcience think it is
too Dear j therefore Accept it with Thanksgiving: And when you
have it, your having been fo long without it will be your onely
Grief.
4. Have Patience though, and do not haftily fling away: Chrifl:
deals with none fas an Eventual Seller) but Sober Chapmen. Inor-
dinacy of Defire] is a Luft which he will not indulge in any : Men ei-
ther do not Ask, orAskamifs; who therefore have not their Defire,
James ^..2,^. Ycur Time is alway ready, fo is not his, Johnj.6.
who will not Serve his Mother, till fuch an Hour, John 2. 4. And Mo-
fss was made to tarry one week longer, whom nothing elfe would ferve
but Now, Numb. 12. 13,14. Thus many poor Creatures want their
Oyl,becaufe they cannot wait, 2 Kings 6. 33. but fling out of Chrifts
Shop (with Saul) into the Devil's, 1. S*». 28. 6, 7. and"therc are
Cheated, v. 14. You are but Beggars, in the Form of Buyers ; there-
fore demean your fclves accordingly. And do not Paflionately retort or
turn away, though his firft Anfwer fhould be rough; but give good
words, Pfal. 22. 2, 3. and wait his Lei fure, Pfal. 123.2. whofeOyl
cannot be had elfe where, and is thus given, Pfal. 27. 14.
5. Be fure you do Defign it for your felves, (next unto him,) and
for
The T arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 19 r
for your own bed good, as thefe Wife Virgins Exhortation hintcth.
Expecl the fir ft Queition put( cxt toWhat do you lack)will be, Whom
isitfor? Would you have Oyl, meerly to Boaft thereof, or toln-
flrucT another ; or onely to Accommodate a Worldly Intereit ? There's
other Oyl good enough for fuch a purpofe. This Holy Oyl mud not
be put unto a Common life, Exod. 30. 31. 33. Some would have
Healing Oyl, to fin more freely; and Fragrant Oyl, to gain the Vir-
gins good Affections 5 and Lightfome OyJ, to make a (hew : But Ho-
ly Oyl is not put into fuch polluted VefTels. Abraham had more than
Ordinary Lighr, and he was careful ro Improve it, Gen. 18. 17. 19.
And Paul) together with his filled Veflel, had fomething given to fe-
cureit, 2 Cor. 12. 7. And though Grace makes the Chang**, yet the
Indulging of Lower Aims is inccnfulent with a Grounded Hope of ever
Buying it.
6. Confult not with FIcfh and Blood; our own, or others. The
Tleihat beft ( or in a Natural Refpecl ) is Weak, Mat. 26. 4.1. much
more in a Moral fence, 6V. 5. 17. and therefore Flefhand Blood can-
not Inherit, 1 Cor. 15. 50. tor thefe will never Buy. Dull Fiem hath
no great mind to Go, Prov.6. 10. Proud Fjefn thinks fcorn to
have the eaficft Terms Impofed, 2 Kings 5. 11. 13. Self-loving Fkfh
would part with Nothing, much lefs with All, Mat. 19. 21, 22. there-
forethisfelf (orFlefhJ muft be Denied, before Chriit will be follow-
ed, Mat. 1 6.24. Confult not herewith in others neither, as Abfalom did
W ittv JJnJhai, and Kehoboam with his Companions, unto the Ruineof
them both. The Serpent will tell thee, Chrift is too Dear, and may
abate, CYtf. 3.4, 5. Relations will bid thee (firft) to provide for
Them : And Carnal Friends will break thine Heart with their DiiTwa-
fives, Acls 21. 13. Peter took Chrift to do, for being too forward,
Mat.i6.zz. whom therefore Paul would not confult with at the firfl,
Cal. 1. 16, 17, 18. Nor will a Bargain of this Nature be concluded,
till fuchare filenced by us, as Peter was by Chrift, Mat. 16.21.
7. Mind his Commodity before you do Rcfufe it ; and under this
fingle denomination (here) of its being called Oyl; yea, meerly
with Rcfpecl to that Particular ufe of Oyl intended here, viz.. its be-
ing-Serviceable in point of Light; which may induce your Buying
of it
1. The Light is fweet, Eccl.n.j. and doth Rejoyce the Heart,
Prov. 15. 30. therefore the Light is put for Joy and Gladnefs, Eftb.
8. 16. Pfal.gj. 11. by which the Heart-chearing influence of a Godly
Ruler is defcribed, 2^^.23.3,4. Yea, God's ownLove (which
is the choifeft Cordia]) is called trfc Light of his Face or Countenance-,
• ' Pfal.
•
19 2 Tic Titrable of the Ten Virgins Opened*
Pjlil. 4. 6. Now, would you not be glad of Joy? Come then, yea,
come and Buy this Lightforne ( and this Gladfomc) Oyl. When
Satr-pfuti had loll his Eyes (or Light ) how did he Grind in the Pri-
fon-Houfe, Jadg. 16. 2 1. it may be his Teeth together, in way of In-
dignation aid Vexation, chufing to be Avenged upon others for his
Two Eyes, by Losing his very Life, v. 28. 30. which Now was not
Defirable.Yea therefore Hell it (elf is Rcprefented by a place of Dark-
nefs, whereGrinders are, AUt. 8. 12. as Heaven isaplaceof Light,
Ccl. 1. 12. and Joy, Pfdl, 16. 11. to (hew the P.eafantnefs of Light
( a* in it felf confidercd, ) end Dolcfulnefs of being in the Dark.
2. Light giverh Life and Being unto vifible ObjeCls, which other-
wife are as if they were Not, as to our being Solaced with their fight:
Yea, we had better Not to hear of Beauty, than to want Eyes or Light,
by which to fee it. Man feeth not (at lead not chiefly) by Extra-
miflion, as Owls and fuch like Creatures do ; therefore His very Eyes
are ufelcfs, if in the Dark} who onely Hcareth, what others See.
Death and EXe'lrucTion have heard of Wifdom, Job 2S. 22. I 11 1 Tin-
ners know not that Eminent Gift, John^.zo. becaufe there is no Light
in them, Ifa.S. 20. How marvelloufly would it AfTccd, could Men
but fee the Amiablcfftfs of God's Tabernacles, Pfal. 84. 1. the many
Flowers in Sigh's Land, Cent. 2. 12. much more the Glory of God
himfelf, as it appcareth in his- Sancluary, Pfal. 6^.2. Johndid be-
hold Chrilt's Glory, in his Lowed date, John 1. 14. but others faw
no Beauty in hirn, who therefore did Defpife him, Ifa. 53.2.
3. Elfe will you not have the Comfort of what you do Enjoy. Souls
in a date of Darknefs may Really be Intereded in EU cling Love ; but
till Chrid gives them Light, Eph. 5. 14. fuch cannot know it : without
his Holy EnlightningSpirityhere is no Joy of his Salvation, Pfal. 51.
u,r. Thou haft the Scriptures, but till thine Eyes are Opened, thou
candnot underdand them, 2 Cor. 4. 4. becaufe they are Spiritually to
be Difcerncd, 1 Cor. 2. 14. Thou had^the Tender of that Marvellous
Light, 1 Pet. 2. 9. the Sun of Righteoufnefs doth fhine upon thee, but
yet thy Darknefs cannot Comprehend it, John 1.5. God is not far
from every of you, Alii 17. 27. yet can you not fee or know him, un-
t 11 the Son Revealeth him, Mat.11.2y. -therefore fuch Groundcdly
cannot Joy, fave in the Creature. Nor can you fee the Creature Nei-
ther, fo as to Rejoycc therein aright, fave as this Sun doth make that
Moon con Ipicuous, Pfal. 16.5,6. or as God's Light doth fhew the good-
linefs of that Inheritance.
. 4. You will not elfe be apt to Blufh or be Afhamed, whatever caufe
there may be of it. It is a thame to, fpeak of thofe things which are .
done
1
t
The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 193
done by fome in fecret, Eph. 5.12. becaufc all Manifestation Is
Light, v. 1 3. How did Enlightned Ezjra Blufh, to mention fl
others, Eur a 9. 6. much more to I tain his own ProfclTion with rh e u
ynfecmly Motion, E^a. 8. 22! Light is Subjected in the Eye, "J-/
6. 22. which Eye is therefore apt to water with every Mote, and vi ill
notfuffcr fpors to gon the Garment: Thcnct is it, that Enijght-
ncd ones arc alway Neat. But finners are in Darknefs, Matt 4, 16.
who therefore cannot be Afhamed, Jcr.6. 15. Sin being Virtually up-
on their Back, where vilcfr. Spots may be (and be Continued ) wiih
utmoil Confidence, till they lhall be Afhamed and Confounded both
together.
5. You will not elfe have any Spiritual Heat or Warmth; which
alway is Accompanied with Spiritual Light. The Natural Sin may
warm him who is Blind, as to his Bodily fight } but fo doth not the
Sun of Righteoufnefs, fave whom he alfo doth Enlighten. There may
be true Spiritual Light or Grace without any Apprehended Warmth
or Comfort, lfa. 50. 10. but there can be no Grounded Peace, where
Grace is wholly wanting, I fa. 57. 21. This is that Oyl of Joy, J fa.
61.3. and without which there is no Laughter, fave what is Mad,£cc/.
2.2. Darknefs and Sorrow are Coincident, and both of them are
Confident with the Light of Earthly Sparks, lfa. 50. 11. All Wif-
doms Patr.s are Paths of Peace, Vrov. 3.17. which is a way that others
know not, becaufc their Paths are crooked,//^.59.8.and therefore their
Cafe muft needs be fad.
6. You will not elfe be Spiritually helpful unto others ; at leaft,there
is no Promifc for it upon other Terms, Jer. 23.22. Chrift was Anoint-
ed fint, and with this Special Oyl j and then his Preaching w r as Effectu-
al, lfa. 61.1. but , What hafithoa to do ( faith God unto the Wicked)
to Declare my Statutes, Pfal. 50. 1 6 ? whom others are bid to let alone,
and wirh Refpecl unto their Blindnefs, Mat. 15. 14. Lips may Salute
the Ear ; whereas Heart Anfwereth unto Heart, Vrov. 27. 19. nor
can it be Expccled (in an Ordinary way) that Nature ihould work
Grace j or that a finner fhould Beget, fave in his own Likencfs, as Gen.
5. 3. Chrift's Image fin a true Believer's Converfation) is a Preach-
ing Piclure, 1 Pet. 3.1. while Gracelefs Gifts are but a filent kind of
Speaking, John 6.63. nor can the Flefh Reveal that which is Spiritual,
Mat. 16. 17. no more than Nature can Receive it, 1 Cor. 2. 14. Since
Darknefs Comprehended! not this Light, John 1.5.
7. You will not elfe be able to prevent your doing Mifchief unto
others and your felves. Paul was Injurious, and yet Ignorant, 1 Tim.
1. 13. untill he was enlightned from Above, A#/9, 3,4,5. Nor can
) \ C c Men
1
j 94 The Tar able of the Ten Virgins Opened.
Men ( in the Dark) Difcern, although the Prince of Life be Killed
by them,, A#j 3.15. 17. How will Chrilt's Piercers Mourn when
they fhall fee him, Zech. 12.10. perceiving how they have broken
hi> Commands, by Rufhing on them ; and how they have trod him un-
der Foot? Yea, as to ones felf, Wife Men (or Virgins ftored with
Oyl ) lore- fee the Evil, and Hide thcmfelves,Proi/. 22. 3. while others
Pals on, as Balaam did, upon the Swords point, untill his Eyes were
Opened, Numb. 22. 3 1. Thence is it, that fuch are apt, either to be
fnarcd, Jfa.8. 15. or elfe to kickagainfl: the Pricks, Attsy. 5. and run
upon the BofTes of God's Buckler, Job 15. 26. if not to itumtle and
fall upon that Breaking Rock, If*. 8. 15. becaufe there is no Light in
then, <-j. 20.
8. You will not elfe find the way , wherein you ought to Walk ; and
fo be fubjecl cither to fit (till for want of Light, or to go wrong, if not
Turn back \ or at the lead, to walk uncomfortably, and unacceptably,
though poflibly in a Right Path. Darknefs difpofeth more for deep than
any kind of Action, PfaL 104. 23. which will be fad for him whofe
Neceflary work requireth utmoii fpeed, Heb. 3. 7. And in the dark,
Men (if they walk ) are apt to Wander, John iz. 35. fave in a broad
and Beaten Road, which Chrifr/s is not, Mat.']. 14 Yea, fuch are
prone to wheel about into their bad Old way again, and fo ( being
Giddy with frequent Turning ) to Fall and Rife no more. Nay, though
by chance fuch may hit Right, yerare they fubjecl to be drawn afide,
Trov.g 15. and though they fhould go on, yet as it is uncomfortable,
fo they were Superstitious ftjll, who Worshipped the True, but un-
known God, Alls 17. 22, 23.
9. You will not elfe Go forth to Meet the Bridegroom, no more
than do thefc Foolifh Virgins for lack of Oyl or L'ght : and foyou will
notenrer with him to the Marriage. Chriit's Coming is unto Ston, J r fa.
59.20. and Sion's way is Narrowed at the lalt: Therefore Men (in
the Dark) will There be mot fubjeel to Miltake. This Going forth
is a Time-Truth and Duty; and but Two Hundred f of Jfr ad's Thou-
fands ) have Under/landing of the Times, 1 Chron. 12.22. therefore
w ithout peculiar Light Men are not like to hit this way. The greateft
Ro bberies ( as in the Letter) arc Near this City , cfpccially when
Travellers are Benighted: Therefore (in fuh a Cafe) none will itir
out.And if you Go not forth to Mcethim,you will not come with him
unto the Marriage, which will be very fad, as may be made out after-
wards.
10. You will not elfe be fit to hold Communion with the Wife ; as
being Convicted to be Foolith Virgins, by wanting Oyl or Light at
( fuch
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 195
fuch a Time. I wonder how any can imagine that Light and D*rk-
nefsfhou Id Agree, 2 Cor. 6. 14. or why they are Offended with Di-
viding upon that Account, which is as Old as fincc the firil Creation,
Gen. 1.4. True Ifraelites have Light, and in their Dwellings, by
which they are Diitinguithed from Dark Egyptians , Exod. 10.23.
and not to be enlightned is a fign of Death, Job 33. 30. Nor was tl*e
firrt Creation Perfected, ( much lefs the Second ) fo long as Darknefs
was upon it, Gen. 1.2, So that both State-Communion with the
Wife, yea, and Communion with. their State, depend upon your
having of their Oyl or Light: Nor will you clfe Partake of their In-
heritance in Light, Col. 1. 12. or Light of Life, Jshn 8. 12.
MATTHEW XXV. 10.
And while they went to Ekj? the Bridegroom came 5 and they
that were Ready went in with him to the Marriage^ and the
Door Wets flmt.
THis Verfe referreth to the Time of Chrift's own Coming as a
Bridegroom, with reference unto the Perfecting of that Redemp-
tion, which Gentile Saints mull: firil be Interefted in, as" hath been
cleared up before. Whofe Coming then, is Amplified here; 1. By
the Nick of Time, or while the Foolifh Virgins went to Buy. 2. By
the Qualification of thofe who are Admitted to the Marriage, \They
that were Ready. 3. By the Exclufion of all others, againft whom the
Door was font.
Thefumme of all which may briefly be comprized in this General
Obfcrvation following.
Obfcrv % While Foolifh Virgins Go to Buy their Oyl or Light, the
Bridegroom Cometh- together with whom they who are Ready go
in to t he Marriage : and thereupon the Door is fhut.
Que/}. 1. How do thefe Foolifh Virgins Go to Buy ?
Anfw. 1. Negatively ^ Not in a Right or Serious manner, which
never is in vain, If*. 45.19. as is their feeming Labour here, becaufc
they were not Ready in due time. Thofe went to fee John Baptift y s
Light, Mat. 1 1. 9. with feeming Joy, John 5. 35. who had no mind
to Buy it, (at loaft fome of them, £^7.30.) upon his Terms,
/ C c a Mat.
196 The Tar able of the Ten Virgins Opened.
A fat. 3. 8. E^ekiefs Hearers came to Cheapen his Commodity, (and
with a fhew of Love,) but had more mind to Buy a Worldly Interelt,
EtJtks 3 3. 30, 3 1. which was enough to filence them, 1/.3 3. when their
Defolation came upon them, v. 29. Poor Zedekjab was content to
Hear what Jeremiah would fay unto him, jcr. 38. 14. but was afraid
of being fcen (by others) in that Shop, ^.24. nor d.d he Bay. Thus
might thefe Foolifh Virgins Pray for Light, but with Diflimu lotion,
as fer. 42. 20. or Rumbling- blocks fet before their Faces, as £^.14.
3,
2. Affirmatively : Their going to Buy doth rather fcem to intimate
their (hying otherwhere, ( under a falfe Difguife ) till fuch a Time.
1. Till that Practice, of Going out (to Meet the Bridegroom) is
grown more General among ProfelTors. I am perfwaded this is the
C lie of many, who have no mind to fee the Light of a Coir mind, till
they mall have the Light of Company. When divers Torches are
abroad, fomeMen DeLight to walk at fuch a Time, and fpare the Coll
of Baying for themfelves : But Tingle Lights are not fufficient to guide
Dim- lighted Hypocrites in Narrow ways. When Chriit himlllf was
left alone, then Peter did not feem to know him, Mat. 26. 74. untill
the Mift before his Eyes was ( by a Beaming Look from Chriit) dif-
folved into a fhower, Luke 22.61,62. but if Sobriety be the Fafhion,
a flanting Courtier wiil be Sober, ( though meerly indeed for Fafhions-
fake ; ) and if Chriit's Way be once a Common Road,then Foolifh Vir-
gins have Bought their Oyl, or want no Light.
2. Till it be fafer walking in fu.h a way. Darknefs is fomctimes
put for outward Dinger, and Light for Safety, 7^29. 3. Nor hath a
Foolifh Virgin Light in the way of Duty untill its Danger is Removed.
A Godly Man is fomctimes Tempted to fit ftill, at fuch a Time, PfaL
39. 1. but yet (Habitually) he is a God-like Man, to whom the
Night fhineth as the Day, PfaL 139. 12. nor doth he ftumble in his
way of Duty> although it may Expofe him unto Danger, John 11. 8,
9. But Sufferings are the finners Onely ( Apprehended ) Darknefs ;
who therefore cannot fee their way untill that Cloud be Taken up,
which giveth Light to all True Jfraelites^ Exod. 14. 20. So long as
thofe were in a flrait or Vifiblc Danger, they Hid themfelves in Caves
andThickets, 1 Sam, 13.6. in Mount Ephraim, untill the Enemy be-
gan to Run, and then they alfohad Light enough to follow hard after,
I Sam. 14.21.
3. Till Goers out to Meet the Bridegroom are feen ( by therrf ) to
be Rewarded j or to Go in with him unto the Marriage. Great is the
Light of Earthly l^ecompences ? the Expectation thereof made pur-
blind
The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened, 197
blind Jndae hit the way to Chritr, untill he miffed of them, and then he
Loil his way again, John 12. 6. Mat. 26. 14. How itrongly did Ba-
U*ms Wages make him fee that way, the Dangcroufnefs whereof was
Obvious unto an Affe's Eye, Numb. 22. 23. and therefore a Tinners
way feems Right unto himfelf, although its End is Death, Prov. 14.12.
This Recompenceof Reward enlightned Mofes into the way of Suffer-
ing Duty, Heb. 11.25,26. and when the Bridegroom's Favours arc
bc.toA'ed upon his Followers, Mat.19.2S. that Glory will Difcovef
others having Gone afide; who will no: then want Light, (had they
but Leave and Time) for their Returning ; till when, they do 60 m-
plainof Darknef*.
4. Untill fome Greater (Apprehended) Danger doth Accompany
their fitting ibll, than was in going forth to Meet the Bridegroom. The
Old Heavens fhall pafs away with a great Noife, 2 Pet, 3. 10. which
ni-y Awaken thefc Fooliih Virgins out of their Loytenng (lumber, and
fo may give them Light. The C'apping of Chri.t's Door (when it is
OOlllg OUC vv ncu nuuicb arc uunic, men uuuacu ,jiu^diu:> vviii
have Light fufficicnt into that way, wherein a Lion ( formerly ) was
ftid to be, Prov. 22. 13. When Life will be Endangered by finful
,g to Prcferve it, Mat. 16. 25. while God will be a Sanctuary to
his Faithful Non-complyers, Jfa.S. 13, 14. theawill the Foolifh Vir*
gins feem to have got Oy lor Light.
Queft. 2. Why willChrii Come at fuchaTime?-
Anfxv. 1. In Anfwcr to his People's Prayer, LttkeiS.y. which- is
Effectual, Jam. ^.16. fometimes to alter his feeming Purpofe, Exod.
32. 14. Jfa. 38. 1,2. 5. and then much more to Halten his Promifed
Coming, 2 Pet. 3. 12, 1 3. Prayer will not let him Relt, till he doth
Come, //^. 62.6,7. and in that Cafe, it isCommilTionated to Com-
mand him, //I?. 45. 11. Yea, fingle Importunity (diftinc/t from
Friendfhip) is Rcprefented by him, as molt Prevailing, Luke n. 8.
Siou may fay ( at fuch a time ) God hath forgotten her, I fa. 49. 14. But
c.m a Women forget her Sucking Child, v. 15? Can (he endure long to
Hear*it Crying ? Therefore he doth forbid his People's Praying when he
ispurpofednottoHear, Jer.j.16. fince elfehecould not be inquier.
Now at this time a Spirit of Supplication will be poured out. Zech. 12,
10. which (like Rcver fed Thunder) will (hake the Earth and Heavens^
fo wi|JCh rill Come, Hag. 2.7.
2. To fatishe the Expectation of his Poor; which (hall nbtFeriilifor
t ver, or alway be forgotten, PfaL 9. 1 8. Thefe Virgins had Expected
1 him
i
\
1 98 The Tar Able of the Ten Virgins Opened.
him before at their firfl going out to meet him ♦, and then his Meffenger
came : But fmce the Cry was made, Himfelf was verily Expecled
by them ; therefore he Now will Come. Prayer is fbme Ground tor
Hope, but Earncft Expectation, (though onely of the Creatine, much
more of Saints) is (aid to be an Argument (or Proof) of G
ry to be Revealed, Rom. 8. 18, 19. 23. God taketh Pleafure in his
Peoples Hope, Pfat. 147. 11. and Chrift doth know what fore Temp-
tations Pifappointments arc , ALv\ iu 12,13, J 4« therefore if it
were other wife, he would have told them, John 1^.2. to Difference
his People's Hope, Rem. 5. 5. from that of Hypocrites, Job 8. 13.
clfc d the Saints Perfsvafion ( in Matters of Duty alfo J bcDc-
fpifedby the World.
3. To make good his own Promife, fignified by the Cry, as in Re-
lation to his Firtt Coming, Luke 1 . 72. who therefore bad it to be Writ-
ten, becaufc thefe things are True and Faithful, Rev.21.5. yea, plain-
ly written upon Tables, becaufe the Vificm will furely come, and will
not Lye, H*i. 2. 2, 3. There is a Promifeof his Perfonal Coming at
kfi, Aih 1.1 1. before which Time there is a Promife alfo of his Com-
ing to the Gentile Saints, as hath been cleared up; and he is ever
Mindful of his Covenant, Pfal. 1 1 1 .5. He therefore brought his Peo-
ple out of Efjpt, for he Rcmembred his Holy Promife, PfaL 105.42,
43. he therefore laid afide the Jewilli Covenant, that fo his Promife
might be fure, Rom. 4. 16. which alfo (therefore) is Confirmed with
an Oath, Hcb. 6. 17. nor will an Abraham therefore ftagger at it, Rom.
4.20. or Sarah^ becaufe he is adjudged Faithful, Heb. 11. 11.
4. To make the fhadows flee away, as at his firft Appearing, Col.Z.
17. which alfo will be Refembled by his After-Comings. Shadows of
Old were of God's own Appointing, Heb. 8. 5. and were continued,
untill they grew unreafonably long, compared with the Subitance,and
then Chriit came to Take them quite away, Hcb. 10. 9. So in thefe
Gofpel-times, fomc kind of Shadow (Form, or Type) is Now re-
quired, Rom. 6. 17. and fuffered to continue fin fuch an Individual
Appearance of it ) till Power and Form arc fhamefully Difproportiona-
ble ; then fuch Appearances 3 re to be turned from, 2 Tim.i. 5. Yea,
Chrift himfelf will Come, 7/4.25.9. to fwallow up fuch Covering
Vails, v.j. and once more will Difcovcr the true Subftantial Forms
of Gofpel-worfhip, 2:2^.43.11. He therefore will Come at fucha
Time, that fo the Ark of his Teftimony may be feen within his Second
Temple Opened, Rev. 15. 19. •
5. To take unto Himfelf his own great Power, and Right of Reign-
ing, Rev. 11. 17. Indeed his Throne was Stabliihed of Old, Pfal.
93.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. lyy
93. 2. who was the King or Law-giver unto Ifraelj AUj 7. 38. and
as his own ( Spiritual ) Houfe was firit Erected at his firft Coming,
Heb. 3.6. io was his Temporal Kingdom alfo, in the Days of Con-
jUntine, Rev. 12.5. both which {viz.. the Temple and the City )
will be Reltorcd ( as of Old) together with the Full Return of Ba-
bylon s Captivity, Zcch.6. 13. Then fhe that Halted (hall be made
a Remnant, M1C.4..7. and David's Tabernacle (hall be Raifed up,
Amos 9. 1 1. and then it fhall be faid, Thy God, O Sion, Reigneth, Ifa.
52.7. He will be King,/i/.?/. 13.10. fought for by all True Jfracluss,
Ho}. 3. 5. it fhailbcGiven him, whofe Right it is, Ezek. 21. 27. And
he will then Come to take poffeffion of it, firit in his Saints, the High
ones, Dan.j.zj. or fuchas Jojhna was, Zech. 6. 11.
6. To Judge the Dead, Rev. 11. 18. which may be Conftrued di-
vers ways. PofTibly with reference unto Ail forts of Perfons ; who will
be then virtually Dead, and after that comes Judgment, JJtfa 9. 27.
Orthu>; To Judge the Dead, that is, the Wicked; who will beth^n
( Mylticilly ) Awakened unto their Everlafting fhame, Ban. 12. 2.
Qr rather thus 5 To Judge the Dead, that is, to Judge Things over
again, which hive been long fince Dead and Buryed, in Order unto
the patting of a Righteous Sentence thereupon. Then will fome prin-
ciples be Generally Embraced, which have been thought to be Sediti-
ous : Then will Tome Truths be fully Vindicated, which have been cal-
led Errours, if not Hcrefies: Then will fome Practices Appear to be
Traditional, which have been faid to be Chrilt's own Apointments.
Men's turning things up-fide down, (hall be eftecmed as the Potters
Clay, lf.i. 29. 16. for God will then Alter them, v.iy.
7. To give Reward unto his Servants, both Great and Small; viz.
his Prophets, Saints, and fuch as Fear his Name, Rev. 11. 18. or Fa*
thcrs, Young Men, and Little Children, ijohnz. 13. Typified by
the Ancient High-Priefts, and Priefts and Levites. Then will be the
Time of Paying off his Hired Labourers, Mat. 20.8. of giving dou-
ble unto Sufferers, for their fhame,//*. 6 1.7. and of Convincing others
( by this means ) that verily there isa God, who Judgeth in the Earth,
Pfal.5'6. ii! Then will the Pelican, Pfal. 102.6. be turned into a
Flock of Hoves, Jfa.60.8. or Solitary ones be fet in Families, Pfal.
68. 6. Then will the Sons of Zadock^ have their Right of Prieft-hood,
Ez.cK 44. 15. or Faithful ones, the ChiefeftName among Profeffors:
Then will the Saints (the High ones)*have the Kingdom, Dan. 7. 27. and
the Chief Prieft (or Eminent Saint among them) fhall be their Prince,
£^ek.44-. 3. Compared with Lev. 8. 31. Rev. 3. 11.
8. ToPumfh Tra^nfgreffors, and to Deftroy them that Deftroy the
aoo The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
Earth, Rev. 1 1. 18. Then Wife and Foolifh Virgins will be fevered,
in a Providential way, Mat. 25. 12. Then will Back-fliding Pricfts
(or Eminent Old ProfcfTors) beat lead Degraded, JE«.e^. 44. 10. 13.
and thofe will have the Lowed place of all, who have unfruitfully en-
joyed Greateit Means of Light, zs Capernaum (in Chrnt^ Day ) is
thrcatned, Mat. 11.23. which was the Metropolis of Napthalt ^ and
therefore Napthaii his place is Laft for Lowell) in E^ektel's City,
Ez.c':, 48. 34. which Anfwercth unto This Caming of the Bridegroom.
But as to Perfons more Grofly Vicious, Chrift will then Come to Cut
themoff, for all their Cheating and Falfe Swearing, Zech. 5.3. for all
their Rcvcllings, Amos 6.7. Whoredoms and Oppreflions, Mai. 3.
5. and more Efpecially for their Persecutions, Pfal. 79. 10. who then
ihall be drunk with their own Blood, J fa. 49. 26.
9. To Ceafe Diiquietments , and fettle Peace , with Truth and
Righteoufnefs among the ProfcfTors upon Earth. Chrill: will then
Come as King of Salens Heb.j. 1. and Prince of Peace, Jfa. 9. 6.
being his peoples Peace,when the Affyrian cometh, Mich. 5. 5. and give
them Peace in his Second Temple, Hag. 2. 9. in way ot Covenant,
Ez.ek^- 34. 25. Yea, he will fpeak Peace to the Heathen alfc, Zecb.g.
10. nor fhali they Learn War any more, Mic. 4. 3. This King of
Salem (alfo) is Melclnfedec, Hcb.j. 1. and he will Reign in Righ-
teoufnefs, Jfa. $2.1. which ihall look down from Heaven, Pfal.85.
11. then will OpprefTors be confumed, Jfa. 16.4. and following Ex-
aclors will be Righteous, Jfa. 60. 17. Yea, he will then Difplay
the Banner, becaufe of Truth, Pfal. 60. 4. Determin ; ng Matters Con-
troverfal, in his Valley of Dqc\{\o^-,JocI^. 14. and turning a pure Lan-
guage to the People, Zeph. 3. 9. that he may be One Lord, and his
Name One, Zech. 14. 9.
10. To Eafc the Creature of its prefent Bondage, perfectly at his
Laft Coming, Rom. $.21. a Talle whereof will "Now be given. The
Creature groaneth yet, becaufe of its unfruitfulnefs, and cruel Ufagc,
andfmfji Mis-improvement; all which (hall then be much Rebuked.
TheRivers-of fudak fthehj will flow with Waters, and Hills w th
Milk, and Mountains with New Wine, JW3.18. God will Then hear
the I 1 ns, and they the Earth, and it the Fruits thereof, (or Jezseet's
fake, Hof.2. 21,22. Tne Righteous will fthen) be Merciiul to 'us
Beaftt the Creatures may not Prey fo one upon another, I fa. 10.6.
nor will they be Deftro*yed fuperfluouily, as Now they are. Men (hall
not Drink W.ne with a Song, Jfa. 24.. 9. orfinfully abufe the Creature,
but fear the Lord and his GQodnefs ? /f6. 11,12,13.
QucJL 3. Why doth not Chiiit ftay untill the Fooliih Virgins do
Return ?
Avfw. 1. Becaufe his own fet time was fully come, beyond which
'tis not fit that he fhould Tarry for any fort of Pcrfons whatfoevcr.
Hirhfelf is Ready , fo is the Bride; yea, all the Wife Virgins aifo:
And can it be Expected then, that he fhould Tarry for fome few Foohfti
Loytcrers? Ke lately had Engaged for his Speedy coming, Mat. 25^
6. and Mercy mult give way to Truth; yea, All his Name (or At-
tributes) unto his Word, Pfal. 138. 2. The five Wile Virgins are for
his Prefent Coming*; and though the other five* would have him ftay,
yet (hall not he Then have a Calling Voice, upon his own Account?
If Time and Tide will ftay for none; much lefs will their Creator:
Efpecially fincehis Prefent Coming is with State; and Eanhly Kings
\\\\ fcorn to Tarry tiliiluggifh Servants get them ready.
2. Becaufe he elfe might Tairy long enough, or rather, Not come
at all, if not untill thefe Virgins have bought Oyl: Therefore that can
be no Let unto him. As Oyl is put for Special Grace, fo Fcolifh Vir-
gins (inthatDay) will never Buy it, (as their Exclufion Exidenceth;)
nor as 'tis put for Spiritual Light into this Duty, of Going out to meet
the Bridegroom. Nor will they have Light into the Matter of that
work before his Coming; becaufe their Light is wholly Borrowed
from that which follovveth upon his being Come. Now, if he mutt
come before they will have Oyl, then if he means to come at all, he
mut not ftay for them. They will have him come firfr, with reference
to their Enlightning Motives; therefore he will not Tarry for them,
although by that means they arc (hut out for ever.
3. Becaufe the time of (hewing Mercy (unto fuch, and in fore
fence) is Now Expired. The Attribute of Mercy is infcparable from
God's Eflence, Exod. 34.6. yet is its Exercife Commanded by his
Will, Rom. 9. 18. And though he Delighteth in that Exercife, Jtr.g.
24. yet hath he Bounded it by fueh a time,beyond which time he will no
more have Mercy, Hof.1.6. Nov/, when the Seventh Trumpet be-
gins to Sound, Rev. 10.7. then Time (hall be no longer, v. 6. and
partly in this Refpedr, for that contemporizes with the (hutting of this
Door. Thefe Virgins are Dead before that Time ; and though Chi ift
fc fo Civil, as to wait a while,' yet when their being Dead is out of
Doubt, ( as now it is ) he then willftay no longer. His Patient Spi-
rit will not ahvay ftrive with. finful Man, Gen. 6. 3. but hath its Li-
mits fet by him, who can make way for Anger, Pfal. 78. 50.
» Qd 4- Becaufe
7ol The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
4. Bccaufethey have had Warning, Means, and Time enough. What
could they Reafonably defire more? They had the Scriptures from the
firft, which fhew the worth and Need of Oyl : And 'tis but the Fanfie *
of fome in Hell, that other Applications would be more Effectual, Luke
16. 31. They had the Benefit of Converfing with the wife, by whom
Chriit worketh Now, as if Himfelf were prefent, John 14. 12. At
their firft Going forth they fhould have tak:n Oyl with them : And Er-
rors in the firft Concoclion are not wont to be Corrected in the Second.
gfThey had been wakened by the Cry \ and Repetitions feldom profit
them who are riot benefited by the Preacher's Voice, John 9.27.
They did confefs their want of Oyl, and made a (hew of going to pro-
cure it, but did not Acl accordingly ; and fo had nothing to Object
againft the Juftnefs of Chrift's being wearied with fuch kind of Dal-
ly ers.
