The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened, Parable · Verse 7
MATTHEW XXV. 7.
Then all thoſe Virgins Aroſe and Trimmed their Lamps.
IN this Verſe we have an Account of that which followed upon the fore-named Cry, viz. All the Virgins Ariſing thereupon, and Trimming their Reſpective Lamps. By which word [All] we are not Neceſſarily to Underſtand each Individual Virgin before mentioned; ſeveral of which might Now be Dead, both in a Natural and Myſtical ſence: but onelyonly All, who Now Remained, and had not loſt their Appellation by ſome more groſs and late Pollution ſince their firſt Going out.
From whence the Obſervation is as followeth.
Obſerv. Upon the fore-named Cry, All the Remaining Virgins (both Wiſe and Fooliſh) are made to Riſe and Trim their Lamps.
Queſt. 1. What is the Meaning of that word, Aroſe?
Anſw. 1. Their Riſing (upon this Account) doth intimate Their being made to Hear that Cry, in Anſwer unto which they do Ariſe. This ſignifies the Cry to have been very Loud, elſe would it not have been Heard by ſo many Perſons faſt aſleep. Now, have they not heard? Yes verily, Rom. 10. 18. although they have not all Obeyed, v. 16. for who hath ſo Believed our Report? That Everlaſting Goſpel, Rev. 14. 6, 7. doth ſeem to have been Preached before theſe Virgins fell aſleep, as alſo, that Double Notification of Babylon's fall, v. 8. the firſt whereof was then Accompliſhed: Between which Firſt and Second Fall there is a Warning given, v. 9. which ſeemeth to be the Cry here made, and alſo to have been made already. All ſorts of Complyers with the Beaſt, and with his Mark (in Fore-heads or in Hands, that is to ſay, with reference to more Apert Commands or Covert Prohibitions) have been fore-warned, and they have Heard it.
2. Ariſing intimateth their being Now in a Capacity of Speaking, Hearing, Seeing, Weighing, and Going out, if they had pleaſed, more than before, while faſt aſleep. And have they not already been in that Capacity? Could they not have Diſcourſed what was Offered, and heard Replyes, and ſee what he that Runs might Read, Hab. 2. 2? Could they not have Conſidered what formerly they had not heard, Iſa. 52. 15. before it was Condemned, John 7. 51? Yea, could they not have walked out, as unto any viſible Rub, ſave what was of their own Creating? 'Tis true indeed, Man can do nothing of himſelf, Acts 17. 28. at leaſt-wiſe not in Spiritual Caſes, 2 Cor. 3. 5. but Men forbear not upon that Account; and Common Influences might ſuffice as to the Matter (or more External Part) of ſuch a work. And in that Caſe Affected Ignorance is not Invincible, nor will Pretended inability Excuſe, Luke 14. 18, 19, 20. when Blind and Maimed ones ſhall be brought in, v. 21.
3. Ariſing (hereupon) doth intimate their Underſtanding and Approving (in part at leaſt) what is Declared and Required by the Cry. One may be throughly wakened by that which vexeth, who then endeavours to ſleep again: But being told, the Bridegroom Cometh, and being bid Go out to meet him, he will not Riſe, who doth not competently underſtand the Notice, and like the Motion. And hath not this alſo been to be ſeen of late among the Virgins? Have not their Swooning Expectations been Revived, as Tabitha, ſo as to ſit up a little, Acts 9. 40? Have not ſome Heard, that Chriſt (in his Witneſſes) is both Alive and Riſen, Luke 24. 23? Yea, have not ſome of Themſelves been Plauſibly convinced, becauſe his Dead Body was not to be ſeen, although they ſaw him not Alive, v. 24? Yea, have they not Approved in their Hearts and Conſciences, at leaſt, ſome part of what the Cry requireth? Which further proves its having been already made; though with ſubmiſſion.
