The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 1 · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII.
Shewing that there are Hypocrites in the best and purest Churches.
V. 2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. SECT. I.
FRom this Second verse to the Fifth there is set down the difference appearing between the Virgins, wherein the Lord the searcher of hearts, makes an open discovery of the particular estates of these Virgins, for all the best Churches especially to take notice of, to the second coming of the Lord Jesus. This difference is set down,
1. Generally, in this second verse.
2. Particularly, in the 3d and 4th verses.
I. Generally in this verse.
1. That some of them were sincere and wise-hearted to the number of five.
2. Others of them were foolish and false-hearted to the number of five more. So that the summe is this, one half of them were indeed Virgins, another half were in appearance Virgins; the one part were Virgins in the sight of God, who saith they are wise; the other were so in the judgment of man, and hence called foolish ones. In this general description therefore of them, we may note,
First, Their description from the number of each sort, viz. five.
Secondly, From their different qualities or qualifications, holy wisdom or prudence in the one, sinful folly in the other. He doth not say five were holy and five prophane; five were friends to the Bridegroom, five were …ersecutors of him, but five were wise and five were foolish: Why the Virgins are described by the number of ten, Ispake before, either because it was a perfect number, and so signifies the estate of all Virgin-Churches; or because it was the custom not to exceed the number of Ten, to honour them at their Marriage. Now why five of them were wise, and five foolish, as though the one half of them only were sincere, the other false, this seems to carry the face of Truth; but I am fearful to rack & torment Parables, wherein I chiefly look unto the scope, and that is this, that not one or two but a great part of them were sincere, and a great part of them false. And hence the Observations out of these words are these, omitting all the rest.
1. That when the Churches of Christ Iesus prove Virgin-Churches,Observ. 1. and are most pure, yet even then there will be some secret Hypocrites that shall mingle themselves with them. Or, There will be a number of Hypocrites, mingling themselves with the purest Churches.
2. That when the Churches are Virgin-Churches,Observ. 2. the Hypocrites in those times will be Evangelical. Or, The secret Hypocrites of pure Churches are Evangelical.
3. That there are certain special,Observ. 3. saving qualifications of heart, whereby ariseth a great internal difference between sincere-hearted Virgins and the closest Hypocrites.
4. That the Spring or one main principle of Evangelical sincerity or hypocrisie it lies in the understanding or mind of man.Observ. 4.
SECT. II.
THat there is and will be a mixture of close Hypocrites with the wise-hearted VirginsObserv. 1. in the purest Churches.
This I might manifest out of several Scriptures, from several times. Look but upon Iosias time, where there was as great a reformation as under any King before him, 2 King. 23. 25. Yet Ier. 3. 10. & 4. 3, 4. Look on the Apostles time, and what apostacy afterward. The Apostle complained of it, Every one seeks their own, Phil. 2. 21. Many walk, &c. Phil. 3. 18, 19. Whom he could not think on without tears. The mystery of iniquity began to work even then. Christ manifests this by divers Parables, Mat. 22. 14. Many are called, and so called as to come in, and so sit and not to be known, till the Lord looks on them. And here the wise-hearted could not discern and keep out, but opened the door for the five foolish. Look as 'tis said, Job 1. 6. There was a day the Sons of God presented themselves before the Lord, and Satan came in also, so here. I shall not, do not speak of every particular Church, but of the state of the Churches in general. For its possible there may be a Philadelphia, a new Ierusalem which comes down from Heaven, a Golden Foundation, and for a time no hay nor stubble built upon it: But this is rare, and not usuall nor general.
SECT. III.
FRom Satan,Reas. 1. the ancient enemy of the purity of the Church; he being an unclean creature himself, if he could he would make Heaven it self unclean; but that is beyond his reach; hence he seeks to make Heaven on earth unclean; hence he will get into Paradise, and if he cannot come in the shape of a man, yet in that of a Serpent to beguile and pollute innocency there: He will follow Christ into the wildernesse, and tempt him there, and hence will seek to get into Churches, to pollute them. And if he cannot pollute the Church by unclean Ordinances, he will then seek to defile it by unclean persons, Mat. 13. 25. The Tares be in Iudea like the Wheat, yet indeed annoy the Wheat: And how come they there? They are sown there, i. e. hid for a time, and mingled, and die there too, Who doth this? Why the enemy did it, so that Satan will do it. If there be a Devil in the Church, he will sow his ta…es.