5. Becaufe they are not worth the waiting for. They onely ftood in
need of beeing Buryed, for which Chriit. will not ftay at all, fince he
would not have others do fo, upon that Account, Mat. 8. 22. They
feem to be Mad, or Fools in Grain ; and if an Achi\h had no need of
fuch, 1 Sam. 21. 15. much lefs hath Chrift, fo as to Tarry for them,
they had fufficiently Defpifed him,by difregarding all his counfe) , who
therefore are not worthy to be fo much Honoured by him, 1 Sam. 2.
30. They did but cheat the other Virgins all this while with flattering
words ; And therefore neither Chrift nor They would be Abufed by
them any longer. Nor would they ever have been good for ought, in
cafe they fhould have come by being tarried for t, therefore Chriit might
defign their being turned off by Coming, while they were Parted from
the Wife.
6. Becaufe he elfc would mifs of his Main Purpofe; which is, to
C«jft fbn*e out for ever, Mat. 8. 12. by coming on them unawares,
I -, 35* An Abfolute Decree of fome Men's fad Exclufion, is
eaff qwx. with a prefent ( vifiblc ) Pofiibility of their AdmiMion;
both which are hinted in thofe words, The Children of the Kingdom {hall
Mat! 8. 12. And though Chrift hath enough for All, Mat.
. . t but a Remnant onely (hall be faved, Rom. 9. 27. Since T faid ) Be-,
lieved, Acisi^.^,. and none (hereafter) will be Glorified, fave
they who ( through fore-knowledge) wereof Old Prcdeftinatcd, ■#re Open for Chrifi, than heretofore ; who yet will prpmifeoo-
thin*;, if a frefh Temptation cometh : Thefe are not Ready y want
the Girdle of an Holy Refoiution; nor wiU they confefs a former (in.
I t ve muit joyn ourfelves unto the Lord in a Perpetual Covenant,
Jcr. 50. 5. or be One Spirit with Chrift, which joyning to him dotn
Import, itor.O.ij. Bound in the Spirit, as Paid whatever
might befall him, Jills 20.22. Thus he that Lofcth his Life, (hall
fave it, Mat. 16. 25, and none will Reign with Chrift on Earth, fave
they who arc thus (virtually at leaft) beheaded for him, /^. 20. 4.
or are full Followers of him, Numb, 14. 24.
6. Such mult be made up of Earncil Wrellling, and patient Wait-
ing j which is a Rare Conjunction, at fuch a time. Some may be con-
tent to wait, but from the want of Holy Earncitnefs, or from a finful
Indifferency and flightinefs of Spirit,Relating unto fuch a Mercy •, as is
evinced by their Negligent Life of Sanclificd Means. Others are Earn-
ed enough, but yet unable to Wait, 2 Kings 6. n. Ready to Give
up all, if nor Relieved by fuch a time, as 1 Sam. 1 r. 3. But where
fhall we find a filentCryer, Exod. 14. 15 ? A Submiflive pleader, Jer.
12. 1? Or Lawful Striver, 2 Txw. 2. 5 ? Yet are we not fit to Drink
till very Thirity, and yet duly Cool : till furniuYd with a Spirit of Sup-
plication, Zecb. 12. jo. and yet willing to wait, Ifa. 8. 17. Alicab
7-7-
7. Such mud be able to Bear the Manner of Chrift 's Appearing.which
will be very ftrangc; and therefore BIclTed will they be, who are not
then Offended in him, Mat. 11.6. He will Come in the Night, Rev.
16. 15. and fame will therefore think he means to Steal ..or take by Vio-
lence; wherewith] weak ones will be Offended : as in a Spiritual cafe,
the fuddennefs of a Convincing word makes fome poor Creatures the
more Averfc. His Coming will be Terrible; and therewith Children
will be Offended ; as fome poor Childifh Creatures are with Thrcat-
ningCa'u j into Repentance. His firft Appearance will bcfmall, and
therewith fome will be Offended, Zech. 4. 10. as Judo* was, and others
are, becaufe Chri t's Prefent Pay is moftly Spiritual. And therefore
Bleffed is the people who know his Joyful found, Pf«l. 89. 1 5.
8. Such f now) mi:,'} be upon their conltant VVatch ; who former-
ly, perhapsjiad been Afleep. thrift here concludeth with that Exhorta-
tion, Afof. 25. 1 s.tofhew wherein this Rcadinefsdothconfift} and that
the unready Virgins were now fallen into a Second [lumber, under a
pretence
I
The Par the
Form of Fire, and therefore Flaming Lamps for Burning Lights )
doth Evidence, not onely the Having of Oyl (or Truth of Grace; )
and Oyl both in the Lamp and VeiTel ; But Holy Judicious ArTeclions
(alfo) Exercifed in their Height and Glory. Luke-warm Profeflbrs
( then) will be caftout; and nothing but this Sacred Flame will then
fecure from being f in fomeMeafureJ Burned. AfTeclions f then )
muft be called off from all combuftible (or Lower) Objecls; and (be-
ing Fired ) muft be fixed upon Chrift ; who wall then come in Flaming
Fire, fas at the laft, 2 Tbef. 1.8. ) and therefore will be met with
burning Lights by all his Bride-Maids.
1 1. Such rauft be Doubly Cloathed.then,with both an Under andan
Upper Garment ; or fomething on them f viz.. Imputed Righteoufncfs)
as well as in them, Jfc, Inherent* Grace, />/*/. 45, 13. Chnft Graces
208 • The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
£/rz] a Soiil, are fine and white, or mining, but yet not Cleanor
Pure, lfa.6\..6. Prov. 20. 9. and therefore Clean (or Pare) fine
Linncn mull needs import, what is Imputed through i 3 : And
both thefe forts of RighteoufnefTes are required unto One's being Rea-
dy for the Marriage, Rev. 19. 7, 8. Tis true, the fc alway go toge-
ther in Reality, 1 Cor. 6. 1 1. but yet they may be f^ndare) fever-
ed in Men's Fancies, though finfuliy, fince God hath joyned them, Mat,
19. 6. Abfurdly, finceDuty is the Fruit of Faith. And felf undoing-
ly, fince none will be Admitted, with Chrift's Approbation, Rev. 7.
15. fave they whofe Robes are warned in his Blood, ^.14. Woe then
to them, who call Imputed Righteoufnefs an Airy Notion,
12. Such alfo are then bid to let their Loins be Girt, Luke 12. 35.
as being one undoubted Branch of Readinefsfor any Service, zKir^s
4. 29. Which Girting fin a Spiritual fence) mud be with Truth, -
or Uprightnefs, Efh. 6. 14. a very Jlare Girdle at fucha time, Mic.
7.4,5. Formality (then) will be Predominant, 2 Tita, 3; 5. bu:
Chrilt will utterly abolifh Idols (or Appearances) in that Day, J fa.-.
2, 18. Though Jezebels Face was Fainted, 2 Kings 9. 30. yet Jehu
bad TLrow her down, v. 33. much more will Jefus (at his Coming)
caft fuch Jezebels into a Bed of Sicknefs, Rev.z.zo.zz. Wood is
Combuftiblc,f Cor. 3.12,1 3. though never fo fairly Gildcci : and there-
fore Hypocrites (then) will be furprifed with Fear,_becaufe theyf
cannot dwell (as can the Upright) with Evcrlafting Burnings, tfa.
33. 14, 15. Be therefore fincere, Phil. 1. 10. or fuch as will abide
the Judgment of the Sun.
Qm ft. 5. What are we to Underftand by this word. Marri-
age ?
An fa. Thereby is planly meant Chrift's Union with his Kingly Dif-
penfation upon Earth j which will Refemble that of Marrijge, in all
thefe following Refpecfts.
1. Marriage is not Convenient in a time of Persecution or Diftrcfs/j
1 Cor. 7. 26. though it is Lawful then, v.z%. The' Abfolute prohibi- j
ting whereof *is that fir ft Acfr, by which the Man of fin is to be known, i
1 Tin:. 4 3'. fince it is Honourable in All, Heb. 13.4. And thu^C:- rift j
alway had a Power of Marrying in this fence, ( as Paul and £nrvaba*
had in the Letter, 1 Cor. 9. 5. ) although he Takcth not that Power to
himfelf till fuchaTimc, Rev.u.ij. /He had All Pow^r given him,
at his firft Coming in the Hem, Mat. 28. 18. the Afcfolpte Den\
whereof is therefore a Denial of his being Come, by which the Anti-
chrift is to be known, ijobn 4. 3 . Onely he would n j>t then improve
his Power in that Refpeft, le$ he mould givfc Qffrnce at fuch a time,
Mat. 17. 2$> 26*27. 2 . The
The V arable of the ten Virgins Opened. ■ 20p
2. The Ancient High-Pricft might not Marry with an Harlot, or
one Divorced, or Prophane, Lev. 21.14. Nor might an Ifrxclitt
Marry with an Heathen, £>*«*, 7. 3,4. Nor may Saints Marry in*
Gofpel-nmcs, faveinthe Lord, 1 Cor. 7. 39. or in an Holy, Meet,
and Honourable way. And thus is Chriit's Difpenfation Ordered.
He will not Marry with one Divorced, therefore the Jews Old Mini-
ilration will not beReftored forever, £^^..16.61. efpecially, fince
he is ( Now ) Divorced from that Wife a Second time, which is the
utmoft of his Indulgence, and more than u.fual, Jer. 3. 1. He will
nor Marry with an Harlot j and therefore Antichnit's Difpenfation is
Blafphemoufly called Chrift's, Rev. 17. 3.5. He will not Marry with
one that is Prophane, or Heathenifh; therefore his Kingdom is not of
this wicked World, John 18.36. The Kingdom of Heaven (ftriclly
taken) is Referved for his Father, 1 Cor. 15.28* therefore Chriit's
Bride is upon Earth, Rev. 21.2. w hen fit for Marriage.
3. Marriage connYteth in the Husbands Taking, Dent. 25. 5. and
in the Womans being Given by her (Living Father ) Dent. 22. 16. So
is Chrift Married to his Kingdom, which he Received of his Father,
Luke 19. 12. and doth not Take it, Rev. 11. 17. till it is Given him,
£&*&, 21. 27. As in Relation to Particular Souls, he Marrieth none,
fave whom the Father Giveth, John 17. 2. So it is with Refpecl un-
to his Kingly Power. He Cometh as a Thief, unto the World, Rev..
16. 15. but by the Door, as to his Father's Approbation, John 10. i,
2. He will not Marry without his Father's Full Confent, wherein he
is a Pattern to his Children. Nor do the Saints (the High ones) Take
the Kingdom, Dan. 7. 18. till it be given them, v. 27. though others
may exalt themfelves, ( pretending thereby ) to Eftabiifh the Vifion,
but they (hall Fall, as heretofore fuch did, Dan. 11. 14.
4. Efpoufals were wont to be before a Marriage, Mat, 1 . 1 8. Dent.
20. 7. which is of great life, if not a Duty ftill. And thus, Chrift was
Contracted, or made fure unto his Throne of Old, Pfal.15.2. in which
regard, that Difpenfation is his Wife in Law, Dent. 22.24. and there-
fore woe be unto him tha.t Forceth her, 1/.25. as worldly Powers have
done, (efp ' iil ! y ever fince John Baptifth Coming in the Myftery,)
whom therefore Chrift will put to Death, though nothing fhall be done
un'otheHumb'ed Crying (although Betrothed) Damfel, v.26. John
B pti/Fs Coming was to Prepare the Bridegroom's way, Mat. 3.3.
and whefe Efpoufmg Teftimony therefore was of life, J*bn$. 33.
which Cuftomcalfo is Obfervcd, in a particular Soul's Uniting unto
Chrift, Hof. 2. if, onely ther,e muft be fome further Progrefs made ;
\ E e there-
I
\
a 1 1 The ? arable of the ten Virgins Opened.
therefore they hinder the Lamb's Marriage, who could be fatisfied with
John Baptift's work.
5. Princes are wont to Marry (firft) by Proxies - 9 or by fome
other Perfons Reprefenting them, and fo doth Chrid. He was an Hus-
band unto Jfraelj Jer. 31. 32. yet were they Married (firftj to Mo-
fes, being Baptized into him, 1 Cor. 10.2. Thus are Saints Married
( or Efpou fed ) Now by others unto Chri r, zCor. 11.2. Thus alfo
Sion is (fird) Married by her Sons ; although Chrid is the Bride-
groom, with Refpecl unto that Difpenfation, Ifa. 62.5. Chrid hath
- a Throne (orKingdom) of his own, Rev. 3.21. which Difpenfation
(at the laic) is called his Bride, Rev. 21.2. with reference unto his
Perfoml Marrying of it : But yet this King will Honour fome of his
Saints, by letting Them Marry that Miniitration fird, Pfal. 149. 9.
that he might Brft Sup with Them, Rev. 3. 20. thence all Dominions
('tisfaid) (hall Serve and Obey Him, when yet his People (chiefly)
dp PoOTefs the Kingdom, Dan. 7. 27. .
6. Marriage Creates the Neared Union, and fulIePt Communication,
or mod fweet Communion. So is it here, fince Chrid will then Red in
his Love, Zeph. 3.17. or Center in a fweet Deportment towards All,
but more efpecially his Chofen ones, whom he will then Evidence his
Conjugal Affeclion unto, his Everlading kindnefs, Ifa. 54. 8. Affecled
.with their former Sufferings from others, Zech. 1. 15. and from Him-
fetf, Ifa. 4,0. 2. ]er. 31.20. Accepting what they Offer, Mai. 3.4,
and fatisfying their Defires, Zech. 13.9. as Efth. 5.6. Paying their
Debts, Mat. 25. 34, 35.40. and deeply Revenging all their Injuries,
Zech. 2. 8.
7. A Marriage cannot be, unlcfs the Bride and Bridegroom be there
Prefent, at lead-wife in their Reprefentatives. Thus Chrid was Pre-
fent when he fird Married Ifrael, Alisj. 38. thus it is alfo from the
Prefenceof his Spirit (in an Indrurflent) if any Soul be Married to
him, orDifcipled, Mat. 28. 20. and when his Kingly date (hall be
fet up, its Name will be, The Lord is there, Ezek.48. 35 . His Per-
gonal prefence is referved till the Lad; but yet the Bridegroom will
Now come, elfe could there not be a Marriage. Prepare for his Ap-
pearing then, fo as that Saints (hall fay, Loe, This is He, Ifa. 25. 9.
Yea, others then will Look upon him,either with weeping Eya^Zech.
12. 10. or with felf-hiding from his Face, as Rev. 6. 16. His fpiritual
Prefence hath been fufpended; but he will come again, m that Re-
fpcdf, to fill the fecond Temple with his Glory, and Conditute a pro-
per Marriage.
8. Increafe is wont to follow upon Marriage, \\\ way of Blefling
from
The Parable of the ten Virgins Opened. 2lo
from the Lord, Gen. 1.2S. To doth if upon Chrift's. Thus Ifrael
Mu!r plyed more than others after her being Married unto Chriii:,
Ezjtki 5. 7. unto the Aggravatingof her Adultery. Thus alfo, Gof-
pel- Saints are therefore Married unto Chriit, that fo they might be
Fruitful unto God, Rom.j.^. and it was fore-told, that Gentile-Saints
fhould Multiply more fin point of Number) than did the Ancient
lewifhWife, //i.54.1. And when" Chriit fhall be further Married to
his Kingly Difpenfation, Jfrtel and judah will be fown with the Seed
of Man, Jer. 31.27. they (hill be Incrcafed like a Flock, Ez^ek^. 36.
37. unto their own Admiration 7/1.49.2 1. and Place (hall not be found
for them, Zccb. 10. 10. The Children that Sion will then have, (hall
call for Place wherein to Dwell, Jfa. 49. 20.
9. Marriage is during Life, fince God hates Putting away, Mai.
2. 16. fave in the cafe of Adultery, y^r.5.32. therefore to have been
the Wife or Husband of more than one, (by Keafon of unmeet Di-
vorce ) is fuch a fcandal, as incapacitated for a Gofpel Church-Office,
1 Tim. 3. 2. 12. and for the Place of a Widow, 1 Tim. 5. 9. Thus
Chriit's Betrothing is forever, Hcf t z.i^. whofe Marriage-Cove-
nant withTarticular Souls doth undertake for their being Loyal to hirrr,
who therefore Never will be Divorced, Jer. 32.40. And though
Chriit Now Difowns the Jews (his Ancient Wife) Hof.2.2. yet
did (he firftplay the Harlot, Jer. 31. 32.3s the Bill of her Divorce will
Evidence, J fa. 50. 1. Nor will he put away his Wife, as to the Gen-
tile-itate, till they prove Falfe to him, Rem. 11. 22. nor ever alter his
Married Difpenfation ( with them, or with the Converted Jews) but
upon their Departing from him firrf.
10. Marriage doth not Neceffitate the Husband's Conftant Prefence
though ; but is confident with his ( fomctime ) Difcontinuance, unto
the Bnde Chamber-Children's Mourning, Mat. 9. 15. though Har-
lots are Glad thereof, Prov.y. j8, 19. Particular Sou!s Experience
this, unto their forrow • though as the Fruit of their Apoftacy, cs In
Relation to the prcfent Jews, Cant. 8. 1. or Senfuajity, as in the days
of Conft amine, Cant. 5 . 2. or fad Formality, as after the Return of Ba*
by Ion 7 s 01:1 Captivity, Cant. 3.1. according unto Brightmans Catt-
ing of thofc feveral Times, And with Refocft untoChriit's Marrying
fence, with Refiored Gentilc : Saiuts (if not the Jews) will be ( I
nk) but for a Time; to make Room for his After-coming, to wit,
in Perfon, »
E e 2 xi. M :
1
\
2X2 ihe Tarabte oT the Ten Virgins Opened.
ii. Marriages of Old were Solemnized in fuch a way; wherein
Chriii's Union with his Difpcnfation doth Refemble Marriage. As
thus,
i. It was mod Honourable, that a Marriage fhould be known; and
fo is Chrill's Coming (as a Bridegroom ) Notified here before hand,
for all the World to fpeak, if they have ought againft it. He never
ufed to (leal a Marriage, by Creeping into Houfcs, as Snfpitious Pcr-
f. n> d;), xTim, 3.6. but published his Purpofe unto Pharaoh, Exod,
5.1. and the King of L aby 'Ion,Jer. 5 1.6 1. Thus was his Peifona! Com-
ing Published, Mut. 2. 2. and 3. 3. thus is his Spiritual Kingdom to
be managed, Atat. 10. 27. thus was his Temporal Kingdom .firil fet
up, Rev. 12.4,5. and thus (I am perfwaded) it will beReftored, as
in the Type, 2 Saw. 2. 7.
2. Marriage is a time of more than Ordinary Joy to all there pre-
fent, as well as to the Bride and Bridegroom ; which is of life Mill a-
mong the Jews, as faith Bttxtorfim, Synag.Juda. Therefore the Ri-
fing Sun isRcprefented by -a Bridegroom's Coming our of his Tent or
Cumber, with others joyful Acclamations, Pfal. 19.5. And thus
Jchn Eaptifi ( who was the Bridegroom's Friend ) Rejoyced greatly,
because of the Bridegroom's Voice, John 3. 29. And as there is Joy
in Heaven, upon a Souls Marrying unto Chrift, Luke 15. 10. fo doth
it make thofe Glad on Earth who are that Bridegroom's Friends,^?.;
11.23. And thus ChrilVs Coming here, will be Received with many
ihoutings, Zech.^.j. and all kind of Mufick, Rev. 15.2,3. and holy
Dancing, ]cr. 31. 13. And as the Bride hath caufe to Joy (efpeci-
ally considering what a Match this is) fo Chrift will then Rejoyceas
doth a Bridegroom, Ifa.62.^ whofe Heart is then moil Glad, Cant.
3. 11.
3. Marriage alfoisaTime of Feafting; efpecially when Kings-are
Married, as when Ahafuerns Married Efther, Efth.2.i$. for which
Fome Poor (no doubt) might fare the better. Thus lfrael's firil Mar-
riage was called a Feaft, Exod.5.1. in which regard, their Flocks and
Herds mufl all go with them, Exod. 10. 9. And therefore God's mak-
ing a Fc-afl for Chrift (in Gofpel- times) is called a Marriage, Mat.
22. 2. And as that Publican made a Feaft, upon his being Married un-
to Chrift, £«('* 5.29. So will Chrift make a Feaii of Wines and Fat
things full of Marrow, J fa. 25. 6. when he (hall come, v. 9. as when
he firil: came in Perfon, Mat. 21. 2. and when his Temporal Kingdom
wasfirft fetup, C*nt.%.\. according unto Nightmans Notion,. And
he who bids the Poor to be then called, Luke 14. 13. will then Relieve
the Pooreft Creatures with fome of his Servants broken Meats ; yea,
all the People, If a. 25, 6. .4. Much
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 2 1 3
4. Much Company is wont to be at all Marriages; fo will there be
atfuchatime. When Souls are Married unto Chriitj the Angels flock to
fee Repenting Sinners, Luke 15. 10 : So when the Church in Corinth
was Efpoufed, 2 Cor. 11, 2, the Angels came to their Solemnities, 1 Cor.
11. 10. How great a mixed Multitude there was, Exod. 12. 38, when
Jfrael was Efpoufed in the Wildernefs, Jer. 2. 2 : and when Chriifc
wedded his Difpenfation in Gofpel-times, his Chariots were twenty
thoufand, even Thoufands of Angels, PfU. 68. 17. Thus in the days of
Confiantine, we read of an innumerable Multitude, Rev.j.g ; and a
great Voice of much People afterwards, Rev. 19. 1, together with rhe
Fall of Babylon^ verf. 2. Then Ail will gather themfclves to Sion^ If*.
60. 4 j as all the City did to Naomi^ at her Return, Ruth 1. 19: and
whofe Thundering Voices will evince the Second Temple's being open-
cJ, Rev. 1 1. 19.
5. All forts of perfons (Then) are in their greatest Bravery \ fo Is it
at Chrift's Marriage. Then Solomon is crowned with a (lately Crown,
Cant. 3. 11. The Bride is brought, in Cloathing of wrought Gold and
Needle-work, Pp/. 45. 13, 14. yea God will Then appear in Glorious
Greatnefs, Tit. 2.13. as Earthly Parents are moll fine upon their Chil-
drens Wedding-day. Bridegrooms arc wont to Deck themfelvcs with
Ornaments, and Brides with Jewels, Jfa. 61. 10. fo will Chriit. come
with Power and great Glory, Mat. 24.. 30; and part of that Bride's
Ornament will be, her Numerous Train, Jfa. 49. 18; but chiefly, the
Garment of Salvation and Robe of Righteoufnefs, Jfa. 61. 10. Then
alfo will the Hou fe be Garnifhed, Jfa. 4. 2 ; and Meaneit Servants will
be Bnifled with Outward B'.erTings and Moral Vermes, as Rev.zz. 2;
but more efpccially, the Brides Companions (or all wife Virgins) will
then be Honourable, Pfal. 45. 9, 14.
6. Marriage-Solemnities (of Old) were in the Night j which Chriil:
doth here allude unto; And fo are all his Marriages. He married If
rdf/(atleaft-wifecall'd them to be married) in the Night a £.*W. 12.42s:
and Married (or Betrothed) Souls are called out of Darknefs, 1 Pet. 2.9.
and In the Night he will come as a Bridegroom, in this Parable. He
was Betrayed in the Night, 1 Cor. 11.23 ; and in the Night will he
Return. The Natural Day began at Evening, Gen. l.f.\ fo will this
Day of the Son of Man, Zech. 14. 7. as ancient Vifions were wont to
be in the Night, Job 4. 13. Chri'ts Kingdom comethnot with Obfer-
vatiun; therefore Not in the Day - y but as the Lightning, which fhineth
out of Darknefs, Luke 17. 20. 24. This (heweth His Affeclion to that
Difpen r ation; and will trie who love flcep above it. It will be a Night
of Rioting unto tht Wicked, r Theff. 5. 7. and Sorrow to the Saints,
\ Pfdi
I
\
214 ^ je Parable of the 'ten Virgins Opened.
Tjat 30. 5. and Drowzincfs unto all, favc them who fet thcmfelvcsto '
watch.
7. Bridegrooms are wont to be Met (of Old) and fo to be conduct- ,
c\i to the Marriage ; which aifo Chrift rcquireth here. Thus lfrael\
Met him in the Wildcrncfs, Jer. 2. 2. for There he found her, Hof. 9^
1 j. Thus a Betrothed (or Believing) Soul, muft Come unto him, John
6.35. and thus his People muft prepare to me cf him in thelatterdays,
jim. 4. 12. When Abraham had overcome thofc four great Kings,
then did the King of Sodom goe out to Meet him, Gen. 14. 17 : and
when Chrift fully hath fubdued the four Monarchs, then Abraham 's
Seed muft goe and meet with him. Thus when he cometh to his People
(in the latter dayes) he will be found of them without, whomu'l then
Lead him into their Mothers Houfc, Cant.S. 1,2. Who muft be then
Ready alio withOyl prepared, and Strength to bear his terrible Ap-
pearing, ijch.z. 28. fo as to meet him with Thankfgivings, Revel.
11. 16, 17.
Qneft.6. How can Chrifls Union with his Difpenfation {in thefc
Latter Dayes) be called a Marr i age ^ fine e it is granted^ to have been
Or,ce fet up Before f
Anf 1. Becaufe this Reftauration folio wcth a former Juft Divorce.
Chrift married the Gentiles ( at his fir ft Coming) as he had done the
Jews before, Rom. 11. 22. Now as Gods Ancient Ifrael comm tted
Whoredom before their going into Babylon^o did theGent'le-Churches
before the Man of Sin arofe, 2 Thejf. 2. 3. And as thofe Ifraelites were •
put away for their Adultery, when they were fir ft carried Captive, Jcr.
3. 8. fo muft the Gentile-Churches (:.nd Profeftbrs generally) be Di-
vorced (by a parity ofReafonJ at their firft going into Babylon. Thence
is ir, that as the Temple was then fhut up, fo was the Gity (or Tern- 1
porai Dominion) alfo, Trodden under fcor, Rev. 11. 1,2 ; as in the
Letter, of Old. And therefore the Return of that Captivity (with refe-
rence unto them both) may well be called a Marriage, (as it is, Hof. 2.
19,20. Jer. 3. 14. //*. 62.4, 5.) becaufe it followeth a Divorce, with
reference to that [Numerical] Difpenfation, although Once moreRe-
ftored in Kind. And this Return is notcompleat (with reference unto
5 Gentiles) urall the Bridegrooms coming, in this Parable, whatever
lew thereof (like that of Betrothing or Efpoufals) may go Before.
Now if drifts Union with his Kingly Difpenfation in thefe Latter
dayes, doth follow a Juft Divorce from what had teen Before; fuch
doe but the . plead an Harlots Caufe, who Argue for his Ecclefiaftical
or Temporal Kingdom, from what h:th been B:fore (or fmcc ) the
'Rjfingof the Man of Sin; fiveonely in a late "Preparatory way toth
} enfuing
\
The Tar-able of the Ten Virgins Opened. 2 1 -j
■ enfuing Marriage, from what of Later years hath come to pa fs, in
order thereunto.
2. Becaufe the Glory of this Latter Honfe (or DifpcnfationJ will
be Greater than of the Former, Hag. 2.9. Now when the New Hea-
vens and Earth fhall be created, the former fhall not be remembred, Ifa.
65. 17. Chrift Married (at the firft) whence was Young, (as fome
Great Perfons ufetodoe.) Who, (in relation to his Spiritual King-
dom, when' it was firft fetup,) was Therefore call'd a Child, ^#.4. 27.
and a Man-child, with reference unto the firft Erecting of his Tempo-
ral Kingdom, Rev. 12. 5. both which muft needs be Myftically under-
flood. Now Infant-Marriage is not taken notice of, when one is mar-
ried Afterwards at his full Age, as Chrift is at this time ; from whence
the Name of Marriage therefore ( ever after) doth Commence. This
fecor.d (alfo) will Eclipfc the former, becaufe the Glory of Chrifts Spi-
ritual and Temporal Kingdom (Now) will be united, which Heretofore
were fevered. Now as Chrifts ancient Marriage with the Jews, was to
be quite forgot in Gofpel-times,j^r. 3. 16; fo will his Second Mar-
riage with the Gentiles, quite Deftroy the former, b^ reafon of that
Glory which Excelleth, as 2 Cor. 3. 10 : therefore this Latter onely
hath that Name.
Que ft. 7. How may we Reconcile ChriiVs coming (here) To
the Marriage > with that Returning \_From~\ the Atarriage, Luke
12. 36 ?
jinf. 1. By varying the Circumflances of Time and Place, with re-
ference unto the fame Wedding in point of Subftance. Chrift went to
Receive hi; Kingdom, when he Afcended, and after the Receiving of
'it to Return, Luke 19. 12: and yet, at his Return (together with the
feventh Trumpet's founding,) he is then faid to Take it, as if he had not
Taken it before, Rev. 11. 17. which plainly fheweth,a Double Taking
of His Temporal Kingdom*, the one, in Heaven -, and the ather upon
Earth - y yet doth he not Take it, in the fecond fence, till his Returning
from having taken it in the former. And in like manner, he may be faid
to have been Carried \JFirft,~\ in Heaven, when he Afcended, ({] nee
Carrying and Receiving are the fame ;) and yet he doth not Take (or
-fl/arrythat Difpenfation upon Eat th, till his Returning from that for-
mer Wedding. And fo, his Knocking {Luke 12. 36.). muft onely
intimate his fudden Coming , confident with a going out to meet
him.
2. J3y altering the Tranflation of that Greek word^'Ea] which is
there rendred f >$«,£«. 12. 36}but yet it rhay be read [byreafnof] and
fo that Place and this will nothing differ, although fore-named Circum-
ftances
21 6 The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
ftanccs be not varied. And thus, the fame (Tmi^word isrendred Z°fl
Rom. 9. 11.30} with reference unto Works and Faith and Him that
Calleth } that is, \]oecaife~\ or \J)yreafonof~] as eafily may be collected. »
And in that fence Chriiis coming [To~} the Carriage here, and his Re-
turning (jn Lukj) by reafon of the Wedding, may well agree } flnce his
Return, (viz., from Heaven,) will be [_becaufe of 2 his Wedding upon
Earth. Nor need we ftickat the word Return, if we referre it unto
Heaven, which He is now Gone into, who fometime was on Earthy
cfpccialiy fince his Carrying is fo Defireable, as that Earth therefore
may be call'd his Home \ and fo his Coming (for fuch a purpofe) may
well be call'd Returning, in theilrifteft fence ; yet doth the GV^word
onely note Removing.
3. By varying the Cafe, in Luke and Matthew. The Latter of which 1
for this in my TextJ doth plainly relate unto Chrifts Carrying with his
Difpen'ation. Eut that in Luke may poffibly referre unto another Pa-
rable, by which the Virgins are exhorted to be Watchful!, as Servants
arc, for their Lord's Coming, when he (hall Return from Feafting at
fomc Pcrfons Wedding. In which lad fence, Chrift doth compare him-
felf(inL*JbO unto an Ho u (holder, who taketh liberty (Himfelf) to
Feait abroad, or to be at another's Wedding in the Night j yet doth he
expecTt, his Servants fhould be wellcmploy'd at home, and ready to
Open at his firft Knock. Chrift is Now Feafting upon his Fathers
Throne, Rev. 3.21; yet will he have his Servants (upon Earth,) to
watch, that when he (hail Return from thence, ( which in regard of
Feafting is call'd a Wedding,) unto his proper Marriage here, they
might immediately receive him. Thus Luke and Matthew arc Recon-
ciled.
Qucfi.%. Wherein confifts the Priviledge (hinted here) of Going with
Chrift unto the Carriage, at fuch a Time ?
Anf. 1. Such will enjoy more Intimate and Near Communion with
the Bridegroom \ which is a precious Priviledge. Chrift then will onely
have the Bride, as Joh. 3. 29 ; but all his Friends will have his Prefence:
So as to fee his Face, Rev. 22. 4 ; and hear his Voice, Joh. 3. 29; and
have their fill of his Embraces, Cant. 8.3. Their Eyes (hall then behold
him in his Beauty, J fi. 33. 17. and if the Bride be worth one's Coming
to have feen. Rev. 21. 9; much more the Crowned Bridegroom, in
thatDay of nis Efpoufals, Cant. 3. 1 1. The Saints future Happinefs
confifteth in their being with him, 1 Theff. 4. 17 } which therefore Paul
fomuch Dcfired, Phil. 1.23. the Fulnefs of Joy being in his Prefence,
Pfal. 16. 1 1. which therefore doth forbid his Peoples Mourning, Mat.
9. 5. How did good Davids Soul and Flcfh thirft tt\behold his Glory
1 in
V
The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 2 1 J
in tlic Sanctuary, Pfdl. 63. 1, 2 ; which will be then Co fully Opened,
t his Hidden Ark will then be feen, Rev. 11. 19.
2. Such will then Clearly fee the Bride in all her Glory < which is
a great Privilcdgc, Rev. 21.9, 10. She will be then Vifible unto All, ss
was Chri't's fpritual Glory at his fint Appearing } which yet w s
Actually feen but by a Few, Job. 1. 14. Others may fee her at a D>
itance ; as will the faved Nations, the New Jernflem, Rev. 21 .24. but
thefe (hall fee Eye to Eye, when the Lord (hall bring again Siott t I
5 :. 8. And if the Promifes were Embraced (or Joyfully beheld) when
they were yet far off, Heb.11.11 \ much more when 5/o» (hall be Rear-
ed up, will it be worihy to be Looked on, Jfa. 33. 20. Much lefs will
lu.hMiitake the Bride, as others will, who therefore will Defpife t;
Di r pcnfation, as fome men do thofe Books whofe Authour is not
known. Nor can the Saints know what they Ought to do 7 faveas they
have knowledge of the Times, 1 Ckron. 12. 32. or of their proper Dif-
penfation ; \s hich therefore is a Priviledge.
3. Such will be Witneiles of that Solemnity ; or of the mutual Ta-
king and Giving, that will then be between the Bride and Bride-
groom, which will be both their Honour and Advantage. What
running is there, to fee Two (EarthlyJ Princes meet ? much more,
when both the Bridegroom and the Bride come down from Heave y
Rev. 2i. 2, 3 % y or when this Moon and Sun fhali meet, without Eclipfl
each others Light : then will the Morning Stars ling, and all the Sons of
God will (bout for Joy, as at the firll Creation, Job 38.4.6, 7, and they
Alo ;e. Much of Gods Majefty will appear. Jfa. 24. 14. which yet will
not occafion Singing, (or comfortable Satisfaction) fave to thij little
Remnant, v. 13. Strange things will then be done, the Righteoufnefs
whereof will onely be refolved into Sovereignty, Pfal. 75.7. or into
Chri.t's Taking, by veitueofthe Father's Giving, and Bleifed is the
Non-offended Perfon in Chrift's Day, Mat. 11. 6. or fuch as know
the Joy full Sound, Pfd. 89. 15.
