The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 1 · Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
Of the Visible Church of God.
SECT. I.
1. THE place where this preparation to meet Christ shall be made, and that is not in the Kingdoms of this world (earthy Kingdoms) but in the Kingdom of Heaven, and therefore'tis said, The Kingdom of Heaven shall be like, &c.
I will not trouble you with telling you how many waies the Kingdom of Heaven is taken in Scripture; by Kingdom of Heaven here, is not meant the Kingdom of Glory in the third Heaven, for there shall be no foolish Virgins at all there, no unclean thing shall enter thither; nor by it is meant the head of this Kingdom, viz. Christ Jesus, for how can he be like to ten Virgins; nor by it is meant the Gospel of the Kingdom, (which Mat. 13. is call'd the Kingdom of Heaven, and compared to a draw-net) for how can it be like unto ten Virgins? nor yet the internal Kingdom of grace set up in the heart of every believer (which is called a grain of Mustardseed, Mat. 13.) for how can any foolish Virgins be there? or what share have they in that? Therefore I conceive 'tis clear, that by the Kingdom of Heaven here, is meant the external Kingdom of Christ in this world: that is, the visible Church, or the estate of the visible Church, which is frequently called in Scripture, the Kingdom of Heaven, as, Mat. 8. 12. & 21. 43. In which Kingdom some are wise, some foolish, all professe Christ, look for the coming of Christ, for salvation from Christ, the estate of this visible Church shall be like ten Virgins.
SECT. II.
AND hence I shall note this one thing.
That the visible Church of God on earth,Doct. 1. especially in the times of the Gospel, is the Kingdom of Heaven upon earth.
For look upon the face of the whole earth, there you may see the Kingdoms of men, and the Kingdom of Satan, sin and death, which the Apostle saith, Rom. 5. reig…eth over all men; here is only the Kingdom of Heaven, upon earth, viz. in the visible Church; 'tis not the place only which makes either Heaven or Hell, (though there is a place for both) but the state principally makes both, one may be in Hell upon earth, as Christ was in his bitter agony, and a man may be in a kind of Heaven upon earth, as Christ tels his hearers, that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand; a man may be under the Kingdom of Satan and darknesse upon earth, Col. 1. 13. which is a kind of Hell; and why not as well under the Kingdom of God on earth, which is a kind of Heaven, especially (I say) now under the Gospel, wherein the Lord hath begun to fulfil, that which was but only promised under the Old Testament to be fulfilled in the fourth and last Monarchy, (Dan. 2. 44) in the time of the New: In the state of Christ's visible Church, which should by little and little beat down all other Kingdoms of the world.
SECT. III.
1. BEcause the same King that is reigning in Heaven,Reas. 1. is reigning here, is present here, Psa. 2. 6. And here the Saints are commanded to rejoyce, to shout, and to be glad with all their hearts, because of the presence of this their King among them, Zeph. 3. 14, 15. 'Tis true indeed he is King over all the world; the immediate execution of all Gods common, as well as special providence, is put into the hand of this King, the Lord Jesus. But as for his Enemies, and other creatures, he reignes over them as a King of power, but he reignes not for them also as a King of Grace and love, for thus he reignes among his people in his Church, Deut. 33. 26, 27. The Lord is present with every one of his people, severally, but much more joyntly, when two or three of them are met together in his Name.
2. Because here are the Lawes of Heaven,Reas. 2. Heb. 12. 25. Take heed (speaking of the Ministry of the Gospel in the Churches) that ye refuse not to hear him who speaketh from Heaven, which Lawes are not only here promulgated (as they be among the enemies of this Kingdom) but accepted and received also, without which Lawes what Kingdom could there be? Christ's Kingdom in this world is neither tyrannical, nor arbitrary, to govern without Law; no, no, but if he be our King, he is our Law-giver also, Isa. 33. 22. Nay the same Lawes by which we shall be ruled in Heaven, we have here, and we are now under: That as our Divines say against the Papists, though before Moses his time, there was not scriptio verbi, yet there was verbum scriptum, which the Patriarchs had before the Floud, and afterward until Moses his time: So I say here, though in Heaven the external Letter and scription both of Law and Gospel, shall be abolished, because they need the… not when the day-star is risen, 2 Pet. 1. 19. Yet the living Rules of both for substance, shall remain; the end of the Ministry is to bring us to the unity of Faith in a perfect estate. Eph. 4. 13. Therefore Faith shall not cease, when Ministers shall, and that perfect man shall come. Our Faith indeed shall not then by such glasses see Christ, nor adhere unto Christ, by such means of Promises and Ordinances as we do now, but without them we shall both see, and for ever adhere to him who is our King at that day; and though indeed the Law is now abolished, as a Covenant of life, yet it shall ever remain as a Rule of life; perfect subjection to it, is the happinesse of Saints in Heaven, 1 Ioh. 1. as a heart contrary to it is the greatest misery of the Saints on earth, Rom. 7. 24.
