The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 2 · Chapter 3
CHAP. III.
Security the last Sin of good and bad.
SECT. I.
THat carnal security is sometimes the last sin which doth surpriseObservation 3. and overcome the hearts of good and bad, wise and foolish in Virgin-Churches.
That as it is said, That the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death; so this death, like sleeping, is one of the last enemies that surpriseth the souls of the wise, but Christ doth destroy it; and of the foolish, but it destroyeth them: Thus it was here with the Virgins; what was their sin that were ready with their Lamps burning, waiting for the Bridegroom? you see the wise polluted with no sin, till they fell down by Security (the foolish were wanting to get oyl in their vessels before) but this they fell last into: What into open prophaness, or othe foul corruptions? No, but they all slumbered and slept, and we read of no sin after till the Bridegroom came; many sins indeed there be, which like branches bud from the root, but this is the main: And therefore look upon the next Parable, you shall see this again confirmed, to shew the certainty of this point; the servant that hid his talent, vers. 26. is called an evil servant; why, what evil did he? he did not lavish it (as the Prodigal) upon others, not lose it; but he did not use it, sluggishness was his sin; hence (saith Christ) thou evill and slothful servant. And hence the thorny ground flourished and grew, and suffered; all persecutions could not consume them; what was their sin? Mark 4. 12. compared with Luk. 21. 34. it was the cares of the world; they began to dream (strange fancies came before sleeping) and the pillow of their security was some worldly content: And this is the reason why Christ and the Apostles are also exceeding pressing to watchfulness; because this is the sin that Saints are ready to fall into after they have seen Christs love and care; and because this is the sin the wicked will fall into, and their last sin; it will be just preceding their last plague; and hence the Apostle exhorts, Oh sleep not you, &c.1 Thess. 5. 1, 2, 5, 6.
Let me open this thus:
SECT. II.
VVE must know that the Lord in subduing a sinner to the obedience of himself, it is with him as with an enemy in a City, there are many strong holds of sin, to which he retires and resists, 2 Cor. 10. 4, 5. and when one is down he flieth for shelter into another, and maintains that as long as he can; so it is with men: Or as it is with divers fruits, they have their several seasons of growing, and then of withering; so it is here; according to the several seasons of a mans life, so are his lusts growing and decaying; there are the first and the last ripe fruits.
First, Take a man that is born and bred up to some years, man is a sociable creature, and it is a misery to live and be alone; hence the first evil he usually chuseth is evil and loose company; his lusts are grown up to some years, and now he desireth a match for them, and first he chuseth a companion; and Satan hath a mighty hand in this; because as the Lord when he first sends to do his work, he sends two by two to animate and strengthen one another in the work; so Satan doth first joyn hand in hand together that men might corrupt one another, and harden one another in wickedness; this (I say) is the first usually; hence Ephes. 2. 2. and Prov. 2. 12. Wisdom first keeps from the evil man; and this sin is for a time the dearest sin; for here he meets with some pastimes, mirth, and so much love from them, that he loves this last more than all the friends he hath (though they disswade him;) more than all the Sabbaths of God, and hence he prophanes them; more than Christ himself, and hence when he hath many times purposes of turning to God, his company with-holds him.
Secondly, Continuing long in this sin, at last he comes to fall into the sin of lust, and from men he looks to women, and this is as deat to him as his right eye; it may be God keeps him from the act of Whoredom, but wanton looks, lascivious thoughts, speculative uncleanness, self-pollution (which he commits when the candles are out, and none but God sees) and yet God spares him; and this follows him to the Church, to the streets, whiles he is awake, nay, when asleep, and thinks it is no sin for a time, or if he doth, Oh the horror that he hath sometimes for it ! Scholars of Westminster have been derected from twelve or fourteen years of age to live in this sin. This is the second: Hence Prov. 2. 16. first wisdom keepes from the evill man, next from evil women.
