The Parable of the Kingdom of Heaven, Treatise
Matth. XXV. 1. to the end of the thirteenth verse.
| 1. foreign. | 1. Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten Virgins, which took their Lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom. |
| 2. foreign. | 2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. |
| 3. foreign. | 3. They that were foolish, took their lamps, and took no oyle with them. |
| 4. foreign. | 4. But the wise took oyle in their vessels with their lamps. |
| 5. foreign. | 5. While the Bridegroom tarryed, they all slumbered and slept. |
| 6. foreign. | 6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. |
| 7. foreign foreign. | 7. Then all those Virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. |
| 8. foreign. | 8. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oyle, for our lamps are gone out. |
| 9. foreign. | 9. But the wise answered, saying, Not so, lest there be not enough to us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for your selves. |
| 10. foreign. | 10. And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came, and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. |
| 11. foreign. | 11. Afterward came also the other Virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. |
| 12. foreign. | 12. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. |
| 13. foreign. | 13. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day, nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. |
THe Lord Jesus Christ being asked by his Disciples what shall be the sign of his coming, Ch. 24.3. answered and said ver. 12. Iniquity shall abound and the love of many shall wax cold, and ver. 21. Then shall be great Tribulation, such as was not from the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. So the Apostle testified also, 2 Tim. 3.1. But saith our Saviour ver. 29. Immediately after the Tribulation of those days, ver. 30. Then shall appear (not the person but) the sign of the Son of Man in Heaven— And they shall see the Son of Man coming in the Clouds of Heaven with power and great Glory— Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened to ten Virgins, Chap. 25.1.
These thirteen verses contain a Parable and the Application of it to Christs Disciples. In the Parable are three General parts, viz. 1. Parabolae foreign, ver. 1.-5. 2. foreign, ver. 6-9. And 3. foreign, ver. 10.-13. And the Exhortation or Application of the Parable, in ver. 13.
In the foreign of the Parable observe 1. The time, foreign Then, that is when the Kingdom of God, and Coming of Christ in power and great glory is at hand, or near, even at the door: 2. The Subject or Matter that our Saviour spake of; The Kingdom of Heaven: 3. The Resemblance thereof, Likened unto ten Virgins, who are described in this first verse by their preparation, They took their Lamps; and by their Action, They went out to meet the Bridegroom.