4. Such then will be the Brides Companions, or Maids of Honour,
Pfal 4%. 14. and which Kings Daughters will then be Ambitious of,'
v. 9. That Bride will deal well with all her Servants \ but thefe will be
her Fellowcs, rejoycing with her, Jfa. 66. 10. and being Dandled upon
her Knees,'!/. 12. and Eminently Delighted with the BrigT.tncfs of her
Glorv,^. 11. Thefe will have liberty of coming with the Bride unto
the King, PfiU.tf. 14. thefe Friends fhall Eat and Drink together with
them both, Cam. 5, 1. and it will be their Joy, thatChrilrl i nfclf iTratl
have the Bride, Job. 3.29. whilgft others are unfatisfied with tlu
Portion, v. 26. Thefe will be rjic greatest Favourites^ as Jcfefb was
> * Ff next
\
2 1 8 ti& T arable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
next to Pharaoh, Gen. 41. 40. yea, Thcfe will be both Ston's Children
and her Husband, in Chrift's ilcad, 7/4.62.5. and tnus Eliakjm (having
the Key of David's Houfc) (hall be a Father to the Inhabitants of Jem-
/^w,//*. 22.2 1,22. and be the Ruler of Chrift's Hou(hold,jL«. 12.42.
5. Such then will have the Comfort of their Garments of Salvati-
on, //*.6j.io. orof thofe Ornamcnts,which Maids cannot forget ,JVr.
2.32. It is their prefent Duty to begetting Ready, in that regard ;
but yet their Change will not be till that very Moment of the Bride-
groom's Coming, as 1 Cor. 15. 51, 52. Then will God fprinkledean
water on them, and cleanfe them from all their fiithinefs, and put a
Now Spirit \n them, Ezck. 56. 25, 26. which will Refrcfh, as well as
Beau:. tie, Jfa.61. 10. when Ifracl fhall be brought again from Egypt ^
Pfal. 63. 22. where they have lien among the Pots, then will they be
ns Doves withfilver wing?, and Feathers of Yellow Gold, v. 13. The
Remnant of ffrael fhall not do Iniquity, Zeph.5.13. noothcrLord
butChriltJ will then be mentioned, Jfa.zO.:^. nor will their Gar-
ments then be itaincd with Reproaches, as hitherto they have been;
but Others (or they with whom they do converfe) fhall call them in
a ferious way? the Holy People, Jfa.62. 12.
6. Such then will be uncloathed of their filthy Garments, Zcch. 3,
4. Corruption mud not Inherit Incorruption, iCor. 15. 50. Their
ltony Heart will then be Taken away, Ezek. 11. 19. and wickednef3
will be carried (in a covered Ephah) to be Eifablifhcd in the Land cf
Sbtaar^ upon her own Proper Bafe, Zcch. 5. 8. 1 1. Nor will they
onely have got Victory over the Beait, but over the very Number of
his Name at fuch a Time, Rev. 15.2. viz.. Compliances of the molt
Refined Nature. This will Gccafion them to fing the Song of Mofes
andtheLamb, Rev. ]$.-$. viz. more fully and Diftinclly (asthis Par-
ticularized Duplicate importeth) than when the Virgins firit went our,
Rev. 14. 3. The Beft (till Then) will have Iniquity ( in Principles
or Practices) Reproachfully abiding in them; which Eminently (then)
will Pafs away, Zcch. 3.4. unto their Honour and Refrefhing. Such
then will be Ehlightned ( as the Margin hath it) when their Light is
come, lfa.60.1. Abandoning what formerly they did Elteem, I fa. 30.
22. Yec, making off their Dud, and Loofingthemfelves from all the
Binds of their Captiyity, J fa. 52.2.
7. Such then will Eat an<1 Drink, lfa.6%. 13. orFcaft it with the
Bride and Bridegroom, at Wines and Fat things full of Marrow, J fa.
25.6. yea, he will then come forth and Serve them, Lake 12. 37.
who therefore cannot Fan 1 or Mourn, Mai. 9. 1 5. That Chamber ( or
Accommo.iction ) whofc Frofpeii is toward the North ( which was the
, maft.
1 1
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 219
moft Honourable fide of Old, 1 Kings 7. 39. ) will be for the Sons of
Faithful Zado^ £^^.40.46. God will then make it known, the Sil-
ver and Gold arc His, Hug. 2.8, 9. when they from Sheb.t (hall
bringGold, Jfa.60.6. and Iron (hall be turned into Silver, v. 17. for
in the Gentiles Glory will the Saints then toad thcmfelves, /fa. 6 1.6.
But yet the Prime Difhes ( at this Fealt) will be the Full Difcovery
of their Duty, £^.43.11. andGraceto Praclifc what formerly hath
been Neglected, as in the Type, Nehem.8. 17. together with their
Hearty Welcome to that whole Provifion, Jer. 32. 4i^and their Being
fat!6ded with the Confolations of that Bride, /fa. 66. 11. yea, Flou-
rishing like an Herb, v. 14. or Thriving by them, increafing Holy fear
together with Enlargement, /fa. 60. 5.
8. Such will ^ thence-forward) be fecurefromGrofTer Perfections
or Oppreffions. Dettruclions ( then ) will come to a Perpetual End,
Pf*l. 9. 6. when Chriil fhall have prepared his Throne for Judgment,
v.y. which at this time will be, Rev. 1 1. 18. As fuch fhall walk
with Chriit in white, Rev. 3. 5. and eat of the Hidden Manna, Rev.
2.17. fo will taey not be hurt by any fuch kind of Second Death, Rev.
2. 11, for they (hall cat of the Tree of Life, v. 7. Then will the four
Horns be frayed awiy, Zee far. 21. and the sfjfyrian alfo fmittea with
a Rod, /fa. 30. 31. there mall be no more a pricking Bryar to the
Houfcof Jfrae/y £x*^. 28. 24. fuch Enemies being either wafted, I fa.
60.12. orbrought fatleaftj intoa Full fubjec/Hon, •?. 14. TheSaints
Heart (then) fhall Meditate Terror, with reference unto their Old
Oppreffing Officers at Home, and Forreign Adverfaries, /fa. 33. 18.
but Violence fhall notbe heard, for all fuch Officers,will be made Peace,
/fa. 60. 18 nor fhall they fee a fierce (Beficging people any more,
Iftt. 33. 19. but will (in that regard) have Liberty to walk Abro:d
( which formerly they could not do, v. 8. ) or to behold the Land that
is afar off, v. 17. viz,, the uttermofl: of their Borders, in peace and
fafety, v. 20.
9. Such then will be Difchargcd from any kind of Future Toyling
whatever.. Tbcir Oyl, or their Anointing (then) will have Deftroy-
cd the jiffyrian Yoke, Ifa. 10.27. and then ChriiVs Yoke ( when
fevered from the other ) will be eafie. Their Garment of praife, J fa.
613. wilJ then Excufe them from fervile work, v. 5. fave what is
fuitable unto their Royal Prieft-hood, v. 6. the meaner part of which
Employment (alfo ) will then be put upon the Better fort of Late
Back-flidcrs , Ezak, 44. 1 1, 12, 1 3, 14, 15, 16, Nor will they be fo
weary ( then ) with Running in the way of Duty, nor faint with walk
rog; but (hall renew their ftrength, yea, fecm to Mount up with wings
I l* f z as
\
22 o ihe V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
as Eagle?, ) fa. 40. 3 1. Such will Abound with Service then, Jfa.66.
23. but yet without Complaining ; the Labour of a Duty being then
removed, when they ihall get (hut of Clogging Humours, and have a
New Heart bellowed on them. Thence is that liate Defcribed, by their
conftam finging., and fitting at a Fcaft, Ifa. 65. 13, 14. and yet by fer-
vingG'd (in his Temple ) Day and Night, Rev.j. 15. becaufethat
Service ( then ) will be their Meat and Drink, or Matter of Delight }
not faying (as thofe of Old) When will the New Moon be Cone, Amos
8. 5 ? But, Le§^a Co fpeedily to Pray before the Lord, Zech.S. 21.
10. Such will have the Comfort of each others Company. Then
all the Precious ones will be together, Zech. 14. 5. like fo many Jew-
els made up into a Bracelet, Alal.^. 17. which as ah Ornament tha:
Bride (hall wear, Ifa. 49. 18. for wherefoever the Bod^ is, thither
will the Eagles be gathered together, Luke 17. 37. Then will thofe
Saints be alfo of One Heart and Way, Jcr. 32. 39. as were the Primi-
tive Chriitians, Alls j±, 32. notEnvyingor Vexing one another, Ifa.
11. 13. but Serving the Lord with one confent, and joyntly calling
upon his Name with a Pure Language, Zeph. 3. 9. whofe Name will
then be One, Zech.i^.g. Yei, thefe Wife Virgins then will be Di-
vided from the Foolih, as Sheep from Gtots, Mat. 25. 32. no Gran-
ger uncircumcifed in Heart fhall enter ( wrch Ifrael) into the Sanclua-
ry, Ezek. 44. 9. but Jerufalem fhall be Ho'y, J eel 3. 17.
1 1. Such then will there continue, none being Cad out, Mat. 22,
13. but he that w r ants his Wedding Garment, i>. 12. which (hews the
Poflfibiiity of fome Hypocrites creeping then in, as heretofore, Cul.
2.4. But Sons will abide in thatHouje for Ever, John 8. 35. and
Faithful Overcomers will be as Pillars in God's Temple, who fhall
nomoreGoour, Rev. 1.12. Indeed God's People fin the General)
will from that time be no more termed forfaken, Ifa. 6z. 4. nor will
they have any more to do with Grofs Idolatry, Hof 14. 3. which yet
may be confident with their Gradual declining in the General,till Chrift
hi nfelf fhall come in Perfon, 1 Thef. 3. 13. But yet particular Saints
C who come at fir ft with Chrift unto this Marriage ) will be ?n Earned
of that more llnivcrfal fixing afterwards k Yea, fuch will Grow, Hof
14.5. parting with Chrift from one Room to another ; and reaping the
Benefit of that Increafing Difpenfation, all their Time.
1 2. All this will then be Accented unto the Sainrs, by their Peculiar
iring in it -,or by the quite contrary Portion of the Generality at fuch
a Time. Darknefs (hall cover the Earth, when Sion's Light will Rife
upon the Saints, Ifa. 60. 1, 2. when Chrift (hall bid ( £ Thefe~] Come,
:n Order un:o intimate Communion with himfelf. Mat, 25. 34. He
then
' - /
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 221
then will fay to Others, Depart from me, s/,41. The Nations will be
Angry then, Rev. 11. 18. whilst Thefe are giving Tnanks, v.iy. who
feejthc Juftnefsof ChriU's ways, Rev. 15.3. or who willbe WitneT-
ks of that Solemnity. When Saints will be the Bride's Companions,
Tfal. 45.14. then others (hail entreate her Favour, t»*.i2. asHamatt
didEjiheSs. The Bed of Hypocrites will want their Wedding Gar-
ment, Mat. 22. 11. whenthei'e Wife Virgings will be Ready. Ye:?,
whenthefe (hail be white; Thofe will do wickedly, or be filthy ft ill,
Dan. 12. 10. When Saints ihall Ear, then Others will be Hungry,
J fa. 65.13. and Howl, while Saints are Singing, ^.14, The Seventh
Trumpet foundeth Peace toThefe, and Woes to Others, Rev. 1 1.14,
15. And when the Saints are gathered together, Zech. 14.5. then
will the Mount of Olives (or their Adverfaries) be Divided, v. 4.
And as Sons will continue in this Houfe; fo others will be heard to
Knock in vain.
Q 9. What doth this (hutting of the Door Import?
Anfw. 1. The fecuringof thofe within j partly, from Going out"
Again, is 2 Kings 6„ $2. but chiefly from harm without. Thus did
the Difciples (hut the Doors, although from (bfulFear, as Calvinno-
teth, John 20. 19. Thus was Nehemiah Tempted to Meet fome others
ki the Temple, with its Doors (hut upon them, but would not yield
thereunto, Nebem.6. io } n. thus did thofe Angels ( Lawfully ) pull
Lot'w\ y and ihut the Door againft thofe wicked and Mifcievous Sodo-
mites, Gen. 19. 10. And fo it may be here. Admitted Virgins (hall
not Depart, for Quilt hath (hut them In: Nor (hall any Enter, to do
them Hurt, for he hath (hut thenrOut. Thus Sion (hall no more be
made to Drink the Cup ofTrcmbling, Jfi. 51. 22. her uncircumcifei
Enemies (lull no more come in to her, I ft. 52. 1. Chrtft will be no more
wroth with her, J ft. 54.9. and in her Land there will be no more Vio-
lence heard, Jfa. 60. 18. Yea, Satan will then be in fome Meafure
J33und, or Ggnilly Rebuked, Zech. 3 . 2. till fuch a Time ; as at GhriiVs
Perfonal C uning.
2. Tbe tuutting of this Door importeth chiefly, the Keeping of
0:hers out', from iharing in the Privaledge of thofe within, which will
be fad.
1. Since this Door is (hut againft Profeflbrs, who have been wont
to be within. Dogs are (hut out, and no Man heeds their Howling:
B.y :n fome kind of Children are cad: out, what weeping and gnafh-
ing of Teeth mull: needs then be, Mat . 8. 12. What means this
Noife, faid poor Prefumptuous Joab^ 1 Kings 1.4? So will the Fool-
> i(h Virgins fay, when they (hall hear the Clapping of this Door againft
' them,
.' 2 ihc Parable of the ten Virgins Opened.
thvtn. The Top-ftone of Jfimael's Mifery was, that he (a Son) fhould
beciftout, 6V//.21.10. to Die in a Barren VVildernefs, without a
Miracle. Such will then Cry, as fometime5f0# did, Jer. 8. 15. We
Looked for Peace, but no Good came, and for a time of Health^and be-
hold Trouble. This Virgin-troop will then be more Confounded, be-
c&ufe they Hoped and were Alhamcd, like the Troops of Te&a, Job 6.
J9, 20. which will rejoyceHell from beneath ( or Men more Grolly
wicked) that Virgins are Excluded as well as Harlots , If a. 14. 9,
10.
2. Since they are (hut out from the Marriage } which Fcaft their
Teeth will water at, who hadnoftomach to their work of Going forth
to Meet the Bridegroom. If thefe wereonely Excommunicated from
the Service there, they would no more value it, than many do (Now)
the Prelates Cenfurcs; in cafe that Lightning weftt alone. But they
muft neither Eat nor Drink, Ifa.65. 13. nor Tafte of Chrift's Mar-
riage Supper, Luke 14. 24. nor be the Bride's Companions, as was
'Dented and Expecled by them. And though Hell may fee into Hea-
ven, ( as through a Cranny of that Bolted Door) yet will the fight of
water there, but onely Aggravate thofe Seers Torment, Luke 16.24.
and fo the Hearing of that Heavenly Mufick, will but increafe the
others Howling, Ifa.65. 14. An Hypocrite (chiefly) is in Love
with Priviledges, ( as Harlots are with Gifts ; ) the want whereof will
therefore lay the Top-ftone of their Mifery, when that Door (hall be
fhut upon them.
3. Since it is fhut by Him, who (huts, and no Man Openeth, Rev.
3.7. Indeed his Opening is firft mentioned there, Rev. $.7. becaufe
his Prim: Defign (at his firft coming) was not to Condemn or (hut,
but Save or Open, ]obn$. ij. but he Now comes to (hut that Door
which had been Opened by him heretofore. And well may he make
bold to fhut the Door, becaufe he is the Matter of that Houfe, Luke
13.25. which therefore none may Open without his Order. Nor is
it like, that any other would have (hut it of their own Accord; Saints
being rather over- tender: But when 'tis fhut by Him, they Dare not
(will not) Open it without his Leave. Nay, when he ftmtteth, no
Man Cm Open; as when He Openeth, no Man Can Shut, Rev. 3.8.
This Door is not upon the Latch ; therefore uncivil Pcrfons cannot enter :
And none but Eliakjm hath the Key, If a. 22. 22. therefore 'tis but in
vain to hope from others: This Door is alfo Everlafting, Pfal. 24. 7.
therefore not to be Broken through.
4. Since (hutting out, and being Caft into uttterDarknefs, go toge-
ther, Mat&u. ThcPunilhrrtent'.of [_Lofs~] would be the fefs, if*
1 k , this
I I
- The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 223
this of [_ Strife ~\ did not accompany it : nor is it fo bad to Die of Fait "
ing,(much lefsto wantaFcad,) as to be Fed upon (Alive) with gnaw"
ing Never-dying Worms, Alar. 9.48. Nor is the want of Greater Light
fo much affli cling, as to be cad out into the Outer .Darknefs, a Place of
darknefs as Darknefs it felf, and where the Light is as Darknefs, Job
10.22. How great mud needs that Darknefs be, A/at. 6. 23. com-
pared wherewith, the Inner Darknefs is fomekind of Light. This needs
mud be a Place of Weeping, to which is added, Gnafhing of Teeth,
Mat. 8. 12* not in a way of Deriding Saints, as heretofore in their
Articled State, Pfal. 35. 16. or of Infulting over them, as Lam. 2. 16.
much lefs of being Ready to Devour them, as 7^ 16,9. but in a v/av
of being Vexed, as P/aL i 12. ic. and grievoufly Tormented, as Mm
9. 18.
5. Since others will be then Within. TheMifery of Man, f arifihg-
from fome kind of Want) is mcerly grounded upon his Fancy: if
None had itately Houfes or rich Fare, then every one would be Con.
tent without them: but Envy flayeth filly Ones, jakfi 1. Ncr would
the bare wantof NeceflTaries fo ArTlicl, in Cafe that V Vant were llni-
vcrfal : but it mud needs Increafe poor (tarving Laz.art& his Pain, to
Know, that Dives fared Dclicioully, Luke 16. 19.21. whofe Scale
was therefore Jultly turned afterwards,^. 25. but very Heavily, as
Dives thought v . 24. This will be the Foolifh Virgins Cafe; whofe
being cad our, will make them Weep; but Others being In, willcaufe
the Gnafhing of their Teeth, Mat. 8. 12. andmeerly for want of be-
ing Ready, which they had Timely Notice of, butlod the BlefTing as
did Efau.
Vfe 1, The Virgins will part with mutual Freedom, before the
Bridegroom's Coming. Indeed, the Wife (firit) Bid the other goe ; but
yet the Foolifh ( Readily) Accept the others Motion. Which [_Bidding\
is, for fpiritual Gain } but this [Accepting^ is for a Carnal Intered,
as hath been opened. Now they will part, at lead-wife in Affection :
not fo Delighting each in other, as heretofore: Since Differences in
Opinion ( efpecially with reference unto Time, Truths and Duties,)
are apt to Alienate if not Provoke, Numb. 14.6. 10. Yea, fueh will part
in point of Practice alfo ; the One fort going out to Meet the Bride-
groom, the other going to Buy Oyl : As Rath and Orpah did, with
reference unto their Mother Naomi 1 Ruthi. 14,15. Nay they will
Part in point of wonted ordinary Communion alio : as Paul and Bar-
nabat did, becaufe of Mark^ who had Deferted his bounden Duty,
Aft. 15. 58, 39. This Parting (probably,) will be Gradual : but let it
•Certainly be Expected, and not bfe Wondred at,.
, 2.. The
1
224 Ykc Ts.rahVe of the Ti rghts Opened.
2. The Foolifh Virgins oncly (and not the Wife J are faid to Goc,
or Leave the Oihcrs Compair Siich is Obfcrvable. ThcNameof
Separation hath been alway Infamous, although the Scripture clearly
Owns it, 2 Cor. 6. 14. but It this I ihe Foolifh Virgins are the
Separates, however Apt to charge it Opon others. There hath been
formerly, a Lawful! (Proper) Separation made by Saints, from Others :
as when the Jevctjli Way was feparated from, by thofe Jlft % 1 9. 8.
who ijmctimc were Obliged to walk therein. But yet, B.ioklliders
(Returning to their Ancient Duty) cannot fo Properly be fa id to Sepa-
rate from their bad Companions, fince there was never any Lawfull
Union, ar.d fo no need of a Divorce. However, the pre fen t cafe is
Plain : the Foolifh Virgin? feparatc from the Wife, as to their former
Joynt Practice, of Going out to meet the Bridegroom. Let no man.
therefore Check wife Virgins by that Name, which is not Theirs, nor
(Abfotutely) Infamous.
;. It is here feid, Theywcvt to Buy, who (as it hath been Proved)
went to Sleep : from whence is hinted, thatfinfull Adionsare Covered
o.'cr with fair Pretences ; and more Efpcchlly in thefe Latter dayes.
Herein confilteth much of that Deceitfulnefs which lurkcth in the
Heart, Jcr. 17. 9. and Sin, Heb. 3. 13. Thus bold Complycrs are
termed Wife in Chrifr, 1 Cor. 4. 10 : and Wantonnefs is called Love
Prov. 7. 18. yea, Perfecution is counted Wifdom, Exod. 1. 10, Zeal
I J hil. 1. 6. and Duty, All. 26. 9. Some men Declare their Sin, as did
Lots eld ell Daughter, (having learnt that in Sodom, J fa. 3. 9. ) in call-
ing her inceftcous Infant, Moab y which fignifieth, Of her Father? Gen."
19,37 '• b ut Others arc more fubtile, fuch are the Foolifh Virgins.
Confcicncc (in fuch) will nt permit a full Profeflion : and as That
would have crackt.thcir Credit quite, fo would it have flopt their
mouths from, ever Claiming a Right of Entring afterwards.
4. Their faife Hypoerifie is not Detected, ( by any Word Discover-
ing »t, J 1 ut as they did Pretend [_to goe and Buy} fo is it here Deliver-
ed. T'cy did • Ps f 'tis like) this was their End: and Eminent Pro-
fcflbrs are not Ha.'itly charged with Lying. However, Chriir. may
(yet) let itpafs for Currant .• to Harden them in their fundifcovered)
S.n .• to leirn us Moderation in a Difputable Cafe: and to Referve
thcr Manifeftatidh till his Coming, unto the Heightning of their Con-
fuficn, by fhurring them cut, who (till that timc^) were not Convict-
ed : or, by their being Apprehended, Tryed and Executed all at Once.
Methinks I fee the Reafcnhere 5 offomemens Confident fclf-jullifying 5
of others unaccuftomed forbearing them in way of Cenfurcs, and of
God's Ordering it to be fo: Other** will be more fully fatisfied, when 1
1 they
The Parable of the Ten Vjygins Opened. 225
they fhall fee that following fudden Revelation of God's righteous
Judgement at the Bridegrooms Coming.
5. Deceit full Shews will not Advantage in this Day of (Shrift j
ilnce hewillComeJ while Fooli h Virgins are gone to -Buy, (as they
DiffembKngly pretend) unto their being (hut out for Ever. Some may
fcek Deep to hide their Counfel from the, Lord, Jfa.zp. 15. but this
•fhall be eitccmed as. the Potters Clay: for (hall not their Creator
know, v. 16 ? He fcarcheth the Heart, to give to every ManhisDue,
Jcr. 17. 10. Therefore Ought got unjultly," will not Profpcr, 'v.ii :
and this the Churches (or ProfellbrsJ fhall be made to Know, Rev. 2.
23. Yea, when it is thus, in point of Turning things upfide down, I fit.
29. 16. within a very little while, the Lord will turn fuch feerning
fruitful! Field- (or Glorious Hypocrites) into a Forreir, v. ij. Thofe
do but Hallen his Appearing to their (hame, whofeek to cover evil
Actions with fair Difguifcs, J fa. 66. 5. as Chrift Then cometh here, upon
the Foolifh Virgins, for our Warning.
6. Peculiar Service ( done for ChriftJ will fuitably be Rewarded (by
him) upon Earth, fince all the Wife Virgins will be Admitted to the
Marriage. Then Chrift will gird nimftTf, Luke 12. 37. and ferve them :
his Feati of Wines, /fit. 25. 6. will make them to forget their former
Mifcry, as Prov> 31. 7. Yea he will then fwallow up Death in Vicfto-
ry,//tf.25.8. and takeaway their Rebuke from off the Earth. When
apt to faint (by reafon of fome Wildernefs-temptations) in fleeing out
of Babylon^ let this Jeruftlem come into our Mind, fer. 51.50. or
what God hath Prepared for him that waiteth for him, J fa. 64.4.
The .vill their Foolifhnefs appear^ who have defired to be Excufed
from this Supper, Luke 14. 18. when they (hall fee, Luke 13.28. how
Blefied a thing it is to have been Called thereunto, Rev. 19. 9. the
Truth whereof is fignirled there, by its being ordered to be Writy and
by a fupcr:dded Teinmo .iy.
7. This Feait may not be Tafted though, untill the Bridegrooms
Coining } fince thefe wife Virgins are here faid to goe [with Him~\ unto
the Mainage. We therefore have need of Patience, Heb. 10. 36 : yea
therefore Christ may put h>s Knife unto cur Throar ( or Exercife u:;
with Delays) becaufe wearefo given to Appetite, Prov.z 3. 2. And fince
Himfelf Expecleth, /M. 10. 73: fhall not we watch with him, M«t.
26. 40 ? thofe have no Faith, nor yet good Manners, who cannot F^
upon a Promife, nor be content to fare as doth their Ma, ter, Jib. 13.
16. 'Tis for Our Inter ell to hiave Him with us ^ whofe Prcfcncc fan
.the Table) make's our Spikenard fmell, C.?.v>.-i.i2; and in whofc
Al fence, the very Bride chamber Children Fait, Mat, 9. 15. Let us not
Gg tberc-
""V
72 6 fyrtbk of the Ten Virgins Opened.
therefore tc too Hatty : efpccially fincc they who "Now arc Full,
t en be Hungry, Lukg 6. 25. as having had their Por-
tio
8. There is a Rcadinefs required for this Feaft: ; 'and without which,
nunc are Admitted to the Marriage. Some kind oi Duty is Immedi-
ately incumbent on us, while in the Gall of Bittcrnefs, Aft. *>• 22 > -3 ?
1 jt yet All (proper) Pnvilcdgcs have their Fitnefs prc-requircd. W G
mart be wrought for Glory, 2 Cor. 5.5: nor will the Blind and L am c,
for Men defective mainly in their Light and Walking) evcrEu ter i n .
to David's Houfe, 2 Saw. 5.8. Though Duty is required, apaftfrom
Priviledge j yet Priviledges may not be Expecled without fuitable
Duty. Indeed, this Marriage will be as Burdenfomc to Unready Per-
fons, as fuch ihemfelvcs wiU be to Chrilt and his Companions ; as
Heaven it telt would be an Hell to Sinners. And uppermoit. Seats will
be Rcfcrved fer the greateit Gallants in that Day \ or (he (hall i land
a: Chriit's Right-hand, whofe Clothing is the Gold of Ofhir, Pfalm.
45- 9.
9. TheMarriage-Feaft (at fuch a Time) wili be in fome Place which
: th ( as it were ) a Door ; as its being ^Jhitt 2 importeth. Aihmay be
Invit :d thither, out none will /W Lock for Ever. Thofe are miftaken fadly, who do conclude
the
The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 227
the (landing Open of Chrift's Door till Death ; and more efpeciaily in
thefe Latter Days, as Foolith Virgins will Experience.
11. Ic therefore highly doth concern the Virgins or F rs of our
Days to get them fclves Ready as fait as may be. And in the Pre
whereof, I (hall content my felf with urging hereunto, as that word
[_ Ready"} appcrtaincth unto Virgins in the Letter ; and as the fame
CW^ word is ufed, Rev. 19.7. with reference unto the Elide at iuch
a time. In Order unto the fetting home of which Exhortation, thefe
following Motives may be of life.
Mot. 1. This getting Ready is that Great work of Time incum-
bent on us, which therefore had need be chiefly minded by us always
and much more Now. What is required of the Bride, but to be Rea-
dy, Rev. 19.7? What of each Gueii? but to have on his Wedding-
Garment, Mat. 22. Li? Yea, whar/doth God require, from firft to
laft, but to Put off Old former Cloaths, £/?/?. 4. 22. and that we Put
on New, f. 24? The onely thing required of Spoufes (by their Hus-
band at this Feall: ) will be, to make themfelves as Fine as may be ; as
once a Perfon told his Lady, upona like Occafion. Nor came we( in-
deed ) into this World to Eat and Drink, or Buy and Sell; but to get
Ready for our Change. Earth is a Trimming place for Heaven, and
Time mould be Employed for Eternity. He that is Ready in this Spi-
ritual fence, hath done the work belonging to his Day. Therefore we
cannot be too Early up at fuch a work.
2. It is the Property of Virgins to be felf-adorning -, Cm Maids for-
get their Ornaments, Jer. 2. 32 ? Such kind of forgetfulncfs feemeth to
be inconfiitent with thir ftate; next to their being termed Harlots, fuch
cannot bear to be Reproached with their want of Neatnefs ; whom if
we Differ from (inthisRefpecl) as to their Nature, how can we rake
it ill, not to be called by their Name? Harlots of Old were to be known
by fome particular kind of Vail, Gen. 38. 14. and Spiritual Sluttifh-
nefs is fuch a Vaii or Covering which (heweth Perfons to be no Vir-
gins. All forts of Profeffors therefore have difowned their Compani-
ons, as they have feen them to be carelefs in their Habit, Compared
with theirTellows. So that Rcmifnefs in our Holy felf-adorning will
very much Darken the vifibility of our being Virgins or Profeflbrs, and
Hazard the Total Lofsof our Repute.
3. Vnreudy Virgins (tobefurc) are not wife, or truly Gracious,
at lead not in Appearance j fince all the wife Virgins are Dcfcribed here,
by their being Ready ^ as if thofe terms were Convertible. There is
much wifdom required unto this work of Drcfling One's felf aright :
And Heavenly wifdom is much evinced, by One's being daily Conver-
Gg 2 fant
-V
2^8 ihe V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
fant thereabout. Fools PriJc thcmfclves in fome one fingic part of man's
Attire; but wife Men are afhamed to be fecn till they ru.ve All, Pfal.
i 1 9. 6. Fools are not Careful, 3* to the manner of [heir being drelt :
Lu: Holy wifdommakcthto be Curious; notonelyin having All one's
Garmentson, but every thing alfj in its Place; and fo Prcferved from,
being Loofe or itained. Children and Fools arc chiefly for their Food
and Play bttt fp ritual Ncatnels is both the wife Man s Work and Re-
creation, his Met and Drink; who therefore alway is at his Brum and
Looking Glafs
4. Proftffing Spoufes are Princes Daughters, Cant. 7.1. which doth
Oblige P o dlbrs ( Eminently )" to be folltcitous in this regard, as fuch
ore in the Letter. Oroimry Garments may Become a Beggar, (as Mo-
ral Venues do a Carnal Man,) but not 'he Children of a King; who
are forbidde ftrange Apparel, Zepb.i.S. but not Compieat, at lea'ft.,
not in a Spiritual fence. Did fuch conhder' the Noblenefs of their De-
feent, ]ohn 1. 13. the Nature of their High Calling, Phil. 3. 14. The
Glory of Kings Daughters Cloathing, -Pj'd. 45. 1 3. it would afhamc
them into an Evidencirgof their Heavenly Brecding,by hying out their
time in gctt rg Ready. If Earthly Gallants will not have one Hair
ami r s, much more mould Heavenly Courtiers Hate a fpotted Garment,
Jndez^. and be continually Adding to what they have; fince fpintual
Fafhions (alio) Alter; and ]oflwa (Now) mud have his Change of
Raiment, Zech.3.4..
5. Tnus (hail we have more Love and Honour from Chrifr ana others.
How very plain are fome in their Night Habit; yea, how did Mtcbal
Defpifeher Husband David, when he wasilrippedof hisftately Robes,
2 Sam. 6. 20. Nor was the felf-undrefSng Spoufe's Fair.nefs witnefTed
unro by her Companions, Cant. 5.9. till (he had firir. put on her Coat
aga.n, v. 3.5. But when a Child is Neatly Dreft, how is it Dandled
by its Father; fo will the King Defire his Spoufe's Beauty, Pfal. 45.11.
when Clad in Gold, with her Retinue, v. 9. Thusfhall wealfo be more
Amiable in the Eyes of others 5 both Saints and Sinners. When Epbra-
im and ]udvh (hall be Neat, or Clean from their Defilements, Ez.ekj2j.
23. then will they Unite in Love, v. 19. and be no more Divided, v.
22. Yea, CarnaJ Creatures will then Re f peel us, if not Love us;
fuch being apt to honour others, raecrly becaufeof thpir Apparel, whom,
©rhcrwife they d© not much Regard. ->
6. God will be Glorified in us by this means, which is a felf-fufficient
Motive to get Ready, Saints Drefs themfelves and Chrift at once;
as th.ir unhindfomnefsdifgraccthhim, whom they call Husband. Their
Change of Raiment fhewjs the fuinefs ©f his Wardrobe 5, their warned
Robes,
ipe r drawe oj we a Chrift is therein lck, 1
Evidence his willingnefs, that none fhould Perifh, 2 Pit. 3. 9. fo 1
purpof Wait until] his Picciousor.es be Ready ; as he
D w, till Lot was come to Z0.tr, G>f7. 19.22,
enow do for his Servants fake, //<*. 65. 8. Butif his Jewels we
made op, Inch would not then be faulted for his (laying: Till Vv'h^nJ
Chrill's Spirit in them ( whilft they r.rc Praying for his Coming ) car
not but Tax them, as being the Caufc, why he yet cannot Come : And
it will be exceeding fed, if we (hall be thus Acceffary to our own ar
others Mifu-y.
10. Thus will his Coming be more Comfortable to us, than other-
wife can be ex peeled. Chrift in his People, is the Hope of Glory, as
to the Groundcdnefs of fuch an Hope, Col. 1 . 27. and is its fweetnefs
alfo ; flncc all Delight arifcth from the Union or Conjunction of things'
fuitable each to other. They who are fully Ready, will have the clear-
ed fight of all that Glory ; thefineft Tafteof that Provificn, and deep-
eft (hare in all the other Priviledgesof that Difpenfation. Such in whom
Love ( or Grace ) is Perfected, will then have Boldnefs, in that Day
of Judgment; becaufeas Henow is, foThey arcin this World, 1 John
4. 17. Whereas that Day will be Confounding unto others, Arr.os
5. 18. who then will be afraid, //^. 33. i-;. (as Naked Adam was,
Gen. 3. 10.) and therefore call upon the Hills to Cover them, Luke
23. 30. at Ieaft-wife much afhamed, becaufe they have not kept their
Garments, Rev. 16. 15.