3. Because here are the Subjects of Heaven,Reason 3. Eph. 2. 19. Fellow-Citizens of the Saints, not only on earth, but as Paul speaketh, Phil. 3. 20. Our conversation (or, as it may be rendred, our free Burgesse-ship) is in Heaven. God himself hath canonized all the true Members of visible Churches with the name of Saints, throughout the who…e new Testament, here are the great heirs of Heaven, nay, possessours of Heaven by Faith, as others are by feeling, as near and dear to God (in some respect) as those that be in Heaven already; because the same motive which makes him love them, makes him love these, though poor abjects, and our-casts of the world; there is but a paper-wall of their bodies between them and Heaven, only here is the difference, they there, are Subjects in their own countrey; these here, are the same Countreymen, only strangers for a time here upon earth: Some define a Kingdom to be dominatus regis in populum subjectum. If Christ (the King) was present, and his Laws published, but there were no people to be subject to him, there could be no Kingdom; but when the King, Laws, and Subjects of Heaven are here met together in the visible Church, here is now the Kingdom of Heaven.
4. Because here is the very Glory of Heaven begun,Reason 4. that look as the same Sun which fils the Stars with Glory, the very same beams touch the earth also, so the same Glory which shines in Heaven, shines into the poor Church here, 1 Pet. 5. 10. God hath called his people into his eternal Glory. And … 30. whom Christ hath justified, them he hath glorified, i. e. he hath begun it here; … in a special manner is the presence of the Angels in Heaven, Eph. 3. 10. Here the pure in heart see God, and that after another manner, than many times they can in their solitary condition, Psal. 63. 1, 2, 3. And what is this but Heaven?
SECT. IV.
1. SEE therefore hence their happiness and honour,Use 1. whom God hath called out of the world, and planted in his Church: What hath the Lord done, but opened the way to the Tree of life, and let you into Paradise again? Nay (which is more) What hath he done but taken you up into the very Kingdom of Heaven it self? where you have the Lord of glory to be your King, the Laws of Heaven made known, his heart opened, where you have the heirs of Heaven your companions, and the Angels of Heaven your guard, desiring to look into those things which your eyes see, and your hearts feel, 1 Pet. 1. 12. Where you have the love of a Father appearing, the Son of God inhabiting, and the Spirit of Heaven comforting. Lord what is man that thou art thus mindful of him ! That when the Lord seeth it unmeet to take you out of this world up unto Heaven, that Heaven should come down into this world unto you, who were once enemies to this Kingdom, shut up under the Kingdom of death and darknesse, strangers to the Common-wealth of Israel, without God and Christ in the world, without promise, without hope. I do not cry the Temple of the Lord, nor Idolize Order and Churches, but I tell you what your priviledge is, and thereby what Gods goodnesse is: I know the world neither seeth not feeleth any such Heaven on earth, but soon grow despisers secretly of all Ordinances, who if they were in Heaven it self with their carnal hearts, they would not abide there with much contentment, yet verily Heaven hath been, and is found here by Gods hidden one; even such things which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, and if it be not thus with thee, blame thy self, and mourn the more, who in the midst of light art in utter darknesse, and in the place where Heaven is begun to some, it should be made a little Hell to thee.