Thirdly, It may be a man marrieth, and then this sin is out of season; now therefore another comes in its place, and that is, immoderate love of, and dropsie desires after the world, and the wealth of it, for now charge is like to encrease, and it is a shame to walk in rags; and hence now a man begins to look upon the estates of others, and to admire at them, and then he looks upon what he hath, and what labor, care, and providence in a saving way may bring him unto; and hence burieth himself alive in the earth, and feeds upon clods of earth, and uncertain hopes. And this is the next sin which grows up (though I know some men will not come to this) but I speak of them that go on in the fairest way; hence Heb. 13. 4, 5. Whoremongers God will judge; then let your conversation be without covetousness, that follows.
Fourthly, It may be at last God terrifies this mans Conscience, and he begins to see What profiteth it me to win the whole world and to lose my own soul? hence falls now to take up another profession, to hang out another flag, and to lead a new life; and now pride in spiritual excellencies is his sin; when glory in worldly wealth dyes, pride in spiritual glory lives: There were divers of the Heathen contemned the world, yet pust up with pride in their morality; hence Chuse no novice Bishop, lest he be puffed up, and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. Now Lets of mind come in when he performs duties publickly, openly; and now he hungers after the honor of men, and sets himself to sale for it: Oh, saith Saul, honor me! When he had confessed his coveting of the cattel; but pride stuck in him still: And when he doth duties privately, he rests in them, and accounts highly of himself for them, though they neither bring him to Christ, but estrange him from Christ. Hence Christ chargeth, when you do alms, do not onelyonly do it not to be seen of men, but let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth; take no delight in this: This was Simons sin, Act. 8. he seeing the gifts of the Apostles, would give any money for them; these gifts are sweeter now than money; hence such fall to some soul opinions and crotchets; they can interpret Revelations, and ascend to the Ministry, and be the forwardest in a Town, but when to do publick service, respect is gone, their love is gone.
Fifthly, When this is dying in the Saints, and fallen down in Hypocrites, now sloth is the last thing that takes hold upon them, and this is sweet; What is the honor of men? what is this base world? now sloth and sleep is sweet. Now a man first ceaseth acting, and this gives rest; and now being here, Secondly, it's death to come out of this sluggish estate; when the hand of God is upon men, and the spurs be at their side and in their heart, it may be it will be otherwise; but else not; they will not awaken, sloth is so sweet to them, though sins yet be to be subdued; time is short, Gods wrath is great; yet that, as it is said, He that escapes the sword of Iehu shall Elisha stay: so it is here, he that escapes one sin, another shall slay him; but at last sloth shall slay: Hence let a man look, what joyeth my heart? God doth not, wealth doth not; sloth doth.
SECT. III.
BEcause it is the best and most fit season for this sin to arise,Reason 1. when all the rest are fallen indeed in Saints, and seem to be fallen in Hypocrites; as the temptation is, so mens sin is; when there is the fittest temptation without, it broaches corruption within, and it runs not out before; for it is here as in War; when the enemy (never seen before) is seen in the field (very dangerous and very strong) is it now a season to sleep? no, Arm, arm now; but when he hath driven and routed an enemy, and is enriched with spoils, and laden with prey, now it's a season to rest. Hence the Poet notes, When all the World could not conquer them, their peace after conquest hath; now they have themselves (an enemy within) to conquer; So here. Hence if they should have desired the Israelites to be at peace with the Canaanites, when they first came in and had the land; No, they will cut out throats in time; but when they had conquered them, now Iosh. 15. 63. it is said, they could not do it; had they not had Gods promise for it? yes, and he could make it good, but they could not, because now they had no list to do it, they were slothful, Exod. 23. 29.
Secondly, Because it is the strongest sin;Reason 2. No bonds so strong as the bonds of death; it is a kinde of spiritual death, Ephes. 5. 14. though in the Saints it is not death eternal. Now as it is with the Lord, he reserves the best mercy till the last, so Satan reserves the strongest temptation till the last; and in many men it is sloth: Now it receives a double strength:
1. From the strength of natural corruption which will remain when other sins dye, and in a great measure in the Saints, when the power of sin is taken from the Saints; for take the best man and this remains; it is the sickness of the Soul which will cleave to it: Hence as 'tis with sick men, when no mind to meat, yet oh a little rest! it is greatest pain to walk, and hence the greatest pleasure to lie still: sickness binds a man to rest, makes him love his rest; so carnal corruption, to carnal rest.
