The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened, Parable · Verse 13 · Question 9
Queſt. 9. What are thoſe ſpecial Duties, with reference unto which we are to VVatch at ſuch a Time?
Anſw. The Principal Duties of ſuch a Time, Relate unto All ſorts of Perſons.
I. Unto Sinners, both in the VVorld and Sion; and more eſpecially, thoſe whom Chriſt will Then call unto his Bar, as having been his ſignal Enemies, Luke 19. 27. Their Duty is, to get Delivered from their Adverſary, in the VVay, before his ſitting as a Judge, Luke 12. 58: as Shimei therefore came to meet provoked David, the Firſt of all the Houſe of Joſeph, 2 Sam. 19. 20. and thereby get ſome preſent Pardon, v. 23. Fury is not in God; therefore let ſuch make Peace with him, and they ſhall do ſo, Iſa. 27. 4, 5. How unexpectedly was Nineveh Reprieved, upon the ſelf-humbling of that Aſſyrian King, Jonah 3. 10? So doth God promiſe to build ſuch up among his People, could they but learn his Peoples VVayes, Jer. 12. 16. And if Jeruſalem could but Repent, her ſeeming Sentence Jer. 21. 10. ſhould be Reverſed, Jer. 22. 4: and therefore, O Jeruſalem waſh thine Heart from Wickedneſs, that ſo thou maiſt be ſaved, Jer. 4. 14. Think upon this, you bloody Perſecutors, ſad Apoſtates, baſe Complyers, and ſleighty Unbelievers; this is the great work incumbent upon you, which muſt be Now done, or (perhaps) Never.
II. Unto Saints; which are, as followeth, Expreſſely required at ſuch a time.
1. In making our Election ſure; which is the Great work of Time, 2 Pet. 1. 10; and more eſpecially at ſuch a time. Men in a Fire, are Firſtly carefull to ſave their Evidences: now ſince This Day will be with Burning and fewel of Fire, Iſa. 9. 5. take heed your Evidences be not Burnt. Foundations (then) will be Diſcovered to the Neck, Hab. 3. 13: and therefore Hypocrites will then be Known by their Exceſſive Fear, Iſa. 33. 14; and Others, by their holy Confidence, at Chriſt's Appearing, 1 Joh. 2. 28. See therefore to the Ground you Build upon, and bring your Marks unto the Touch-ſtone; not taking upon Truſt; nor Truſting to what might ſuffice, as to being held Communion with; ſince Goats will Now be ſet Aſide, Mat. 25. 32. which yet were Clean, for Sacrifice, and Food, or Saint-Communion Acts of Old.
2. Let us Occupy thoſe Talents which Chriſt hath betruſted us with for ſuch a Purpoſe, Luke 19. 13. Each one hath put into his hand, according to his ſeveral Ability, Mat. 25. 15. and an Exact Account whereof is to be made at ſuch a Time, Luke 19. 15; who therefore had need to VVatch. Some want Ability, as to ſome Kind of Talents; and Others, as to the ſame Degree, for that, which (in reſpect of Kind) is Equally communicated unto all. Thus are the Saints betruſted with peculiar Priviledges; yea, every Sinner with ſome kind of Talent; though Gradually Differing (both of them) each from other: and ſuitable whereunto, muſt be their Reckoning. Men muſt be accountable for their ſweet Illapſes, Croſſes, Opportunities for Duty, Helps therein, and Outward Mercies; what they have Gained thereby: whoſe Duty it therefore is to Trade therewith; and to wards the End eſpecially.
3. Let us be much in Prayer, that we may not Enter into Temptation, Mark 14. 38. but be accounted VVorthy to Eſcape, and ſtand before the Son of Man, Luke 21. 36. Now one may be ſaid to Enter into Temptation, when ſomething is that way done, although not to the Height thereof; when ſinfull Motions are Parlyed with, or Satan is heard in a plain Caſe: When foiled Temptations are not purſued, but ſuffered to Riſe again: When Oppoſite Duty is not duely prized; and when we are not Deeply Humbled for a former Fall: In which regard, Prayer is of ſpecial ſecuring uſe, as it doth bring the Soul into God's Over-awing Preſence; as it enlivens other helps; and as it is the likelyeſt way to be Inſtructed and Aſſiſted from the Lord. OnelyOnly we muſt therein be Upright, Earneſt, Perſevering, and not Idle Beggars, but free to Work.
4. What manner of Perſons ought we to be, as to All Godlineſs and Holy Converſation, 2 Pet. 3. 11; ſo as to be found of Chriſt in Peace, and without Spot or Blame, v. 14? Chriſt will Then come, and his Reward with him, Iſa. 40. 10: therefore let us now ply our Work apace; and let us not make light of Idle words, which then muſt be Accounted for, Mat. 12. 36. Each Talent (well Improved) will gain a City, in that Day, Luke 19. 17: and little do many think how ſmall a matter will be ſufficient to Burn This World, as was to Drown the Other. How forcible (to make us Accurate) would be the conſtant Expectation of a Dying Hour, and the laſt Trumpets ſounding unto Judgement? And with what Chearfulneſs doth a Tenant hear his Landlord Knock, whoſe Rent is Ready, and not to Borrow at ſuch a time?