Obj. But we see him not.
Ans. No, 'tis therefore said he went away, his care is over now they are sown. Look as 'tis Jesuits policy at this day, the end of their Order is to raise up the collapsed ruines of Rome, and to bring all Christendom (and if it be possible all the world) to the Hellish bondage and blind obedience of the See of Rome. Hence some Kingdomes, because they cannot conquer them by power, they seek to do it by craft; hence they seek to lay their Leaven and make their party within, from whom they may have intelligence, and hence they shall do well enough with them: So Satan seeking the ruine of the Church, seeks to make his party within the Church, for one of these three ends chiefly.
1. Either that he may divide the Church, that when any Errour shall be hatched, he may have his party to maintain it, and his faction to plead for it. Or
2. That he may corrupt it, if he cannot divide it, that the Tares may suck out the heart and life and power of Godlinesse in the hearts of the Elect; for you know 'tis not the Briar but the Iv… that sucks out the life and sap of the tree, and 'tis not prophane pricking persecutors, but seeming friends to the Church, that suck out the heart and life of it. It was not Ieroboams greatnesse, but the old Prophets gravity and seeming Piety that suckt out the Spirit and Sap of the young Prophet, 1 Kings 13. That so by this little Leaven he may defile the whole lump, and so provoke wrath against them all.
3. If he cannot do either, yet that he may blur and stain the Glory of the Church: For the greatest Glory in the world is to see a Temple built, not of sto… of Gold or Pearl, but of living precious Saints, holy to the Lord only and his Son, and the sight of which in Heaven shall be one part of the Glory in Heaven. Hence Satan will do what he can to blur it; that though the greatest Glory God hath, shines in his Church, yet that he may blur it: And hence Iude saith, Some that crept in unawares, were Spots in their Feasts. And 2 Pet. 2. 2. By reason of whom the way of Truth shall be evil spoken of.
2. From the Officers chiefly of a Church,Reas. 2. who when they should be full of eyes, as they are described, Rev. 4. And these eyes should be ever watching, they are then sleeping, Mat. 13. 25. For 'tis not the having, so much as the acti…g of Grace that helps men to read and understand the Book of the Scriptures, and the Book of mens hearts and lives, 2 Pet. 1. 9. Hence in affliction and temptation we know the Lord, and his mind, and our own hearts, and the world best: When Ionathan eats the honey, his eyes are open: Now somtime the watchmen are not acting or watching, but sleeping, and hence those are taken for wheat, that indeed are but Tares. The Book hath a fair Superscription or Frontispiece, and they so sleepy they do not read it through, and so either see no fault at all, or if any, they be but Errata in the Printing, and weaknesses to be … with; or if they do, yet the man is commended, and hath a Name to live when indeed he is dead, and so this serves the turn, and though he comes in, yet they shall do well enough with him, though indeed they herein have but a wolf by the ears.
3. In regard of Hypocrites themselves, who must be like themselves,Reas. 3. ever to act for their own ends, for they ever have an evil eye; now it makes for their ends, to joyn themselves to the purest Churches of the Lord Jesus.
1. Sometimes it makes for their honour: Hence you know the Church of Sardis lost her power of life, for that is a burden, yet kept their name to live, for that is an honour. For if men live out of Church-Fellow…hip, that is a great shame, and now they have little love from Saints; Indeed the wicked may honour them, but what is that to the honour of the whole Church? Who would think Saul should have cared for Samuel, that dealt so plainly and sharply with him? Yet Oh honour me before this people; that's the businesse. There are many excellent gifts Christ poures down upon his Church: Simon believes also, Acts 8. and would give any money for those gifts, that he might be wondred at, as he was before. A man seeing others gifts, and the love they have thereby, even a Simon may desire such gifts, and a mighty power of Grace to animate those gifts, and would give any money for this, that be may be wondred at. Some refined, polished Spi…its scorn honour of base men; and hence fish for it else-where.
2. Their gain, 'tis strange that Iudas follows Christ for the bagg, that was so poor, ye… he did, until he saw after three years and a half waiting, so little came in. So 'tis …ange men should seek to joyn to poor Churches for that, yet they do and will so long as they have any lots to give, or purses to lend, or hearts to take care and provide for those that are joyned to them. You shall have many poor Christian men, that be but kind and boun…iful to them, you may lead them into any errors, catch them at your …leasure with a silver hook, until they see their g…in grows little and respect lesse, and then they fall off.