2. Take heed of defiling secretly the Church of God:Use. 2. For what do you do thereby, but pollute the Kingdom of Heaven it self? And the better any thing is, the greater is the defilement cast upon it. It is said, 1. Pet. 1. 4. that the Kingdom of Heaven above is an inheritance unde…iled *Some think from thence that the lapsed Angels did not fall in the third Heaven, but in some place in the earth; for that is an inheritance undefiled., never yet the subject place where any sin was committed, and this is one part of the Glory of it. Take you heed of coming into Church-fellowship with defiled hearts, and so defiling Gods holy things, for do you know where you are? I know it is not in that Heaven where you cannot sin, but yet 'tis in such a Heaven where you should not sin, much lesse defile the Church of God. It was one of Gods heavy inditements against the Church of the Iews, that when the Lord had brought them out of a land of pits, into a plentiful countrey, yet they defiled his Land, neither Priests nor people said, Where is the Lord? Ier. 2. 7, 8. It will be much more heavy another day with you, that walking in the fellowship of Gods people, shall be found guilty of defiling the Kingdom of Heaven it self, which you should be careful to keep as an underfiled inheritance, which … whether spiritual or sensual, as they stain the very glory of Heaven it self, so they keep you from feeling the Truth of this Doctrine▪ even of this Heaven upon earth in your own experience.
3. Let all Members of Churches hence learn to have their conversation in Heaven, and walk as men come down from Heaven,Use 3. and returning thither again, and that are as it were already in Heaven. Paul did thus, and wept to see so many that did not thus, but did mind earthly things, Phil. 3. 19, 20. Do not only forsake, but even forget your Countrey, and your Fathers house, so shall the King of Glory desire your beauty, Psal. 45. 10, 11, Let the reproach of earthly-mindednesse cast upon the face of Christians, be wiped off by your carriage, being heavenly, holy, loosened from things below. Art thou in Heaven with an earthly heart? Is not Heaven good enough for thee? Cannot that content thee which many have desired to see, and could not see, even the Lord Jesus, the King of Glory in his beauty, in the assemblies of his Saints?
4. Take heed of pulling down this Kingdom.Use 4. Loyal Subjects will rather lose their lives, than their Prince shall lose his Kingdom. Fear not enemies without, but your selves at home. The enemies of the Church, did never yet hurt the Church, but the Church's sins, Zach. 7. 14. Oh consider what mercy the Lord hath betrusted us withal, that unlesse the Lord should carry us to Heaven it self, immediatly on the wings of Angels, he can shew us no greater outward favour, in this world, than to bring us into this his Kingdom of Heaven on earth. I professe one daies fellowship here with a number of broken-hearted Christians, either mourning together, or rejoycing in their God and King together, it our-bids the many years Glory of the whole world, (howsoever 'tis hidden from the world) And will you betray this Kingdom?
SECT. V.
Quest. VVHat are those things that may pull down this Kingdom?
Answ. 1. Ignorance of those sins which may hurt and ruine it. There are common infirmities which all the faithful have in common, for which the Lord pities his, but there are some that are proper and personal to some particular persons, Psal. 18. 23. for which the Lord is angry even with his own; so there are some sins which are common Church-infirmities, for which the Lord will not cast off his people, but there are sometimes in several Churches proper Churchsins. Now the Rule here is, if these be not seen and lamented and removed, if the Lord be angry for these (as verily he will) and yet they do not so much as know all this while what it is that hurts them, these sins will canker the roots, and blast the most flourishing Churches. Ephesus, Rev. 1. 4. had her sin; Sardis, Rev. 2. 1. had her sin. Laodicea had her sins, Rev. 3. 16. Now what if they never know these, nor repent of these, you know then Ephesus Candlestick must be removed, and Laodicea shall be spued out of Christs mouth. Oh this hath been the bane of Churches, while they enjoyed their liberties, they could not, nay (in truth) would not know their aile, in the day of Christs visitation of them, and hence came their ruine, the cause of which they saw not; only it may be the remnant that escaped, to whom the Lord shewed mercy, could read their sins in their plagues. It is a lamentable spectacle to behold the ruines of Germany, and that after such great slaughter and effusion of blood, they cannot tell the thing that hath hurt, and doth still wast them.
2. Self-seeking, a Spirit of self. Look as it is in a Kingdom, if there be a common enemy, and the body of the Army which should encounter with them, be every man taken up, and taking thought how he may preserve his own Tent, and do not joyn their forces together for common safety, it must perish, and the Kingdom will be easily conquered: Or as it is with the body, if every member seeks to preserve it self alone, and not that which preserves them all, (viz. the Head) the body will drop down and die shortly. Christ Jesus is the Head of this Body [his Church] Now 'tis certain if ye seek to preserve your own name more than Christ's, to give more content to your own lusts, then to the will and heart of Christ, if more careful of fetching feathers to your own nests, and to shift for your selves, and not to attend (every man in his place) the publick good of the Church, and Christ in it; 'tis certain God will forsake you, and all will to ruine quickly, 2 Chron. 15. 1, 2.