2. The strength of pleasure in some lawful thing; for sloth and sleep's best pillow is ever some delight in lawful things, that's the shadow: hence, when a man delights not in gross evils, yet in health, and peace, and freedom from dangers; and here he wallows, as Issachar.
Thirdly,Reason 3. Because (not onelyonly so, but) it is the least suspected sin. I have known them that have been gracious, and long it hath been before the Lord hath made them know that they have had this (much less loved this) sin.
For 1. It is but a neglect or cessation from act; it is no sin that doth openly war against the soul, but lives within like a friend.
2. 'Tis a neglect which the best have; an infirmity; All slumbered and slept.
Thirdly, The main work is wrought; it is not therefore any dangerous infirmity, men think; and hence the Apostle, Rom. 13. 11. would have them awake; why? we shall be saved, might they say, and had peace long ago; but (saith he) because your salvation is nearer.
4. Because he sees many difficulties before him to break thorow, which unless God gave him more strength, he doth not see that God calls him unto; and hence saith, that there are Lions in the way; after a long time of profession, then God presents greatest difficulties; and hence now sloth reigns in a special manner.
SECT. IV.
HEnce see the reason why many Christians at their first beginnings grow,Use 1. and thrive, and abound in the fruits of Righteousness; but afterward so poor and ragged; Oh the two or three first years, how frequently in prayer, meditation! Oh what sorrow and peace! but after this, now they can find little good they can get; little growth they make, unless it be downward; little life they have, and what ado to keep it, or to get a good spiritual meals meat! this is the reason of it; when they first began, then the enemy was out, and they were up, and now they conquered and had the spoils; but since, they have grown secure, and loved to sleep, I say love to sleep; and hence, little to be seen about them but rags; hence (Prov. 6. 11.) lest thy poverty come as an armed man, Prov. 20. 13. 11. truly this is it, and hence no wonder you are ever so full of complaints in midst of means; where God gives you matter of fulness, joy, peace, everlasting glory, yet you find nothing; so that sometimes you think there is no grace, or are almost of the mind that there is no grace to be looked for in us; if not, yet finding so little, there's no evidence for it: Oh your sloth it is the cause; hence 'tis you marvel at the Lord he helps not; Oh you do not awake, to awaken the arm of the Lord; you shall know, if you follow on to know the Lord, but that you do not; and hence the pricks and … you made your peace with, and ate again vexed by them, this is the reason of it: Oh therefore go in secret and say, I complain of my sins; the Ordinances and God that I seek, and have not, when my heart should be otherwise; but oh it is not because I cannot, but because I care not; it is not because of the strength of my enemy without, but because of my neglect of watch and diligence within. I know it was a sin for Pharaoh to charge Israel with idleness, because he commanded work without means; But is the Lords work so? look up to him for strength, he gives it them that have none; put forth that strength thou hast, he will accept thy will, but will never allow thee in thy sloth, but you shall to beggery at the last. Hence men roast not what they take in hunting, (Prov. 12. 27.) after Ordinances; Oh there's world there; never shall you see a Soul careful, but he finds every Sabbath something.
