The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 1 · Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII.
That the hearts and souls of Believers are made as Vessels, onelyonly for the reception of Christ his Spirit, and the graces thereof
SECT. I.
2. THe Inward Principle, wherein lies the second Difference which is plainly expressed.
We are now to inquire further concerning these Vessels and the Oyl in them. Vessels were the place onelyonly of receiving and preserving the oyl for the continual burning and shining of the Lamps: So that though in some Scriptures, by Lamp is understood both the Vessel and the Lamp by a Figure, yet in distinct Phrase of Speech, that is properly the Lamp which burns and gives light, and that which contains the oyl to nourish this is the Vessel: So that the Vessels were not separate things from the Lamp, as though the Lamp was in one hand, and a Vessel in the other; this was neither the custome, nor comliness of that age to cumber themselves thus; but the Lamp (as 'tis in ours) was that part which was kindled and lighted, the Vessel that which kept the oil to serve this end: And hence the folly of five of them appeared, that they would carry burning Lamps with empty Vessels; just as if a man should draw the wiek through the oyl that it may burn for a time, and provide no oyle in the Vessel to maintain the Lamp; however all comes to one (if they be separate) in respect of that that I aim at.
Thus Literally we see what the Lamp, Vessel, and Oyl is: Now what is Spiritually meant thereby.
1. For the Oyl: What is that? I intend not here to shew the fond and various apprehensions of Popish Writers, who understand by oyle, alms, good works, a good intention, &c. But by Oyl is meant the Spirit of Christ, and the graces of it, peculiar to all the Elect; and thus in Scripture phrase, 1 Iohn 2. 27. the Spirit is called the anointing; and the graces of the Spirit, Cant. 1. 3. The smell of Christs ointments: Harlots love him for the gifts he sends, but Virgins for the grace he hath. That oyle which ran first on our Aarons head, and runs down to his skirts is here meant. Now as Christ himself had not the Spirit without graces, nor these without the Spirit, but both: So both these being in him as in the Fountain, they are in us as in the Vessel.
2. Christ being the Fountain of all grace, and having the Spirit without measure, and therefore hath enough to spare; he cannot be meant by these Vessels which had but their measure, and such a measure as that they had none to spare for the other. Therefore by Vessels are meant principally the precious souls of the faithful, into which this golden Oyle was put, and therefore, 2 Cor. 4. 7. We have this treasure in earthen vessels. And Rom. 9. 23. They are vessels of glory, prepared unto glory, and so frequently; so that herein the foolish fall short, for the foolish boasted of Christ out of them, but where was the Spirit and vertue of Christ in them? And this is conceived to be the reason why the main difference is not made, by the want of the external principle, Viz. Christ, but by want of the internal principle and work; this they had not. 1. They had so much oyle, i. e. lighter strokes of the Spirit, as kindled a profession but they had not enough. 2. They had so much oyle and light as continued their profession for a while, but it continued not long:
Here therefore observe these four things:
That the precious souls of the faithful are Vessels made only or chiefly to receive and preserve the presence of the Spirit and grace of Christ.Obs. 1.
That within these Vessels there is an inward principle of Grace and Life.Obs. 2.
That there is a certain measure,Obs. 3. degree, plenitude or fulness of the Spirit of Grace in the hearts of the Faithful, which the unsound, though most glorious Professors of the Gospel fall short of.
That the graces of the Saints wherewith their hearts by the Spirit are filled,Obs. 4. are constant, and of an everlasting, and eternal nature.
These three last answer three Questions, If any ask the difference between the Virgins; the foolish want, and the wise have an inward principle of the Spirit of life. If it be said, Hypocrites have an inward work, yet this inward Principle is such a fulness of Spirit which they ever fall short of, and this will make them known for the present. If again it be said, That many flourish gloriously for a time; yet its of an everlasting nature: And this will manifest them one from another in time to come.
The First Point therefore Ile only touch on now.
SECT. II.