4. Ariſing intimateth the Sleepers Moving out of his former Place and Poſture. Some Men can ſlumber as they ſtand, but yet not ſleep, till either Laid, or ſitting in ſome convenient place; both which are inconſiſtent with Ariſing. And hath not ſuch a variation been Apparent? I mean, ſome kind of Riſing up (with Arms unfolded) from eaſier Seats and ſelf-indulging Poſtures? Some have been ſtrengthened, as Jacob was, to Riſe and Sit, though onelyonly upon the ſame Bed ſtill, upon the Hearing of Joſeph's Coming, Gen. 48. 1, 2. and his not being able to leave his Bed, was from his preſent Weakneſs, and Near approaching Death, Gen. 49. 33. Others have alſo Riſen out of their Seat, as Eglon did, upon his Hearing of a Meſſage from the Lord, Judg. 3. 20. who yet then Periſhed, v. 21. becauſe of his former evil Practices. But ſome have alſo left their Bed and Walked, as did that Damſel, upon Chriſt's ſpeaking to her, Mark 5. 41, 42. who formerly had been aſleep, v. 39.
5. Ariſing upon the Cry, doth intimate their getting in a readineſs for ſome further Action, as Joſh. 8. 3. Mat. 8. 15. and as is evident from the joyning of their Riſing, with the Trimming of their Lamps: Which leadeth to the next Enquiry.
Queſt. 2. What ſeemeth to be meant by the Trimming of their Lamps?
Anſw. 1. Trimming of Lamps doth intimate (by Neceſſary conſequence) the taking Notice of their preſent ſtate, in point o… Oyl or Light, which could not but be then perceived, and as the Iſſue evidenced. While Men are faſt aſleep, (yea, till they Riſe and are at work) they know not clearly what they Have or Want, which ſhould encourage us to be upon our conſtant Watch, as we would know our Happineſs or Miſery. Sleep doth Benight the Underſtanding, and onelyonly fills the Head with Solacing or Frighting Dreams, for which there is no Real cauſe, as upon wakening doth appear. And have not the ſlumbring Virgins been thus undeceived upon the freſh ſtirring of their Affections, Typified by theſe Lamps? Some have been onelyonly Frighted into the Exerciſe of their Remaining ſtrength, as Sampſon was, upon his firſt Awakening, by a Cry, Judg. 16. 9. But others have found, that ſhaking of themſelves could do no good, no more than it did him at laſt, Judg. 16. 20, 21.
2. Trimming of Lamps doth intimate their being Cleanſed from that ſoil, which formerly hath been Contracted by length of Time, or falling ſnuffs, or burning too near the bottom. Lamps will contract Pollution meerly through diſcontinuance of conſtant Dreſſing: And ſo will good Affections, when not conſtantly looked after, 1 Chron. 29. 3. 9. 18. Much more will un-removed ſnuffs defile; or that more Groſs and Earthy part, which doth Attend our beſt Affections; Eſpecially when Lamps are ſuffered to burn too Low, or when our very Light is Carnal, which doth diſcolour our Affections, and threatens the Extinguiſhing of our Light or Judgment, Rom. 1. 21. And have not the Virgins Lamps been All thus Trimmed? Whilſt they were ſlumbring, their former good Affections were much Eclipſed from want of Daily Rubbing, from their being onelyonly Snuffed or Reproved by their own Back-ſlidings, and from the Degenerating of their Wiſdom into Carnal Policy, which ſince hath been Amended.
3. Trimming the Lamps doth intimate their being alſo newly Tipt, or Beautified with ſome freſh Adorning; the former being now decayed with Age and filth, and partly, by a preſent ſcouring. And have not the Virgins Lamps or good Affections been lately thus Adorned? Some could not be at Reſt untill they had put on again that Coat of Zeal for Chriſt, which formerly they had put off; till they had turned unto him, from whom they with the Generality had Revolted, in Anſwer to that Call, Iſa. 31. 6. Yea, others alſo have endeavoured to ſet a fair Gloſs or Face upon their fading Lamps, or Dying good Affections, by wiſhing that it had been otherwiſe, and witneſſing unto the betterneſs of others Practices. Thus have theſe ſought to Paint their Faces, whereas the former have Recovered their Native Luſtre; though both are in Appearance very Trim to what they ſometimes were, themſelves and others being Judges.