Hence we may learn the reason why many Christians,Use 2. when the Lord begins to work upon them, have many combats and sore conflicts with various temptations, and one corruption after another, and searce any breathing time wherein they are freed from such; and then many strong crys, &c. but afterward they are freed from all, and even these also; and they find nothing either within or without that greatly troubles them; but they go on smoothly in a course of profession also, without very much ado with their own hearts; their Consciences are at peace, their distempers are at peace, and lye not heavy upon them; and they think God is at peace with them, and hence they are quiet; the reason is because they are quiet, and fall asleep, and let their sin and Satan alone, and hence they let them alone: A sluggard saith, there is a Lion in the way, and it's hedge of thorns; many difficulties God sets before him; now if a man meets with no Lions, no thorns, pressed with no great difficulties in his course, it is certain sloth hath seised upon that Soul, and he is carried away captive by it, Prov. 22. 13. For
Look upon men, why should they be quiet? is it because sin and Satan are quite vanquished, that they have no agonies and wrestlings with them? the Apostle denies that, Ephes. 6. 12. Indeed while he keeps the Palace then he is all… peace, and it is a sign he is entred again if you have this peace: But else Paul himself, and all that are in the field, are opposed, and will have fiery darts; and hence the Apostles exhorts to put off the works of darkness, and put on the whole armor of light; why not works of light? because then a Christian will find many assaults, Rom. 13. 12. Or it is because they are men of such a refined faith, and such pure mettal that there needs no knocking, nor melting, nor temptations? I confess the Lord doth nor see at all times the like need, but gives his servants many sweet seasons; but yet 1 Pet. 1. 6, 7, 8. they were begotten to a a lively hope, and they did rejoyce greatly in that hope; yet they had their seasons of trials, manifold temptations, &c. It may be they thought, did the Lord ever love us, when such desertions, such fierce oppositions? &c. I know the Lord may leave David thus, Psal. 30. 6. but then God was angry, and he saw it before many days: No, no, there is both reason for it, and need of it; and why are you at peace now? it is because of your sloth, Ier, 48. 11. Moab is at rest; and hence setled on her Lees, that they neither feel not know their sin, and their scent is in them, though none is smelt or runs out; hence never stirred by any word they hear, nor by any blow unless it be very heavy; they are now at peace with Sin, Death and Hell, and are at league with them, Isa. 28. 15. And hence as it is, where there be two Kingdoms met, what's the reason that there is no hurt that the one do to the other? the reason is, because there is a peace; why so? because War was so troublesom, and rest was good: So it is here; Why are men never troubled? but only because they are at peace with their sin; and why so ? because rest is good: Oh they love to sleep; I shall never overcome it, or I have other work to follow, say men, and hence they spiritually war no more; and hence Satan and Sin are at peace: this is the guise of men, they think the man is sure: they maintain a name to live before men, keep duties upon the wheels before God, and have comfort often; and though a world of vanity is in their hearts, yet it never oppresseth them, because they oppose not it, and so are quiet.
SECT. V.
Object. BVt is not Christ's yoke easie and his burden light, full of sweetness, &c?
Answ. There is a life of faith, and a life of sloth; a rest which Faith gives, and Christ gives; and a rest which mans own sloth and security gives: but there is a wide difference between them.
First, a believing heart cleaves to the Lord, and so findes rest in the Lord, and that with purpose and decree of heart, to cleave to him in one thing as well as in another; the heart is not at peace with Satan, and at war with God, but joyneth to the Lord, and stands armed with a strong resolution against every temptation; and hence peace with Christ is maintained, not with sloth: as Barnabas, Acts 11. 23 exhorted with full purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord, when he saw the grace of God; seeing you find such mercy from him, oh cleave unto him: But now a secure heart cleaves to the Lord in some desires; and if he be resolved of any thing, it is only of that which he can do with ease, and will not be what he would be; he would be better, and know the Lord more, and this quiets him; but he will not be what he would be, because his compact and covenant of peace is made with another; he will be sluggish and secure, and not use the means; oh sleep is sweet, Prov. 12. 27. The sluggard roasts not what he took in h…nting; he will not roast it, there is trouble there.
Secondly, A believing heart, or Faith, finds and feels its rest by trouble. Unto the righteous there ariseth light out of darkness, Psal. 37. After you have suffered, God settle you, 1 Pet. 5. 10. Not as the world gives peace, give I it unto you, Joh. 14. 27. For the life of a Christian is a life of faith, which is a life contrary to sence and reason: When the Lord kills, what doth he intend then to save me? and when he blinds me, doth he intend to teach me? yes that he doth, and by their warfare they find peace. Hence Paul at the end of his life makes his trumph, I have finished my course, 2 Tim. 4. 6, 7, 8. this makes promises precious; when, though a man feels the strength of sin, yet sees the Lord will subdue it; when a man findes guilt of sin, yet sees the Lord will pardon it for his own names sake: It's a strange place 2 Cor. 1. 8, 9. We were oppressed without reason, Why? that we might not trust in our selves, ( why, was there no way but this?) why, this is the life of faith, to find life in death, peace in sorrow: But a slothful heart finds not rest by denying it self, and walking through trouble; but by pleasing it self, and easing it self of trouble, because it is at league with it: One that hath broken league, finds peace by war, and then takes spoils; but another è contra, &c.