Church-members of publick spirits, are ever prosperous men. They shall prosper that love thee, Psal. 122. 6. That say in their hearts out of sense of Christ's love, Lord, what shall I doe for thee? How may I be useful to thy people? But if back and belly, mine and thine, be chief in request, this will ruine you.
3. League and Amity with the enemies of Christ's Kingdom, or peace with our lusts; it is not sin, but a privy peace with sin, and a secret quietnesse in sin, which overthrowes Christ's Kingdom: The Canaanites that were left alive, because ('tis said) they could not drive them out, how often did they vex, and prick, and yoke the Israel of God? Those sins which you say, you cannot part with, and hence yield unto them, and mourn not under them, those will ruine Churches: Some sins you have forsaken, and could forsake, the danger lies not here. Wrath goeth out against Iehosaphat because he loved him who hated the Lord, 2 Chron. 19. 2.
4. When the Church laies by her weapons. No Kingdom can be kept safe in an ordinary way, where all their weapons are taken from them, or not used by them, when their … upon their borders: When the Church hang by, and lay aside Faith (the shield whereby we defend our selves) and prayer (whereby we offend our enemies) what safety is to be expected now in Churches? Only be strong (saith the Lord to Ioshuah ) when he went out upon that great service of the Lord, Iosh. 1. 7. Eph. 6. 13. There is no more fearful sign of ruine to a Church, than where the Spirit of prayer begins to fail; and verily if any people under Heaven are ready to miscarry herein, we (that have our fill of peace, and our yokes broken off from our shoulders) are in most danger; but if it be so, look for such shakings of all hearts, and Churches also, as shall make you find your tongues; and knees, and eares, and hearts again, if the Lord means to dwell with you.
5. Not bringing forth the fruits of the Kingdom, Mat. 21. 43. Cut that Church down that cumbers the ground, after many years pruning and wetting. That Kingdom where there is Church-trading, but no considerable gain coming in, will consume quickly, and die of it self. Fruit is the last end of the tree: All duties you do, wherein you attain nor, or (at least) aim not at your last and utmost end, but make your selves your own end, that is not fruit; Fruit refresheth others that tast it; when a Christian walketh so as that another is not the better, [not much refreshed] by him, but it may be hardned rather, by a saplesse example, here is no fruit, and this cals for the axe to cut down the tree.
6. Divisions: This puls down Kingdoms without help of foreign enemies. If a Kingdom thrusts swords into each others bellies, this will soon dispatch them. It's the Jesuits plot to subdue by private divisions, whom they cannot conquer by force of Armes: It was most pleasing to Satan to prevail with Christ to cast himself down headlong from the Pinacle, rather than to fling him down himself. It is the delight of Hell to set & see Churches at variance among themselves, this is the first thing he attempts in the best Churches, and it is commonly prosperous, if the Lord leaves the watchmen to slumber, and not to be watchful, and fearful, and sudddenly sensible of the least beginnings herein. It is a wonderful thing to see what a small occasion of offence will do; a word, a gesture, a garment, a matter of indifferency, 'tis strange to see, how such small matters will gore, if Satans head be in them, and his Horns be set upon them, especially in Churches where men are set at liberty, and enjoy it, one must have liberty to speak one thing, and another, another thing, I am of this mind saith one, I am not of that mind (Brother) saith another: 'Tis wonderful to see what a fire, a secret smother, and smoak of suspition will do. But oh take heed here, Gal. 5. 15. Love the Truth, receive no opinion differing from the most approved in the Church suddenly, but weep, and pray, and ask councel, and tremble to entertain a thought of contention; The first sin which brake out in the first Christian Church, was …urmuring, Acts 6. 1. What followes? Stephen an earthly Angel, full of the holy Ghost, suffers, and is taken from them, Acts 7. And after this the whole Church scattered, Acts 8. Oh keep the peace of the Church, and rend it not for small matters, love one another sincerely, and you cannot but live together quietly.