11. Elfewillit be (at lead:) unto our Lofs, fo far as Chrift will
then be fain to Drefs vs, or to make up (by his lad Inftantaneous
Change ) wherein our felves werecarelefly Defective. 'Tis truein*
deed, Chriir will have all his Peaple Ready then, becaufe Himfelf will
Cloath them with His Change of Raiment, Zech. 3.4. yet doth it con-
cern them to be Doing what they can, fince their Reward will then be
fuited to their own Labour, 1 Cor. 3.8. Saints will then Differ each
from other, in point of Glory, Luke 12.44. as at Chrift's Perfonal
Coming, 1 Cor. 15.41,42. which Difference will arifefromhence, be-
caufe feme will have Laboured more, in getting Ready, whilft others
• have been deeping, Luke 12.40.43,44. The Fuller our felf-cloathing
is at prefrnt 7 the more Gold Lace (hall we Then have from him, whofe
Recompcn.ee will be according unto works, Rev. 2. 2^. although fuch
works will then be Changed by Himfelf; but leaft unto their Lofs who
arc Moft Ready Now.
12. Thus (hail we (at Prefent) have the Comfort of our being
! Ready*
** "7
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
Ready, as it is in it fclf confidcred, and with Rcfpecl unto our felves.
It is with Spiritual Garments, as with Bodily : Which arc no: fatis-
fying (unto Curious Virgins) till All be on; nor Eific, until! the
whole bcclofely Girt upon us with that Girdle of Truth, Epb. 6. 14.
If that mcer Moralii cou!d fay, IVi } yet, Mat. 19. 20. mi
more is Paul forgetful of that Behind, til) that Before is alfo ede
Phil. 3. 13. Yea, Graces (alfo) are Odoriferous, Cant. 4. 14. and
every of a Christian's Garments fmell like Lebanonyj. 1 1. whofe fweec
Perfumedoih therefore Multiply together with them. And fincc this
getting Ready is our Main work, we cannot be too foon at Relf, when
we fhall have nothing clfe to do, but either to Depart in Peace, or to
Go in with Chriit unco the Marriage.
13. Thus will Chrift's prefent Tarrying be lefs Burdenfome by far :
Or, we (hall be thus better able to wait for his Appearing ; and there-
fore is waiting joy ned with Compleat Adorning, 1 Cor, 1.7. This
Wedding-Garment will fupply the Bridegroom s place, as being the
Qu nteifence of that Comforter, which Chriit hath fent for fuch a Pur-
pofe, John 14. 16. The want of Privilcdge is Ieali Opprcfling unto
thefe, who are moil Bufied about- their Duty. Grace is a fweel Com-
panion in Chrift's Abfence, as are that Woman's Children unto her,
whofe Husband is from home: Since as the Father was to be fecn in
Chriit, John 14. 9! fo Grace is ChriU's ( Refrefhing ) Image, Col.
3. 10. as Children Reprefent their Earthly Father, unto the Comfort
of their folitary Mother. Yea, Grace will therefore fatisfie, in fuch
a cafe-, becaufe it is the Creature's Willrefign'd to God.
14. Thus fhall we aifo keep x\wake, whilit others (lumber. Undrcf-
fing and Nodding oft times go Together; but never was Virgin known
f I think ) to Nod whtht getting Ready. Infants ( indeed) will oft-
times ileep while they arc Drefled by another \ which Active felf-adorn-
ers are not fecn to do. Such are kept waking, for fear of being prickt
with Pins, if carelefly put in, more than if heedlefly plucked out.
Yea, felf-adorning Virgins are fo apt to be in Love with their Attire,
Jer. 2. 32. as not to (lumber at fuch a Time, becaufe of felf-beholding
and felf-ple^fing Fancies then at work. Such alfo are convinced of the
Near approaching Day, as Putting on this Armour of Light evneeth,
Rom. 13. 12. who therefore cannot deep. And as Activity fin any
cafe* ) will keep one waking, fu more efpecidly in this, for fear of Ruf-
fling that by fleeping. which is now putting on with care.
15. Elfc mall we not Go with Chriit untothe Marriage, as Is here
plan'y fignified. A- all Things will be Ready then, Mat, .-2.4. fo
mu.r all forts of Perfon^ be, v. 12. and if unfanclified Jfrael mich; not
cat.
t
1
i 5 2 The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
cat thofe Quails, Nttrr.b. u. 18. much lefs this Marriage Supper. If
Spots ought not to be in Ordinary Feafts of Charity among ProtcfTors,
Jude 12. much lefs will fuch a Glorious Bride and Bridegroom be Re-
v proached with Unready Guells. Can we then be too forward at fuch a
work? Perfons Invited to fome Cunous Feait, need notbebidtoDrefs
thcmfelvcs apace \ efpccialiy when a fecond MeiTenger brings word,
that All is Ready : This is our prefent cafe, Mat, 22,4. Remember
what lies at itake, a.d if wc have any Appetite to thofe fore-named
Di ( which he that Eats not of, will Dye for ever ;) fo let us call
for Help, and Hand no longer Prating; but on with one thing after
another, for fear of being (hut out with Foolifh or unready Virgins.
16. This being Ready is of NecefTary life, with reference unto our
Change bv Death, which may be fudden ; although this Coming of the
Bridegroom (liouid not prove fo near, as fome may hope it is. Were
this a Duty mecrly relating to an uncertain time, whicn Poffibiy may
not be this Hundred Years, we might be Tempted to Defpife an Ex-
hortation thereunto. But if we Judge that Perfona! Death may be at
Han\ .this Holy Reidinefs will then beftcad us; and without which
our DifTolution will be fad : But when our Courfe isfinifhed, thenfri
we be ( as Paul was ) Ready to Depart from hence wth Joy, 2 Tim.
4.6, 7. And though we mould not Live to fee this Second Marriage
upon Earth-, yet if we-Dyeinfuch a Ready poiture, we fha.ll be at a
better Feait in Abraham's Bofom, and with the Lord himfelf, Phil. 1.
23. till called from thence unto his far more Glorious Perfonal Mar-
riage.
I ihal! Conclude with fome few Spiritual Helps and fuitablc Directi-
ons, ( fti.l holding to this Metaphor of getting Ready in a Bodily Re-
fpecl,) which areasFollowcth.
1. Let us Eye the Beauty of our being thus Adorned. This Gar-
ment doth confift of Fincft Linnen, Rev. 1 9. 8. and Cloth of Gold, />/*/.
45. 13. .befit with Jewels, Jft. 61. 10. and all bran New, 7/1.48.7.-
■ iich Virgins are Ambitious of. Thus will our Nakednefs and (hame
be covered, Rev. 16. 15. this Robe being white and Long, Rev.7.13.
hich alfo : ceding Grave, and therefore was AfFecled'by the Pha-
nfces, Mttrk^i2.i%. Thence is it, that Saints do Love them mod:
who arc mdft Neat : And if a (inner doth nor Love, yet doth he there-
fore Envy fuch,bccauf^ ou:-fhininghim: Ye ', fuch are therefore Tempt-
ed moii by Satan, to become his Harlots, becaufe of their Excelling
Beauty. wcver, as Chrirt w jit thus be moll Enamoured with us,
. . 7. r. 6. fo we (hall have moft Comfort in our lelves, when thus
Adorned;
1'he Far able of the Ten Virgins Opened. 235
Adorned; fmceMan (as Man) would fain be Fine,though ( Naturally)
Ignorant of trueft Comelinefs, Rom. 10. 3.
2. Let us confider how Fine the Bridegroom and the Bride will be
at fuch a time, which may provoke our Labouiing to be accordingly.
Chrift will appear in Glory then, Pfal. 102. 16. who will be afhamed
of Unready Virgins, Marf^S. 38. but willconfefs their Name before
■his Father, Rev. 3.5. whofe Garments (Now) are undefiled, v. 4..
The Bride then alfo will be Ready, Rev. 1 9.7. who Now is bid awake,
in- Order thereunto, Ifi.$z. 1. and if the Miftrefs be up, whatfhame
it is that Maids mould be Afleep. That Difpenfation will abound
with Priviledges, the having of which Precious Promifesfhouldcaufe
felf-cleanfing from all kind of Filthinefs, 2 Cor. 7. t. Could wc but
Eye that Recompence of Reward, Heb. 11.26. how would it make
us to abound in Duty, 1 Cor. 15. 58. and we may blufh to think of
not being inwardly Cloathedon, fo as to fuit that Outward Glory,
which all the Saints will then have put upon them.
3. Did we but ferioutly enquire, what of the Night, or what a
Clock it is, Jfa. 21. 11. the Watch-man would inform us how far the
Night is fpent, and therefore Harten our Putting on this Armour of
Light, Rom. 13.12, Satan would fain perfwade us, as did that Le-
vites Father-in-Law, that either it is too foon, Jndg. 19.8. or elfe too
late, v. 9. but as the Door is not yet (hut, fo no Man knows how
foon it may be; which mould provoke our making fpeed. The Vir-
gins have had (already) their firfl deep, out of Doubt; and fuch as
have been Throughly wakened, canfleep no more, but are felf-drefling ;
and Sluggards never were more heavy than at prefent, through Multi-
plicity of Benign Vapours inviting them to deep .* All which are Pro-
bable Signs of Day being not far off, And if the Nearnefs of our Sal-
vation, much more the (hortnefs of that Time which may be Now be-
hind, wherein to get us Ready before Day break.
4. Let us Obferve what Hafte poor finners make to Get them Rea-
dy for that Difpenfation: whofe being fitted to Dcrtruclion, Rom.g.
22. ( or filling up the Meafure of their Sin, Mat. 23.32. ) is that for
which Cbrift partly Tarrieth, as 6V>z. 15. i6.That Prince (immediately
preceding Chrift) is therefore eminently called Wicked and Prophane,
Ezjk.11. 25,26, 27. that Intereft fucceeding the Fourth Bead's De-
struction (in the little Horn) is therefore Reprefented by the other
Beads, which were more GrofTely wicked, Dan. 7. n, 12. And the
-^Syrian Party (which is the fame) are therefore faid to be Con fu-
med Soul and Body, Ifa. 10. 18. That Vintage Ripens molt (as in
the Letter) towards the Fall ; and is it not a (hame, that Wheat mould
; H h come
\
234 The rara&le of the Ten Virgins Opened.
come Behind ? Yea , Real Saints fhall Purifie, (at fuch a time,) as Others
then wi 1 fignally be Wieked, D.in. 12. 10.
5. The Bncft Ornaments arc foonclthad (with Chfiit) and .t the
Cheapeit rate; yea other thi »gs (for Nought) together' with them.
Trades men will make him ftay who onely comes for Thread, to ferve
Anothej with Gold or Silver-lace : and 'lis not Chriit's fault but ours,
ir. C s .'it be no h »d for Asking, L:\e 1 1. 9. 1 3 ; fihcehemade
J lor an Outward Mercy, till that Believing Woman's
1 t .. wai lir.i relieved, though the came !aft, A:ark^ 5.22, 23, 25 Yea,
Heaven EmUraceth (as it were) us Dwellers upon Earth, or offereth
it fctf ino is freely; whilcft Lower good things require Digging,
Job. ;. 21. which mould encourage us to covet earneftly that wh.chis
B:t. And if we help Chrift off with chcycer Graces, he will Throw in
what is o\ Leffer value : therefore moft fpiritual Saints have alway been
mo ft mivcrfally endued with other venues; andcarcfull Pradifers of
Time-D ties, are not Defective other wayc-.
6. Let us life (or Look our fclvcs m) the Glafj j by which the
Scriptures 3re refemblcd, in order uato our being Compicatly Drcft,
2 Cor. 3.18. Mens Words and Actions are fome kind of Looking-glafs,
but mo tly Falfe: the minding whereof too much, occafions Groundlefs
Sell Conceit^ 2 Cor. 10. 12. But taking heed unto the Word of God,
is that by which a Young man's Way is to be Cleanfed, Pfal. 1 19. 9.
We Now mud fee by That, 1 Cor. 13. 12. which though but Dark
(compared with one's feeing face to hce) yet is it True, Pfal. 19.9.
and that by which all other Glaffes rftuft be t.rycd, Jfa. 8.20. Did
we compare our felves more with the Ilule, howfhould w*B!ufh r to
fee our Shame Rcfkcfkd, through want of what is requifite unto our
being Comely. But let us not goeaway, tilljhatbe Rccltfied which
3s Amifc; clfe fhall we foon forget what manner of men we were,
while:! felf-beholding in thatGlafs, fdtri. 1.23.
7. Let usnot'choofe to be Alone } which in the ftate of Innocency
w-asnot Good, CV«. 2. iS; butisKqw Wofull, Eccl. 4. 10. The time
is coming, when Saints fhall Equalize the Angels, Luke 20. 36; who
are Alluded unto in that Defcription of th'ofe four Beafts *for living
Creatures) being .full of Eyes Before and Behind, Rev. 4. 6, 7, com-
pared with E'z.ekj 1. 10: but till that time, a Friend Behind us may
be of ncceffiry ufe, to reilifle what is amifs upon bur Backs. Yea
Company (in it felf confidered) doth much provoke to be more Neat
than other wife j fo little know wchow to walk, as being alway in the
fight of God Affecled Solitarinefs and fpiritual Sluttifhnefs, arc mu-
tual Caufes each of other j whatever Curiofity maybe Pretended un~
1 to
The r arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 255
to. Let mc be Left Alone (by others J in my way of Duty, Job. 16. 32.
but nor Affecl ir; for fear of being like him who was a wild Afs Alone
by hm Wf, Ho[ % it 9,
8. Let us make Choice of our Companions though- clfe had wc
better be Alone, as to our getting Ready. Man is fo apt to be as his
Companions are, that God himfelf is Taid to be fo, Pfal. 18.26 • fo
far aj his Unchangcablencfs, Jam. t. 17, is capable of Variation. But
Peter put off his Gentile (Genteel) Garb, fofoon as fomeof the Cir-
cumcifed Habit came, Gal. 2. 12: and thereby did much Harm to
Others, v. 13 : and upon which Accomht, Paul feparated the B.Iieving
Gentiles from thofe Jews, Ail. 19. 9. Some call that Pride, which is
theNeweit (though Heavenly) Famion : and if a Councel wee Now
call'd among Pro'caTors, feme kind offpiritual Spfucenefs in Appa-
rel would be Condemned, as that in Letter was, by the Fifteenth Cs-
non of the Second Ntccne Councel. Some are Enforced to with-draw ;
yea Others therefore are Caft out, becaufe they Dare not Touch
that Garment which is fpotted with theFlefh: and b'elfed is -he who
doth Prevent fuch kind of Cenfures by his felf-chofen Separation, 2 Cor,
6. 17. *
9. Let us makehafte-in Dymg unto Carnal Bravery ; So (tail we
have more Time and Love for Holy felf- Adorning. Some are fo vainly
ftudious of Worldly Faihipns, or fo Conformed thereunto; as that
Transforming (Inward) Renovations are neglected ; thefe being Inccn-
fi/tenr, R>rn. 12. 2. 1 77**. 2.9, 10. 1 Pet. 3 3 4,5. Chriir finds no
fault, (fave With the Plaintiff J when Martha (or the Outward man)
compla ns of Mary y for leaving her Alone, ia competition with that:
One thing Needfiill, Luke 10. 39,40,41,42. Perfons in Love with
their own'cickd Houfes, are foon Prohibited from Religious Build-
ing, Hag. 1.4. and feveral would follow Chi'M, if they had Nothing
elfetxrdoe, Ln'te 9. 59.61. Yea fpiritual Neatnefs istherefoixilekht-
ed by foirre Profeffors, becaufe Induments of a Moral Nature aw fo
prized : Therefore Paul crieth down thefe Lower Gif:s, which him
dred thof.- Babiih Corinthians from what was more Excelling, 1 Ccr.
14. 19, 23). 22
10. Let us look chiefly To our felvcs; t*ut let us take heed of Look-
ing too much At our feiv'es, orTrufting in our apprehended Beauty;
which doth B< 2m with Fornications, Ezc\. i6» 15. and jully Ends
with being Itr pped, v. 39. Some are fo buiie in Dreflang Others, as
to forget Themfelves; which in a Spiritual Cafe is Paradoxal, Luke
6. 42. Others are fo in love with fome Particular thing upon theuj, as
to leave Adding thereunto ; and fo that fingle Ornament doth but In-
Hh 2 create
2 3 6 T^e Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
creafe their (hame, as doth a New Lawn Apron upon a Tattered Gown.
Whereas Humility is both the Glofs of every Garment, and that
which makes unfatisfied untill the whole be on: yea, alway fpying
fome Defect, and earneftly Defiring help accordingly. Therefore fo
Few are Ready at this Day, becaufe fo Many arc in Love with for-
mer puttings on ^ not being able to Forget what is Behind, the fight
whereof fhould oncly itirre us up to Perfecl that which is fo well
Begun. Then (hall we be Ready to goe with Chrift into his Second
Temple, when all our Women* Looking- glafles are converted into
La vers, as Exod. 38. 8 j or when our felf Beholding (hall be turned into
fclf-purifying, for which that Laverferved.
MATTHEW XXV. 11,12.
Afterwards came alfo the Other Virgins, faying, Lord, Lord y
Open to us.
And he anfwered and faid, Verily, I fay unto you, I kpow you
not.
IN thefe two Verfes, we have the Foolifh Virgins fignified, as by
their Practice, fo by their Portion : with reference to fuch a Time,
viz,, the Bridegroom's being Come. From whence the General Ob-
fervation is, as followeth :
Obferv. Vpon the fainting of Chrifts Door, then mil the Foolifh Vir-
gins come, defiring to have it Opened: but will be Rep tilfed, with Chrifts
faying to them, Verily, 1 fay, 1 know you not.
Que ft. 1. What is the Meaning of thefe wotds r Lord, Lord?
Anfw. 1. Negatively : They do not Now crie, Abba, Father : what-
ever formerly they may have done, from a prefumptuous pretending
unto that Spirit of Adoption by which Saints are Authorized fo to
fpeak, Rom.S. 15. But Now theyonely fay, Lord, Lord:, to fignifie
(perhaps^) the great Abatement of their ( fometime) Confidence. Con-
fident ones (as that word [carele[s~\ fhould be rendredj will then be
Troubled, J fa. 32.11. Yea Chrift will then Evince their being the
Devils Children, as at his firft Appearing, Joh. 8. 44 : and when his
Door is (hut againft them, that very thing will Daunt them. Indeed,
how can fuch call him Father, who are in Bondage unto flavifh Fear,
Rom. 8. 1 j. who fcek their Qwn> in ferving him, Phil. z. 20,21, 22.
and
/
The Tar able of the Ten Virgins Opened. 237
and do not Love his Son, Job. 8. 42. or that which is the Truth and
Work of fuch a Time.
2. As to the Affirmative: the words \_Lord y Lordf\ import,
1. Their full Knowledge of his Perfon, as both that Title evidenceth,
and his DifowningThem fin that regard) in his Reply. Thus did that
Angel notifie his being Chrift, Lti\e 2. 11. thus Peter fignified his
Knowledge of him, Mm. 14.28: and thus Chrilt hinted (unto Stran-
gers) who he was, AIm. 21.3. Thefe did not feemto Know him in*
his fufTering State, Job. 1. 10: but Now the Blind (hall fee out ofOb-
fcurity, Jfa.29. 18. fuch Now Refufe to know Him through Deceit,
Jer.9.6. but he will Then caufe them to know, he is the Lord, Jer.
16.21. He will be then Eafily to be Known, as by thofe many
Crowns upon his Head, Rev. 19. 12. fobyhis Vefturediptin Blood,
v. 13. and this Name {_Lord~\ upon his Thigh, v. 16.
2. Their Knowledge of his being Prcfent there j as this directing
of their Speech unto him hinteth. This Difpenfation hath its Name
from thence, £^.48.35. and it will befo fairly writ thereon, that
Foolifh Virgins will underftand it. His Prefence will appear, as by
the Onenefs of his Name, Zecb. 14. 9, So by his People's being Pow-
erfull, 1 Cor. 14. 24, 2$ ; together with the putting of all Flefh to fi-
lence, Zecb. 2. 1 3. Therefore All forts of perfons ( then) will be Am-
bitious of Communion with a jVw, Zecb. 8.23 ; and Foolifh Virgins
(among therefU will therefore feekunto Himfelf for Entrance, fmce
Fulnefs of Joy muft needs be in his frefence, Pfal. 16. 1 1.
3. Their Owning of his Lordly Power - 7 or that Himfelf, who fole-
ly is Jebovab, is the moil High over all the Earth ; which Then will
be Acknowledged, Pfal. 83. 18. He is the Saints Onely Lord, 1 Corf.
8. 6. but Foolifh Virgins would not that he fhould Reign, Luke 14. 14.
as their Difputing his Command (of Going forth to Meet him) intL-
mateth, untill This time, and then they yield* Mat. 25.24. Thefe
Now pretend to be his Servants \ yea they Now grant him to be Lord
of All, with an Emphaiical Reduplication ; and in Particular, as to
his Right of Opening here. And what a Glory will it be to Chrift and
to his People, when Thefe fhall thus fubrait themfelvcs with Giver
Speeches,*?/*/. 68. 30.
4. The Earneftnefs of their Defire to be Admitted ; as this Ingemi-
nationfignifieth. Such will then Crie, as fometimes the Difci pies did
( when like to Perilh) Mafter^ Mafler^ Lake 8. 24. Thus fome will
feek to enter, Luke 13. 24. fince being Without (at fuch a time) will
argue Men to be Dogs, Rev. 22. 15. and likely to Die of Hunger, I fa.
65. 13. Whileil there is any Work' in hand, Dogs love to flumbcr,
JfK
I \
i%3 The TdYAbU of the Ten Virgws Openei.
Jfii.f6.to. and will lie quietly Without tjll Supper -time; but then
fu:h Howl (if not Admitted in) who could not Bafk before. Sujcfi Dogs
arc alio Greedy, /fa. $6. ti. nor Carl tl.ey nowflcep as heretofore;
who therefore needs nu'l: Howl the more, /fa. 65. 14.
Qnejl. 2. What is Dcfired by them in their faying; Open tow f
J/nfw.i. That Chrili: himi'clf would Own. them, as ( fecmingly )
heretofore*, and as their definn^ Kim to Open, Primarily importeth.
Tord ! Some ofour former Raptures from thy fell jfomcof thy Bleflfings
upon our Endeavours-, at lea it, fome Tattings of that Heavenly Gtft
which formerly hod been vouchfafed to us, Heb.6.4.^. But this will
not be granted, in that Day. Svlf-fleking Preacher^ (heretofore) may
have been ufefull unto Others, Phil. 1. 18. but Now, fuch will be fi-
lenced by Chrilt, Pfal. 50. 16. who therefore fhall not profit the Peo-
ple at all, Jer. 23. 32, That ; Light will then be gathered up into the
Sun, as m the firft Creation, Cen. 1. 16. which formerly was D.ftri-
b«tcri,t/ 3. And Self- Encompaflers with their own Sparks, will then lie
do Sorrow, Jfa. 50. 1 1.
2. That rightly conlHn'ted Churches would receive them in ; toge-
ther with the Second Temple's Opening imro Others. Lord (will
fuch plead) Admit us to thy Children's Table \ let us he um.er their
Infpeftion ; and let us fing thy Praifcs with them. - But that will not
be granted neither. Where Chriil: bears fway, the Childrcns Bread
fhall not be call to Dog* ; fince it Ought not to be fo, by his Order,
ALn. 7. 6. And if John BaptitVs Miniliration didRefufc'thofc .un re-
penting rh.irifees. Mat. 7. 8 i much more v/ill Gnri f.s, ^. 12. Yea,
'! '.'c Vials be poured out, this Second Temple will be fofiiled with
Glory, as that no Man f that is, no fuch asThefc, as Rev. 14. 3 J fhall
then be able to Enter intoir, Rev. 15.8; fince none but Zakocks Sons
fhajljgbe irito^tfi nftuary, E^ek^. 44. 15,76,17.
Thar Saints fat leaft) as Saints, would not refufc Communion
with them, in Religious Ael ions 'of a Common Nature. Lord (will
the!e fay) let not thy People turn their back upion us {peaking : let tiiem
nottjiicre to Joyrt with us in Prayer: let them account us- Clrinan
Brethren IrJH, though not in Church-relation. But reiser vvillThjsbc
condefcend-d unto. Chrift will then bid, Let them Alone \ becaufe
Blmd E s,an of his Father's Planting, Afat..i 5. J 3, "1:4. Then
1 t-c-eK- a D-iieicnCeput between P.?;-> .* rraylep, n 'iSc Treftnce
of, and Jo\ 1 others, si ft. "2.7. 35 en aif ■ will th.t
Phrafebe ufed, of calli g fuchfonelyj Brethren, aceca i lg ro/.he Flefti,
Rom. 9. 3. by wav of Ditinguiliing them from //^.a^Sctd, orChil-
oren,?/. 7.
4. That
/
The T arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 239
4. That Eqaal fh ri g (Ho^focvcr). in O-.itu .;rd Bleflings may not
b: denied to them, w; o : Cot cc3j1.es 'wont bo hav* tfj$ Greai
Portion. Li,ord (w.lifuchC I ) ie by
rhee, c -7.34. '• 11% ^.30? al-
though burone, v. 38. Eur Eftu. (then) will not Prevail, 1 p having
So'.daway his outward BLftmg v. rtii-dgnt ^ however Con.v
dent at fuch xtime, yl/^/. 1 . 4. Tvt Fruitful Field will tn. a become a
Foreit, Ift. 32. 15. and itfhalt Hail thereon, whenS/'f Iniquity, ALn.j.21. leaving their Name for a Corfe mi-
's Chofei ones, If. 65.15. Yea, cs i\ / rti -be ( r*d
b fo will they have a Gnawing, Never-dying Worm wi-:hin, (far
Worfc than Death ) beoaufe they have Tranfgrcil aga n t the Lord,//?.
66. 24. t^j
£ 3.- What'ftidhtd Encourage thefe to Hope far Entranced
which both their Coming and their Pleading intimate,
Anfa f. B:cau r e di their being Virgins. 'Loid (may fuch plead)
we are no Harlots, and mull we yetbeNumbred with them? VVc
have refiifcd to hold Communion with the Strumpets of our Time;
and m uft we Now be made to do (o ? We have wiLh.tood Humane In-
ventions^ Religious Worfhip ] and are we now Excluded, with the
Bead? I will then be Anfwered; you were not •( indeed ) like
tho r e more : <" e, yet'are" you Goats, who therefore Now mitir.
: D vid:dfrom tie Sheep, ALn. 25. 32. You were no Down-right
2?*i6;/0tf/.z-.f; 'but being joyned to them isfuflieienr, Ift. 13, 15. Or
rather, you had rhe/Mameof Virgins, but were Harlots; and Gnriiti-
an L Ay oh mu: ' De ir
Z. Becaofe of their Having had Communionwith the Wife in for-
mer times. Lord f mVy fuch Plead )• we have been.wekom to thy
Table, Luke '13.26": and arc we now Denyed its Crumbs? ThyGuelts
(within) have been our Fellows ^andmurT we now. be u fed like Dogs ?
240 The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened,
We can produce their Letters Tcftimonial; and will not that Com-
rnendamus help us to our Ancient Fellowthip? To which Chrift then
willAnfwer, 1 bad the Tares be let alone untill This time, Mat. 13.
30. and though my People failed in your Admi/fion, yet am not I
therefore bound to do fo *, nor They, for time to come, Ez.eks 44. 9.
Nay, you are not the fame you were, in point of fometime vifibihty :
However, I now mud Judge with Righteoufnefs and Equity, Ifa. u.
3,4-
3. Becaufe of their good Service done for Chrift, Mat. 7.22. Such
will then Plead, Lord,have we not Heard Thee Teaching in our Streets,
Luke 13.26? And was not that fometimes counted worth a Supper,
Mark^ 6. 34, 35. 37 ? Have vpe not Prof he fie d in thy A 'ame ,Mat. 7.22?
And doit not thou fay, fuch Labourers are worthy of their Meat, Mat.
IO. 10? Yea, Have we not Caft out Devils in thy Name, Mat. 7. 23 ?
And wilt thou Cart us out, unto the Devil and his Angels, Mat. 25.
41 ? To which it will be then Replyed, but did you not All this unto
your felves, Zech. 7. 5.6? And in a Deceitful way of keeping back
your Male, Mai. 1. 14? Both as to principal Time-Truths and Du-
ties. You have had your Reward already, Mat. 6. 2. and felfifh
Aims have made your work Iniquity, Mat.?. 23.
4. Becaufe they did go forth fatfirft) to meet the Bridegroom ,
Mat. 25. 1. Lord (may fuch plead") we fometimes bore an Open
Teltimony, hazarding our All in the Maintaining of thy Caufe: and
doth not Half the work Deferve fome Part of Pay/ But drift will
then Reply, you did run well, who hindred you, Gal. 5.7? Why did
you not fo run, as to Obtain, 1 Cor. 9.24.? My Crofs mould daily
have been taken up, Luke 9.23. nor was Salvation promifed, but to
Endurers to the End, Mat. 24. 13. You were the more Foolifh to
Begin, Luke 14.28. yea, I was therefore moft Reproached by you
Apoftates, Heb. 6. 6. however, you knew the Law, that all the Back-
flider's former Righteoufnefs (hall be forgotten, Ez.ek. 1 8. 24.
5. Becaufe their Not going out ( the Second time ) proceeded from
their want of Oyl, Mat. 25.8. Lord (will thefe fay ) we had not
Light unto this Latter work, and wilt thou Gather wherethou haft not
Strewed,M*f. 25. 24 ? Heathens will not be Judged for the Light they
Have not j Rom. 2. 12. and (hall we Virgins be more Hardly dealt with ?
Our Lamps went out, through lack of Oyl, and therefore muft we
now be caft out into utter Darknefs ? But Chrift will then Reply, you
tooknoOylatfirft, Mat. 25. 3. whofe Fault was that ? You trufted
unto flafhy good Affections, though I had told you of the ftony Hear-
er Mat. 13. 20,21. Nay, the Truth is, you wanted not Light, but
the Famblc of the Ten Virgins Ope tied. 24 r
Will; and as it now appearcth by your coming, but too late.
6. Becaufe of what they had more Lately done, or fince the Cry
was made. Lord, (will they fay ) we prefenrly Arofc and Trimmed
our Lamps, as well as our Companions; and is that nothing worth?
We came to them for Oyi, but were Repulfed, and muii we row
S jfFer for iheir unwiUingnefs to help us ? Nay, thereupon wc went to
Buy, as they Advifcd us; and was there a Detign upon us in ihu Cou.v
fel ? To which it will be Anfwercd, You did my work Deceitfully;
and that Defervcs 1 Curfe, initead of Vyagcs, Jer. 48. 10. You beg-
ged coldly at the belt \ that Taught my Servants to Deny you,as z King,
5. 18,19. Nor did you come to Bay of Me; I know you nor, 'tis fo
long fince I fa w \e-u.
7. Becaufe of their not having yet had a Legal Trial, or due Con-
viction before a Sentence. Lord (will thefe lay,) Thy Servants Ge-
nerally have not Born Witnefs ( Hitherto ) againit us ; ask them,and
they will not deny it : Nor was the Cafe decided ( fully ) in our Con-
ferences unto this Day : Shall we now be Condemned ( by our Exclu-
fion) before a Trial f Or Excommunicated without a Previous Ad-
monition? But Chrift will Anfwef, You heard. the Cry, as your a-
wakening thereupon Evinced: You had the Scriptures, clearing up
that Duty, wherein you failed: You alfo had fome Pangs of Confer-
ence, witnefs the Trimming of your Lamps : Therefore you had a
Three-fold Admonition, which is one more than NecefTary, Titus 3.
10.
8. Becaufe they have Now Got that Oyl fas their Returning inti-
mateth ) which heretofore they lacked. Lord ( will thefe fay,) we
Now are come up to Thy Terms : We Now have Light into' that work
of Going Forth: And wilt thou not Admit Repenting finners, yea, at
what Time foever f But Chrift may Anfwer, Your Common-Prayer-
Book hath it [_unt, fave as Men feek meEarly alfo, Prov. 8. 17. Efait would fain
avc had the Blc fling, and fought it carefully with Tears, but was Rc-
I jeQed,
Tie V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 249
jetted, Heb.1z.1j. becaufe he came too Late, though with Right Vc-
nifon, Gen. 27. 3 3.
13. ConfLiering the Manner of their prefent Supplication. Lord
( will thefe fay ) we do not offer to Enforce a PaiTage, but oncly ftand
here knocking at the Door : Nor do wccall to others, but do dcfire of
Thee, to be Admitted with thy Leave: Nor do we Gtafoi it gs cur
Right, but Humbly Beg it as a Favour. To which it will be Anfwer-
cd, You know 'tis but a Folly (Now J to be Difcri:r!y, as hereto-
fore, elfe is your Spirit Hill the fame. The Gates of Hell cannot pre-
vail againit. this Door, Mat. 16. 18. Nor will the prefent Porters
Open without mine Order, £^^.44.9. and as your Cafe will not
permit a Claim, fo neither will your Conference fufferit} yea, Inte-
rest alone doth make you ( in Appearance ) Humble.
14. Confidering the Ingcnuoufnefs of their Profedion ; imported
by that Title \_Lord~\ which they Now give to Chri Lord (will
thefe fay, ) we Now acknowledge thee to be our Lord : We do pro-
fefs Subjection tc thy Laws: Nor (halt we henceforth Diiobey thee,
onely this once forgive our fin, as Pharaoh Pleaded, Exod. 10. 17. But
Chriit, will Anfwer, Not every one that faith-, Lord, Lord, Jljall enter
into this Heavenly Kingdom, but he that doth my Father'sWrfl, Mat. 7.
21. Nor are you better than your Predeceflors, Row. 3. 9. who did
but Flatter with their Mouth, Pfal. 78.36. and Haften their Deilrucli-
on by Hypocrifie, I fa. 29. 1 3, 14. all which befell them for Enfample,
1 Cor. 10. 11. However Now, the Door is (hut.
15. Confidering his Gracioufnefs, whom they have Now to Argue
with. Lord ( will thefe fay at their Laffc plea, ) we do confefs thy So •
vereignty ; but can't thou not evince that, in a wary of Mercy, if thou
pleafeifc, Rom. 9.1%? Is not thy Grace Defigned for Supremacy in Go-
fpei-times; Eph. 1.6? And will Chrift fall therefrom at Laft? How
can the (hutting of thy Door upon us confix with having no Pleafure in
ourDeath, £^^..33.11. orthy Delight in (hewing Mercy, Mic.j.
18? But Chriil: will Anfwer, My Tarrying for you all this while doth
witnefs the Truth of what you fay, but Grace hath had its Time, and
I have other Attributes to (hew the Glory of. However, the Door is
fhut; my # word is paft, which muft be Magnified more thin Sovereign-
ty, Grace, or any other Syllable of my Name, Pfal. 138.2. And
therefore Now (in brief) I know yon not.
Que ft. 4. What feemeth to be meant by thofe words, Verily I fy,
J know ) 'oh not?