4. Trimming the Lamps doth intimate their making ſhew, of getting fit to March, or to Go out and Meet the Bridegroom; which partly their Ariſing promiſed, much more this Super-added Preparation. And hath not ſuch a ſhew been made? Yea, have not ſome begun to March? Whom others alſo have Accompanied, ſo far as Oyl or Light hath laſted. Some have Reformed many Moral Evils of a Common Nature. Some have Repented of more groſs Compliances with Spiritual Babylon. Some are more Open (yet) in their Religious Worſhip, but are not free to Promiſe it for the Future, nor yet to Confeſs a former failing. But moſt are ſtumbled at Going out of this Old Earth and Heavens, or Lower good Attainments, deſiring firſt to Bury their Aged Parents, Mat. 8. 21. or Friendly to Part with them, at leaſt, Luke 9. 61. and to fetch ſomething out of their Old Houſe, at leaſt their Cloaths, Mat. 24. 17, 18. not being able to go out of Lower things.
Queſt. 3. How comes this Cry to be ſo Generally Rouzing?
Anſw. 1. Becauſe it is ſo very Loud; in which Caſe Baal muſt needs have heard if he had onelyonly been aſleep, 1 Kings 18. 27, 28. as God did Rabſhakeh, Iſa. 37. 23. The Lord hath lately Cryed aloud, both by his Providences, and by ſome Publick Teſtimonies. How did the late Plague Alarm all our Virgins, among whom it Raged moſt Remarkably? Yea, how were Harlots Frighted with the Fire, and much more others? The Meaning whereof hath been made out unto ſome Men of Wiſdom, Mic. 6. 9. and partly, unto ſome Fooliſh Virgins alſo. And doth it not conclude them Dead, who are not yet at all awakened? Nor will continuing Sleepers be Excuſed, by their pretending Not to have Heard; ſince all Men ſhall be Judged by that Law which hath been once Proclaimed, though not particularly ſent to every one who ſhould have Enquired after it, which yet hath been ſo loud, as Generally to Raiſe the ſlumbring Virgins.
2. Becauſe it is undoubtedly Divine, the Hearing whereof made wicked Eglon to ariſe, Judg. 3. 20. and thoſe to be Obedient, who had ſurceaſed Temple-work through Slaviſh Fear, when once they underſtood the Lord's own Voice and Meſſage by the Prophet, whom God himſelf had ſent as his own Meſſenger, Hag. 1. 12, 13. The Voice of God can break the Cedars, or ſtout-hearted ones, Pſal. 29. 5. Yea, it can make the Hinds to Calve, v. 9. or Fearful Creatures (ſuch as Hinds are, Cant. 2. 7.) to bring forth, although with much Pain, as doth that Creature, Job 39. 3. The word of Man may be (and in ſome Caſes ſhould be) Dis-regarded, Gal. 1. 8. but if it be received as the Word of God, it works Effectually in them who do Believe it, 1 Theſ. 2. 13. Now, all the Virgins do believe this Cry is Chriſt's; and it is ſelf-evincing, becauſe 'tis Scriptural; and then they muſt be one day Judged by it, who therefore Now cannot but be awakened.
3. Becauſe this Cry Without is Seconded by Conſcience from Within, which maketh room for its Reception. Conſcience is in the Soul of Man, as is the Drum within his Ear, which doth receive an Outward ſound, and ſo tranſmits it to the Brain, or Underſtanding, unleſs that Drum be ſpoyled, and then no Cry VVithout is Underſtood. Science alone is ineffectual, but Conſcience is knowing Together with, or Co-atteſting unto the Truth and VVeight of what is Offered by another. Now, that which is here Notified by the Cry, is readily Ecchoed unto by awakened Conſciences, which do Remember, Chriſt May be Coming, and then it is a Duty to Go out and Meet him. And when a Cry without is Anſwered by a Cry within, the deepeſt ſleeper muſt needs awaken, and do ſomething, untill the Ear be Deaſned, and Conſcience ſome way ſatisfied, ſo as to ceaſe its Bawling Noiſe.
