CHA P. XXV. Henshall the kingdom of heaven be likned un to ten Virgins, which took their lamps, meet the bride and went forth to groom. 2 And five of them were wife, and five were foolish. 1. A Tthat time the pel, and the method of Gods dealing with Men, will be fuch, as may fitly be Represented to you by this Similitude. There were ten Virgins, who being invited to a Wedding, took their Lamps in the Night, and went to meet the Bridegroom: Thus the Jews were invited to receive the Gospel, and they all pretended to expect the Meffias: And thus those that profess the Name of Chrift, make alla show of attending upon him, and expecting his coming. 2. Now five of thefe Vir gins were Wife, and five were Foolib: Thus fome of the Jews embrac'd the offers of the Gospel, and others rejected them: And thus fome of those, who profefs themfelves Chriftians, are fin cere and hearty; others are merely formal, and Chriftians only in fhow. 34. The Foolish Virgins took their Lamps, with out any Supply of Oil to maintain them; But the Wife took Vefels of Oil with them, to feed their Lamps: Thus thofe Jews who embraced the Gofpel, took the warning which Chrift gave them to provide for their escape at the Destruction of Ferufalem; but the others neglected it: And thus Wife and Sincere Men live according to their Profeffion, and by Habits of Piety and Virtue lay up in ftore for themselves a good foundation of Happiness, against the time to come; But others, who are merely formal, content themselves with a bare external Profeffion and make no provision of good Works against the Day of Accounts. 5. Now while the Bride groom tarried, they all flum, bered and flept: Thus in the in 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. 4 But the wife took oil in their vef fels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all flumbred and flept. interval before the Deftruction of Jerufalem, both the Chriftians as well as the Jews were somewhat fecure: And thus in the time of Life, while Chrift delays his coming, all both fincere Chriftians, as well as those who are merely formal, remit more or less of that exact Diligence and Watchfulness, wherewith they ought to prepare and wait for the Appearance of their Lord. 6 & 7. But at Midnight, there being a fudden cry the Bridegroom was coming, that they all trimmed up their Lamps, to make the best appearance they could: Thus when Jerufalem was about to be Befieg'd, all both Chriftians and Jews were allarm'd to provide for their efcape: And thus when by any fudden warnring Men are made apprehenfive of the Approach of Death and Judgment, all both formal and fincere Chriftians are rowfed up to make the best Y 2 pre preparation for it they can. 8 And the foolish faid unto the wife, Give us fome of your oil, for our lamps are gon out. A 8. At that time the Wife Virgins having Oil in their Veffels, Supply'd their Lamps; But the Foolifb ones having no Oil, and finding that their Lamps were ready to go out, began to beg Oil of the Wife: Thus at the Siege of Ferufalem, the Chriftians having been warned by Chrift, were ready to make their efcape; but the Jews were furpriz'd in it: And thus fincere and good Men, at the approach of Death and Judgment, having before exercised themfelves to an habitual Practice of Piety o and Virtue, and having b laied up for themselves amazier provifion of good Works, are not greatly furpriz?d, but can readily frame and prepair their minds for it: But thofe, whofe Religion -confifts merely in outward Form, finding that this will not bear them out in the Day of Judgment, Ifhall be greatly furpriz d at the apprehenfion of it, 9 But 9. But the wife anfwered,faying, Not fo; left there be not enough for us and you: but go ye ra ther to them that fell, and buy for your felves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bride-groom came, and become folicitous 'to purchase true Virtue then at any rate. 9. But the Wife Virgins told them,that 'twas impoffible for them to furnish them with Oil; and that they could not be Supplied with it any other way, than by going to those that Sell, and Buying it: Thus the Unbelieving Jews found, when the City came to be Befieg'd, that 'twas too late to provide for their Efcape: And thus Wicked Men under the apprehenfions of Death and Judgment, find too late that nothing will fupport them in that Day, without that Preparation which they ought in time to have made for it by a good life. 10. In the mean Time the Bride-groom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the Feast, him to the marriage, and the Door was shut: and they that were ready, went in with and the door was Chut. Thus, When the City was fuddenly Befieged, the Chriftians who had taken Y 3 |