The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 2 · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
Of Christs awakning cry before his coming.
VERSE 6, 7, 8, 9.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him.
Then all those Virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oyl, for our lamps are gone out.
But the wise answered saying, Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you, but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for your selves.
SECT. I.
IN these words is set down the preparation made sometime before the Bridegrooms coming, and that is by a Cry that the Bridegroom cometh; and therefore the Churches should meet him: This is amplified from two things chiefly;
First, The time when this Cry was made, and that was at Midnight.
Secondly, the effect that this Cry took upon the Virgins, from vers. 8. to 10.
What should be meant by this Cry is disputed of by some: Some think by it is meant the descending of Christ from Heaven with a shout, the voyce of the Arch-Angel and Trump of God: 1 Thess. 4. ult. which (as I do not wholly exclude) because there shall be such a clamor before the Lord comes, as at the giving of the Law; so at the time when the World shall be judged by the Law: so this circumstance is added (as Par…us and other interpret) in regard of the Parable, which speaks of Christs coming under the similitude of a Wedding solemnized in the night time, according to the custom of those times, who when they came forth out of their several houses to meet one another, a cry and noise is made, the Bridegroom cometh. Now,
Quest. What is meant by the coming of the Lord, the Bridegroom?
Answ. The coming of Christ principally here me…nt, is that coming of Christ either to general or particular Judgement in the latter ages of the world. Then, for when, 2 Thess. 2. 1, 2. they thought the coming of Christ was near; no saith he, not till Antichrist is revealed and destroyed; therefore when Antichrist is discovered and destroyed, and Churches upon this refined, now there remaining no more to be done in this world but Christs coming, all promises being fulfilled except that, so that they live in expectation of that; Christ slaying and not coming so soon, Churches grow secure; yet before the Lord comes to either judgement he hath his cry: yet here is to be meant the coming of Christ at other times of the Church when they shall be Virgins; and hence a command to watch that concerns and bindes all to be ready against the coming of Christ, whether to general or particular Judgement at death, or any other coming of the Lord in this life, either in special mercy to his people, or in terror to Hypocrites, Luk. 18. Christs coming to hear prayers, and to avenge himself of his Churches enemies, is a coming. When the Jews shall be called, and Antichrist destroyed, 2 Thess. 2. it is called Christs coming: So the sum is this, look as before the Bridegroom meets the Bride, and cry is made to awaken them to come to meet him; so before Christ comes to his secure Churches to take his people to nearer fellowship with himself in this life, or at death, or at judgement, Christ hath his cry to awaken them.
SECT. II.
THat before Christs coming to his secure Churches,Observation 1. the Lord will send forth his cry to awaken these Churches, to give warning of, and to make them ready for his coming; his coming either at last day, or at death, or in this life, to take them into nearer fellowship with himself.
It is true, Christs coming is at midnight, at a time when one would think he would not come; but yet at midnight there is this cry, which prepares and goes before his coming.
Quest. What is this cry?
Answ. It is not a still voyce, but a loud cry, which hath its effect for which God sends it. Now we shall find in Scripture there are two ways by which God doth usually awaken a secure sinner.
First, The cry of the Word.
Secondly, The voyce or cry of the Rod▪ So this Cry of Christ is.
First, Sometimes the cry of the Word; for thus Iohn (Isa. 40. 3.) is called a Crier, and Prov. 1. 24. Zach. 7. 7, 13. And this is the first course, God takes to awaken, by giving the first honor to the Word; this is his mercy to see if that will do it. Now it is not every word that will or can awaken; for many times it makes men more secure (as some can sleep best by the noise of many waters) Isa. 6. 9. When the Lord sent to fat them, he sent Isaiah to preach to them; however in it self it is a cry of Christ; and seldom doth he come but he gives warning by his Servants the Prophets: But when it doth awaken, there are these particulars in it that it may awaken.
1. It is a word of Majesty and glory in respect of those that bring it, Iudg. 2. 1. one that preached to them (he was no Angel from Heaven, for it is not said he came from Heaven, but from Gilgal to B…chim) why is he called an Angel? because of that Majesty wherewith God clothed him, when he came to awaken them; for they had made a league with the Canaanites, and they began to vex them it seems, and he comes to tell them they should do so still, and God set on this with majesty upon their hearts, and hence they fell to weeping: And this is usual with the Lord, wherein he hath a time when he will awaken men to purpose, he puts a spirit of glory and majesty upon his servants more than usually, that the most secure shall see more than a man, they shall see the spirit of glory sparkling, and shining thorow such Lanthorns; as when God intends to harden a man in security, or leave him for a time, then he shall despise the Messengers of God, and see no more but man, and shall have strange opinions of them; and hence Rev. 11. when witnesses are raised up again to confound Antichristian Doctrines, the Spirit of life from God entred into them, that great fear and aw fell upon all that saw them; such light shall shine through these curtains, that men shall not sleep.