Anfw. 1. Negatively; Not but that Chrift doth know them, m
fome fence, unto their forrow 3 and which They Now (hall know, Rev.
. 1 1 2 2.
\
2.|+ ?he Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened,
2.23. He knowcth Bphraim 9 and Ifrael is not hid from him, Hof.
5.3. He knows their Manifold Tranfgrcffioiis, and their Mighty fins,
Amos 5. 12. He knowcth ( cs a \Vitnef>) all their Lyiig words,
which he hath not Commanded them, Jcr. 29.23. He knows the
things that come into their Mind, yea, every one of them, Zech.u.
5. He knowcth their Imagination which they go about, even Now
before it comes to pafs, .Dent. 3 r. 2 1. He knowcth they are Abra-
hams Seed, according to the FJe'h, John 8. 37. but yet he alfo knows,
they have not the Love of God in them, John^.^z. whatever lhew
thereof they feem to make, Ez.e i, 33. 31.
II. Affirmatively. He doth not know them in a Comfortable
fence ;
1. He doth (atlea^) not fully know them, unto fatisfadlion ^ as
theGVc^' word there ufed fignifieth, 2 Cor. 5. 1. and that other word,
Mat. 7.23. compared with John 6.69. which alfo is the fame with this,
Lukf 13. 27. Their Voice is Jacob's, but their Hands are Efau's- 7 .
and in that Cafe Chrift will not Blefs, as Ifaac did, without Decern-
ing, or certain knowledge 6V/7. 27. 22,23. He doth not know them,
as he did Abraham, by having made a Trial of their Holy Fear, Cen.22.
-12. or by his having ever known a PracTiicc fuitable to this Profeflicff.
Xor is it to be wondred at, they arc fo altered .(NowJ from what they
fometimes were, at their firft going out ^ and it is fo long fince he ever
Taw them, or hath Heard of them till Now.
2. He doth not know them fo, as to allow them, or their Practices :
In which fence Paul knew not ( as it is in the Grse ^ and Margin ) what
he did not allow, Rom. 7. 1 5. Reprobate Silver Ihall Men call them,
becaufcthc Lord will then Reject them, Jer.6. 30. Their be't Perfor-
mances will (then) not be allowed of, but will be called Iniquity,
Mrff.7.23. Their Perfons are unclean by having Touched a Dead Bo-
dy; therefore fo are their Offerings, and every of their other works,
Hag. 2. 13 , 14. They will be now ftayed for infufficiency, when put-
ting up their Supplicate for a Degree in Glory. And how will they
G.iafh their Teeth, as did thofe Jews, Alls 7. 54. when they were cal-
led Ln.ircumcifed, v. 51. while Chrift flood Lookingon, ^.55.
3. He will not know them, fo as to Love them : As theyr who Love
not, do not know the Lord, 1 John 4.. 8. or as his Sheep are known by
Laying down his Life for them, John 10. 14, 15. He will not have
any fpecial favour for them, as for others, who will be in his Books,
Rev. 3. 5. Kay, his Rebuking and Chiftifing Love f tofuch) doth
feem to end with Laodicean Churches, Rev. 3.19, 20. And whom he
dothnotLove, hcHatcth, as he did £/*//, Mai. 1.3. whofeSced (at
fuch
The V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 2 \.%
AjcH a time) arc therefore called the People of his Indignation, 1/.4.
Nov, as Love (ac~a Banquet 4 ,) is the. Banner, Cant, 2. 4. in point
of Excellency, or being Chief, as the fame Hebrew word is rendred,
Carit.%.10. So Hatred makes a (tailed Oxlefs worth thanKerbs,/Ve^.
15.17.
4. As knowing is of: times p it for Understanding. Thus, did not
the Difciples know, ( as ir is in the Greek^^) that which they did not
Underhand, John 10.6. and 12.16. And thus Chrit will then f
I hear a found of words, but do not feem to Underhand their Mean-
ing. Themfelves are Grangers, fo will their Language therefore be.
They call me Lord, but with an Hollow Voice, or from the Teeth out*
wards onely. They bid me Open, but do not fpeak cKftihcllyj I
llnderland them not. Now, as the Believer's H'appinefs confiiteth
in ChrilVs knowing what the Spirit Meaneth, Rom. 8. 27. So when
another's fpeech cannot be Underltood, that needs rrnift Ufher in a be-
ing fcattercd, as Gen. 1 1. 7, 8.
5^ His Abfolute Dfowning of any former Acquaintance with them,
as is more plainly fignified, Mat. 7.23. / Never knew you. This
will Dertroy their fometime Hop* of having had a fpecial work of
Grace upon them. Chrift's having Never known Back Aiders here,
and their not having Ever known the Lord, 1 John 3. 6. are twr> un-
anfwerable Arguments to Prove, that none do finally and wholly fall
from Gofpel-Grace, And if poor Cains Countenance fell, upon his
Prefent Non-acceptance, Gen. 4. 5. much more will Theirs, when All
their By-paft Duty is Rejected. And when the whole Houfe comes
down, (as having been laid upon a Sandy Bottom) how Great mud
be the Fall thereof, Mat. 7. 26, 27 f
6. His being Refoived to Deny them, as was Nabal 7 when begging
David had that Anfwer, I know not whence you are, 1 Sam. 25. n.
jufl: as Chrift ( elfe-where) telleth Thefe, Luke 13. 25. 27. Now,
if it is faid to have been Roughly fpoken by Jofeph to his Brethren, in
putting that Queftion, Whence come ye, Gen. 42.7? much more thus
poficively to Determine it for fuch a Purpofe. They fometime knew
not whence # he was, John 8. 14. elfe would they have Believed in him :
And Now he knows not whence They are ; therefore they (hall not be
Relieved by fiim. So that, (in brief,) there will be no Door of hope
to fuch, when once this Door is fhur, and their ungrounded E£er-
cife of Hope, will therefore be the more Confounding, Job. 6. 20.
7. Thefe words import a Pofitive Sentence, as well as Privative,
Thus.
';» 1. By a Direct (or Natural) Confequencc, Known unto God
arc
V
24° T/jt? Par dole oj the Ten Virgins Opened.
are all his Works, ABsi^. 18. and then whofc work are They ,whom
he Denies the knowledge of f He knoweth who arc His, 2T/W.2.10.
Such then (by Confequence) are the Devil's, whorahe knoweth nor. j
His Sheep are known by him, John ic. 27. though yet uncalled, v.
16. theretore fucharenot His, ( fo much as by Election,' J whom he
knoweth not. His having no Plcafure in Apoltates, Heb. 10. 38. Im-
plicti Hating ; his Not Commanding, Jer. 7. 3 1: Implies Abhorring .*
ichkindot Negatives are fad Diminutives, Implying more (by far)
than is cxprr Thus will his word be Magnified ( both unto Saints
and Sinners ) by its being much furpaiTed in Performances.
2. By our Obferving what doth Accompany thefe words £/ k>iow
yon not 2 toth in this place, and other Parallel Scriptures.
1. With Refpe/l unto the Pofuive Matter (elfewhere) Added
here 'Tisonely ( here) Privatively faid, 1 know you not : Buc
other- where 'tis faid, Depart from me, Mat. 7. 23. and into Everlafi-
tng Fire, Prepared for the Devil andhis Angels , Mat. 25.41. Thcfe
whom Chriit knoweth not, are bid Depart; not being fuffered to con-
tinue (fomuchas) Begging athis Door: Andthusthe Hypocrite's
Hope (hall perifh, JobS.i 3. Nor «uft they onely Depart from Chritf,
but into Everlafting F»re; and who ( among Them ) fhall Dwell with
Evcrlalting Burnings, Jf>. 33. 14? And if that Fire had onely been
Prepared for Them, it might have been Lefs Hot j tut they mult Now
be fellow- Commoners with the Devils.
2. With reference to the Perfons fpeaking and fpoken To; I fay to
you, This (hill be Now Received, not as the Word of Man, but as
it is in Truth, the Word of God; which therefore needs mud be Ef-
fectual, lThef.2. 13. /, who know AH things, John 21.17. Know not
you : J, who am Mafter of the Houfe, Luke 13.25. bid yon Depart, v.
27. I, who h.ive alfo the Keys cf Hell, Rev. 1.18. bid yon Go into ever-
Ujling Pumjlwent. Thus he who formerly W3S a Lamb, John 1.29.
will now roar as a Lion, Amos 1. 2. and then, who will not Fear, Amos
3.8 . ? Nor would his Roaring be fo Dreadful, if he had onely now. to deal
with Beads: Buj I thus fay to you, who have been Virgins, in Com-
munion with the Wife, full of Good works, &c. this breeds the gnaw-
ing Worm.
3. Confidering the Manner of Chrift's fpeaking this. '
1. With an Angry Appellation, Depart ye Cur fed. Mat. 25. 41.
Workers of Iniquity, Mat. 7. 23. If he and they might Part in Love,
it would be lefs AfHicfting ; but he will now fpeak to them in his wrath,
Pfal.Z.f. and which thcfe Titles Evidence. Infiead of Owning any
; Duty, he will now call them Workers of Iniquity, asZfcw'J
did
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 247
did fomePi'ofcftors in his time, when God had heard his Prayer, PJal.
6. 8. And he who biddcth Saints to Blefs their Curfers, and Pray for
their Defpitefull lifers, JL*\ 6 28. will now (Himfelf) Curfethem
who feem to Blefs him, at icaft, tP Pray unto him. Thus will the
Happieft of them be Accurfed, Jfa.6$. zo. and this will bethcTop-
ftone of their Sorrow, to be thus .perfected in his Anger, Lam. 3.
6$, 66.
2. With anEmphatical AfTeverat:«: \ > Verily. WnLh (in re-
lation to his Not Knowing them) denotes the Certainty of his fad Ig-
norance; and fo the fame word, M
that few profeffing Jews will find this way untill 'it be too Late, Mat.
7. 14. But then fuch will Return, with Open Mouths, unto a Door
that will be fhut againft them. I fee what Hafte poor Muck- wet Crea-
tures made unto the Ark, when God had once fhut Noah in, Gen. 7. 16.
and how thofe Eight fecured Souls did then Rejoyce, whileffc Others
were foon wafht away.
3. ThoJ& may know Chritt, and give him Goodly Words, yeafeek
to Enter; \Chom yet He will not Know, nor Open unto. 'Soirekind
of Knowledge doth notEdifie, 1 Cor. 8. 1. Dives in Hell Knew Abra-
harr y but not to his Advantage, Luke 16. 23 to (hew how far unpro-
fitable Notiqns may Accompany. Such alfof then) will befcrfmoother
Language, not Daring to Infult, as Heretofore ; prepare for Flattery,
which yet will not Prevail. Yep fuch will be Diffatisfied 1:4 their Di-
• K k nance
'2 jo The Parable of the ten Virghti Opened.
fiance from the Wifer Virgins, carneflly Defiringto Build with them,
as £^ra 4.. 2. but will be fhamefully Repulfcd, as they were, v. 3,
and yet will not be Able( then) to do the Other any Mifchief, as of
Old,*. 4. for fear of that Decree and Curfe at fuch a Tune, £2,^6. 8.
11, 12.
4. Chrift is not AD made up of Mercy, as fome poor Creatures
fanfie; but Can (yea, Will) give Terrible words, and unto Virgins
as well 'as Others. Kefcmetimcs was a Patient Lion} but he will be
a Roaring Lamb: Yea he was alway for an Intermixture of Threat-
nings with Encouragements. I am Offended with fome mens Humours,
who are Afraid to give one Cutting word unto this Rotten-hearted Ge-
neration of Profeilbrs, and have obferved what hath been the fruit of
Dawbtpg with untempercd Mortcr. But this will Aggravate Chrift's
Rougher fpcaking atthelaft: and it will then appear, how farhimfelf
is Bound (from theNecefnty of his Nature ) to be Gracious. Chrift
• onely now Referveth Anger, Nah. 1. 2. which therefore at the Lad
will turn into the Plague, or when the Vials (hall be poured forth, Rev.
15.7,8.
5. Chrift will then have the Laft word, inDifcourfe; asisherefig-
nihed by their not Replying to his Anfwer. Thus will himfelf be Glo-
rified, aswasj^, when After his words they did not fpeak Again, Job
29.2,2. The Pbarifees were oft wont to Prate, untill Chrift putaQue-
ftion to them concerning his being David's Lord, Mat. 22. 45. and
then 'tis faid, they neither could Anfwer him, nor durft they Ask him
any more Qneftions, v. 46. to fignifie how Silencing that God-like King-
ly State will be, when it (hall be Advanced. The Difpenfation for Ap-
pearing ) of this King, will be Evinced by the fpeechlefnefs of thofe un-
worthy ones whom he Reprovcth, 'Mat. 22. 11, 12. Errour and Sin
lay Now be full of words } but Then all Flefh is bid, be filenf, Zech.
2. 13. yea all the Earth, flab. 2. 20.
•_ _:- ,
0\
MAT,
\ '
The r 'arable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 25 c
MATTHEW XV.
- 4
1 -s«
Watch therefore, for ye knovo neither the Diy, nor the Hour
wherein the Son of Min cometh.
IN this Verfc, we have an Account of Chr ill's Defigo in. putting forrh
this Parable; or of that principal ufe which he would havens make
thereof, viz^ Our being WatchfdL From whence, the General Obfer-
vation is as followeth }
Obfcrv. Since we Know not the Day or Hour in which the Son of Man
will come ^ we therefore ought to be tip on our Watch.
Queft.i. Why doth Chrift call himfdf the Son of Mm, with refe-
rence unto his Coming in thefe Latter dayes ?
Anfw. 1. To declare his being dill a Man, though now Afcended..
and that his Coming fat the LaltJ will be in the Humane Nature al-
fo. Some woulJ fain have him turn'd into a Spirit ; though he that is
now Afcended, isalfo He who firft Dcfcended into the Grave, Eph.4*
jo. which is not Applicable to the Spirit of Man, Eccl. 3. 21. Others
will grant him (as a Man) to be Afcended, but not that he will (fo)
Return; and yet 'tis faid, He (hall fo Come, and in like Manner, as
he was fee n to goe, All. 1. 11. And though his Coming (in this Pa-
rablej will mainly be in a Myftical fence ; yet will it be the coming of
the Son of Man, though not his coming As a Man (or in hisPerfon,
till Afterwards ( fave as fame Man (or Men) may Reprefent him No//,
as Hez,ekjah did of Old, I fa. 32. 1, 2.
2. To (hew the Nature of his Kingly Dlfpenfation (at fuch a time)
in point of Vifibility and Temporality; which is mod Aptly fnaddow-
ed out by his (then) coming As the Son of Man. His Ecclefiaftical and
Spiritual Kingdom was fct up atfirlh befides both which he had Ano-
ther r^ia^dom Then, though it was not Immediately to Appear, Luke
19. 11 ; which therefore muft be Temporal. Now that which is
meerly Spiritual, is fitlyefi: refembkdby the Soul ; as Chrift ( with re-
ference unto his fpiritual Kingdom ) is called the Shepherd of his Peo-
ples Souls, 1 Pet. 2. 25. but that which is Temporally the Man. Thus
I)avid 9 s Temporal Rule was over Men, 2 Sam. 23. 3. and as Chrift
(at his Perform coming) Is palled a Man, A. 2. 13. or in the Glory of his Fa-
ther, Mat. 16. 27.
5. To fignifie (perhaps) the great Humanity, or Familiarity of his
Coaverfing with the Sons of Men (excepting fome^) at his Appearing.
His Enemies indeed will be then Burnt up round about, Pfal. gj. 3.
but yet his Anger will ceafe in their Deftruelion, I fa. 10.25. and he
will then Kel\ in his Love, Zefh. 3. 17. He did Approve himfelf
(on Earth) to be the Son of Man, by fufFeringhis Difciples to 'Ask him
ny thing, Job. 15. 15. to fie with him at Meat, Job. 13. i$, -Yea, by
his Rifmgto Wait on them,^. 4, 5. and fo will it be Now. Therefore
Chrifr. bids his people Ask of him, at fuch a time, J ft. 45. 1 1 : and
they fhall then fit with him,^^'. 3. 21. yea, he will then Rife and
Serve ihcm, Lake 12. 37. This King of Glory will not be (lately; but
ss Him r c!f at Lair, fo he Now in h's People, will Affably appear to
AH, or as the Son of Man:
Quefl. 2-
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 253
Qaejl, 2. Why is that called the Coming of Chrifiy which yet ('tis
thought) will be fo long before his Perfonal or Proper Coming ?
Anfn. Becaufe of the full Refcmblance that is between them, as
may be thus made out.
1. Withrefpecl unto the Signs of Both. Chrift's Perfonal Coming
will be notified by many Signs, both in the Sun, and Moon, and Stars,
and Eatth, and Sea, and Powers of Heaven, Luke 21. 25, 26 : fo will
This Coming be. We have had wonderfull figns of fuch a Nature (and
in the Letter)of Later years; though we Now fee them not, Pfalm.
74. 9. And in the Myftery yet more Abundantly. The Scriptures
(fitly anfwering to the Sun, or Fountain of Created Light) have been
cxtrcamly Darkncd, as ^f. 24.29; oni more efpcci ally fonie Part
thereof. And that which Borrowcth its Light from thence (or Moon-
like Preaching ) hath been turn'd into Bicod, as. Joel 2. 3 1. a: leahY
not given her Light, Mat. 24. 29. Church-Officers are called Stars,
Rev. 1.20: and thefe have fadly fallen, Mat. 24.29; at lealt with-
drawn their [hiring, Joel 3. 15. The Earth (or Civil State of things)
hath oft-t«mes Quaked. The Sea (or Many Waters) denoteth People,
Rev. 17. 15; whofe Waves have roared. The Powers of Heaven alfo,
for of the Churches) have beenfhaken.
2. With reference unto the itate of things Immediately foregoing
Both. Elijah muftgoe before the Coming of that Great and Terrible
Day, Mai. 4. 5. and fuch a Meflfenger mull Prepare ChrinVs way in-
to his Temple, Mai. 3, 1 \ fomething Likeunto which our Eyes have
feen. ChriU's Perfonal Coming will be ufhered itv with great Oppressi-
ons and all manner of Wickednefs, Mat. 24. 29 : fo will his Prefent
coming be; by means of Hypocritical Profeflors firft, and the AJfy-
rian afterwards, I fa. 10. 5,6. Yet will all forts of Tinners, Then, be
Carclefs or fecure, 1 The]]'. 5. j. fo will they Now, both in Jerufalem,
If a. 32. 9. and in the Iflcs of Magog, Ezek. 39.6. But they will Then
be Generally deftroyed, 2 Pet. 3. 10. fo will they Now, as by an Earth-
quake. Immediately foregoing it, Rev. 11. 13, 15.
3. With reference unto the Manner of both thefe Comings. His
Perfonal coming will be with the Laft Trump of all, 1 Cor. 15. 52 ;
and This ^ilL ue w » tn tne Laft Trump of feven, Rev. 1 1. 15. That
coming will ot with a Glorious Train of Saints and Angels, 2 Tbejf.
1.7 10. and fo will This with a Glorious Change of Church-Mem-
bers, J fa. 4. 3)4. and Church- Officers, Zecb. 3. 4, 5. who are oft-times
called Angels. That coming will be on afudden, 1 Theff. 5. 3 : ard
fo will This, Rev. 3. 3. and 11. 14. That Coming will be with Clouds,
Mat. 24. 30. and fo will This, ,Pfal. 97. 2. both in the Letter and
Myftery.
254 The rarxkle of the Ten Virgins Opened.
Myitery. That Coming will be with a fhout, i Jhcfj\..i6. and wail-
ing, Rev. 1. 7. juit fo will This, with reference unto a Divcrfc fore cf
Pcifonsrher, Rev. 1 1. 17, 1 8. and 18, 19,20.
4! With reference to the Effects (and Principal Defigncd Ends)
He will QT/^/O raife the Dead, \ihn ,.28,29. So will
lie ££&>&■} Revive his Work, Hab.$.2. and People, Ifu.z6.ig.
as to their Joy, Pfal.S$.6. Hewill [f£hen~] Reign, and alibis Scr-
vrjits with .204. Sowillhe [_Now~] Rev. 1 1. 15. T7. be-
fore h»s Ancients Glorioufly, //.
Qvejt. 5. Why hath the Lord fo Ordered it, as that No Man (hall
Know that Day f
Anfw. 1. To [hew his Sovereignty, by keeping fomewhat Secret to
Himfclf. His Secret ( in the General) is with the Righteous, Prov.
3.32. who are ( All of them) Privy Counfellors, Compared with the
World, John 15. 15-. and fome of his Saints have more Peculiar Se-
crets hinted to them, Dan. 2. 19. thefe are his private Cabal: But as
all unrevealed Secrets belong unto the Lord alone, Deut.2g.2g. and
asfomeofhis Judgments arc unfearchable, Rom. 11. 33. fo are fome
other things kept fecret by him till fuch a Time, Rom. 1 6. 25,26. Thus
Manoah might not Know that Angels Name, Judg. 13. 18. and good
Elijha had fomething Hid from him, 2 Kings 4. 27. nor was it for thofe
Apoftlesto Know the Time and Seafon, which the Father hath put in
his own Power, viz.. this Reftauration, AUs 1.6,7.
2. That foChriii's Coming in thefe Latter Days might Eminently
Anfwer unto its being a Type or Sign of his own Perfonal Coming at
the la/1. This feemeth to b? that Sign of the Son of Man, Mat. 24.
30. Now, Signs mull: Anfwer unto what is thereby fignified ; and An-
fevering in a Chief Refpecl ( fuch as This is ) doth hint the Eminency
of fuch a Sign. Therefore Melchifedec was the Higheft Type of Chrift,
becau fe he was moil: like the Spn of God, in that peculiar and moft fig-
mi point of Everlallingnefs, Heb.j. 1.3. Some other Difpenfation
( as that of Babylon's Fail, J fa. 13. 10. 13.) might Refemble Chrift's
Lail Coming, in feveral other Rcfpecls, Luke 21. 25. but Abfolute
Secrecy as to the Time, is Eminently referved for this Diminution, as
ngits peculiar Sign."
3. To Excrcife a Spirit of Enquiry in his moll Inlightncd ones : As
God will-be Enquired of, with reference unto the Matter of Redemp-
n, Eaek. 36. 37. fo with Refpecl unto the Time thereof, 1 Pet. 1.
11. as being of Special ufe, Jer.Q.j. x Thus Chrift oft fpake in Para-
bles^
\ <
The Titrable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 259
bies, to make hisDifeiples the more Inquifitive, and to bring Hidden
Matters before this Altar, 1 Kings 8. 31. Thofedo Miftakehis Drift,
who argue from a Secrecy, unto their being bound from fcarching in-
to it, fave when that fearch is abfolutely Forbidden, asjudg. 13. 18.
Johns Revelations are full of Myfteries} yet BlcfTcd is he who Reads
that Book, Rev. 1.3. Thus are we taught to Aim at that Perfection,
which yet is unattainable, at lead not Actually (or Already) apprehend-
ed, Phil. 3. 11, 12.
4. Elfe that (Immediately foregoing,) Hour of Temptation, would
be no Trial in comparifon^ which yet it is Intended for, Rev. 3. 10, 11.
It is there call'd an Hour^ to keep from finking: but yet that Hour,
is the fame with thofe T This
2^4 The Varablc of the Ten Virgins Opcnea.
2. This Watching doth confift in what Relatcth to the Matter of
our Duty; and as fblloweth.
i. In being Ready, or having All our Garments on; which is-the
Main thing (in the General) intended here. Chrili's Coat was of
one piece, J0hni9.11. tofignifie (perhaps) his being Drcft at once:
But we ( poor Creatures ) muft be daily Adding, 2 Pet. 1.5. Graces
are called Armour, Rom. 13. 12. which doth confut of feveial pieces,
Epb. 6. 14, 15, 16, 17. the whole whereof muft be put on by us, v. 11.
whofe Life is a continual Warfare, 1 Tim. 1. 18. One Open Guaid
cxpoftth to a Deadly Wound, and (hamemay be Difcovered by one
Naked place*, yea, more unto the fhameof fome, than Total Naked-
nefs is toothers. Now, all complain of wanting fomewhat, and which
they fee upon the Backs of others : But yet how Lightly do Profeflbrs
bear Convictions of their Imperfections, without a Care and Senfe be-
coming their Complaint?.
2. In keeping thofe Garments clofe about us, which Chrift Decla-
rcth to be that wherein our Watching doth confift, Rev. 16. 15. Thus
let us Keep them from being Loft, as Chriftkept his Difciples, John
17. 12. or that we lofe not that which we have wrought, but that we
may receive a full Reward, iJohnS. And let us alfo keep them on
our Back,or by our putting them in ure^as Chrift is faid to keep his Fa-
ther's fayings, John 8.55. becaufehe did according thereunto.- Since
nothing will be faved in that Day,faveonely our wearing Cloaths, A/
Elders were bid to Watch, Atis 20.2 1. with reference unto Wol\
without, i\ 29. and per verfe Speakers from Themfelves, v-io. Thofe
are no Watchers who are Offended with too Early lttv$s,\ who are
afraid of being up too loon, who have their Oy I to Buy, when fo much
of the prefent Night is fpenr. Without Difpute this is here piaii
meant, as is Apparent, both from the following and fore-go' ords :
T. us therefore let us watch; and with RefpecT to Spiritual and Er
nal Dangers, more than Temporal.
13. In being Eminently careful, as to. trie Duties and Temp. rc
which Relate to fuch a Time; in which regard the Porter is bid to wat<.
Mark i*V>tf-. and all the Difciples, for fear of cntring into Tempt;:
on, Mark.. 1 4. 3;8. This leadeth us to that which follcxweth.
Que ft. 9. Wh -.tare thofe Special Duties, with reference unto which
we are to Watch at fuch. a Time?
Anjw The Principal Duties of fuch a Time, Relate unto All -fonts
of Perfons.
I. Unto Sinners, both in the* World and Sitnq in^LaiQCC efpccially>
Mm z thofe
^63 ihe Parable of the Ten Virgins Of end.
thofc whom Chrrfl will Then call unto his Bar, as having been h«
fignal Enemies, Luke 19. 27. Their Duty is, to get Delivered from
iheir Advcrfary, in the VVay, before his (ntmg as a Judge, Luke 12.
53 : as Shi met therefore came to meet provoked David, the Firiiof
all the Route of Jofeph y z Sam. 19.20. and thereby get fome prefent
Pardon, v.. 23, Fury is not in God j therefore let fuch make Peace
ith him, and they (halldofo, J fa. 27. 4, 5. Mow unexpectedly was
Nineveh Reprieved, upon the felf-humbling of that JJffyrian King,
Jonah 3. 10? So doth God promife to build fuch up among his People,
could they but learn his Peoples VVayes, Jcr. 12. 16. And if Jerufa-
■em could but Repent, her feeming Sentence Jcr. 21. 10. mould be
Revcrfcd, Jcr. 22. 4: and therefore, Jerjtfalem wajli thine Heart
cm Witkedncjs, that [0 thou maifi be faved, Jer. 4. 14. Think upon
this, you bloody Pcrfecutors, fad Apo.tates, bafe Complycrs, and
fleighty Unbelievers; this is the great work incambent upon you,
which mult be Nowdonc,or (perhaps) Never.
IT. Unto Siints j which arc, as followeth, ExprefTely required at
fuch a time.
1. In making cur Election Pure ; which is the Great work of Time*
2 Pet. 1. 10; and more efpecially atfucha time. Men ina Fire, are
Firftly carefull to fuve their Evidences : now fince This Day will be
with Burning and fewel of Fire, J fa. 9. 5. take heed your Evidences
be not B.inr. Foundations ( then ) will be Difcovered to the Neck,
Hab. 3. 13 : and therefore Hypocrites will then be Known by their
Exceflivc Fear, Ifa. 33. 14; and Others, by their holy Confidence, at
Chrift's Appearing, ijoh. 2. 28. See therefore to the Ground you
Build upon, and bring your Marks unto the Touch-done; not taking
upc n Truft ; nor Trufting to what might fuflice, as to being held Com-
minion with; fince Goats will Now be fet Afide, Mat. 25. 32. which
vet were Clean, for Sacrifice, and Food, or Saint-Communion Aclsof
Old.
2. Let us Occupy thofe Talents which Chrin; hath betrufted us with
for fuch a Purpofe, Luke 19. 13. Each one hath put into his hand,
according to his feveral Ability, Mat. 25. 15,. and an Exact Account
whereof is to be made atfucha Time, Luke 19. 15; wtirr therefore
had need to Watch. Some want Ability, as to fomeKihd of Talents ;
and Others, as to the fame Degree, for that, which (in refpeft of Kind)
is Equally communicated unto all. Thus are the Saints betrufted with
peculiar Priviledges; yea, every Sinner with fome kind of Talent;
though Gradually Differing ( both of them) each from other : and fuit-
able v/hereuntOj mull be their Reckoning. Men mult be accountable
for.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 209
for their f\vcct Illapfts, CroiTes, Opportunities for Duty, Helps there-
in, and Outward Mercies ; what they have Gained thereby ; whole
ry it therefore is to Trade therewith 3 and towards the End efpe-
cially.
3. Let us be much in Prayer, that we may not Enter into Tempta-
tion, Alark^i^.. 38. but be accounted Worthy to Efcape, and (land
before the Son of Man, Lnkezi. 36. Now one may be faid to Enter
into Temptation, when fomcthing is that way done, although not to
the Height thereof j when finfull Motions are Parlyed with, or Satan
is heard in a plain Cafe: When foiled Temptations are not purfued,
but fufTered toRifeagain: When Oppofitc Duty is notduely priced ;
and- when we are not Deeply Humbled for a former Fall: In which
regard, Prayer is of fpec'al fecuring ufe, as it doth bring the Soul in-
to God's Over-awing Prefcnce •, as it enlivens other helps; andasic
is the likelyeit. way to be Initruclcd and Afiiitcd from the Lord. Oncly
we muit therein be Upright, Earneft, Perfevering, and not Idle Beg-
gars, but free to Work.
4. What manner of Perfons ought we to be, as to All Godlinefs
and Holy Converfation, 2 Pet. 3. n'j fo as to be found of Chriit. in
Peace, and without Spot or Blame, v. 14? Chrift will Then come, and
his Reward with him, I fa. 40. 10 : therefore let us now ply our Work
apac:; and let us not make light of Idle words 9 which then muft be
Accounted for, Mat. 12. 36. Each Talent (well Improved) will gain a
City, in that Day, Luke 19. 17: and little do many think how fmalla
matter will be fufficicnt to Burn This World, as was to Drown the
Other. How forcible ( to make us Accurate) would be the conilant
Expectation of a Dying Hour, and the U\\ Trumpets founding un-
to Judgement? And with what Chearfulnefs doth a Tenant hear his
Landlord Knock, whofe Rent is Ready, and not to Borrow atfucha
time ?
5. Say not 5 A Confederacy with Threatning j4fikr,Ifa.8, iz • whofe
Fall, J fa. 31.8. immediately ufhereth in Chriit's Difpenfation, lfa.
32.1.. Some will Confederate with him for Mifchief to God's Hidden
Ones, Pfal. 83.4, 5,8. and others fin Jemfalem) through flavim Fear,
directly crofs to a Divine Command. And therefore Hez.ek*ab would
not give hijn Pledges, Jfa. 36. 8 \ although he was not for Provoking
Anfwers, v. 21. and thereupon was fortified from the Lord, Jfa-. 37. 6,7.
What Shame and Horrour will then furprize thofe unrepenting Jfrae-
lites, who have gone down for help to Egypt, 1 fa. 31. i.orto this King
with Prefents, Ifa. 57. 9 ? ? Tis very Probable, that Shebna was of this
Confederacy , who fometimes had the Key of David's Houfe, but
there-
The Parable of the Tex Virg L
red his Place unto E!iaki^ y ffa. 22. 21 •
' .!, 7-1 18. 1 8.
6. Co tit of 1 j as a'l G ds People
!. 4. .and. more, cv t fuch a Time. Nov.' BsbyL.
Known ; Parti v, b her being very Tender and un
cis I 47.7,2. Partly by her abound J!y
/ - / t 1
: h or, up of Women: pinly, by her moft cruel rerfej-
c* , jcr. 50. 17. and unnatural Opprcflions, /fa. 14. 22: and
Partly, by her Incorrigiblcr .51. 9. This babylon is to be left,
. 51.45. and all the Temple- Y to be carried thence, which
have teen there Abufc 3Sbf Old; fince Every one found There
(it fuch a time' , 13.15.
7. Forfike- riot the AfTembiihg of y^ur iclvcs Together, and fo much
c more, as this Day feemeth to Approach, Hcb, 10.25. T'hofc are
no '' ; hers, (cfpccidlly in thefe latter dayes,) who are for meeting
:r, through fear of furTcring for fo clear a Duty. Thus let us
fore Watch' in cafe frelh Perfccution fhould arife, as hath oft
done in ! r times, and after fome Refpite given. And as men
w kept Awake in that refpecT, folet them take heed ofTrufi-
ing in their Former Duty ; much more, of pleading for a former Fail-
ing, or making light thereof; which is mo'l likely to betray us into
ffefn Temptations. Yei, let us Addc mutual Exhortations- lt.
:hcr Means, whereby to countcrpoifc the Practice or Manner of
fome Others, with reference hereunto, as is there farther figniried,
Hcb, 10. 25.
8. Let us be Moderate in our Affections, with reference unto Chea-
turc-eom' ; and more Efpccially, as the Time grows inort, or as
This world is tcefi to pafs . , 1 CV. 7. 29, 30 \
kh word translated {Fa§nQ' ( i\ do:h figri e Out n\le C
thing or pcrfon , thus Chriit was found \x\'[_Fajlmff} as* .n,
'hit. 2. 8. when he wasdoathed with our Nature : fo v 'he Prefenc
P 1
red, . 5.6. The cf- .
QrTfronj i;iUj \v1 3 Now Dead, ;
« «
rabte of the Ten Virgins Opened. 271
9. Let us then Flee, out of Judea^ into the Mountains, Mat. .'4. 16.
s '1 more out of Old fernfatcm^ at fuch a time, on pain of
Dca:h, Jer. 2 1. 9, 10, 1 1. Tis fomcthing It range, that it mould Ever
be a Duty togocinto Babylon; but yet 'tis True, as Babylon denotes
Confuficn, for doing forth out of the C :ty, into the Field J and There
fhall S son be Delivered, Mic. 4. 10. Thus arc the Lord's Prices (or
Eminem SaintsJ commanded to V Veep between the Porcri and Altar,
at fuch a time, Joeli. 17- which neccilarily im h ; their being Come
out of that former Temple, wherein they had been wont to Minii'lcr.
Which fleeing to the Mountains doth fitly fuit with' .Meeting Ghnfl
in the Air at lair, i Thtjf. 4. 17 \ cs being a Mic. ate, between the
Earth and Heaven 5 or their being Covered in the fludow of his Hand,
till he (hall Plan: the Heavens, and lay the Foundations- of the Earth
afrcfh, 7/7/. 5 t. 16.