1. A man denies the power of godliness, that's a burden; his slothful heart will not bear that, that's too hot; for the world carries a condemned carriage of them; and hence he keeps a name to live, and thereby hath peace with the world.
2. He wrestles not against Satan, and his lusts, pursuing them daily, carries not the sence and feeling of them; and hence being luke-warm, he thinks he is rich, and wants nothing, when poor, and blind, and naked.
3. Hence, not wrestling against sin, he feels not sin, and so conscience is at peace with him; sin is alive without the Law.
4. Keeping a constant course of private duties, he thinks God is at peace also, and so his peace gives him rest, and sloth makes him make a league, because he loves rest: and hence we finde, a Christian most oppressed in times of trouble, many times hath most peace; and è contra: Because as it was with Gideon, he had his peace by trouble, they had their peace by rest whose flesh he tore with thorns, Iudg. 8. 7. oh therefore fear and tremble at their condition.
SECT. VI.
HEnce see the reason why many a Christian, after he hath seen and felt the work of Gods grace in his heart and soul,Use 3. and hence hath been filled with peace and joy unspeakable, that yet after long profession loseth the sight of it, and knows not whether there be any dram of grace in his heart or no; and consequently hath no assurance: but ask him, have you not known it? yes; but 'tis a question whether ever it was immortal seed or no, for then it would not dye, as I see it hath; the reason of this is, a man falls to a secure condition, fast asleep, forgets God and himself; and hence though there be grace, yet it is not exercised, Matth. 25. 26. and hence not seen at all, 2 Pet. 1. 8, 9. and one grace to another, and then an open entrance is made; this makes calling sure; if this they do not, they will not see a fat off; why? because they forget the Lord, which is one part of security: Hence we shall find in times of persecution, never such assurance as then, Zach. 13. vlt. because grace is never so exercised as then; and hence men much in prayer abound with much assurance (when Christ was in his agony he prays more fervently) because then a man is watchful, and grace most exercised; when a man dyes in prayer, and grows secure, and hath little exercise of grace, now it is a question whether there is grace at all or no; and hence when men come to Sacraments, how oft are they put to it whether the Lord be theirs or no! and hence when men come to the Word, they lose all comfort, because they know now whether these promises are theirs or no, because they are asleep, and not waking with the Lord. Oh therefore lay no blame upon the Lord, but thy self; I have had grace, but I have not exercised it; I have lived a life of sloth and security, had I lived a life of thankfulness, prayer, watchfulness, and been ever awake, I should have seen my own heart, and what the Lord hath done for my soul: Here, here lies the security of a Christian, not in losing all grace he had, but in losing the exercise of it.
SECT. VII.
Quest. HOw shall I do this?
Answ. 1. Look that your eye be single, that the Lord be your last end, and that with an infinite love you cleave to that, and then the whole body will be full of light; but if your eye be double, &c. Matth. 6. 24. A ship that hath but one place to go to, will get thitherward in open sea with every wind. Who is so great as the Lord? who minds thee but the Lord? doth he provide, protect and pity thee, when thou seekest thy self? will he not do it much more when thou art set for him?
2. Consider the sweetness of this life. 1. In this life, 1 Cor. 15. ult. be ever abounding; why? oh you know your labor shall not be in vain. And what will it be when you come to dye? Isa. 38. 1, 2, 3. Remember I have walked with thee: And 2. After death, Rev. 14. 13. it may be you account them nothing, but they shall follow thee; do you not find bitterness in the end of another life? you will find your pillow hard enough before you dye; oh therefore get something to make it easie.
3. Take heed of forgetfulness of the Lord, for this is the reason why many a man is not ever up in walking with the Lord, because he forgets the Lord; It is not because he will not, or because he cannot, but he remembers not the Lords love, the glory of his ways, what an evil thing and bitter it is to depart from the Lord, Psal. 22. 11. They shall remember and turn, Jer. 2. 1, 6. The Lord complains of Apostacy, they said where is the Lord? I remember thee, &c. So I say to you, the Lord of glory remembers you, thou art written on the palms of his hand, and like shew-bread before the Ark, so thou dost ever stand before the Lord; hence every moment he is pardoning, purging, preserving and devising how to do thee good; nay he remembers thy love, prayers, seekings after him, nay, thy house and walls of it where thou dwellest: Oh therefore forget not the Lord, that so you may be ever seeking after, and cleaving to the Lord.