4. Becauſe the Perſons cryed unto are Virgins or Profeſſors, and ſo more eaſie to be awakened than others are. Theſe were not Dead, but onelyonly faſt aſleep, who therefore were more likely to Rouzed up, at leaſt-wiſe by ſome Louder Call. Profeſſors are Deſcribed alſo by their Nearneſs unto Chriſt, Eph. 2. 17. which is a great advantage, in point of Hearing, above what others have. The Cry is alſo more Particularly Directed to the Virgins here, which promiſeth a ſuitable Entertainment, Prov. 22. 19, 20, 21. and in which Caſe, a Jehu will ariſe, 2 Kings 9. 5, 6. And though Proud Pharaoh Knew not God, upon his Hearing of a Meſſage from him, Exod. 5. 1, 2. Yet none of theſe Virgins are ſo Atheiſtical, as to Reject what ſeems to be Divine. And though ſome former Profeſſors may have made away their Conſcience, 1 Tim. 1. 19. Yet Virgins (whilſt Remaining ſuch) have ſomething of a Tender Spirit in them, which doth Oblige their Hearkening thereunto.
5. The Wiſer Virgins might be concluded light of Hearing, and of an Obedient Diſpoſition, with whom the Fooliſh Yet were in Communion; and if but one of a Company be awakened, he may awaken all the reſt. Spouſes are never ſo faſt aſleep, but they both Hear and Know the Voice of their Beloved, Cant. 5. 2. Chriſt's Sheep are to be known by ſuch an Ear-mark, John 10. 3. who thereupon do alſo follow him, v. 4. And Philip being Called, will call Nathanael, John 1. 43. 45. Yea, frighted Mariners will not let Jonah ſleep, Jonah 1. 5, 6. if in their Company. This is the benefit of Fellowſhip with Real Saints, though Labouring under ſtrong Temptations; what is it then to be in Communion with the Watchful? And though no Oyl could be afforded by the Wiſer Virgins, yet might the Fooliſh be thus awakened, who otherwiſe, perhaps, had not been much Affected with the Cry, ſave as ſome of their own Companions did enliven it by their Example, which are more Prevalent with ſome than Precepts.
Queſt. 4. Why do the Fooliſh Virgins (alſo) Riſe and Trim their Lamps, who had no Oyl to lead them further, as had the Wiſe?
Anſw. 1. Theſe being at the preſent wakened, muſt needs do ſomething, who ſcarcely could do leſs than Riſe and Trim their Lamps. They were awakened by the Cry, whether they would or no; and to lye ſtill with Open Eyes, or to Riſe up and to be altogether Idle, would onelyonly make their Conſciences Rage the more, till it be made to ſleep again. Thus are ſome Hurried in that, which as they never Thought to have Begun, ſo neither do they mean to Proſecute it, ſave till ſome fair Occaſion be afforded of Quarrelling therewith, and of Returning into their Former ſtate. This is the Fruit of Injudicious good Affections or Raſh Engagements, whereof Men ſoon Repent, Mat. 21. 30. and which are eaſily deſiſted from, without much inward real conflict, Ruth 4. 4, 5, 6. Truſt not unto the Force of Natural Conſcience, no more than to the haſty ſpringing up of Seed in Stony Ground, which hath no Root, Mat. 13. 5, 6.
2. They poſſibly might not Yet perceive their want of Oyl, untill their Lamps were Trimmed, Labouring ſtill under that Miſtake, which made them at the firſt to venture out, through ſleightineſs and ſelf-conceit. They who ſeek not to un-deceive themſelves in Time, may juſtly be given up to ſtrong Deluſions, that they ſhall verily believe a Lye; and they who ſleep with Empty Veſſels, will ſcarcely Dream of ought but Fulneſs; nor yet awake (in Spiritual Caſes) with any other (Timely) apprehenſions. When Souls fall once in Love with Naked good Affections, they ſeldom prize a Spiritually enlightned Judgment, untill it be too late to Rectifie that Fundamental and Soul-damning-Error. It is with Spiritual Pride, as with a Tympany, which (being Chronical) is hardly Cured, eſpecially in Caſe of a Relapſe, or when a Soul hath formerly been warned of it, as all the Virgins or Profeſſors were, when firſt enlightned.