10. Remember Lot's wife, faith Chrift hirnfclf, with reference un-
to his Coming, Luke 17. 30. 32. whem we are to Remember, as to
her Sin and Puniihment, together with the Circumitanas which relate
unto them both. Her Sm was Looking Back (to Sodom) or Behind her,
Gen. 1 9. 26. contrary to God's Exprefs Commsnd, v. 1 7. which Look-
ing Back unfittcth for an Intereii. in his Kingdom, LiJ^e 9. 62. Her
Pi:nifh:ne;"it was, her being therefore turn'd into a Pillar of Salt., Gen.
19. 26. which Salt doth feem to be a Part oi Sodom 1 s Judgement, Dent.
29. 23. Let oneiy was fpokento in that Command, Gen, 19. 17- yet
h;s Wife perifhed for Difobeying it : therefore take heed of Limiting
Commands to thofe whom they were onely ffxli given forth unto. She'
Died .out Mercy, although the was the Wife of Righteous
Lot : therefore Truir no: to Carnal Privilcdges. And though (he ha.d
Come out of Se.^^yet did fhcPerifhby the Way, for having an Affecti-
on thereunto, or Looking back Behind her.
II. Touch ro Unclean thing; but be ye Clean, who bear the VelTels
of the Lord, I/a. 52. it. By which word'Q^j^A* D are meant, thofe
Go r p:l-Truths which have been carryed into Babylon : the Bearers
vA\ ■ (from thence) arc Priefts and Levites, Ezra 8. 30. who typi-
fied G >fpel-Saints, 1 Pa. 2. 9: and Touching denotes Communion,
z Cor. 6^14,17. Tnus are wetoftudy, wherein the Purity of Com-
on * th)confift$ or what it is that makes Unclean (according to
the MyfHcal Import of Mofes his Law,,) by its being Touched. And
let umot be made to think, this Separation is unlawful by a
Number, or a Particular perfon ; in cafe the Whole for Greater
) be fo Unclean , fincc the Command is Univcrfa', tie Rcafon
ne for every Part as fo{ the Whole - 7 nor have Particular per-
fc
• •
2 / 5 *?ht Parable of the ten Virgin's Opened.
Cons fuck thereat, 2 Chron. n. 14.16. jefl). 24. 15. but were Requi-
red thus to do, ]er. 15.19. with an Encouragement from the Lord,
z Cor. 6. iS. and without Danger, I fa. 52. 12.
12. If we havccfcapcd outof Babylon, let us take heed of Handing
full on this fide that which is cur Rcfting place, Jer. 51.50. The fame
word ( in the Hebrew ) is applied to Leah's leaving oft to B:ar, Gen.
29.35. anc * t0 tnc ft*ywg of that Widow's Oyl, 2 Kings 4. 6. and
]cjfl: his fmiting at the Third flroak, 2 Kings. 13. 18. and job's Friends
Icing filcnccd, ]cb 32.16. and the Sea's ccaiing fromJier Raging, Jo^/3
1.15. all which clear up the Meaning of it. Thus let us not ftand, as
to our frefh Conceptions, Multiplying, fmiting Anfwers, and Holy
Zeal or Raging : Since Babylon's Plagues may elfc be apt to over -take
lis ; and if we (land ( in fuch a Cafe ) we "pofTibly may go no further,
and fo fall fhort of Sun, which is as far from Babylon, as lour Moncths
Journeying can well Accornplifh, Ezra 7.9. Let us not therefore talk
of Houfes yet, bLtonc!y Tents.
13. Remember to keep no filencc, ye that make mention of the Lord-
and give him no Red, till he Eftablifh, and till he make ]crufalem a
Praife in the Earth, Ifa. 62. 6, 7. VVnen Chrid's Dominion is fet up,
Ffal. 72. 8. and when the whole Enrth is rilled with his G'ory, v. 19.
then will the prayers of David (the Sonof jejfe) End, t/.2o. but till
that time, they will ( they ought to) be Continued, and for the Ha-
frening of that Difpenfation. That Day of Salvation will be a time for
Praifes, Ifa. 12.4. therefore this Hour (immediately foregoing it)
fhould be the Hour of Prayer. And though God needeth not to be Re-
mcrnbrcd of his Covenant, Ffal. 1 1 1. 5. yet will he be Enquired of for
This, EzJekj 36. 37. and therefore let us pray for This j andaswefind
the Time Approaching, as he did, Dan. 9.2,1.
14. Mind well the Signs of our Redemption drawingNcar, and !ct
us fuitably be Affected, Luke 21.28. Signs are no infign ; ficant or idle
things, which none but Bhanfces are Ignorant of, Mat. 16. 3. and All
but Carnal Israelites will Believe them, Numb. 14. 11. And if fome
do fo Magnifie their own Invented S ; gi oftheCrofs, much more mould
Vv'ceRcem that fign of Mercy, which is of God's own giving, as Ifa.
7. 14. Now, we have had Many Signs and Wonders in ciur da v
which (hew the Netrnefs of Chrift's Name, Pfal. 75.1. (jpon the mul-
tiplying whereof, God doth conclude his People will Believe, Exod.4.
8. though without Signs they will not, John 4. 48. But yet (alas)
howfoonorc Thefe forgot? Ffal. 78.42,43. which is Accompanied
with Turning back, v. 57. and therefore had need to be Remem-
brcd.
15. As
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. $j*
r 5. As they that have wrought God's Judgment, are to feck Righte-
oufnefs ; (o are the Meek bid to feek Meeknefs, in this Day ; where-
in it may be fuch will be Hid, Zeph.2.3. Which Meeknefs ( robe
fought by Meek ones) doth denote fubducdnefsof Spirit to the will of
God, in cafe Aflli&ing Difpenfations be continued; and Hearts efta-
blifhcd with Patience, becaufchis Coming drawech nigh, Jamts$. 8.
We know not certainly how long thofe figns may go before hts very
Coming \ therefore let us Rejoyce with Trcmblng, and wait upon the
\jvt&i Ztfb. 3.8. Himfclf will (Now) foon Plead our Caufe; there-
fore let notour PaflTion rife. Bat we mult look to meet with fiery in-
termixtures afterwards, Rev. 15.2. therefore get Itore of Meek-
nefs.
16. Since God will Now bring Evil upon All, let not Great things be
fought for by us for otlr felves ; but let us count it a fufficient Portion,
if Life be given us for a prey, JVr. 45. 5.. In cafe the City be Low in a
Low place, I fa. 32. 19. thenBleffed are they that fow befideail Wa-
ters, v. 20. or fuch as have a Spirit fuited to their Difpenfition. It
isAbfurd, ( as well asfinful) to look for Canaan in'thc Wilderncfs.
How Childifhly do many wonder at their prefent ftiort Allowance, both
in Refpecl of Temporals and Spirituals. Let Milk and Butte* fatisfie
us in that day, Ifa.j. 21,22. and that we may Trufr. in the Name of
God, though without any Light, Ifa.50. 10, or thatour Life and
Soul are kept together: fince we muft be like him, Rom. 8. 29. who
entred into Paradife in a Cloud, Afat.27.4.6. Luke 23.43.
17. Let us Account the Bridegroom's Tarrying, or the Long-fufTer-
ingof our Lord, to be Salvation, 2 ?et. 3. 15. It is Defign'd(by Him)
tobefo} and it may cafily be perceived (by us) to be of fucha faving
Nature, both in Refpeft to our felves and others. If He is unwilling
that any fhould perifh, and therefore flackneth, 2P^. 3.9. lhail wefo
far indulge our Perfonal fatisfaclion, as to wifh harm ( by our Impe-
tuoufnefs ) to an Elected Brother ? Nay, if we ferioufly Obferve our
own unfitnefs, we (hall have caufe to fay, that his Long-fufTering is
our Salvation. The vilefl: Spirits of Old, and they who therefore jufl-
ly periihed, were of a Murmuring Difpofition, for our warning, 1 Cor.
10. 10,11.' whereas felf-drefling watchers know how to improve that
faving Rjefpfte to their Gain, at his Appearing.
18. Remember the Lord afar off \ and let Jerufalem come into mind,
Jer. 51.50. it chears the wearied Traveller's Heart when he can fee
his Journeys end. Look upon Sion, as thine Eyes dull fee her in due
time, J fa. 3 3 . 20. The Exercife of this believing Profpecl, is both a
PriviledgeandaDuty. We walk by Faith, and not by fight, 2 Cor.
• Nn 5,
2 ^4 Parable of the ten Virgins Opened.
5. 7. therefore we cannot Move without Relieving. But if the Prodi-
s Fatier Ran, upon the fight of him, when he was yet a Great
yoff, Luke 15.20. how will our Afk&ions be enlivened by the fight
of Chr.ft, though a. fomc Diftance. Then will our Tears be wiped
away,//*. 25. 8. and our Blind eyes be opened,//}?. 35.5. thenwillour
Labours be Rcw 1 led, lfa. 40. 10 and all our Lofics Recompensed,
Jfi. 61. 7. Thus let us comfort our fclves 1 chers, ] Thef.4.. i3. '
19. Yrcpare to Aleet thy God,0 Jfrael, Amos 4. 12. with reference
u.uo the Terror of his work at fuch a time. The Hearing whercofmade
JH*b.ikk.>K. to quiver, Hah. 3. 16. For vphojhall Live, when God doth
this, Numb. 24 23 ? Few know the Nature of thofe Clouds, in which
the Son of M n wi:l Come : And who fball /land when he . Appe^reth,
Ma!. 3.2? Something will It, ulvch mail make Tinners (then) to be
raid, lfa. 33. 14. who are not frighted with mccrly Spiritual Judg-
ments : And Saints theml'clves have need to Tremble in them r e Ives, cs
they would Reft in fuch a Day, Hab.^. 16. Prepare for Rifling, in
the Letter, Zetib. 14. 2. and for the trying of your work by Myitical
Fire at the Leal t; and therefore take heed of Building with Stubble, Ha
or Wood, which then will Burn, 1 Cor. 3.12,13.
20. Take up a Lamentation, ("faith God unto his Prophet, at fuch
a time of dreadful. Judgment, ( forTyrta, Ezek. 27. 2. For Pharaoh,
Ezek. 32.2. And for the Vrtnces of Jfrael, Ezek. 19.1. For Tinners cf
all forts, and more efpecially for Foolifh Virgins or ProfeiTcrs. Their
Cafe will Then be very fad, 1 ?et. 4. 17, 18. which therefore is the
Matter of Lading Lamentation, Euk- J 9 17- Nor do they Lament
Theffifelves, who therefore ffcoi Id be wept over by us, as Ignorant.Old
Jtrvfalem was by Chriir, Luke 1 9. 41 , 42. And it was time for Jeremy
to be pained at his very Heart for thofe, Jer. 4. 19. whom (in a while
after) he he was forbid to pray for, ]er. 7. 16 Thus let thofe ( of
the Separation) keep the Paflfcover for All the Children of the Capti-
vity, as Ezra 6. 20,2 1. Mourning for thofe who Ignorantly Defirethe
Haitening of that Dreadful Day, Amos 5. 1 8.
21. Go through, go through the Gates ', prepare you the way of the Peo-
ple : Cafi up, Ctft up the High-way^ Gather out the ftones 9 lift up a
Standard for the People, I fa. 62. 10. All which implieth,
i. Our fetting an Example unto others, by Going through ttie GatC9
before them. This Practical fpeaking is likely to be mat Effectual,
2 TheJ. 3.7. wherein Chrift differed, ]ohn 13. 15. from the Mhtnfees,
Mat. 23. 3 . This is a fpecial Duty, and Indifpenfably required of us,
though very Difficult, as the Reduplication [Go forth, go forth~] im-
ponetb. Thus arc we \o Rcir.ove, apd be as the He-Goats before the
Flock
• <
The Tar able of the ten Virgins Opened. 275
Flock, ]er. 50. 8. faying, Let m go fceedily, I willgo alfo.Zecb. 8.21.
2. Our calling upon others to go with us, or at leaft to follow us ;
which is the import of Lifting up a Standard for thePeople,whichtherc-
forc is joyned^lfe- where with Publishing, ]er. 50. 2. and Blowing of
theTrumper, ]cr. 51.27. at which time. all the Dwellers upon Earth
are bid to S.e and Hear,- If a. 18. 3. PerfonS difpofed to dumber, can-
not endure to hear a Trumpet found : But tell them, you are Souldi-
, md mult Obey the Orders of your General, the Lord of Holts,
and they had better be Awakened with your Trumpet, than with His.
You Ki!! us, faid.thofe, when kept Awake in the Sweating Sicknefs \
but had they not been fo, they had Dyed indeed. Let us be therefore
Crying in their Ears, Mi Flejh is Grafs, as we are bid to do, I fa, 46.
6. at fuch a Time, v. 10. or (hewing the Vanity of all their Glo-
ry.
3. Preparing their way, by cafting the High- way up, and ( as it
isi.i the Hebrew} ltoning it from (tones. Which Carting up ( with
fpeed, us the frigemfnsttoh hipteth ) d.notes thernakineof a Ciufcy,
for the. r dryer pifo gem thofe Lower Grounds: Ar.d ironing imports
the making of it firm and fmooth, or without ftumbiing- blocks,, as If.
57. 14. Thus let us prepare the wcy for othe;s,not putting any (hum
ling-block in their way, Rom. 14.13. but Raifi 'rig it -upin thcireftcem,
and Comforting them with the figiu of our way and Doings, E^ek. H-
22,23. Our ln-offeiifivc Zeal for Chri'f, and wife department to-
wards others, will much Invite ther Coming out of Bsibyloq y whoelfe
rrny be affrighted back again. Which yet doth not imply our Daub-
ing with untemprred Mortar, but dealing plainly in a prudent way •
removing the Matter of juii Offence, and Paving their way with folid
and fuktantial Grounds
Qtteft. 10. What are the Temptations, with reference unto which
we are to Watch, at fuch a Time ?
Artfa. Thefe Time-Temptations are either more Grofs, or* more
Refined. -GrofTer Temptations are as followeth.
1. Blaspheming. Some in the Laft Days will be Blafphemers,
2 TV, . 3. 1, 2. pretending to be Jews, who are of Suan's Synagogue,
Rev. 2*9. Oppofing and Blafpheming the Truths of fuch a Time, Afts
18.6. from an Invidious Spirit, Alls 13.45. Blafpheming the Holy
Gnoft, by calling that Sptrit unclean, Market,. 29,30. As peccant
Hutapufe ( \x\ length of Timcj of- turn into the Plague; Co may
Corruptions putrific (atla't) into Blafpheming: ;And" though I will
not pofitively fay, who arc Now guilty of that Cm ; yefdo I fear its be-
ing incident unto thefe Latter" Days, asChnft's fu'it Appearing from
•N n z the
276 ihe V arable of the Ten Virgins Opened*
theDigeftingHcatof that Approaching Sun. And it is partly to be
known by an Habitual Evil fpeaking oi Time-Truths, againft fufficient
Light, and without fenfe or Reformation to the Lail.
2. Mocking and fcoffing at This Day of Chrifr. There will be Mock:
crs in the Lafl time, Jude 18. And Scoffers at the promife of his Con.ing t
2 Pet. 3. 3,4. which is firittobe known, or in a fpecial manner to be.
taken Notice of, as 2 Pet. 1. 20. The Reafon whereof is, prefent vi-
fible Improbability of fuch a Difpenfation,and walking after their own
Luits } both which will (Then) be in their Prime, and will breed
Scoffers. Which will appear, in faying, Let him make freed, Ifa.5.
19. and in a Boyifhway of Jeering that Opinion, as the Greek word
Tianilated [^Scoffers, or Moc'Kers~\ intimateth, as fomedid Chriit him-
felf a little before bis being Glorified, by Mocking Gcftures, Mat.zy*
29. Infulting words, Mark* 15. 3 1, 3 2. and fcornful Actions, Mut.
zj. 29, 30. But be not Afockerjy left your Bands be made firong, Ifa.
28. 22. Hear this, ye fcornful Men, v. 14.
3. Smiting of Fellow-Servants, Mat. 24.49. and dealing Hardly
with them after a promife of doing otherwise, Jer. 3^.. 15, 16. In
which regard, Profeflbrs are forbid to Grudge, or make each other
Groan, for fear of being Condemned, becaufe the Judge itandeth be-
fore the Door, James 5 . 9. and Sufferers are therefore bidden to be Pa-
tient, v. 8. implying the Prevalency of this Temptation at fuch a time,
Thus Faithful Prophets muit look for fmiting, Jer. 20.2. and others
for being Call out with Hatred. by their Brethren, Ifa. 66.5. and Ma-
nifold Defamations upon known falfe Reports, jer. 20. 10. But let
fuch, know, thatflandcroufly Reported Paul was ( in the Greek) Blaf-
phemed, Rom. 3. 8. and let them mind that Perfccuted Prophets Pray-
er, Jer. 11. 20. and fmiting Pafours Portion, J^r. 20. 2,4.
4. Ser. :y- or Eatijg, Drinking, Marrying, Trading, and no-
iingelfe, Luke 17.26,27,28,3c. Yea, Drinking Wine in Bowls,
Amos 6.6. 2 id Fea ting it in a time of Mourning, Jfa.zz. 12, 13. De-
c. is Matunlly prone to th,s Temptation, craving the Creature
fon he more, w ien it is threatned with its parting, Jfa.zz. 13.
A I . Men Troop not more ('Earthward) in the Letter than in the
M] -', and in a Moral fence. B-t as this is a Sign of Dotage, (or
Children a fecond time, who are for nothing elfe bLt Eat.ngj)
rc-dy way to be furprized, Mat. 24. 49, 50. and Abhorred
Lord, Amos 6.8. without F( cnefs, Ifa.zz.i^.. This hath
cd in our Days } which is one Ogn of the bono* Man, Luke ij^
I of their going C-p:ive with the firft, ^. 6.7. who have
cafe mSion, v. 1. as well as in St;m*ria,
. , ' S- Falling.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 277
5. Failing from Heaven, (or from an High Profefllon ^) asStars w'\
doc at fuch a time, Mat. 24. 29 ; profaning the Covenant of their Fa-
thers, Mai, 2. 10. and dealing Treacheroully with the Wife of their
Youth, v. 14. This have our Eyes beheld j and not in a Trivial matter,
or in fome Lefs Degrees ; but Many have fallen from Heaven unto
the Earth, as Rev. 20.4; yea fome to Hc'l, J fa. 57.9; and fome of
Understanding alfo, as Dan. 11.35. Fallen Man is fubjecl to this
Falling-Sickncfs, and more efpccially toward the Fall, or in thefe Lat-
ter dayes \ fince Chrift is fet for the Fall of Many in Ifrael^ Luke 2,
34. But if one falling from a Window (three S:or;cs high) was taken
up Dead, Att. 20. 9 ; what hopes of Life can be conceived of him, who
is feen falling down from Heaven unto the Earth ?
6. Aptnefstobe Deceived by falfe Chriits and Prophets, Mat. 24.
24. Prophets are noted for their Predictions , as Chrift was, for the
Newnefsof his Doctrine, Mark 1.27. both which will \jTben} be fo far
Counterfeited (by (hewing great Signs and Wonders,) as to Deceive
many, Mark 1 3. 6 '■> and if it were poiTible, the very Elect, Mat. 2^.2^.
which argueth that Deceiving to be Fundamental. How groftely Er-
roneous were the Saddnces in Chrift's time, Mat. 22.23 '■> and yet;
Co-ordinate with the Prieftsand Pharifees, or One of thofe Three prin-
cipal Shepherds, Zech. 1 1. 8 : and as there Never was a Spring with-
out its Frogs and Vermin, fo have all greater Revolutions had Old
Errours firft, on purpofe to make New (following) Light OfTcnfivc,
But as thofe Locuflsdid not Hurt the Sealed Number, Rev. 9.4 j fo
neither mall the Elect be Now feduced, Mark 13. 22.
7. Oppreffion of the Poor and Needy ; whereof Declining Jfrael
is accufed Deeply. Thus Eft-raim loved to Opprefs, Hof. 12. 7;
which Afidod and Egypt are bid, Behold, Am. 3.9 : Yea Judah alfo
did Oppfefs the Stranger wrongfully, Ezjt. 22. 2p. and her Poor Ser~
vants, Jcr. 34. t6. a little before her Ruine, -v. 21. Which Poorer
fort are Mean as to the World, and fmall in Number, fin which fence
Gideons Family is called Poor, Judg, 6. 15.) and Thefe ;are moil
apt to be Oppreft by fordid Worldlings, whileft Others of an Higher
Rank ars let alon?. Thus folitary Chrift, Mat. 26. 56. was Hated
to the Dearth, v. 59. by Thofe, who durit not give theBaptit an ili
word, riis Party was fo Numerous, Mat. 21.26. But as theft Poor
are chiefly Fed by Chriitat fuch a time, Za b ir. 7, and know his
VVordjV. 11. fo will he Arifeor Come, fu: Op; .heir
Sighing, PfaU 12.5.
8. Formality in Religion, (or F 1 of Go'dlinefi it its Pow-
er,) is that by which the laft Times are^oi: known, zTim* 3. .
I • JS
I •
ay 8 itx FM'tbte of the Tex Virg'/tts Opevel.
Thus typical Sardis had (at fuch a time,) a Name to live, and nothing
•.3.1 : and others are Taxed for their putting God off with a
Corrupted thing, .MaL 1. 14. and fnufliigat ittoo,.v. 13. It isob-
ed, that Aged pcrTons are nothing o Zealous in tl c r Religion, as
' en Youths- which holdeth true, with reference unto Old Jerufa-
? s Pro'efFjrs. B ch are therefore to be Turned from, 2 Tim. j.
5 : nor will the Lord Accept their wor thief* Sacrifice, Mai. 1. 14. but
will turn to the Gentiles, v.ri: yea if fuch do not lay this S in to Heart,
their very Bleffings (hall be Curfed, Mai. 2. 1; and their whole Sacrl-
ficc counted Dung, together with their Perfons^. 3.
9. A very great want of Moral Honcfty. Some will be Tray tors
then, 2 Tim. 3. 4- and falfe Accufers, v, 3 : Others will Daily with
their Light, 2 Pet. 3. 5- and be abominably Partial in the Law, Mai.
2.9 • turning the Scriptures into a Nofe of Wax, to ferve their car-
1 Intcreft. Thus will God lead Bickflidcrs forth Wjthoworkers of Ini-
quity, Pfal. 125. 5. on purpofe to abate their Pride and Infoicncy.
C entiles and Jews will little Differ at fuch a time, Row. 3. 9. that none
might quarrel with their being taken in upon a New Account, v. 23.
Why fhould not Gentiles be admitted (if Repenting) when Old
profeffing Jews are thus Degenerated? Yea C r I then unmask
thofe wicked Hypocrites, who Lie and Rail, and will not under-
hand, and yet:Pretend unto their being Gods Temple, Jercm. 7. 9.
i'4i 15-
0. Impudent felf- justifying. Thus were thofe typ'cal Pharifees,
They (by way of Emincncy and Diftin&ion,) whojuftified Them,
felves before Men, Luke 16. 15; not by the real Acquifltioti of a
Righteous Quality, as Rev. 22. 1 1. in the Greek , but by a bold Pro-
rour. . . of that Sentence upon themfelves. And thus it is tore-told
ith reference unto the Latter dayes, (if Malachy's Prophecy be not,
To u?, a naked Hiftory,) that Prielts and People Then will plead,
r herein have we Ac f pi fed thee, Mai. I. 6 ? Wherein have we polluted
thee, v. 7 ? Wherein have we wearied him, Mai. 2. 17? Wherein have
we robbed thee^ Mai. 3. 8? Wherein fiall we return, v. 7 ? 'As if the
Lord hitnfelf had falfly charged them. Thus in the Laftdayesj 2 Tim.
3. 1. men will be Boafrers, Proud, Blafphemcrs,^ 3 ; otapt'to Juiti-
fie themfelves, though in a way of Blafpheming God. Age in Pro-
fefTron, and Darknefs of the Time, plaufible Pretences, and Multitu
of Companions, together with their High Efteem, produce this Im-
pudence: but He will then be their Judge, who "Knows their Hear -
Luke 16. 15. Rev. 2,23.
11. Dif.
• «
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 379
it. Di (regarding the Work of God, and not Confidering the Ope-
ration of his hands, 1ft. 5. 12 : or inadvertency, with reference to Im-
pending Revolutions already began. God ufeth firii: to (hoot a Warn-
ing-piece, and thenafingleGun, before he doth refolve tofiokhisAd-
verfary: but nothing of a Preparatory Nature-is Obferved by fuch at
fuch a time. Some Know not God's Thoughts, nor underftaud his
Councel, Alic. 4. 12 : but Thefe do fee, and Know; onely they doc
not Confidcr or Regard. At lea->, God's Hand therein is not taken
notice of ; butonely the hand of Man, or the Matter of fuch a Provi-
dence; and fo the Specialty ofaDefign is little thought upon. But
therefore Captivity is Denounced, 7/^. 5. 12; enough io make All look
about them, before'tis put in Execution.
12. Refo! vednefs in an Evil way ; Partly from being formerly En-
gaged in it, Jer. 2. 25 j parti y from Hopes of further Benefit, //tf.57.
10; and partly from a Delperate Itoutnefs of Spirir, without em/ Rea-
fon rendred, JVr; 18. 12. O'd Trees will fooner Break than Bow •
when the Heart is Touch'd with Mammon, it will irand pointing
that Load-itone: Yea Sin is fallen Man's Byas, whofe Wheeling. In-
fluence (upon his Motion j is moit Prevailing, towards the End, as in
the Letter. Though fome may be kept from Returning, by. their falfe
Teachers, and fuperiiitious Fears, and plaufible Arguments or fcem-
ing Scripture grounds But if men mil not walk in thatgood way yjet,
6. 16. nor hearken to the Trumpet's Sound, v. ij. Others are bid to
hear their Sentence, v. 1 8.
13. Cilling^one Contrary by the Other's Name; both as to God's
Providences, and mens Moral Aclions, Ifa. 5. 2a: And thus in plainer
Cafes too ; or from Affecled (at leaft-wife felf-contracled, rather than
fimple) Ignorance. Thus fome Blefs God ; when profpering in a fin-
full way, Zech. 11.5 : and Others call that a Judgement, and are Of-
fended with it, which is a Mercy, Mat. 2.3. and 15. 12; calling that
Evil, which is a Trut'n, 1 Kings 22. 8. And as to Moral AcTions ; when
Ignorance is called Light, and Difobedience by the Name of Duty;
and when the Bitter root of Sin is called Sweet, that is to fay, Pleafant,
Pfal. 1 19^105 : Comforting, Eccl. 5. 12. and Strengthn ng, Neh. 8.
10. This is a wofull fad Temptation, Jfa.s. 20: expofing unto all
manner o? Sin* and Suffering; finceit is worfethan Int' rminghng Good
with Evil; y£a worfc than Bodily Blin.dnefs ( which doth not think
Darknefs to be LightJ or a bodily Diftempered Talte, which never
counts Bitter things Sweet, as is by fome obferved : and asitargueth
a Reprobate Mind, Row. 1.28. fo is it near of Kin unto that Sin agatnit
the Holy Ghoft, Mark,^,2^> $o?
14, Tin-
The Tar able of the Ten Virgins Opened.
14. Unreafcnable felf-conccir, and High Pretentions. Pride goetfi
before Destruction, both as itsCaufe and Symptom, Prov. 16. 18:
which therefore is more to be Lamented, than to be Wondrcd at, with
reference unto Dying Old Jerufalem. Tell fume men of their Sin, they
will Deride you, as thofc did Chrift, Luke 16. 14. a little before their
being Cut off, Ztch. 1 1. 8. Tell Others of their haftning Downfall;
they fay, Is net the Lord Among us ? no Evil can come Hpon w, Mic.
3. 11. a little before their being Plowed up, v. 12. Bid Laodicean
Churches, Buy your Gold, Rev. 3. 18. they'l tell you, they have need
of Nothing, v. 17. a little before their being fpewed out, v. 16. Thus
while the true Children of Light are made to walk in Darknefs, others
will warm themfelves with fparks of their Own kindling, but fhalllye
down inforrow, IJa.$o. 10, n.
Thefc are thofc Groffer Time-temptations; The more Refined are
as followcth.
1. Affections without Judgement, or Lamps without Oyl inVef-
fcls. This is Predominant in Fooliih Virgins as to the Main ; and inci-
dent unto the Wife, in fome Degree : both which have therefore need
to Watch, in that regard. Old men and Children abound with fuch
Affections; which therefore had need to be taken notice of, as men
would fhun the Cafualties, both of this Fall, and of the next Spring.
Affections raifed Above one's Judgement, are like the Speakers Voice
above his Spirit; exceeding Prejudicial to the Matter in point of
Worth, as well as Acceptation. And yet, we therefore have fo many
Staggerers, becaufe they are as it were Drunk with over-ftrong Affccli-
ons; which therefore men have need to Watch againft. Onely
take heed of finfull fubtle Moderation, under a Pretence of Fear-
ing to be Injudicious: but let our Zeal be under the Command of
Knowledge, and let that Knowledge be purfued, then let us be as Hot
as Fire.
2. Aptnefs to Boaft of what is Carnal: as being Wife, or men of
Parts, Jer. 9. 23. and Abraham's Children, or profeffors, Joh.8. 39.
full of Religious Duties, Luke 18. ir, 12. and having the Name of
Temples, Jer. 7. 4. Thence do fome boait fo of the Spirit : meerly
beemfe of their rmny words: efpccially if Florid and Affectionate,
though fuch Affections may be meerly Natural,if not Enforced/ Where-
as the Spirit in Prayer is to be Known by fomething* which cannot
be uttered, Rom. 8. z6 : and fo, in Speaking, by fpcaking in a way of
Dcmonftration, 1 Cor. 2.4: and of Revealing the Deep things of God,
z>. 10. which are not Known by the World, v. 7, 8. nor yet Re-
ceived, v. 14. Nor is the Spirit (in any) {0 be Judged of, but by the
fpiritual
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened, 2$i
Spiritual Man } v. 15. John muft Decrcafe, as Chnfl: gets up; but
Lower things are never more Affected by us, than juit upon their being
ready to Die. Declining Age ( as in the Leti- r, fo in the Myiicry )
huh leuftof Subftancein it j which therefore mo;t Deli^hteth in Toys
and Circumftances, as being moil like unto it felf. But it is Weakly
done, to Glory in that Flelh, which as it wjs bu-. Grafs at left, fj is it
(NowJ'fure to Wither, ifa. 40. 6, 7,8. Initead of fc'ndirr (hi-
ningBrafs, God is Now bringing Go!o, Ifa.60.1j. which \Laodtc #-
ans have need to Buy, Rev. 3.1$. fince other things will Burn.
3. Spiritual Decays, to what have fometimes been. Thu^ Typical
Ephefa ( at fuch a tune ) is charged with Leaving her firft Love, Rev.
2.4. and Sardis lay at the point of Death, Rev. 3. 2. and Laod.cea
was worfe than Cold, Rev. 3. 15. Men truly Gracious, are alway
Growing, Pfal. 92. 12, 14. but Nature hath its itint, and thenceforth
Lives upon its former ftock,which therefore needs mult wafte. . This is
the more Dangerous, becaufe it itealeth upon Souls and Bodies by
Degrees ^ and not fo violently, as in a fit of down-right ficknefs. And
though Gray Hairs can talk of a Confumptive itate, (as in a Spiritual
cafe fome others do, ) yet are they apt to let it Grow upon them, with-
out Refinance. But this alone had need to make us fick, for fear of be-
ing fpewed outby him, Rev. 3. 16. who turneth not unto his Vomit.
4. Lothnefs to be Tranfplanted, though for the Better. As all the
Pbarifees (tuck fait to Mofes, John 9. 28. So, few (if any) of John's
Difci pies followed Chriif, though by that means they entred not into
his Heavenly Kingdom, Mat. 1 i-i.r. Nature would fain be cloarh'd
upon, but not uncloath'd, 2CV. 5.4. but none iave Fools do lcok,
that what is fown fhould ever quicken, except it Die, 1 Cor. 15. 36.
Moft think Converfionto be done at once, which yet is a continued Ae\t,
as Peter found, Luke 22. 3 2. and without which being born again, pro-
fefling Nicodemm might not fee the Kingdom of God, John 3.3. it be-
ing with Grace, as with the Growing Wheat, which ' firft appeareth
like unto Grafs, but doth Exchange (in Time ) that Lower Blad^ for
fomething Higher, viz.. theEar; and without which it is concluded to
be Grafs indeed, or little better. Thus are Come Acco (Tar y to the r
Spiritual Leannefs, by their not following Chrift into his Grrener Pa-
ftures.- »AndasMen would facilitate their Removal with him, fo !-t
rhem take heed of Rooting deeper into other things than into him, which
is a Vanity more common than Difccrned,
5. A pronenefs to be too much in Love with out-fide fairnef , fo as to
Marry others(in the Myftery)on that Accounts did the Sens c r God
with thofe Fair Daughters of Men, Gen. 6, 2. a little before the Flood,
O which
c&^ The Taxable of the Teh Virgins Opened.
%B \\\c\\ Anfwcrcih »nto this Coming of the Son of Man, Mat. 24. 38^
39. Which out fide Fj rnefs doth import v hat is the firft Ad/infs Lu-
(trc whic s to have i sdi.e, but nor to be a Rival w th the Second,
in point of Conjugal (or H ghctt ) Love. Yet thus did the Difciples-
Gaze upon th^it Goodly Buildings, which in a while were laidafide,
Miit. 24. 1 , 2. Sucfi kind of Beauty mull: be expected then, as in the
Faceof lomt Confumptive Perfons, a little before their Change; and
where^ itVi many will be Enfrured. But let the Admirers of Parts and
Moral Vcrtues know, and bear in mind, what brought the Deluge.
6. Aptnefs to be iecure, and not to know, till Sufferings come. This
will be the World's Temptation, to be fure; yea, Chrilt faw need to
bid his own take heed of promifng too quick a Period to their Tribu-
lation, M«rki$.%. 9. I mould be glad, if Sion might be Delivered,
without any further pain • but fince (he hath not yet brought forth, we
may conclude, her Lan Pangs will be (harpeft. 'Tis true indeed,when
Vermin once begin to Run (as fome do at this Day already) that is
one fign the Hcufe is Falling ; but on the other fide, when Eaves are
femtodrop, long after a fhowcr, it is an ufual Symptom of more Rain
behind, becoufe it Argueththe Air to be itill very moft. j and fome par-
ticular Droppings (of a Perfecuting Spirit) are Mill continued. How-
ever, National Di trelTes mult come at Laft,Z,//J^ 2 1. 25. orafter-Per-
fecutions, v, 12. therefore let us Prepare for further Sufferings.