THat the precious souls and hearts of all the faithful are vessels made chiefly and onelyonly to receive and preserve the Spirit and Grace of Christ,Doct. 1. Or the gracious presence of the Spirit of Christ: That as it is with the souls of the wicked, they are made onelyonly to hold Satan, sin and wrath, and so fitted for destruction; so the souls of the Saints are made and fitted onelyonly to receive and nourish the Spirit, grace, and love of Christ. That as 'tis with Princes, the best rooms are reserved onelyonly for them; their Attendants may come in and out to serve them, but its their room, their lodging: So here, the hearts of the faithful, and the best rooms, best affections of it, are onelyonly to entertain the Lord, and his grace and Spirit; yet other things may come in and out as Attendants to him, to serve him, but the rooms themselves are onelyonly for his proper use, 2 Tim. 2. 20, 21. The Church is Gods House; now there are many Vessels (many souls) some baser of wood, and earth, some of honour; what are these? Answ. If a man purge himself from these; for no man is born with a next disposition to receive grace, as a Vessel full of puddle water that must first be cast out: Now when this is done, he is a Vessel meet for his Masters use, prepared, &c. The best Vessels abide in the house, not for their own or servants use, but for the Masters use onelyonly. And though the Spirit may withdraw for some time, and they be unable to do any good work, yet they are prepared for the Spirit, and so for every good work, and here is all the use of the vessel of honour. Hypocrites are vessels of Pompe, and State, and Ornament: Oh the brave Church of Sardis! the profound judgments, deep heads, eminent Christians, but not Vessels of honour, because not Vessels of use onelyonly for their Master, onelyonly to receive the eternal anointing of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus. If you would know the certainty of this more fully, 1. Go and ask themselves; Is it so or no? If they be of age, and know themselves they will say, I am the Lords onelyonly, Isa.44. 4, 5. When they spring up as willows by the water-courses: One shall say, I am the Lords. As that eminent Light said, when dying, Oh Lord, I will be thine: Ask the world whose they are? and to what use and purpose they serve? they will answer, they are none of ours; and therefore Iohn 15. 19. The World hates them. Ask the Lord himself, he will profess though many wants and weaknesses in them, nay, though sometimes they are weary and neglect him, fall and soil themselves, yet Isai. 43. 21. This people have I formed for my self: Vessels formed and fitted of God onelyonly for his glory.
1. Because all the creatures in the world are theirs, and servants to them,Reas. 1 and therefore they are for the Lord onelyonly, 1 Cor. 3. 21, 22, 23. If the more we took care for, and set our hearts upon the creature, if the more we were conversant with it, the more we should have, and the better we should live; Or if they should not serve us, unless we did first bow down our knees to worship them, and our backs to bear them; Then seeing the world lives by catching, we might then dis-robe and dis-throne our souls, and care more for these things, and less for the Lord; love these things more, and the Lord lesse; but the Lord Jesus having taken all care for his people, and bearing more love to them, and having more care of them than themselves, and therefore having given all creatures in the heavens, sea and dry land to serve them, they ought to be, and are onelyonly for him, Hos. 2. 21, 23. When a man is the seed of God, and born for him, Now all creatures serve him; hence 1 Tim. 6. 17, 18. Tis a prevailing Motive with all the Saints, we have a living God that gives us all things; all creatures being dead, and not able of themselves to help us, therefore trust not on these things, but him onelyonly, be not high minded in these things; but magnifie him onelyonly. We know how angry God was with Belshazzar for profaning the Vessels of the Lords House in making them quaffing bowls, and turning them to common use. When a man is brought to that misery that he hath none, nor knows of none to be a friend to take care or thought for him, none that loves him, then he shifts for himself and becomes a servant. But those that know, as women that they have rich husbands to live on, they take care 1 Cor. 7. 34. how to please them: So here. Whats the reason that men are mad for this world? Because they poor creatures have no friend, know no friend; but Saints have him, and know him, Iohn 17. 2. The Saints are given to Christ, Christ to them, and all the world put into Christs hands for us, (for the creatures are not given to us immediatly to our own dispose, and hence we have not much of this world) to what end? That so he might give eternal life begun here. This is the only gift, and last, and best, and worthy of himself, and this only we receive.