3. Their comfort for union to the Church of God, 1. Covers their sin, and hides it from the eyes of the world. Theeves walk without suspition in true mens companies, and thus they make the House of Prayer a Den of Theeves, and this is some comfort. For Hypocrites if they can carry it cleverly that none see, though God see 'tis no matter. It will not be thought that a Member of a Church dares do such a wickednesse, yet so it is sometime…. 2. Comforts their conscience in their sin; men love their lusts, but what , no respect to Ordinances of Christ? yes, and so conscience is quiet, and sin lives too, Ier. 7. 3. Because there is much comfo…t in Gods Ordinances, and in attending on God there, not only verbal, but the visible Gospel is sweet, the Sacraments: hence they joyn themselves as in Iohns Ministry, You rejoyced for a season, not only in Christ, but in communion of Saints, especially in dangerous times, that a man fears the judgements of God will come in those places where ever they live without them. And now they are quiet when got into the Cities of the Levites, from the pursuer of blood.
4. In regard of the Saints themselves.Reas. 4.
First, There is seen many times a Divine Majesty and excellency in them, which hath a drawing vertue with it, that many out of respect to that, close with them, as Gen. 26. 27, 28. God makes Balaam to see Israels glory in his Tents, and he cannot curse (if he might have all the world) but must bless them.
Secondly, There is much charity which thinks no evil, that where they see evils, they cover them; where there is but little good appearing, they hope there is more than they see, the Kings Daughter being all glorious within.
Thirdly, There is a spirit of humility in them, to think others that appear fair better than themselves, until God discovers them, especially if they are yet unsetled.
Fourthly, A spirit of desire to have all as near the Lord as they can, and though there be evils in them, yet they hope that will make them better.
5. From the Lord himself: who hath,Reas. 5.
First, Reserved this exact separation as one part of his own glory at his Second coming: Then he shall separate sheep and Goats.
Secondly, Because some are very serviceable to his Church, and so to Christ, as Caput politicum, both in regard of outward means of subsistance, and also with edifying gifts: hence into his Family he will let them come, being servants, and like Carriers that carry anothers money and wealth to him, and then turns them out of doors.
Thirdly, Because of a certain real, yet not thorow work of the Lord, whereby he draws them to some fellowship with the Church, the Members, and some kind of fellowship with his Son; yet it not being a thorow effectual Almighty drawing, they prove unsound, Iohn 6. 65.
Fourthly, That the Lord might manifest the exceeding greatness of his wrath in some, for Gods last end in all the wicked is to shew the greatnesse of it, Rom. 9. 21, 22. yet in some more than others: and hence raiseth them up in the Church to great eminency of profession, and parts, and honour, that all the Saints also may admire Gods Grace to themselves the more, that when Two in the field, one should be taken, another left, that they should sit in the same seats, and yet some called, others left, and of them that are called to leave many, and love me, and that men of great parts, and I a poor simple one to chuse such a base thing, to confound the wise, the mighty. But as it's said of Pharaoh, what meant all the miracles? all the humblings of heart? and yet he would not let them go: For this cause have I raised thee up, Exod. 9. 16. Of all that thou hast given me (saith Chri…) not one is lost, but the Son of Perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. So here.
SECT. IV.
THis serve… to cle…r us in this Country from a soul aspersion that is cast out of the mouths of Pulpits upon us,Use 1. that we hold the Churches of Christ to have no Hypocrite in the…. We answe…, that though if Hypocrite could be openly and Ecclesiass…ally disce…ned, they should not be received in, no… kept in, because … Church are not fit to make a Church: yet we say there will be Tares and Whe…t, there will be chast and corn, there will be wise and foolish Virgins, there will be good and bad mingled together in the Churche; until the worlds end.