SECT. VIII.
HEnce see the reason why men after long profession fall into many slothful opinions,Use 4. because their hearts are surprised with this enemy of sloth first; and it is Gods just judgement upon men, that seing they love their sleep and laziness, they shall be lazy by rule, and so be for ever hardned in it.
Quest. What are those slothful opinions?
Answ. First, What is this but one, to make the Law no rule to a Christians life? as though a Christian should be like a man at Sea, and carried by the wind, but he must have no Compass to sail by also: In these last times Christ's Kingly Office is chiefly opposed; men are glad of Christs righteousness and death to save them, but when he comes to plant his Laws (as all Conquerors do amongst men) they do then shake them off, and under a colour of love to their Prince, make his Laws no bonds to binde them; so these think this is the liberty of a Christian, the liberty of a Prince to be lawless, 2 Pet. 2. 19.
Secondly, That there is no activity of Grace received, no power to stir till stirred; and therefore leave all upon Christ, they can do nothing; if he gives nothing, they cannot help it; if he doth, then all is well, &c. It is true, till the Lord doth help what can we do? But there is an immutable assistance of Spirit, whereby the Lord doth enable his to act more or less like himself, when stirred up: And if you finde none, because you fall short of Christ, do not think that the Lord will be a cover to such a cap; nor a pillow for a slothful heart; there is a sickness in the best, and must be followed, else we dye.
Thirdly, That Ministers must not exhort: Why? what can men do? If servants cannot abide to be spoken unto when there is need, from what can it come but idleness? What can words make better? yes, the Lords words have a power to help or ruine, when you shall say, oh the exhortations, oh the inretaties I have had, &c. one main means of reconciliation is now abolished, 2 Cor. 5. 20.
Fourthly, That Christians must gather no evidence from Sanctification; we shall finde the root of it to be difficulty, which is never sloths bed-fellow.
1. It is difficult to be holy always, but there will be many weaknesses and sins, &c.
2. When we do so, it will be hard to discern what holiness it is, whether counterfeit or not.
3. When we do so, 'tis hard to keep it, but you will lose it again, and be put to farther search, and so off and on: I believe Christians make them more difficult than indeed they are; but yet it is the Lords way; Scripture is plain for it; and if avoided because difficult (which to many is sweet) what is this but an invention of sloth?
Fifthly, That what a man cannot do, is always a weakness which the Lord will pardon: Sometimes it is; but not here : for a mans chief sin may be kept unsubdued from this ground, which sloth makes warrantable.
Sixthly, That if once the main be wrought, though he never grow better, yet he is to keep his peace and confidence; Oh intreat the Lord to keep your heads sound (though hearts be sluggish) so as you may not love, and defend your security, and then go and leave Christ.
SECT. IX.
LEt this be a warning to all,Use 5. that there is such an enemy to be slain; truly I had thought if I could have got my heart broken, if I could seek the Lord till I had gotten a promise, then I should be well enough; Oh no, there is a slothful heart yet continueth; and let it be encouragement to war against it; oh 'tis the last enemy, and then comes your crown, and then your warfare is ended; and therefore do as Sampson; Lord, help this one time, that I may be avenged for my two eyes; Judg. 16. 28.so, thou hast been made a slave to it in private duties, and God hath neglected thee; In publick, at meetings you have been forced to sleep, that an Indian it may be, if he had stood by would have jogged thee; therefore pray, Oh help Lord this one time (though I dye) against this one enemy; Thus Paul 1 Cor.9.ult. Is an immortal crown nothing? will it be no sorrow to you when you awake, to lose eternal rest in God, for a little rest in thy sloth? Oh therefore beat down thy body; it is the last, hence the worst enemy; say as Iudg.9. 54. What shall I fall by a woman? shall I fall by the worst? why did I oppose lust and pride? oh, because vile; why, this is worse; it is the last, and hence Christ hates it most; and hath he given strength against any sin, and will he not against this? Oh therefore pray God that you fall not here.