3. They fain would go as far as might be with the Wiſer Virgins, with whom they firſt went out, and having ſlept together, they ſuitably endeavoured to Ariſe and Trim their Lamps, in Anſwer to the Cry, as do the other: Great is the ſingle Force of Pre-engagement, and as with reference unto ſin, Jer. 2. 25. ſo with Reſpect unto ſome kind of good, John 19. 22. Yea, Jephthah (rather than he would go back) choſe to Deny himſelf in Sacrificing his onelyonly Child, Judg. 11. 35. Pride alſo is Predominant in Fooliſh Virgins, who therefore may do more than otherwiſe they would have done, becauſe they ſcorn to come behind their Fellows. Communion alſo begetteth Love; and Love conſtrained Ruth (who yet had not a better Principle) to keep her Mother Company, Ruth 1. 15, 16. Yea, Natural Conſcience will Regret, to Part with Ancient Precious Friends, when barely put upon Repeating their Joint former Practice, untill ſome more than Ordinary Let doth intervene, and till a plauſible pretence or colour ſhall be Offered for ſuch a Parting.
4. They might do This without any Prejudice to Themſelves; and in that Caſe, ſome eaſier work will not be ſtuck at by a Fooliſh Virgin. 'Tis nothing (in Compariſon) for one Awakened to Ariſe: Nor can the Trimming of One's Lamp (or ſtirring of ſome good Affections) much Diſquiet any Man whoſe Principal Intereſt, or Corruption is yet untouch'd. Thus Satan is content to Gratifie the ſinner's bawling or a wakened Conſcience, by giving him a Diſpenſation to Hear, and Read, and Pray ſometimes, untill that Crying fit be over. Nor is a Worldly Intereſt endangered by what this Trimming of the Lamps importeth, no more than Nicodemus his Coming unto Chriſt (by Night) did him; ſince he was yet within the Compaſs of that Law, John 9. 22. And though an Harlot will not do thus much, yet is the moſt Fooliſh Virgin Wiſer than to diſtaſt a Boſom Friend, by Grudging that which may be ſafely granted.
5. They might think (being Fooliſh) this was All; untill the Cry is, as it were, Expounded by the Wiſer Virgins Going further: So prone are Hypocrites to Magnifie their own Performances. Or they might think this would ſuffice at leaſt; either to carry them out, as at the firſt, or to Excuſe them, in Caſe they did not Go, having thus ſhewn their good Affection by Trimming of their Lamps.
Firſt, they might think their Trimmed Lamps would be ſufficient to carry them out this Second time, as well as at the Firſt, when they did onelyonly take their Lamps, but no Oyl with them; not minding the Difference that Now was, both as to the Work it ſelf, and alſo the ſtrength of their Affections. The Work it ſelf was Then more Eaſie, and their Affections were more Lively, than at the Preſent: But when poor Sampſon's Hair was cut, he ſtill was apt to Fancy that ſhaking of himſelf would ſerve the turn, as heretofore at other times, Judg. 16. 19, 20. This truſting unto fore-Experiences is many times the Ruine of unſound Profeſſors, who Argue from a former Practice, unto their Future perſeverance, and ſo betray themſelves into the Tempter's hand through their Preſumptuous Confidence. David indeed might ſafely Argue his following Succeſs from what he formerly had met with, 1 Sam. 17. 37. becauſe he went in the Name (or Strength) of God, v. 45. which Hypocrites do not pretend unto; and therefore, ſince their Good is not in their Own Hand, Job 21. 16. it is no wonder if their Lamp or Candle be put out, v. 17.
Secondly, they might (at leaſt) ſuppoſe, This would Excuſe them, in Caſe they went no further; having thus ſhewn their Willing Mind, or good Affections, by Trimming of their Lamps. Thus ſome poor Creatures are apt to Fanſy, that good Deſires will ſerve the turn, who therefore plead a Love for Chriſt, ſuch as thoſe Virgins had, Cant. 1. 3. who yet were not Eſpouſed to him. Theſe Good Affections are the Bane of Hypocrites, who think to Borrow upon Practice, by their Preſenting Chriſt with good Deſires; but he will not be Mocked. OnelyOnly themſelves are fully ſatisfied, if they have but a liking of Chriſt's ways, a Love for Walkers in them; eſpecially if they are Up and Doing, to the Height of their pretended Light. Indeed Chriſt ſometimes doth Accept a Willing Mind, but that Relateth onelyonly to Invincible Inability, and not to Fooliſh Virgins, but the Wiſe, 2 Cor. 8. 11, 12. both which are ſadly mis-applyed by them to themſelves.