7. Depending too much (in ways of Duty) upon Encouragements.
Satan did fo/nctimes put the QMeflion, Doth Job fear God for Nought ,
Job 1.9? but with Refpecl to Satan's Difpenfation in thefe Latter
Days, the Lord himfelf doth Ask, Who is there evenamong yon ( Pro-
fefTors) that would fl)nt the Doo 9,0 2 S0U\
284 *lhe Parable of the 'ten Virgins Opened.
Soul, Extending to the whole Man, Body, Soul, and Spirit, iThef.
5. 23. fuch alfo will be the Nature of his Temporal Kingdom, Pfal.
72. 8. Therefore Chriii biddcth his Difcipies not to follow ( or go
after ) thofe who are of a poor Narrow Spirit, Luke 17.23. Confining
h s Work or Difpenfation to fome LefiTer Compafs; as Partial Refor-
mers do, in a Spiritual and Ecclefiiftical fence, and others in a Civilor
Political's did thofe Jews of Old unto Judea : Since the whole of his -
Government is endlefsly increafkig, Ifa. 9. 7. though firit heard of in
Bethlehem Epkrata, Pfal, 1 32. 6. the leait among Judal^s Thoufands,
Ale. 5.2. Nor will that Kingdom be without its Interruption, as
there fignifieth, Lu'd Counfel, infringing them again!* her, to their
own Qeitnyftion, Mic. 4. 11, 12, 13. So neither will fome in Sion
know, wherefore he doth Thofe things unto them^ as is Apparent from
their putting that Queftion to the Prophet, Jer. 6, 10. wherein they are
more Ignorant than fome of other Nuions,y*r.22.8,9.Such will impute
the JJfyrian's Coming, unro the GroiTer Wickednefs of thofe among
them: Whereas God chiefly fendeth him againit the Hypocrites, Ifa.
10.5,6. Such will Arraign, ('tis like) that Persecuting Perfian or
jtjfyrian
^86 The' Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
jfffyrian Spirit - , as by whofe means their following Judgments came:
Bj: God tells them, it hath been by Their Me ns, M*.'. 1.9. becaufe
of their Complying with the Perfian Prol.i - Hag. 1.9. And
when Delii ce cometh, fuch will be apt ro (hare its Meritorious
Caufe among Them fclves : Which yet, ncxtto the Lord's o^n Name,
JEs.^ 36. 22. is Attribured to a Little Remnant, lfa.1.9. a Tenth or
Holy Seed, J fa. 6. 13. and Tingle Clutter upon a Withered Vine, Ifa.
65.8. The Mm of Wifdom will fee-God^ Name, Mic.6. 9. and
Prudent ones (hall Undcritand, Hofi^.g. but none of the Wicked,
Dan. 12, 20. which is a fore Temptation.
14. Miuakingthe Predominant Duty of fuch a Time, as did Five
of thofc Spies to One, when in the Wildernefs, Numb. 14. 30. and
but Three Hundred in David's Time did feem to know whut Ifrael
ought to do, 1 Cbron. 12. 32. And with Refpecl unto the Day of \a-
cob's Trouble, fome Ask ( as being Ignorant) what God would have
them do, Alic.6.6? Ghefling at fevcral things, ( as Thoufands of
Rams, Ten Thoufand Rivers of Oyl^yea, their Firft-born, 1/. 7. )
which in their Eye wereof the Greateit Value ; and yet All wrong^.8.
though fuch had Meant according to their Proffer, which yet is Que-
stionable. Thus at this Day, fome count a Witneis againlt the Pa-
pi:ts; others againft the Prelates, others againir. the Hearing of Con-
im milts, &c . to be the Principal Duty of this prefent Tme, with
reference unto which, they Nobly proffer the Sacrificing of Ten Thou-
fand Lives. But if our Going out of Old jerufalem be a prefent Duty,
Alic. 4. 30. thatfecmcth (Now) to be Predominant, as being of a
Later Date, mod Rarely Praclifed, end mol Oppofed by ProfeiTors,
by which Time-Truths are to be known, when Groffer Worldly Perfe-
ctions are fu fpended, as they Now are. The not Understanding of
which things (belonging to our Peace) Was that which made Ghriffc
Weepover Old ]erufalemj Luke 19.41,42.
1 5. Apinefs in fome, { who (till Continue in Dying Old Jerufaiem )
to Biefs themfclvi s in fuch a worthlefs Portion, and Deeply to Cenfure
others, ( although the Son of Man's own Brethren ) as being far from
God, (Compared with thcmfelves) becaufe of their having Gone cut
of that Wicked City, Ezek. 1 1. 1 5. before thofe other; although God's
Glory was then Removed out of the Temple, Ez,el^. 10.10. Ail which
. . i:tt!e before jerufdem's Sacking, Ez.ck.12. 11. Something tike
unto which., doth IKher in. Chriti's Coming in thefe Latter Days, Zecb,
14.2,3. One of the Cnief among which Vapourers,£^f^. 11. 1. was
iliuck with fadchn Death, v. 1 3 . to fignifie the Doom of all his Fellows,
v. 10. who did Encourage the reft to Bujld, prcfuming that Day was
nor
. «
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 287
not yet Near, v. 2, 3. and who did therefore thus Biefs themfelves and
Ccnfure others, v. 15. Thus will fomeBoaltof their Abiding in that
ftate, from whence God's Glory is Departed ; and Gurfe their Choifer
Brethren, for being in Babylon, or Confufion : wherein yet God will
be funto thefe Cenfured ones ) a little Sanctuary, Ez. •.'£. 11. 16. and
will give Them (in his due time ) the Land of Jfraei, v.. 17. when
their Deriders will be fadly Recompenfed, whofe prefent Wonhip is
called Dcte table and Abominable, v. 21.
16. Lingring too long in Spiritual Sodom, as fometimes Lot d d,
Cert, 19. 16. whofe Day was Typical of that wherein the Son of Man
will be Revealed, Luke 17.28,29,30. The Reafon of whofe Lin-
gring then ( perhaps ) might be nis cafting about to fave fome of his
better fluff ^ like unto which will be the Temptation of fome others in
this day of Chrift, Luke 17. 31,32. Thus will fome (Thcn^) Go
forth at Lafr, as Lot and his Family did, but not at the fir/I bidding,
Gen. 19. 15. till fome Good Angels lay hold upon them, and Bring
them out, v. 16. Or it is very probable, Lofs Daughters Lingred
for their New Betrothed W usbands,6> n, 1 9. 14. their Mother for them,
and fo Lot for them All: Thus Prejudicial (unto a Spiritual Quick-
nefs) are Bad Examples j and Natural or Carnal Friends. But as he
is an unwife Son, who ftayeth fong in the place of Breaking forth, Hof.
13.13. Sj let fichLingerers bear in mind.how hardly Lot was faved,
Ce?i. 19. 2 3, 24. more for the fake of Abraham, than for his own, v 29.
upon (tricl Terms, v. 17. not having Faith fufficient for his Duty,?/. 18.
nor yet fecurity in his own choice, v. 30. and now his Lingring Wife
perifhedintheway,v.26. whilitheand his Daughters Lived in a Cave,
•p. 30. unto their own perpetual fhamc, v. $6. and Ifraefs being vexed
afterwards with their Inccrtuous Off-fpring, v. 37, 38. with Zeph. 2.
8,9? 10.
17. Enquiring the Mind of God with Idols in Heart, and /tumbling-
biocks of Iniquity before ones Face. Thus did fome of the Jewifh El-
ders, Ez.eks 14. 1. 3. who were then carried into Babylon ; as is appa-
rent, from their Coming to this Prophet, v.i. and fitting probably in
iT*/ /^V/'sHoufe, as£^e^. 8. r. who then was in Chaldea, Ezek. 1. 3.
though fomejimes ^ Vifionally ) in jentfalem, Ezek. 11. 1. but Now
was brought # ( in Vifion ) back again into Chaldea, v. 24. So that thefe
Hypocritical Enquirers were Perfons carried out of Old ]emfalem 7 be-
fore the reit, as fome may be whofe Hearts are not fincere. Which
Idols in their Heart (when they did thus Enquire of God) might be,
partly, their being Refolved (Beforehand) what to Believe-, viz.
what Hananiak and fuch falfe Prophets faid, out -of their own Hearts,
Lz*cK«
2 88 The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
Ez.el{. 13.2. and boldly Fathered it upon God, v.j. which therefore
was ritly called an Idol, Ezxkz H« ?•
18. Aptnefs to Queiiion God's Dcfign of Laying Old Jerufalern
quite aheW: which fecmeth to be hinted by the probable matter of
their Enquiry before-mentioned, Ezel^ 14. 1, and as maybe collected
from God's following Anfwer, viz.. Whether JerufaUrn w^s wholly
Now to be laid Watte, (is Jeremy unti this Prophet had declared })or
whether themfe'ves fhould not be fuddenly brought out of Babylon
back again to Old Jerufalern^ asHananiah had foretold,. Jer. 28, 1, 2,
3,4: fo loth are fome to leave their ancient Temple altogether, till
they (hail fee it quite Demoltlhcd. With reference unto which, God
tells the Refidue ofthofein Babylon, Eztk. 14. 22. that Old Jemfa-
lenfs Ruines mult goe en, though Noah, Daniel and Job were in it,
Ezek. 14. 14. 18.20; and her Inhabitants mult be cut off, 1/. 21 j ex-
cepting a Remnant, who fhall come unto thefe in Bxbylon, and Comfort
them (with the Tight of their Wayes and Doings) concerning Old Je-
rufalenfs Juit Deduction, v. 22, 23. Which daggering at the Pre-
fent (late of things, was that which John and his Difuples laboured un-
der, when the Preparatory or Deitrudive part of Ghriit's Admini-
ftration (anfwer ing to that of Bubylcn) wasB:gun : as is Apparent from
their asking, Art thou He ? Mat. 11. 3. The Reafon of which Doubt-
ing was, John's being Now ca(t into Prifon, Alat. 1 1. 2 ; who For-
merly had WitneiTed unto that Truth, Joh. 1.29. but was Now at
fome Kind of Lofs ; whom therefore Chrift then call'd a Reed, that was
fhaken with the VVind,A£/f. 11.7 \ and by which Character John and
his Followers fat fuch a time) are to be Known. And from Chriu's
Anfwer may be gathered, how fcrupling Baptiits may be fatisfkd,
that Chriftis He, in cafe that Gofpel is Now preached (onely) to the
Poorer fort ; and if the Blind and Lame, and Leapers, and Deaf and
Dead (among them) be flrangely wrought upon, Mat, 1 r. 4 5 • which
argucth his Over-turning Difpenfation to be Now on foot, according
to the Scriptures, /fa. 61. 1. and 35. 6.
19. Umteadinefs in that ( upon a frefh Temptation) which hath been
Manfully Returned unto, or Begun. This -was their Cjfe of Old; who
did Begin to build the Temple, or Open Worfhip, Ez>ra£. 1. till the
Affyrian fpirit in that Day, v. 2. prevailed fo far as to prohibit them,
and whereupon that V Vork did ceafc, v. 24. Yea, whefi they did Re-
turn thereto, Ezra 5.2. upon Z achat y 'j a.d H.iggafs prophefying,
v. 1. before the Prohibition was Reverfecj, 1/. 3. yet they did fall off
again, ( upon that frefh Di fcou rage men t, v. 3,4. /as may be gathered
from thole Prophets writings, ulthougb is be not Expreflily mention-
ed.
The ? arable of the ten Virgins Opened. 2 80
•^d. Since they did Firfl: Return unto that Work, upon the Twenty-
fourth Day of the Sixth moneth, Hag. 1. 1 5^ ; and yet upon the fame
day three Moneths after, Hag. 2. 10. that Prophet was fent again, to
Pronounce that people unclean, v. 14. and to declare the Reafon of their
continuing Judgement to That Day, v. 15, 16. becaufe untill That
very Day there was not a Stone laid in the Temple, v. 15. Which ne-
ccffarily inftrres their having Again Defined (upon fomefrefh Tem-
ptation) from that work, which had been at the firfl: Begun, and which
more Lately was Returned to ; unto the making of them all unclean,
and the Reviving of their former Judgements,//^. 1. 9. and Lofs of
all their former Labour, or making the Temple's Foundation to Com-
mence from their la ll Twenty fourth Day, Hag. 2.. 18. in which they
Laitingly did firit Return unto this VVork; and from which time,
their Ad verfaries could not make them ceafe, Ezjra^.%. And though
my felf am fatisfied, that This hath been Already in Our dayes, fuffi-
cienrly to make unclean; yet Now a little time may (hew, VVhether
that frem Defining be not (by fomc)to be Repeated ; and if it be, then
let thofe Three forenamed Motives be remembred by us, to Prevent
our falling under that Temptation, in cafe frem Perfecuticn (hall
aiife.
20. Shortnefs of Spirit; or being unable to Hold pace with Chrift,
unto the End of his defigned Journey. It is with fome Men, as with
Poft-horfes, who have their Stages, beyond which they will not be
made to goe, with fwifeh or fpur, and fo their Rider is neceflatated
to take other. This is foretold at large, (with reference unto the Latter
dayes,) by that remarkable Vifion concerning fevcral Horfes, ef di-
vers Colours, by which their fpirit or mettle is commonly judged of,
Zech.6.i, 5. and as they were Types of divers Spirits,^. 5. Thefirfl
of which Horfes are of a Red colour, v. 2. which is a Natural fym-
ptom of their being VVafhy in the Letter: and fuitably whereunto,
we read of Nothing Do le by thu fint Spirit or. fort of Horfes. The
fecond arc Blacky Zech. 6 2 ; which is a far Better Colour in the Let-
ter: The third ere White,. v. 3. which alfo .Excelis the Red; and
iu tably whereunto, thefe B'ack end White arefaid to Go forth into
the North "(one After the other) v. 6. and to Accomplifh what they
went about, fa that Particular Northern Quarter, v. 8. ThcFcurthand
lad fort of Horfes, are the Grilled and the Bay* Zech. 6. 3. whofe Co-
lours doevince their being of the Fineil Mettle that is, c6 spired with
the Former Three: though of thefe Two, the Bay is Bcft. Whirh
Grilled and Bay, do feem to have been fometimes. Joyn'c^togcth-cr,
19 One Chariot at the Firft, Zt cb. 6.3. but at the Lait they part, as
Pp apparer.r.
* »
^90 The Parable of the ten Virgins Opened.
apparent, v.6>y. which flicweth them to be of Differing Spirits be-
tw:cn Thcmfclves, as -well as with rcfpecTt to all the former, Onely
the Gliiled (or Dapple-gray) being Better than the Black or White,
goe forth i:r.to the South, Zccb.6.6. or Nearer to the Sun; though
Thefe arc alfo fatisficd with their re fpcclive finglc quarter. Whereas
the Biy ( - Colour is the Beit of All,) are laid to goe forth, and
feck to goe, that they might walk To and Fro, through the Earrh ;
who are ) to doe, and they Doe ^o y Zech. 6. 7. Thus will fame,
fpirits Qcickly Tire, and Doe Nothing : Others may Gradually Ex-
: :,i ;. •..'. be of life \ but yet are Limited to fome one. Quarter : wherc-
i ihe Larged fpirited ones (AloneJ will carry Chriit (\\\ his Triumph-
ing Chariot,) and Accompany him Throughout his Progrefs. But
fcarcely One of Five, (as in that VifionJ or onely Two of Twelve,
where,) will evidence their being of that Other Spirit, by fol-
lowing him thus- Fully, Num. 14.24. though None but fuch will enter
.,?/. 3 c. which is a fair Warning unto All,/^6. 4.1.^/^.24.13.
1, Aptnefs to be Offended with Chriff, as at his fir/t Appearing;
and upon fuch Accounts. Thus will fome be Offended with him, as
were the Jews, when Herod was fo, Mat. 2.2,3. fearing left the Of-
rded Romans would therefore Take away their Place and Natiou r
Job. ~u. 48. Others, becaufe of his being Counted fofeph's fon, Mat.
13.55,57; as fome are at this Day, who onely fee the Hand of Man
(but notcf God,) in what hath come to pafs in Later years, anfwering
unto Chrifts Birth or firil Production. Others, becaufe Humane Tra-
ditions are not Obfcrvcd, but fharply Taxed ; as were the Pkarifees y
' f*t. 15. 2, 3. 12 ) and fome in thefe our dayes, who cannot bear a
being Contradicted by a Differing Practice, much lefs to be dealt
Plainly with. Others, becaufe of fome more High or fpintual Do-
ctrine, as were the Cafernait es y Job. 6. 58. 61. and Many at this Day,
who are Offended with the Hearing of any Other Manna than what
theur Fathers have been wont to eat. Others, becaufe of Perfecution j
which maketh Many to be Offended, Mitt. 24 o ; to : and in parti-
cular, unrooted Flafhy Hearers y Mar. 13. 20, 21 \ Yea John himfelf,
when he is once become a Prifoner, Mat. 1 1. 2, 3. 6 ; nay ar t d Chr/fVs
own Difcrples too, M*t. 26. 31. however Confident they Never
would be fo, v. 3 3^ 5 5 } Thus will Chrift be for an Offence to'both the
Houses of Ifvacf^ ija. $. 14: but as, Wo be to him by whom Offences
come, fo Wo.be to ttoe Worfd becaufe thereof, Mat. iS. 7 5 end Blefled
is rhc No^- offended one, Mat. 11. 6.
22. Contentment with Leffcr Duties, in the Neglecl of Greater,
Thus.did the itortfito ty the ;hcir Mint, and Annife and Cummin, M&
23.2^
• *
The Tarabk of the ten Virgins Opened.
23.23. and Rue and ail manner of Herts, or Trivial things., Lnk$
1 1. 42 ; accounting This to be thcTythc of At they d.d ; fc, L:
18. 12. who therefore faid, Wherein ? when God impeache-d (I c n oi
Robbing hinv»*i. in his more Principal Tytbes .miOrfci Ual.
3.8. at leaft they did Omit the Exercifc o; Judgement ami Mercy,
and Faith, M*t. 23. 23; or Judgcmr id the LoveofG d, liukj
xi. 42; which in Obedience unto God, theyihojid have doiie ii
toward Other, in more Weighty cafes. Thus did thofe Daily offer
upon their Altar, Hag. 2. 14. to falvcthe Neg ee/t oi T^np'e-work;
whichyet was Greater : and thus is Active Duty Multiplycd, to gain
thereby a being Difpenfed with from that which is of a Fuffive Na-
ture : Yea thus fome boaftof being Charitable unto Other Sufferers,
as did the Pbarifees of Building the Martyrs Tombs, Mat. 24. 29 ;
who yet Themfelves did Perfecute the Prefent Truth, and thereby
evidenced their being thofe Former Perfecutors Children, v. 31, 32.
becaufe they Qvvned them as Fathers, (whom they mould have Dif-
owned,) and Did Accordingly. But if the Lcait omiflion (JuftifiedJ
doth make men Leatt in Chrht's account, Mat.%. 19 \ much more with
reference unto VVeightier matters, fuch as Time-truths and Duties are;
and by which Rule, men have been Alway (Chiefly) to be Known, as
to the Vifibility of their fpiritual State, in point of being Reprobated,
Rev. 17. 8. or Elected, v. 14.
23. Imperfect Reformation, or felf-Purifylng , from contracted
Guilt. Thus Old Jerufalem is likened to a Pot, vvhofe f^um was in it
ft ill, though boyledup by fiery Difpenfations, but yet not Gone out
of it; which aufeth her being Brought out, without the faving of any
One piece by calling Lots, Ez-ek,. 24. 6 : that being the Land that was
Not Cleanfed, nor Rained upon (or Warned) in the Day of Indigna-
tion, Ezekc 22. 24. which made the Lord to gather them in his Anger
into his Fire, and there to leave them, ^.20. What Carcfulnefs, f c f-
clearing, Indignation, Fear, Defire, Zeal, Revenge, doth Godly forrow
work, 2 Cor. 7. 1 1 ? but felf- Abafing Excrcifes are foon thought to be
fufficicnt, efpccially by thofe who have moft need to Multiply them.
Thence are fuch molt Impatient, if not Immediately Fveftorcd to Ccrrv
municm-ads : whereas that True returning Prodigal thought himfc f
No More worthy to be called a Son, Luke 15.21. But if a Fathers
fpitting calls for feven Dayes Shame, much more doth felf-contracted
Leprotic ; and 'tis a Mercy to be Then Received in again, Numb. 12,
14. fo long mud felf- polluters Purge Themfelves before their Of-
ferings will be Accepted, Ezck, 43.26,27: therefore God calis for
Mourning Apart at fuch a time, Zeck K 12. 12 : not may (perhaps) that
> >£g 2 work
2
God will then RoaroutofS/0#,and (hake the Heavens as weilasEarth>
Joel 1. 16. which needs mud Terrific But yet the Saints Amazmg
Fear ( at fucha Time ) will be their fin, becaufe They are Then bid
to Look up, and Lift up their Heads, Luke 21. 28. Yea, want of
Confidence ( in fuch a Day ) will Evidence their not Abiding in him,
1 Johnz. 28. who will Then be his People's Hope and ftrcngth, Joel
3. 16. And he that would Reft in that Day of Trouble, mull Trem-
ble No \v>Hab. 3.16, and Pray, that God would not be Then a Terror to
him, ]er. 17. 17. and put IniquitA far away, fo mail he not Fear, Job
ii. 14, 15.
31. Unwillingnefs in fome to own that Hand of God upon them,
which they will-then Feel, but not Acknowledge. Thus when his
Hand's Lifted up, hine will not fee: lfa.26. ik nor lay to Heart
their Sin or Puniflvnent, ]er. 12. 11. Yea, when the Lord (hall take
from Old ]itrHfatim 9 s Adherents; their Strength, the Joy of their Glo-
ry, the Defire of their Eyes, and that whereupon they fet their minds,
their Sons and Daughters, Eiik? 24. 25, yet will they not Mourn nor
Weep, fave in a more fecret way, ^.23. nor go Bareheaded, as
Lev. 10. 6. or bare-footed, as 2 Sam. 15. 30. nor with a covered Lip,
as Mic. 3. 7. nor eat the Bread of Men, as ]er. 16. 7. all which were
Signs of Mourning, Bur let fuch know, they (hall be made to fee,
unto their fhame fatlaft) and farrow, lfa.i6.xi. Yea, therefore
the whole Land fhall be made Dcfolate, ]er. 12. 11. from one End oi
it to the other, v. 1 2. and they fhall therefore Pine away ( through in-
ward Mourning and Vexation ) for their Iniquities, Ezxk. 24. 25.
32. The Painting of an Hartots Face, and calling her (then) a
Spbufeof Chri:h Thus were tnfe Pharlfees (in Chrift's Day) like
unto Whited Sepulchres; as full of Inward Rottennefs as ever, onely
New Whited with an Out-fide Beauty, Mat. 23.27,28. Thus were
the Generality of ProfefTors (then) like to anHoufe Swept and Gar-
nifhed,- but Empty ftill, ^^.12.44. and fadlier Re-poffeiTed after-
wards than ever, v. 45. Thusalfo was their Temple ( lately ) Beau-
tified with^Goodly Buildings, wherewith ChriiVs own Difciples were
Enamoured, Mark*3< 1. cj.d. Muftwe now leave this ftately Tem-
ple? Whicn yet was (then) a Den of Thieves more than before,
Mat. 21. 13..' and near its utter DhTolution, Mark^i^.z. Yea, thus
we Read of Jezebel, Rev. z. 20. (with reference unto thefe Latter
days) Refembling that felf-painting Harlot, 2 Kings 9, 30. who did
fNow) call her felf a Prophetefs, Rev. 2.20. and is Djfcribed by
her Teaching and Seducing Chrift's Servants, to Eat things Sacrificed
unto
2 9 5 . The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
untoLlols, Rev. 2.20. ortormkc light of that for which God doth
pronounce ProfefTors to be undean, as Hag, 2. 14. They who are
Now of fuch a Spirit, are } u ft I y to be called the Jezebels ot thisPrefent
Day j whatever Paint they have upon their Faces, or by what Name
foevcr they arc called. And as a warning unto fuch (in thefc our days)
let them co;Tidcr ( before it be too late ) how fadly Jc^cbel is Threate-
ned there, Rev.i.zz. together with her Friends, v. 20 and Children,
v. 2 3 .
33. Aptnefs in fome (in the AJfyrian's day) to go down into
Egypt, to get Relieved from Threatning Aflwr \ as is fore-told at large
in JfaiaJ/s $oth. and $i th. Chapters. Which Egypt was the Old
Houfeof Bondage to God's lfrael\ and fitly Anfwercth (in thefe Lat-
ter Days) unto fome former Pcrfecuting Intereft, which fome may
feck to curry Favour with, to fave them from a 'Later and more Cruel
Adverfary. Thus did fome Truft on Egypt, in the days of Hezekjah,
or elfe the Affyrian lied, 2 Kings 18. 24. and in the days of Zedekjah,
to be fure ; by means of which Egyptians (then) the Babylonians Siege
wasraifed for a while, 7"". 37. 5. but came again, and fackt Jernfa-
lem y v. 8. Thus in the Affyrian\ day, J fa. 30. 3 1. fome will go down
to Egypt, v.z. and will notbe with-held by any means, i/.o,io ; ir.
though fitting ftill (in that regard) would be their (trergrh, v. 7. and
fafery, v. 13,14. But thofe Egyptians Help will provein vain, ]f a .
30. 3. 7. becaufe they are but Fleih, J fa. 31. 3. and were fought unto
in God's ftead, v. 1. Yea, contrary to an O'd exprefs Command ,
Dw.17. 16. therefore both he that Helpeth, and is Holpen, (hall fall
down together, J fa. 31.3. and Flee, one Thoufand of them, at the
Rebuke of one, J fa. 30. 17. Whereas, they who then Truft in God,
tfhall be Defended by him, Ifa. 31.4/5 1 . and they fhall fee the AJfyrian
beaten down by God's own voice, J fa. 30. 31. 2nd his Young Men
(hall be Difcomfitcd, J fa. 31.8. his Princes alfo fhall be afraid becaufe
of the Enfigo, ^.9. Yea, fome (who have efcaped Old ]erufalem > s
Plagues) will chufe going into Egypt ftill ( through caufelefs Fear)
rather than to continue in ]udea. This was their Cafe of Old, Jfr.47.
37, 18. becaufe the Ammonites had Hired Jfl>maclto Murder Gcdaliak,
Jfr.40. 14. through his own Folly, v. 16. wherein the Chaldeans had
no Hand. Thus when ]crufalem is Sacked in thefc Latt^dayc, fome
may Impute rhe Plotting of Malignant Ammonites ( again/l them ftill )
to their Abiding in that ftatc of Defohtion : Yea,notwithftanding God's
Command, ani Promife *o Deliver them, as J f.42. 11. whom they
D. (Tcmblingly Enquired o^, v. 20. and folemnly protcited a Compor-
ting with, v. 5, 6. So prone are Carnal Jfrae.itcs to be in Love with
Egypt
4 ■• 1
The Parable of the ten Virgins Opened. zyy
Egypt (till, (their Ancient (late, and where their Heart hath Alway
been,in times of Trial ; ) as having never yet been truly Humbled for
their Old Abominations, J'r.44. 10. But as a Warning unto others
in our Days, let us confider, their Growing fin, J*r. 44. 16,17. end
Threatned Judgments, Jer.41. 18.
34. Defpifing the Day of fmall Beginnings. Thus did the Jews,
when they fir it Built the Second Temple, Ezjra^ iz. fomething like
unto which our Eyes have feen, of Later Years, or with Refpeft unto
John Baf rift's Difpenfation in our days. Yea, when that Temple-
work Revived afterwards, thofe did ftill Labour of that Old Di tem-
per, as fcemeth to be hinted, Hag. 2.3. and Zech.\. 10. becaufe
this Second Temple had not that Gold and Silver, Hag. 1. 8. which
was in Solomon's ; nor was this made (like That) of Hewenitoncs,
but onely Rolling ones, Ezra 5.8. as in the Margin and Original 5 nor
had This any Prielt with Vrim and with Thummim, Ezra 2.63.
(or fuch who did pretend to Abfolute Infallibility ) as had thefirit.But
let them who thus Labour ( being Tempted) know, that Ghriffc was
(atthefir(t) a Child; fo will his Kingdom be : And thofe were Unbe-
lievers, who for that Reafon did Defpife him, If a. 53. 1,2, 3. and that
This work is in his Hand, who will Compleat it, unto their Joy, Zech.
4.10. and will not fail or beDifcouraged, //rf. 42. 4. till he had made
the Second Temple Greatelt, Hag. 2. 9.
35. Not Knowing Chriit, at his Appearing in thefe Latter days, no
more than did the World, at his firft Birth, John 1. 10. nor his Di-
fciples, at his Refurreftion, Luke 24.37. Among the Many Thou-
fandsof the Seventh Trumpet's Hearers, how BlefTed will that People
be, ( and therefore but a few ) who know that Joyful found, PfalMo.
15. when Chrift fhall Come as King,i/. 18. and Rev. 1 1. 15! Some
took John Baptift tobe Chrift, John 1.20. Others took Chrift to have
been John, Mat. 16. 14. So may fomc (inourdays) Confoundthe
Bridegroomand his Harbinger; and fo not know the Proper Name of
fuch a Difpenfation, through fe If- contracted ( if not wilful ) Igno-
rance. And which Mi/lake will not be Trivial*, lince they (and they
alone) who know the Joyful found, (hall walk, OLord, in the Light
of thy Countenance, Pfal. 89. 1 5. in thy Name (hall they Joy, and be
Exalted in thy Righteoufnefs, v. 16. Whereas Mi inkers (in that re-
gard ) can ne.ther look to (hare in thofe peculiar Priviled^es, nor yet
to Underitand their fpecial Doty, wJUch is 1 Depending upon Know-
ledge of the Times, 1 Chron. 11. 32.
36. Deferring that Day, through Unbelief *, or being toomuchtn
Lo-ve with Prefent things. Thus fame will not Believe for Joy, as
2C/8 The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
Luke 24. 41. Others (for Anguifh) will not Hearken, zsExod.6.
9. and ott.ers becaufe of vifiblc Improbabilities, as being too Marvel-
lous in fuch a day, Ztcb.%.6. This will betray fomeinroScnfuality,
Mm. 24. 48. others will therefore fay, Come, La m build, Ezek.; 1.
3. and others, that Vifions (or Difcour(e3) of that Nature, are to
no Effecl, £*.f/^ 12, 22,23. But this Delaying it, (though ouely in
one's Heart ) is faid to be the Character of an Evil Servant ^W.24.
48. and one of thofe, Ez.ek,u. i. who fa id, It is not Near •, v. 3.\>as
therefore (truck with fudden Death, v. 13. Yea, this Deferring of
if, is quite contrary to Chrill's Defign, in this whole Parable and other
Scriptures j which therefore had need be watch 'd againfr, as that
which is the Bane of watching in the General.
37. Groundlefs Prefuming upon Mercy, tothclaft. Thus Old Je»
rufaUm's Inhabitants were apt to Fanfie, that the Chaldeans fhould de-
part, Jcr. 37. 9. becaufe they had with-drawn a while, through fear
of Pharaoh's Army, v. 5. and would have had the Prophet to Com-
ply wiih them, v. 3. Thus in all probability, thofe Ante-deluvian
Sons of God ? Gen. 6. 2. did Hope, they fhould not All be WauYd
away, according to the Rigour of that Sentence, v. 7, elfe would they
not have fo Neglected Haltening into that Ark \ the like Figure where-
unto ( in point of Caving us in fuch a Day ) is Now Chrilt's Baptifm
or Difpenfation, and our being gathered up into it, 1 Pet. 3.2o,2r.
Diitincl from Johrfs, as at Chriit's firffc Appearing, Mat. 3. 1 1. and
as is hinted in that 1 Pet. 3.21, Yea, when -J 'ernfalem was laid wafte,
yet the Inhabitcrs of thofe wades prefumed they fhould Inherit them,
becaufe of their being Many, and Abraham's Children, Ez.ek. 3 3. 24.
though of the fame Spirit with thofe Before, v. 25, 26. who therefore
were alike Deltroyed, v. 27. And thus will Foolifh Virgins Hope,
that fo many Perfons and ProfeiTors of their Parts and Gifts, and feem-
ing Graces, will not be wholly laid afide, untill the Door (hut upon
them will Decide the Cbntroveifie. This is that Great Temptation,
with reference unto which, Chrill biddech All to Watch at fuch a
time.
38. Aptnefs to call in Queftion the Exercife of God's Difpoilng
Providence, in fuch an Abfolute Confufed (tate of things* Foundati-
ons being out of Courfe, Pfal. 82.5. what can the Righteous do, Pfal.
11,3? Yea, therefore fome will fay, Where is the God of \udgment y
Mai. 2. 17? The Earth will then be without Form, and void, the Hea-
vens alfo will have no Light, Jcr. ght
back again, and put in Prifon,^. 13, 14, 15. which others cannot truely
fay, they, are, as to their tarrying in their ancient Temples, and Aclive
Complyance with unrighteous Laws.
43. Aptnefs in fome to Murmure, becaufe of Others Equal Pay
(for On: Hours labour^ with Themfelves, on whom the Heat and Bur-
den of the Day had fallen } as Chri(t ExprefTely figmfieth, with refe-
.cemro his Day, Mat. 20. 1 i, 12 : much more in cafe thefe Later
labourers (hall have All, as feemethto be intimated, v. 16. and as the
Gentiles were to have, in competition with the Jews, Mat. 6, u, 12.
Thus,
302 The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
Thus might Abiathar take it ill, that he, who Firftcame untoZXry/^
in his Low Condition, i Sam. 22. 20. was afterwards made to give
place to Zadok^ 1 Chron. 24. 3. who came not in till David was
come to Hfbrotij 1 Chron. 12. 23.28. cfpecially when Zadock (in the
JfTueJ was High-Prieft Alone, 1 Kings 2. 27. 35 ; and wherein Zadsck^
was a Type, with reference unto thefe Latter dayes, Ezel^. 44. 13, 15.
Thus alfo Johns Difciples did Repine, to fee their Maiters Succeflor
Preferr'd before him, ]oh. 3.25, 26. and fo willfome of ChrinVs Dif-
ciples doc, (upon a like occafion, to be looked ior) in cafe they be
not well laid in with Selfdenyal againft that fore Temptation ; fince
Firit and Laft mud Counter-march in fuch a Day, and wherein (partly)
will appear bis Glory, Mat. 20. 15, 16.
44. Withuhnding Chrilt, at leait by Praying ('Peremptorily) Againfl:
that which the Lord hath fignified to be his Purpofc. Indeed, there was
a Time, when God fought for a man toftand in Old jerufaUm's Gap^
]er. 5.1. and Then might )eremy have fafely Prayed for that People,
whom afterwards the Lord Prohibited, }cr. 7. 16. We know notwhat
to pray for, as we Ought, fave as the Spirit helpeth us therein, Rom.