Secondly, It is a word of discovery, and that of some secret hidden vein of sin, which men never knew before; for when a man is once grown secure, it is wonderful to see that torpour that lies upon a mans spirit, a most palpable and plain sin which may be smelt and felt, yet it is not felt by himself, like him that sleeps when the ship is sinking, he knows it not; now when the Lord doth awaken, he doth it by such a discovery, and this makes them look about them, Hag. 1. 67, 8, 9, 12. because of my house which is waste.
Thirdly, It is a word of terror, that burns as well as shines, that so they may indeed be awakened; for though Stephens face shines like an Angel, and he singles them out, Oh ye stiff-necked; yet the terror of God not falling upon them, they are secure still: But now when the Lord makes his Word full of terror, it awakens them. 1 Sam. 12. They would have a King; they were told of their sorrows; and hence they feared the Lord and Samuel; and now were awakened to see that which they never saw; God helpt forward the terror of expecting of some outward misery.
Fourthly, A word of power to awaken some or other among the Churches, and this makes all the rest to look about them, as usually when the Word comes with never such terror and majesty, we shall see men fall asleep again, without they see the effect of it in some, and one or two will awaken all the rest; like some that are asleep, when they see others up, What do I here? Isa. 40. The Lord shews how he comforts his people; First it is by the cryer; and then Verse 9. 10. it is by Ierusalem: When Samaria generally received the Word, then Simon also believed; when the Jew begins to look toward the Lord, ten men shall take hold of their skirts▪ and say, The Lord is with you, Zach. 8. 23. Sometimes this is the cry before Christs coming, and yet men may shake off their fears, despise the light: Hence the Lord hath a second Cry, and that is
SECT. III.
Secondly, THE Cry of the Rod; for there is a loud voyce in every Rod, which many times those that are most secure, must and shall hear, Psalm 2. 5. He shall speak to them in his wrath, Micah 6. 9. Now what are these? (I speak not to secure persons alone, we know how the Lord doth exercise them, but how he speaks to secure Churches) sometimes he hath lesser blows; but he that is not awakened by the Word and the cry of that, is seldom awakened by the cry of smaller evils; he may be startled, but seeing his pillow is still soft, he must bear it, and cannot amend it, he sleeps again. Now the things whereby the Lord doth and will awaken are Two.
First, By bringing Churches into great extremities and distress, that they know not what to do, scattering them one from another in woods where they know not what to do for bread. Iudges 6. the Midianites prevailed against them seven years, untill they fled to Dens like beasts hunted up and down, and at last they have no bread, but begged, and their cattel destroyed; Verse 6. Now they cry unto the Lord because of the Midianites, and he sent a Prophet to make them cry for their sin; for this is the nature of a secure heart, while it hath any thing to ease it, it will not be awakened throughly, if it be in a sleeping vain; and hence the Lord distresseth them; hence Mat. 24. 29, 30. after Antichristian tribulation shall there be worse? yes, after that Sun and Moon shall be darkned, i. e. there shall be a confusion of all things (for it is the language of the Eastern Countries so to express it,) Dan. 12. 1, 2.
Secondly, By ruin…ting of Churches, breaking the Candlesticks, quenching the lights, delivering them to spoylers, until the Land be almost left without inhabitant, some slain, some carried into captivity; and now conscience cryes, Word cryes, and Rod cryes aloud to awaken them, Isa. 6. 9. Go and make this peoples heart fat; Lord how long? until their house be desolate; and then you hear of the sparing of a little remnant whom the Lord awakens, Amos 6. you see them secure, Verse 7, 8, 9. there's captivitie and plagues to destroy families; will the Lord deal so with Iacob, the most excellent people under Heaven? yea, saith the Lord, I abhor them, and when you see them on the banks of Babylon, then they remember Sion, Levit. 26. 39, 40.
SECT. IV.
BEcause it is so difficult to awaken one throughly;Reason 1. no bonds (next to death) so strong to keep men under as security; and hence Ephes. 5. 14. sleeping and being among the dead are joyned together; and hence the Lord will cry, and if the Word cannot, the cry of the Rod must and shall.
In regard of the people of God, who are secure with them that are vile in secure Churches;Reason 2. if the Lord had none among them, he would come without crying; but because they are there among them, the Lord will awaken; but if any do, it is chiefly for their sakes; for though the Lord do pardon and wash away his peoples sins, yet they come not to the f…ition of pardon without faith, and this faith is never severed from repentance; and hence the Lord will not come upon them unawares before he hath broken their hearts (not from infirmities, for they will last till death, but) broken their hearts for and with their iniquity, their chief sin.
In regard of Christ himself,Reason 3. that so he may be received with esteem, and attended upon with all respect; for let the Lord shew never so much kindness to a …ecure …inner, he is not esteemed, he is forgotten, buried like a dead carkass (a dead Christ) out of doors; as it is with men that …eep, let the King stand by them, provide never so much for them they regard it not; so Deut, 32. 15. Therefore we shall finde the Lord never comes to his people, but he comes then when he is esteemed; first the Lord works the esteem, and then comes, Matth. 23. ult. Christ departs till men say, Blessed be he that … in the name of the Lord.