6. This Work is of a ſelf-paying Nature, as well as ſafe: and Ephraim (that ſilly Creature, Hoſ. 7. 11.) is willing to Tread out the Corn, Hoſ. 10. 11. or Work and Eat together, Deut. 25. 4. ſo is a Fooliſh Virgin. The firſt Going out was attended with preſent Pay, wherein the Fooliſh Virgins therefore Joyned; ſo is their Second Riſing and Trimming of their Lamps, though not their Second Going forth: And Carnal Jews will follow Chriſt whilſt they are filled with his Loaves, John 6. 26. who Walked no more with him, v. 66. when nothing but Spiritual (or inviſible) Bread and Fleſh is promiſed to them, v. 51. But Riſing doth Refreſh the Conſcience much, ſo doth the finifying of Affections: Since it is Natural unto Maids or Virgins to think more on their Ornaments than on their Reſt. Jer. 2. 32. Yea, they would not elſe be accounted Virgins; the Preſervation of which Name or Title doth Plentifully Recompenſe the Fooliſh Virgins preſent Labour, who therefore are thus at Work.
Ʋſe 1. As none were to be counted Virgins Heretofore, ſave they who at the firſt went forth to meet the Bridegroom; ſo when the Cry is made, none are to be Accounted Virgins Then, ſave they who thereupon Aroſe and Trimmed their Lamps; ſince All the Virgins (at ſuch a time) are ſaid to do ſo. And ſo long onelyonly doth the Warrant of Communion laſt with ſuch, and of their being Owned as Profeſſors; who Differed from the Wiſe at firſt, as to Reality; but from This time they ceaſe to have the Name of Virgins given to them, and as that Name is Common to the Fooliſh with the Wiſe, in point of Viſibility. This ſhews the ſadneſs of their viſible State, who are not moved with the Cry, ſince they have thereby forfeited the Name of Virgins; in Chriſt's Account, as having ſlept the ſleep of Death. Yea, they who are not Parted Now from ſuch as Theſe, will not themſelves be counted Virgins.
Ʋſe 2. Here we may ſee one ſad Effect of ſleep or ſlumber, viz. the marring of our Lamps at leaſt, as their being Trimmed (by awakened ones) evinceth. Now, Virgins uſually are very Neat; therefore this conſideration might ſuffice to keep ſuch ever waking, as they would not ſpoyl their Trimming. How Glorious was their firſt Love, when ſhining with a Lively Exerciſe thereof, and Burning with an Holy Zeal for Chriſt at their firſt Going out, together wherewith their Glory alſo hath been loſt. Man's Eye is eminently the Seat of Beauty, which therefore needs muſt be Eclipſed, together with the Cloſing of his Eye with ſleep, which is Death's Image. In point of viſibility, Darkneſs it ſelf is ſtaining, Job 3. 5. and ſleep will Ruffle the fineſt Ornaments in Reality; therefore none would be ſeen in their Night-Habits, nor will they lye down to ſlumber, till they have either put off their Bravery, or ceaſed to be ſtudious about its Preſervation.
Ʋſe 3. Hence we may Learn, how far the Wiſer and Fooliſh Virgins may go together. They All went out at firſt, they All were overtaken with a ſlumbring Spirit; and now they All Awaken, Riſe, and Trim their Lamps together. It is a Mercy to be Awakened, but many are ſo, to their ſhame, who either ſleep again, or onelyonly Muſe and Talk a little, and to leſs purpoſe, if that be all. It is ſome further Mercy to be Raiſed up, which yet an Hypocrite may be Intereſted in, who may not onelyonly Hear Chriſt's Voice, Luke 13. 26: and be in a Capacity of doing more, but alſo may Approve what is more Excellent, Rom. 2. 18. Yea, Fooliſh Galatians may Begin to Run, Gal. 3. 3. and 5. 7. Nay, ſuch may alſo Trim their Lamps, as do theſe Fooliſh Virgins; an Empty Houſe may be both Swept and Garniſhed, Mat. 13. 44, Such may do many things, Mark 6. 20. and Promiſe more, Mat. 21. 30. No Judgment can rightly paſs upon Profeſſors, till we ſhall ſee who have Gone out, by their Admiſſion to the Bridegroom's Marriage.