2. In regard of that blessed Liberty all the faithful are brought into,Reas. 2. for what is a Christians Liberty? Is it to serve men? No, 1 Cor. 7. 23. Therefore serve not your selves: Is it then to serve your own lusts? No, Rom. 6. 22. You are made free from sin, and servants unto God. Is it then to serve any Creature out of your selves? No, Gal. 1. 4. The world is yours already, 1 Cor. 3. 21, 22. given to you, bought for you, spend not therefore one groat more to purchase it, but keep those affections and hearts for the Lord; much less imprison not, and imbondage not your selves for it. A Christians liberty which God crowns him with above all the Princes of the world, is to be onelyonly for the Lord, which liberty all creatures groan to be in, Rom. 8. 21, 22. To be for God and a lust, for Christ and this world, its a shameful bondage, and most lamentable, and you are not at liberty yet, if not onelyonly for the Lord. When the children of Kings and Peers, of Princes shall be made to come at the call of their Grooms and Kitchin-boys, if ever they stood before the face of Princes, they will count this a heavy thraldome and bondage: So if ever you stood before the God of the whole earth, you will account it an heavy bondage, to have an heart sometime for, and sometime not for the Lord. Is not this liberty? No, but to have a heart only determined to the Lord; as 'tis in Angels, and in the man Christ Jesus. Verily look as the Lord leaves his people for a time to their liberty in sin, so that their hearts are determined onelyonly to sin, that they are fit onelyonly to receive the suggestions and pleasures of it, but fit to quench the Lords Spirit: So the Lord Jesus making himself and grace more sweet than their lusts, their hearts are determined onelyonly for him, their Vessels are onelyonly for his Oyle, Rom. 6. 19. The liberty of will that Arminians plead for is nothing but the hypocrisie of a false heart, whose heart being toucht partly with God, and partly with the creature; hence is alway falling from one to the other, Iam. 1. Double minded men; but the Saints are determined unto one, and hence made perfect in one.
3. In regard of the fulness and all-sufficiency of the Spirit of Grace which their hearts are made fit vessels to receive,Reas. 3. and do receive; they finding enough there, God reserves them, and they reserve themselves onelyonly for the receiving of this, Ioh. 6. 68. Will you depart? Lord, to whom should we go? Thou hast the words of life; and so the Spirit of life, that have quickned our hearts when dead, that do put fresh life to us when dying, that comfort our hearts when sorrowing. Here is the life glory, the life of Christ, the life of God; other things do but dead our hearts, thou hast words of life, Iohn 4. 14. The Water that I give shall, 1. Be that which shall quench all his thirst to other things; so that though a man wants them, yet his stomack is gone, which the damned shall find otherwise. 2. A Well of Water in him, ever near him; men have their accomodations far off, but this is i… him. Your hearts within are troubled, perplexed, and behold this is in you. 3. Springing up, continually increasing, for to have a good thing, and not to be satisfied in our desires with it, what is it but a misery? Hence it springs up unto everlasting life, which is the Fourth, Viz. The Continuance of …, this will be here till my mortality is swallowed up of life. Like a leaking ship that takes in water by little and little, till at last it is swallowed up in the se….
SECT. III.