SECT. V.
HEnce we may see the dangerous condition of all those that fall into a secure condition,Use 1. and so dye.
1. That have been once very forward, affectionate, strict, tender, &c. but now their lamp is out.
2. That have kept themselves and their hearts from soil, their lamps bright, but now though their hearts contract soil every day, they are settled upon the Lees, and their scent is in them, and their lamp never drest.
3. That did once delight in approaching nigh to Christ in his Ordinances, in going forth in them to meet the Bridegroom; but now they not onelyonly neglect this, but take delight therein, and rest upon their neglect; as a sleepy man takes his delight, not in his work, but in the neglect of it; and though their hearts tell them of this, yet they go on their way, and dye so; what shall we think of them? I will not absolutely determine, but they give shrewd signs, that they are fallen into a dead sleep: For the Lord will awaken his Virgins before his coming; nay, he will awaken very many others for their sakes, rather than they shall be secure; Look as it was with Christ, the nearer he came to his end, the more enlarged, and heavenly, and spiritual; so it is with them that have the Spirit of Christ: Who are the Servants whom Christ shall bless at his coming? Luke 12. 37. Blessed are those that shall be found watching; That look as there is no smaller evil, but usually before it, comes the Lord and gives warning; so the greatest and last evil Death, that so they may prepare for that; as Paul, 2 Tim. 4. 5, 6, 7. The time of my departing is at hand (how could Paul tell that?) the Lord gave him secret hints of it, he could smell that state before he saw it or touched it; he could observe by the course and c…ncurrence of providences; now my course is finished, the corn is gathered, all in Asia forsake me; so the Lord doth many times unto his people; however he doth keep them watchful: Oh consider it therefore, you that are secure, if the Word now doth not awaken, yet when thy sick bed comes, and death appears, remember this truth; But remember it now, I carry the brand of a Reprobate upon me.
Hence see what little cause any man hath to take pleasure in his security;Vse 2. no pleasure in any sin (especially to a holy heart) as of the sin of security; for if a man takes pleasure in his cups, or in his course company, or in dancing, as Herod, or in gaming, &c. conscience will give him knocks, to every bit he snatcheth here; there's honey, but then a sting in them also; But now when a mans carriage is fair, outward duties performed, conscience is quiet; when a man hath been at work, he thinks in conscience he may sleep; for deepest, sweetest security comes after most work we have done; it is but a neglect, a slip, which I hope to recover out of one day; it is not an unlawful thing, but a lawful that I quiet my heart upon: Now I have good company, freedom from dangers, Ordinances, curtains drawn about me, the best sleep with me; and what hurt is here? but see the little cause you have to sleep, especially in this Country.
First, It will not be your rest alwayes, for there must and will come a cry; Moses took but little delight in Pharaoh's pleasures, they were but for a season; and therefore as the Lord there said, Micah 2. 10. Depart, this is not your rest.
Secondly, If the Word doth not awaken you out of it, your cold prayers, your heartless hearing, your careless walking with God, that your lamps be not burning (burning love to the Lord and his people, shining holiness, so as others may walk after your light, and be glad to follow you) that present pleasure you take is the rotten wood that breeds the worm of a gnawing conscience, when in the time of your trouble, it shall say, What hath your idleness gained to you? and it is the fore-runner of misery; that if lighter miseries will not do, the Lord will bring seven plagues more, and drive you into a wilderness, and there shall you be famished for want of bread; and if this will not do, God will send spoilers that shall sell you for slaves, and that shall carry you away captive, and then you shal remember Sion, and the days you slept over your time: Find any sin, but security in it will make a desolate Country and familes; if you sin and rest in it, (though not gross) nay do but decay in what once you had; many say it is more here then ever; I deny it utterly, unless it be to them that are secure; and if it be so, the loss of your first love (a small thing, &c.) will hasten breaking. Let this truth therefore be a burning Beacon to awaken you; for God will make this word good, and not let one tittle of it fall to the ground. Ezra 10. 3. them that trembled put away their strange wives, and wept sore for it; so do you; you think you may have this and the Lord too; true, but the Lord will not long abide with you if secure.
Hence see the reason why the Word strikes deep,Use 3. and is very smart sometimes upon the consciences of men, that a man speaks as if he were in their very bosom, that a man saith, God is here, that the Lord leaves thee with sad qualms upon thy conscience, and no peace from all (it is oft sanctified unless no grace) nay, after all this affliction comes; if thou wert not secure, why would the Lord cry, make his Word cry, and his Rod cry? &c. and therefore be not weary of either, but bless the Lord for, and quietly bear both; unless I had those terrors within, and afflictions without, I had gone astray, Psal. 32. 4, 5. David was secure and kept silence, he confessed, and the Lord pardoned; for this shall every one that is godly seek; Oh so do you! think then, am not I in the number? oh let me seek then and confess my sin!