8.26. according to the Will of God, 1 Jch. 5. 14. There is a Time for
Silence, Eccl. 3. 7 \ and much of Prudence doth appear in being filent
atfome time, Am. 5. 13. with reference unto our Deprecating an Af-
flicling Providence, Am. 6. 10. Thus Abraham Prayed for Sodom, but
within Compafs, Gen. 18. 32 ; becaufe he knew what God would doe,
v. 17. and therefore Jeremy (in fuchaCafeJ did onely Threaten thofe,
Jer. 37. 6, j, 8. who did Requeft his Praying for them, v. 3. And
though Ifaiah (in the Affyriatfs Day ) Pray'd for Jerufalem, 2 Chron.
32. 20. as it did fhadow out ChrilPs Kingly Lntereft; yea though
fomeare Commanded fthenj to Pray for fparing Mercy, Joel 2. ij._
yet did the Lord Reveal (at fuch a time) that fin which then was unto
Death, J fa. 22. 14. and which mould not be Prayed for, 1 Job.
5. 16. the Knowledge whereof is a Peculiar Gift, by which thofc
of that Other Spirit have been Dittinguifhed from the Genera-
lity.
45. Reproaching thofe of the Separation, as favouring of Carnality
and Worldly Eafe, compared with thofe whoftill Continuejn their for-
mer State.Thus did the Pharifees and John's Difciples cenfure Chrift and
his, becaufe Thefe Fafted not, as did the Other, Mat. 9. 14. And thus
fomemay upbraid withdrawersfrom them, as having Eafed themfelves
of many Burdens, which They (till bear. Thus, if John be Auftere,
hch3tha Devil, Alat. 11. 18. if Chrift: beotherwife, he is Licentious,
v. 19. but Wifdom is Juftified of her Children. And yet as Chrift's
Difciples
The V arable of the ten Virgins Opened. 303
Dlfciplcs Could not Faft (at fuch a timej as did the Other, becaufe
of their Different Apprehenfions about the Prefcnt Difpenfation, AL r,
9. 15 : fo neither could the Other fTruely) count themfelves m^re
Heavy Laden ; confidering what Chrifl: and his Difciples met w\tn
for their feparating from the Pharifees, far worfe than what the Other
groaned under. And as it argueth Little Zeal for Duty, to cotnt it Bur-
denfome, Mai. 1.13. fo God Accepted not their felf-impofed, Sou!-
afflitting Exercifes, in a Babylomfo State, Zech.y. 3 5 : much more
will Chriit foon reckon with thofe, who thus Reproach his Peoples
Duty with that Difgracefull name of Carnal Liberty.
^PHushavel now finifhed the Explication of thefe words. It onely
Remaineth, to conclude the whole (both of this Verfe and Parable)
with a few words of Exhortation, to be Watchful in the General, or
with refpeel to Every of thofe forementioned Particulars. In order
whereunto, thefe following Motives may be of ufe.
Motive 1. This work of Watching, is incumbent upon All, Marl^
13. 37. which Virgins therefore have no caufe to think much at. All
are not Bound (as fome may be) to Watch for Others, Heb. 13. 17 :
but Every man is bid to prove Himfelf, 2 Cor. 13.5. andhisOun
work, Gal. 6.4. or to work out his Own Salvation, Phil. 2. 12. Thofe
are Soul damningly Prefumptuous, whoTruft unto Another's watch-
ing for their Souls, and therefore fleep themfelves ; as in a Bodily cafe :
fincc Every felfncgleftive Soul (hall Die in his Iniquity, together
with his Carelefs Watchman, Ez.ck. 33.8. Now if Profeflbrs mould
do more than Others, Mat. 5. 47 ; will fuch fail in a Common Duty ?
No Servant will refufe the doing of what his Matter may expeel from
Others; and Virgins doProfefs themfeHves to be Chrift's mod Obe-
dient and Proper Servants ; whofe being fuch, is to be Evidenced
by their Watching, Luke 12. 37. and Waiting for him, verf.
36.
2 Saints have their Name from hence ; who therefore (Eminently)
are called, Watchers, as well as makers of Decrees, Dan. 4. 17.
Which Holy ones may be fo termed there, Partly with reference un-
to Others; but Chiefly with refpett unto Themfelves. Thus was Ezc~
kiel made a Watchman to his fellow- Captives, Ez>ek- 33.7: butto
keep Others Vineyards, and not one's Own, is that which Spoufes
mayconfefs with (name, Cant. 1.6. And if a fpiritual deeper fin the
General) is railed Dead, Ept>.$. 14. much more a flumbring Virgin
or Profeflbr, who hath his Name from Watching. Therefore Chrift
faid-
304 The Tar able of the Ten Virgins Opened.
fjid to Peter-, Simon, SleefeftThon, Mark 14. 37? as being worfe fa
Him ( becaufeof his Profeflion ) than in fome other. And as None
can be Waking, in cafe the Watchers be Aflcep : So He malt look to
Suffer more than all the red, for his Names-fake, ^4^13.34.
3. How vigilant are finners in their Evil way ; who cannot fleep trll
they have done fome Mifchrief, Prov. q.. 16. Yca,who are molt awake
( or Afh' ve ) in the Night, and who are therefore waiting for the Twi-
light, Job 24. 15/ Now, if it be a (ha me for Men (in what is ufeful)
to bclnferiour unto Brutes, I fa. 1. 3. or Birds, Jer. 8.7. or Creep-
ing things, Prov. 6. 6. much more for Saints to be out-ftript by Sin-
ners in their Refpeftive Watching } Efpecially fince Saints themfelves
have fome times been (as finncrs are) exceeding Vigilant, inafinful
way; whofe Change (by Grace) doth not Diminiih (butratheradd
unt.>) their Circumfpeclton, although with reference unto a Changed
Object. Jn which regard, Believing Paul did Per fecoteftill (as in the
Crce^) or follow after that Truth in Love unto it, Phil. 3.12.. which
_ he had formerly Perfecuted Others for, in way of Hatred, v. 6.
4. Others are watching for our Halting, and therefore we have need
to tike heed to our ways. How was ChrLt watched by the Phanfees,
Mark^ 3. 2. and Jeremy by his Familiars, Jer. 20. 10. and David by
his Observers, which made him Pray for being Led in a plain Path,?/*/.
27. 1 1 ! , Which being fo Narrowly Obferved by others, may prove
o ir great Advantage \ it being fo Natural to be Remifs, if winked at by
Fellow-Creatures. Yea, fome mult look to be Enticed, as Jeremy
was, Jer. 20. io. on purpofc to make a Breach upon our Principles,
whereby to be Revenged of us, for a Differing Practice or Proftffion.
In which reg3rd, Chrift tiddeth his Difciples to be wife as Serpents,
and to Beware of Men, who watch for fomething by which to Colour
over their Defigncd Mifchief, Mat . 10. 16, 17. Thofe of the Separa-
tion have been al way Cenfured for their over- itridtnefs; but if the lead
Mo r e be to befeen upon them, it will be put into their Eye; who there-
fore have need to Watch and Keep their Garments.
5. Be therefore Vigilant, becaufe your Adverfary the Devil, as a
Roaring Lion, wal\eth about, feeding whom he may Devour, L Pet. 5. 8.
And as this was his Practice alway, fo more eipecially,»mu(t. Jojhua
look to be Refilled by him at This D.iy, which Anfwereth unto that of
Old, Zech.^A. He C3n apply Temptations fuitable to our Tempers 9
yea, hecanfhrewdly Ghefs at our Inclining thereunto, and fo Purfue
them in the r fitted Seflfon. And what would not he give, to have his
Will (next unto Chrift, Mat. 4. 9.) upon fome Christians, zCor.
11. 7? H? knowcth who is likelieit tp be his Greateft Adverfary;
whom
r 1
The Parable of the ten Virgins Opened. 505
whom he would therefore win, or weaken by fomc Fall : Yci, were
it onely to prevent their Near approaching Grown, whom he doth
therefore (tronglielt Tempt at fuch a Time, as in that Cafe of jojktta,
Zech. 3. 1, 5. He alio hath Devices en both hands, or under amort
fair Pretence, iCcr. 2. 11. by which he will get an Advantage, in
cafe we be not very Vigilant, wherein it is a fhame to be out-ftnppcd
by him.
6. Chrift alfo is called a Watcher, Dan. 4. 13. which is thereplain-
ly meant of Him* as by his being fingularly (there) fjokenof; fo
by that Work it felf, v. 14. which Primuily belongcth unto Him, al-
though his People fhare with him, both in that Work and Name, v. 17.
who is fo called, partly, bcciufe he Watcheth (or Keepeth) his
Vineyard Day and Night, I fa. 27. 3. for he that Keepeth Ifrael doth
not ilumber, Pfil. 121. 3. and if he watcheth them, ihall not They
watch Themfelves? Yea, he (as Man) did fometimes watch, in fuch
an Hour of Temptation, to fet us an Example, Mat. 26. 58. And
could ye not Wztch with Me} faid he to his Difciples, v. 4.0. He alfo
( as Mediator) watcheth Hill, and Prayeth for his Peters, Luke 22.32.
which fhould provoke Their joyning with him in that Work, v. 46. as
Jojhita was to Fight whilft Mofes was at Prayer, Exod. 17. 9. though
Ifrael Prevailed upon Mofejhls Account, v. 11. as if Chrift doth not
Keep, the Watch-man waketh but in vain, Pfl.izj.i. yet fhould
we therefore work, becaufe God worketh in us, Phil. 2. 12, 1 3.
7. As watching is incumbent upon All, Mark^ 13. 37. and in All
Things, 277^.4.5. fo at All Times, Luhezi.i6. which therefore
ought not to be wondredat, if Now required ; but fhould be mere at-
tended to, on that Account. In which regard, it may be faid of W3tch-
fulnefs, as it is faid of Holinefs, i]ohni.6. and Brotherly Love, v. 9,
10. which is not any New Command, v.j. fave withRefped unto a
Circumftantial Variation, v. 8. as Legal Duty is Now turned into
Evangelical; and as cur watching ( m the General,) is Now Com-
manded in Relation to the Duties and Temptations of fuch a Particular
Time. Now, when Chriit putteth (upon his) none other Burden,
fave what„they have already; he figniric'th it as a Motive 10 Hold faft
that whichth^ev have, untill his Coming, i?n/.2. 24,25. And if Obe-
dience be our Centre,as we draw Nearer to its End, fo will our Motion
be the quicktr, as is to be Obfcrved in a falling Arrow. And if Men
very Aged, (or drawing nigh unto their Diflblution) are alfo mod
Awake, or apt to Rife up at the voice of an Earlv Bird, Eccl.12.4.. it
will be to Their fhame, who are moft Heavy Headed, in a Spiritual
fence, a little beforetheir dropping into the Grave.
Kr x 8. Sleep
• )
2o6 The Parable of the ten Virgitts Opened.
8. Sleep is fo Natural, (as in the Letter) and pleafmg to the Flcfli,
efpecially unto fomc, which is another Motive to be Watchful. In Mo-
ral cafes (tobefurc) we may conclude that to be Excellent which
Nature ( at leait Corrupted Nature) is averfeuruo: And fuch is Spi-
ritual Vigitency. The Old Man is fo called, partiy, becaufe of Drou-
finefs) and if tic firft^4&rflft finlefs Nature was apt to deep, Gen.i.zi.
as being of an Emhly Make, v. 7. much more doth findifpofe thereunto,
atd mote efpecially in this Moral fence. And though fome cannot
ilecp (as others do) or fin to fuch an Height, yet do All Love to num-
ber, or Dally with Temptations of a fiuful Nature. And as Men of a
more Feeble Spirit, and Cold Complexion, and Grofler Bodies, are
moil Heavy-headed, in the Letter; fo let thofe look about them, in the
Myftcry, whofe ltrength is gone, whofeLove is Cold, and who are
moil encompaffed with this World's Fatnefs. Nor ever had the Temp-
ter fuch Advantages fas Now) in point of Watchlefsnefs, it being
Now fo llniverfal ; which yet mould ftir up others to be Singular.
9. Some (at this Day) have need to watch, becaufe they are fo
much Alone ; as did the Pfalwift, upon that Account, Pfal. 102. 7. He
that will be ( as Sparrows are ) upon the Houfe-top, muft look (in
Times of Danger) to be Alone.- And wo be unto him, whofe folitari-
nefs (at fuch a Time) and fleepinefs are in Conjunction. Thefe are
Dividin'g Times, wherein we therefore mould be gathered up ( fo
much the more) into our felves^and into felf-defendingCircumfpeclion.
Thofe are poor Creatures, and have Nought to Lofe, who can fleep in
a folitary Cottage-, which is the cafe of fevcral Now, who have been
wont to Live in Families. Let fcattered ones improve this Confide-
ration in a felf- routing way - 7 whom Providence hath Now conftrained
to be Watchful, and which may prove a great Advantage. Now is
the Watchmens Day of Vifitation, Alic. 7.4. wherein Old Shepherds
(hall be made to ceafe from Feeding the Flock of God, Ezekj 34. 10.
onely Lambs Feeding alone are in great Danger, Hof 4. 16. who there-
fore had need to watch themfelves, as they would not become the roar-
ing Lions Prey, 1 Pet. 5. 8.
10. The Spiritual Nature of Chicfeft Duties and Temptations, doth
call for Watching, at the Higheft Rate. The very firlt Principle of
Gofpel Duty is felf-denial, Mat. 16. 24. a Failure wherein, is fo far
from being Cenfured by the Generality, that Men will'Praife thee,
when thou doft Well unto thy felf, Pfal. 49. 18. Yea, Qonfciencc
alfo is un-acquainted with Holy Curiofities, or Time-concernments;
which therefore may be over-looked without any inward Check, fave
as we are under Confcience, unto Chrift. Grofler Temptations are like
Swords
The V arable of the ten Virgins Opened. 307
Swords or Spears, which being more Obvious, may therefore be more
Eafily avoyded : but Time-temptations are like Arrows ; more out of
fighr, which arc more Dangerous, and by which Sanlftor all his Shield,
zSam. 1. 21.) was Deadly wounded, 1 Sam. 31. 3. Now as wc are to
Watch h Prayer, Col. 4.2. becaufe that Duty is mail fpiritual; io
have Saints need to be Compleatly armed, Eph. 6. 11. becaufe they
Wreltle not with Flefli and Blood, but fpiritual Wickednefs in High
Places, v. 12.
11. It elfe will evidence our being Poor; fincc the Rich man's
Abundance will notfufferhim to fleep, EccL 5. 12. Worldly Poor
men deep mod fecurely ; and fpiritual Sleepers may be concluded Poor,
as are unarmed Travellers in Thieviih wayes. Sinners are either Real-
ly poor, (as to what Souls are fubjecT: to be Robbed of;) or elfe fuch
know no: the Worth of what they have, elfe would they be more
Watchfiiil. Their Portion is in this Life onely, Pfal. ij. 14; who
cannot Re;l, if That be hazarded, Ifa.^o. 15 : but matters of a fpi-
ritual nature are Another's {viz.. the Saints Own, Luke 16. 12.) which
therefore Sinners care not to fecure. As where the Treafure is, there
will the Heart bealfo, Luke 12*. 34; fo when the Heart is in a Hum-
bring Frame, 'tis from the Want of fpiritual Treafure. Whereas,
they who have Moil: of Grace and Joy, are alway fearfull left they
mould Lofeit; who therefore keep a conftant Watch, becaufethey
Know' the Worth of fuch Commodities, and their continual Dan-
ger.
12. In cafe 1 fin, (faith Job to God) Thou frfarfafi me, Job 10. 14.
Thou looks ft Narrowly to All my paths y Job 13.27; Do ft thou not Watch
over my Sin y Job 14. 16 ? And if it be fo, then Job and we had need
to Watch Againfl it. 'Tis true, God Marketh Iniquity fin his People)
with a Forgiving Eye; but that Forgivenefs workethFear, Pfal. 130.
3, 4: yea his very Marking it, doth make them Watch agamft, ir,
Pfal. 44.20, 2i. And with refpect unto thefc Latter dayes, God rc-
prefentshimfelfas onethat Hearkeneth,Jer. 8. 6. Mai. l< 16 ; which
mould Oblige us to be very Circumfpecl, fince he doth know the
things that come into our Mind, Ezjk* 11. 5. and which is fignifled
(there) with reference to fuch a Time. ThusChriu came down (from
Heaven ) in Sodom's Day, to know the Certainty of what he heard,
Cen. 1 8. 20, 2 t ; becaufe he Then was come to Judge upon the Cafe ;
as he Now will, Rev. 11. 18. Now when poor Creatures ltand be-
fore the Judge, how Watchful! are they, fas All at This day had need
be) for fear of Aggravating their final fentence!
13. Let us not belefs watchfull in a Spiritual Cafe, than in a Bo-
Rr z dily
' \
5c8 ihe Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
dily; or with refpecl unto an Earthly Intereft. Men(of a fober Spirit)
will not Play with Edged tools: and Sin is Wounding, Jer. 30. 14:
the Thought of Fcolilhncfs is (alfo,) Sin, Prcv. 24. 9. therefore take
heed of Dallying with fuch Temptations. How do men alfo watch
for worldly Gain; though many to little purpofc, Pfal.izj.z-. now
Duty is Enriching, Prov. 8. 18 : nor will that labour be in vain, 1 Cor.
15. 58: therefore take heed of letting flip fuch Opportunities. Shall
be CircumfpeeT, whileft in the fight of Men, (for fcarof lofingour
.n with them,) and not much more before the Lord ? What is the
Body, to the Soul ? or Tune, compared with Eternity ? or Reputa-
tion, to our being faved? fpirituai unwacchfulncfs proceeds from
Arheifm in its Spring, and runneth at the laft into its Ocean.
14. Tis but an Hour of Temptation; this, which Now is come
upon us. Rev. 3.10: andean yc not Watch One Hour, Mat. 26. 40 ?
Ye3, This may Pofiably be the Laft Hour of our Prefent day; end if
the lhortnefs of Time fhould make us weep as though we wept not,
1 Cor. 7. 29. 30; let it then make us watch, (in competition with com-
plaining) as though we watched not. The time may Now be very near,
when cither we thall watch no more (if 'Dying i.i the Lord •,) or not be
fo Extreamly Tempted, as we Now are. Tnough watchfuhiefs will be
a Duty to the End, yet may the Labour of that Duty be Abated toge-
ther with the Overcomers being made (within a while) a Pillar in Gods
Temple, Rev. 3. 12. Nor do I doubt, but that conflicting Jojlwa may
be(e're long) Relieved with greater Strength, as zCcr. 12.9. or Lefs
Temptations, as Zech. 3. 1,2. I dare not fet the time; nor is it our
Duty to Depend thereon : yet mould it Encourage us to keep Wa-
king* mice our Salvation Now is Nearer every day than other, as is
argued, Rom. 13. 1 1.
15. Let us confiaVr, of how great Confequence it is, to Watch ; and
Continually, fo Now efpecially.
1. Such will be mod Dignified by Cnrift, at his Appearing; for he
then make them fit down to meat, end Gird himfclf, and will
tome forth and ferve them, Lhks 12. 37. Watching and Standing goe
together, Ifa. 2 f. 8. which Standing is aweary poiture, and Therefore
fuch (hall Then fit down; yea Chrift wiil then fet them, oi»makethem
fit. Watching and Fafiing goe together, 2 Cor. 6. 5. yea want of Sleep
requircth Meat, inftead of Nourifhing Reft : therefore thefe Watch-
* crs fhall fit down to Meat. Such alfo have approved themfelves to be
his Servants, by their Watching, or Waiting for him, Lhke \z. 36.
therefore he Now will be Their Servant, which Mailers are not wont
e. They have been waiting with their.Loyns Girt, Luke iz. 35. 36.
to,
r •
The Parable of the Ten Virgin* Opened. 509
to keep themfelves from being Weary: and therefore he willG
himfclL And though their watching hath been moll within, yet be v, ill
thencome forth and ferve them. Yea fuch (hall be made Rulers over All,
Luke 12. 44.
2. Such do Enjoy themfelves (at PrcfenrJ with the Bed Advantage,
fas in the Letter) both in Relation to Themfelves and Others. 'Per Ions
Aw^ke, can Hear, and See, and have their other Scnfes better excr-
ci.ed, than if Afleep: fo in the Myftery. Such are not Deluded with
idle Dreams themfelves; and Pity others urn Laugh more Heartily,
but in their Sleep. Beauty is chiefly featcd in the Eye, Cant. 4.9.
which none but Watchers can keep Open: nor can any o.hcr preven:
their being fhamed feveral wayes, Rev. 16. 15. S.ich can perceive the
Tempter at a Diftance; and quickly clear themfelves of that Pollu-
tion which relleth upon Others till they wake. And though Sleep in
the Letter is Refrefhing, yet in a Spiritual fence, thofe are moll Cheary
who are mod Awake. Yea fuch are alfoin the bed Capacity of being
helpfull unto Others.
3. Such will be Forwarded to See and Know and Open untoChrid
when he (hall be revealed. Thofehodthe firdTydings of Chrids Birth,
who were then keeping Watch over their Flock by Night, Lukj 2, 8,9.
as if Chridhad been onely born for them,^. n. The Watchmen upon
Mount Ephraim art Find heard to crie, Arife and let m goe up toSion,
Jer. 31.6: and S ion's Watchmen mall lift up the Voice with Singing,
for they (hall fee Eye to Eye, /fa. 52. 8. If Alary had not been up be-
fore Dry-break, Lake 24. 1. fhe had not feen her Lord fo foon, Job.
20. 1.8: and Early Sights of fuch a Nature, will countervail the want
of Sleep' fufficiently. Suchalfo will Immediately Open to him, Luke
12. 36. Cmcc Rcadinefs confifts in Watching: and if it be a Priviledge
to be /n Chriir Firit, Rom. 16. 7. by way of Trufting, Eph. 1. 13. then-
to be Frrft with him; which is referved for the watch full Ones.
4. Such will be lets Affrighted (as in the Letter) with that Noyfe,
wherewith the Old Heavens mult pafs away, when Chrid doth come,
2 Pet. 3. 10. How did that Jay lour Tremble, when he was Frighted
out of his f ,Sleep wicii that tremendous Earthquake, and its Confequents,
Act. 16. 26,27, 29; who el fe would not have been fo much Amazed j
nor Others Now, (at fuch a like Earthquake in theMyitery,) but for
their having'been Adeep. Sleep makes fecure; Security preventeth
Expectation j and unexpected Troubles are Tranfporting : thence arc
the Sinners in Sion fo Afraid (at fuch a time)becaufe furprized, I fa..
33. 14; and thatfurprizal is the Fruit of flumbring. Whereas Awa-
kened ones are in the conftant Exercife both of their Senfe and Rcafon }
OE
3 IO The r arable of the Ten Virgins Opened.
or like an Army Training in the Fid 1, who therefore arc not fo AfTrght-
ing'y alarmed, as when Allecp in their refpvcXvc Quarters. The Ho-
lier ones in former times, have Ucn'e^r Terrified with thefc Revo-
lutio is which have betrayed Others into Enfnaring Fears, by rcafon of
their unvvatchfulnefs.
5. Such aremoft likely to Efcapc; fincc Watchers arc counted worthy,
in that regard, Lnkeii. 36. The Ccntncl (with McnJ is m the Front
of Danger from an Enemy ; but Chriif, bids, five the Watchman, as
having delivered his own foul at lea!]:, Ezt k. 33.9. Yea Chrid will not
Come ( as an Adverfary ) upon Watchers ^ who oncly threatens his
Coming as a Thief, in cafe men do not watch, Rev. 3. 3 : nor could the
Devil much infeft us, if we did Fire at him when hefirft appeareth,
Jam. 4. 7. However, watchers are heft able to defend themfelves;
whileft fleeping Crocodiles are apt to be deftroyed by an Egyptian
Rat. Next intra Death S'eep is the greateft Leveller 9 or that which
cnaketh All to be Alike : Yea waking Infants are more felf-relieving
than a flumbring Giant. If fome had not been faH:Afleep, the Enemy
had not fown his Tares, Mat. 13.25 \ nor had fhe loll her Living Child,
1 King. 3. 20. nor Sifcra his Life, Jadg. 4. 21 ; nor Sampfon both his
Hair and Eyes, )udg. 16.j9.2u; nor would the good man's Houfe be
Broken through, if he had watched, Luke 12. 39.
6. Such will be in the bed Capacity to entertain whatever may be-
fall, in way of Tryal. Sleep maketh Tender; but Watchers are more
Hardy \ and Holielt ones have alway been the braveft fufferers. A
waiting fervant (well Employed) cares not how foon his Matter Com-
eth, but Ecchoeth prefently unto his Knock. Such are Aware of what
is coming; and being Provided for Tribulations, that fort of Guefts are
not fo troublefomc as if they had been unexpected. Chrift dreaded
not the Devils coming, becaufe he could find Nothing in him, for he
had been Obedient, }oh. 14. 30, 31 : and he whofe Courfeis finithed
in fuch a way, need not be frighted with the News of his Departure,
2 T/w.4.6,7. None know's how foon that Day may come, Zech. 14 2.
and Then, wo be tofpiritual fleepers, who poffibly may be Awakened
with a Sword or Piftoll, and be run through before they cai\ Repent.
However, we daily hear of fome or other itruck with fuichin Death;
whofe Cafe may be our Own ; and BlefTed then is he that watchech and
is Ready. •
I mall conclude 'his Exhortation to be Watchful!, with fome few
Helps; which are, as folbweth.
Helps-. 1. Let us be throughly Wakened out of a Prefent Sleep :
'tis but a folly (elfe) to talk of future Watching. Sleep in a Moral
fence
f '
The Tar Me of the Ten Virgins Opened. g r I
fence, is called Death, Eph.%. 14. and Watching is an Acl of one
Alive j til Men be therefore Quickncd by Awaking, they cannot mind
this h ork of Watching. Such alfo muft be throughly wakened ; elfe
will they quickly fleep again, when once the (tartling Rouzer is with-
drawn, Alar. 16. lh Now, all will readily confefs their having been
Afleep, of Later Times; But if they be more fleightily Awakened,
they will foon Nod again. Overly Convicliois, and Gentle felf-repro-
vings are wont to end in fad Relapfes ; nor is he to be Trurted for the
Future, who is not deeply fenfible of former Failings. Men un-con-
vinced cannot watch, tecaufe they are Alleep: And Men not duly
Humbled (for their fin) will fleep again,becau fe They are not Through-
ly wakened. Make your awakening fure, one way or other, as you
would not be over-taken with a Second Sleep.
2. Take heed of being Alone, in way of finful Choice, which is a
woful Difadvantage, EccL^.. 10. but get into fome kind of Body 5
and which is Competible unto fcattered ones : Difperfed ones cannot
be in an Initituted Body ftriclly taken; but fuch may be. Together, as
thofe Difciples were, before the Spirits pouring out, Luke 24. 33. and
which is an Awakening Help. Such may Pray each with other, as
They did, Atts\ t \^. if Prayer be not fome way hindred, 1^.3.7.
and Prayer is an Awakening Exereife, which therefore is oft joyned
with VVatching, iiV.4. 7. Luke 21. 36. C0/.4. 2. Eph.6.i$. Such
alfo may fpeak oft one to another, as Mai. 3. 16. and by that means
may keep each other waking: Yea, where that Body is, there will
the Eagles be, in way of Feeding, Luke 17. 37. and feldom do Men
fleep whillt. they are Eating. Nay, Fellow-Captives may watch over
one another, as Ez~ekid did, though in a Larger fence, £^^.33.7.
and £xerci:e fome kind of Common Cenfures, which needs muit be
Awakening.
3. Make Choice of your Companions though; elfe had one better
be Alone: fince fleep is as Infectious as the Plague, and in a Spiritual
fence more Dangerous. In cafe Two lie Together, they have Heat,
Eccl.4.. 11. fuppofing them both to be Alive; but elfe a dead Log (in
Bed) is not fo Cold as a Dead Body is. lam perfwaded, fome find
it an Advantage to them, ( at leaft no Lofs ) to be Difcharged of their
Old Companions -, and not without I ufficient caufe, which is the Pre-
fent Cafe. If you would know the Sewed Falhiorf, then go to the Pro-
felTors of this Generation : But whither fhall one go to find a Savoury
Spirit, a Spirit favouring what is of God ? Let one begin to tell a ilory,
( or ftart dding. Per-
fon* Engaged in fome Deep Difcourfe, ( which calls for ftody, and (tir-
reth up Affections, ) are not fo apt to Talk themfclves afleep, as others
arc. Coldnefs in Arguing for the Truth, (proceeding from Indifferency)
is very prejudicial unto Zeal in Practice: whereas a Lively Advocate
doth Heat himfelf, and thereby is the more Inflamed with Love unto
his Caufe, 1 Cor. 9. 26, 27. There are deep things of God, 1 Cor.z.
zo. and Mvfteriesof the Kingdorrjo Mat. 13. 1 1. which he who rightly
\ « (tudi-
The rarable of the Ten Virgins Opened. 315
ftudieth, is not fo likely to come (hort in Letter Matters. Pa/4 La-
boured to attain the Refurrc&ion of the Dead, Phil. 3,11. that kept
him waking; whili he that Fancieth his being laid in diffidently, will
fay, Soul, t aks thine Eafe, Luke 12. 18, 19. They who care not for
Goingon, Heb. 6.1. may fall Aileep \ yea, quite away., t>. 6. becaufe
of Reitingin Old Received things, v< 1,2. or that which is (hort of
Perfection: wheh Therefore Paul Rcfolvcd to take heed of, if God
permitted, v. 3,4.
11. Take heed of Worldly forrow, which made the Difcip 1 esflcep,
Luke 22.45. Nov/, IcttheCaufe be what it will, immoderate for-
row becometh Worldly, and that works Death, 2 Cor. 7. 10. which
finful deep is oft-times called. Job's Grief was very Grear, Job 2. 1 3 .
and that betray'd him into a finful PafTion, Job 3. 1. and Bar neb Faint-
ed in hisfighing, J^r.45. 3. that made him feek great things at fuch
a Time, ^.4,5. And they who (in the Creatures prefence ) cm Re-
joyce, as if they hid Rejoyced not, will alfo (in its Abfence) Weep ac-
cordingly ; and by that means be kepc awake. Jonah was therefore An-
gry, Jonah 4.9. (With reference unto his withering Gourd, )*becaufe
he had been fo Exceeding Glad whihl it continued, v.6. who thereupon
did finfully wifh for Death, v. 8. and Juifified it before the Lord him-
felfj v. 9. Yea, they who do inordinately Delight in Cho'fer Priviledg-
es, (fuch as Chrift's Bodily Prefence was with his Difciples, ) may
foon Ditt up their Eyes with fuch a kind of dirty Tears, as fome do
Now, becaufe he Tarrieth : which alfo holdeth True, with reference
to any Priviledges whatsoever.
13. Labour to be more Spiritual ^ fince in Relation to this work of
Watching, the Spirit is willing, buttheFleih is weak, Mat. 26.41.
Angels are Spirits, Heb. 1.7. who therefore do not deep, but alway
Behold the Face of God, Mat. 18. 10, fo will it be with Saints, (both
in a Natural and Moral fence ) as they grow more like unto Heavenly
Angels. The firft Adam's utmoft is called Flefh, Mat. 16. 17. and
Legal things are termed Carnal, Heb. 9. 10. Yea, fo are alfo Babes in
Chriir, 1 Cor. 3. 1. and thefeare weak, or likelieft to fail in Spiritual
Watching. Nature skills not of Initituted Duty, nor yet a Legal Spi-
rit, of what >s Evangelical \ both which are therefore apt to fail, in thofe
RefpecTrJveeafes : And Babes (in Chrift)are very prone to deep and fall,
as Children, in the Letter are. The Cry is Now, AllFlefh is withering
Grafs, and all the Goodltnefs thereof is as a fading Flower* but the Word of
cur God Jhall.ftand for «/fr,Ifa.4o.6,7,8. and by which Word is meant
what is of a Proper Gofpel-Nature, 1 Pet. 1 . 24, 2 5 . and therefore, as
Men would ftand in fuch a day, (or as they would not fall aflcep, ) fo let
them Labour to be Spiritual ancl Evangelical.
f)f z 14. Get.
o t6 The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened. * %
14. Get well Acquainted with the Time,which being known ; is much
awakening, Rom.i^.w. and inability to Difcern its figns, is that by
which an Hypocrite is to be known, Al.it. 16.3. And though we fhould
be Tuber, ( in point of Peremptory fcttirg fuch a time, ) ) ct let us take
heed of fa} wg,the Lord Delays bis Coming,W[^i.2^.^\ 8. conficering what
finful Temptations that will Expofe unto,i>. 49. Molt talk of fome great
Revolution near at hand \ which if they fenoully did believe, it would
awaken them into a fuitable watching. Would fome Men Beautifie their
Old defiled Temples with fuch goodly ftones,did they fore- fee their being
foon to be demolifhed, Mark.13. 1,2? Or did they look (e're long) for
New Created Heavens,//*. 65. 17 ? Would others fill their Houfes with
fuch dear-bought gain, did they believe their being Rifled, now within a
while, Zech. 14.2? Would others dally with their grofs Temptations,
V e e they aware, how foon all finncrs now may perifh by the Sword,
An:os^.\c}\ am not pofitive.as to the very Time; but fuch a Trudy might
keef) men waking : and though Grace turneth upon Golden hinges, or
Nobler Motives than Mercenary Hope,orflavi(hFear,yet may thefe help
to pr;ckts out of flecping. And this indeed is Chrii's own Motive here,
to make us watch, becaufe we know not how foon he may Thus come,
in thefc our Days.
15. Let us be much in Prayer, which Duty we are bid to watch unto,
1 Pet. 4.7. and to be Ccnverfant about, together with our watching, as
we wou'd not be led into Temptation, Aiarl^i^. 28. Prayer carrieth a
ju! into Chrill'jS Prefence; and whilft he was with his Difciples , he
would not f offer them to fleep,at leaft not lorg. And if He doth not keep,
the Watchman waketri but in vain,Py7*/. 127.1. therefore let us engage
him (by our Prayer) to watch over us, as he Obligeth us (by his Com-
mand ) to^atch oi;r felves. But let us alfo watch unto Prayer in this re-
gard, not Tempting him. (by our ncgleft) who will take no Man's work
outof his hand, and who will not Relieve an Idle Peggar. Thus let us
Watch and Pray, and Fray and Watch ; this is to be at work with"
Both our Hands, which is thelikelieit way to Overcome.
T,::i', have I now dove with this whole Farable, which hath Occtfionedmy
Vftikingin untrodden-paths, and wherein fome may poffibly h.he ftun.b'.ed\
whom 1 would oneiy wijh to Weigh the Yremife!, before they do»re]cll them.
And h awing now born my Tcftimony, 1 Jl)