To the Watch …en of the Churches▪ nay to all that professe themselve to be their Brethrens keepers;Use 2. to … Virgins,Of Advice. not to lavi…h your cha…ty too far, it's a precious Grace, and you have little enough for …, but to bear a jealous heart, and to labou… for a quick discerning eye to find out them that will … themselves among you. This was the commendation and honour of the Ephesians, Rev. 2. 2. I confesse it …s a sinful extream to cry do…n all the virgins as foolish, when there be Five wise. Satan will seek to …reak he …ond of Brotherly-love by so…ing false reports, and horrible suspitions: and 'tis a hard thing fo… a Pa… after the Lord hath wrapt him up to the Third Heaven in Revelations, not to be pu…tup, and in seeing himself at a distance from other men, not to despise and conde…n them that have not risen so high as he, especially in a discontented spirit nothing will please them. A false heart when, he sees more than others as he thinks, now thinks highly of himself, as so he great reformer of Churches and world, especially if men of shallow heads; and …ence such do censure and conde…n all that do not magnifie them, and reverence their Judgements, and the dust of their feet. And yet 'tis another sinful extream to swallow down all flies that be in the cup, and to think too charitably of every one that doth pro…esse. Children that have no children themselves, will make children of clouts, and then love the…; and hence many a soul lies blee…ng to …eath because they have such tender Friends as will not search them. An I doubt not but many in Hell …ay say, Oh that I should live among such and such, and they never de… faithfully with me.
If a man walk …airly,Object. should I censure him?
No,Answ. but yet maintain a holy jealousie over them, as Paul did over the Gal…hiansa … stands with love, as it was with Iob ch. 1. 5. As 'tis with Chirurgions, '…is love to cut to the quick. Love the… because they appear to be Christs, and are so to thee, and this shall have a reward; but yet be jealous in love, because there may be that hid which was never yet seen.
1. It may be thou maist save a soul, and they will love thee; or else thou shalt clear justice by being a witnesse against them.
2. 'Tis the chief work for Christ here, there being no prophane ones among us, to overthrow the kingdom of hypocrisie, as well as of civility and prophanenesse.
3. You will save the Lord a purging and cleansing time, for when Christ purgeth not with the Holy Ghost in his Saints and Ordinances, he will with fire. Here I might give rules for discerning mens spirits, as
…, Mark their speech, for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and many times one word will give a light to see all, as in Simon Magus: as with men in a labyrinth found out by one thread.
Secondly, Mark them that you see not grapling with Sin and Temptation, for if we see them without that, they are not yet tryed, therefore observe them here, here is their trial, when time of Temptation comes.
Thirdly, Get thy self to stand at a distance from sinful men, from all the world; We know we are of God, 1 Iohn 5. 19. As men that are in the water look only to themselves, but standing safe on shore; they see others drowning: I speak this because I fear the Churches are so busie about their own things, that their … not kept: if they see no grosse sin then all is well.
Hence be not offended,Use 3. if you see great Cedars fall, stars fall from Heaven, great Professors die and decay: 1. Do not think they be all such. 2. Do not think the Elect shall fall. Truly some are such, that when they fall, one would think a man …ruly sanctified might fall away, as the Arminians think, 1 Iohn …. 19. They were not of us; I speak this because the Lord is shaking and I look for great Apostacies towards, for God is trying all his Friends through all the chris…ian world: in Germany what profession was there? who would have t…ought it? The Lord who delights to manifest that o…enly which was hid secretly, sends a sword, and they fall; others in other places receive the Word with joy, the Lord sends Persecution, and fearing men more than the filth of sin, and anger of Christ, they fall: others stand i… ou… there, and suffer and venture hither, and Isac…ar-like see rest is good, and crouch under their burdens, and so they fall. Others have had sweetnesse in Ordinances, the Lord departs, and so they fall. Others have corrupt hearts, and received the truth in the form, not in love, and stood in deferce of the truth, not love of the truth, the Lord lets …rrour loose, and they fall. Well, never be offended at this, I am not, because I never knew man fall but he loved some lust, and was never broken from sin, and although this is not seen when they do fall, it offends not me.
Oh therefore search your own hearts: when Christ said to the Disciples one shall betray me:Use 4. Lord is it …? say they: so when not one, but many, Lord is it I? Oh many a christian lies fast asleep, never comes to a thorow search, a strict wa…ch. Do but consider this: 1. That in Churches, nay purest Churches many may lye hid nor discerned. 2. Thou maist be one. 3. If thou beest, that of all men living none shall so deeply sink in Hell. 4. That all Ordinances shall tend to this end, and all thy joyes, all thy afflictions: and therefore Oh search befo…e the Lord search, and say, Lord, as no mans punishments and plagues can be like … nor sins, if I …erish, so if pardoned, loved, never any shall have such cause to blesse thee… and therefore take not up with weak and groundlesse hopes, but love that hand that smites and wounds thee, for this discovery is to awaken thee: but you have so much businesse you will not, cannot, &c. Consider what a fearful thing 'tis to be … up as for a gazing-stock to Saints, so an everlasting terror to the damned themselves.