HEnce we may see the reason why the Lord doth not abundantly reveal and communicate himself to the souls of many men.Use 1. What is the matter? Is it because they find no want of his spirit, and life, and grace, and peace, and glory? Yes they doe, and hence expresse their wants to men, and complain of their wants to God. Is it for this, that Christ hath not wherewithal? Yes, he hath received the Spirit without measure, Iohn 3. 34. and fountaines alway run, though men seldom drink. What then? Is it because they bring not their hearts, hold not their vessels under the Lords horn of oyl? Yes that they do, but their vessels are naught, they are not only for him; they feel their want of grace and Christ, but not only or chiefly of this. Special Grace shall never be poured into a common vessel, a common heart, that lies in common for God, and lust, and world too. The honour, peace, life, gain, of a God, are sweet and precious. Lord ever give me that water to drink. But you have five husbands, and seek not this only: Hence, if the Lord de…ies you, you can be content, because you have something else to fill your vessels; if the Lord gives, you undervalue it and grow worse: and the very rising of that common grace you have, is the beginning of your apostacy, and setting off from God. And hence, no wonder why you pray but never have, Iam. 1. 6, 7. you want, and crave, but never find; your vessel is naught, though the Lord is good. 'Tis a black mark that thou art in bondage to the creature, and didst never know what the liberty, even the glorious liberty of a son means. And 'tis a most grievous bondage to be half unloosed and yet to be in bonds. And I assure you, if you knew the gift of God, if ever you tasted how sweet the Lord is; this is the only thing your souls will cry for: That when you come to ask, and the Lord saith, what would you have? Oh the spirit of life! Oh the anointing of my blessed head! And what else? It only; this is it only my vessel is made to hold, I am not made for my lust, nor sins, nor world: I would I had a bigger vessel, a larger heart to receive thy Grace only. I confess, a gracious he…rt may for a time be carried too violently after other things; and yet seek the Lord too, as Solomon, Eccl. 2. But after it knows Christ better, it's more reserved now for him, as Gen. 39. 3, 4, 5, 6. Iosephs master for a time kept things in his own hand; but when he saw the Lord was with Ioseph, and that he was prosperous, and blessed, then he made him overseer, and he knew not 'tis said, what he had, save only the bread that he did eat: So it is in our Ioseph. As the poor woman that knew the Messiah, she leaves her vessel, her water-pot with him, and now would have all the City to come and see and believe in him, and depend on him only, trust to him only. &c. Dost therefore seek, and find not? Hast bin long waiting, and feelest not? And thou wondrest at it! Others comforted, and I not! Search if this be not the cause; it may be thy heart is not set only for this, but on thy back, belly, lots, ease, what shall I eat, drink? &c. As some women, because God doth not feed so liberally their sweet tooth, their licorish longings; build them seiled houses, measure their present condition according to their sinful humour; nothing can please them: neither husband, servants, Ministers, nor Gods Ordinances. Is this a vessel for the Lord and his Grace only? You must, you will have a longer coat than you can well wear; Hold here. Never think to have one prayer answered: If this night thy day of misery should come, cry thou mayst, but no God to hear thee or help thee. Oh a little oyl, now a little grace, now a little mercy, Lord now. Oh no, you have no vessel to hold it. But oh bless the Lord you know it. Others it may be are no… so full of these sores of impatiency: but you pray for God, and Grace, and have it not. Why so? These are not the things that you are only set for. Why? Because you are content without them. I am not, you will say; But you are; for you doe not lament daily after the Lord for these things only: that which only satisfies, that thy heart is not at rest till it find: I hope I may have help for all this: No saith Iames, think not so. Oh therefore bless the Lord. You know what hurts you; Saints have hurts thus: but they purge themselves, and hence are blessed vessels still. When Moses was begging for Israel, mine Angel, saith God, shall goe with you, I will not. No, thou only, else let us die here, Exod. 33. This prayer wins the field & wears the garland. The evils of the Churches are many, an hour of temptation is coming on; scandals are like to be great; the subtilties of enemies many. Now we pray, and yet these have come, and we fear they will come. Oh beloved, go to the Lord, and plead with him only for this; and when thou canst procure nothing for thy self, yet let it fare well with Sion: and this only I must have. Psal. 27. 4. One thing have I desired. You shall have it then, else not.
See the great sin of those that lose their life,Use 2. preserve not the Spirit when he comes to them in Ordinances; you are vessels onelyonly made for the Lord, and will you lose that which He drops in? There is no others can receive him, Iohn 14. 17. and when He comes to you, do you thus requite Him? &c.