5. Say not, A Confederacy with Threatning Aſhur, Iſa. 8. 12; whoſe Fall, Iſa. 31. 8. immediately uſhereth in Chriſt's Diſpenſation, Iſa. 32. 1. Some will Confederate with him for Miſchief to God's Hidden Ones, Pſal. 83. 4, 5, 8. and others (in Jeruſalem) through ſlaviſh Fear, directly croſs to a Divine Command. And therefore Hezekiah would not give him Pledges, Iſa. 36. 8; although he was not for Provoking Anſwers, v. 21. and thereupon was fortified from the Lord, Iſa. 37. 6, 7. What Shame and Horrour will then ſurprize thoſe unrepenting Iſraelites, who have gone down for help to Egypt, Iſa. 31. 1. or to this King with Preſents, Iſa. 57. 9? 'Tis very Probable, that Shebna was of this Confederacy, who ſometimes had the Key of David's Houſe, but therefore forfeited his Place unto Eliakim, Iſa. 22. 21, before that Siege was raiſed, 2 Kings 18. 18.
6. Come out of Babylon; as all Gods People are bid to doe, Rev. 18. 4. and more eſpecially at ſuch a Time. Now Babylon is to be Known; Partly, by her being very Tender and unacquainted with others Hardſhips, Iſa. 47. 1, 2. Partly by her abounding with worldly Great ones, 2 Kings 25. 28; and men of greateſt Note for Wiſdom, Dan. 2. 12: Partly, by making a God of Succoth-benoth, or Tents of Daughters, 2 King. 17. 30; viz. the Numerouſneſs of their Party, though onelyonly made up of Women: Partly, by her moſt cruel Perſecutions, Jer. 50. 17. and unnatural Oppreſſions, Iſa. 14. 20: and Partly, by her Incorrigibleneſs, Jer. 51. 9. This Babylon is to be left, Jer. 51. 45. and all the Temple-Veſſels to be carried thence, which have been there Abuſed, as was of Old; ſince Every one found There (at ſuch a time) will be cut off, Iſa. 13. 15.
7. Forſake not the Aſſembling of your ſelves Together, and ſo much the more, as this Day ſeemeth to Approach, Heb. 10. 25. Thoſe are no Watchers, (eſpecially in theſe latter dayes,) who are for meeting Aſunder, through fear of ſuffering for ſo clear a Duty. Thus let us therefore VVatch, in caſe freſh Perſecution ſhould ariſe, as hath oft done in former times, and after ſome Reſpite given. And as men would be kept Awake in that reſpect, ſo let them take heed of Truſting in their Former Duty; much more, of pleading for a former Failing, or making light thereof; which is moſt likely to betray us into freſh Temptations. Yea, let us Adde mutual Exhortations unto other Means, whereby to counterpoiſe the Practice or Manner of ſome Others, with reference hereunto, as is there further ſignified, Heb. 10. 25.
8. Let us be Moderate in our Affections, with reference unto Creature-comforts; and more Eſpecially, as the Time grows ſhort, or as the Faſhion of This world is ſeen to paſs Away, 1 Cor. 7. 29, 30, 31. VVhichWhich word tranſlated [Faſhion] doth ſignifie the Out ſide Cloathing of a thing or perſon, thus Chriſt was found in [Faſhion] as a Man, Phil. 2. 8. when he was cloathed with our Nature: ſo will the Preſent VVorld be changed (as a Veſture) at his Coming, Pſal. 102. 25. And that word [ſhort] is thought to be a Metaphor taken from a piece of Cloth, whoſe very End is onelyonly left unrolled up: Or rather it doth im-import, that Time is Now put into its VVinding-ſheet; and ſo the ſame Greek VVord is rendred, Acts 5. 6. Therefore 'tis Time to take our Affections Off from that, which is Now Dead, and Ready to be Buried.
9. Let us then Flee, out of Judea, into the Mountains, Mat. 24. 16. and much more out of Old Jeruſalem, at ſuch a time, on pain of Death, Jer. 21. 9, 10, 11. 'Tis ſomething ſtrange, that it ſhould Ever be a Duty to goe into Babylon; but 'tis True, as Babylon denotes Confuſion, (or Going forth out of the City, into the Field,) and There ſhall Sion be Delivered, Mic. 4. 10. Thus are the Lord's Prieſts (or Eminent Saints) commanded to VVeep between the Porch and Altar, at ſuch a time, Joel 2. 17; which neceſſarily implyeth, their being Come out of that former Temple, wherein they had been wont to Miniſter. VVhichWhich fleeing to the Mountains doth fitly ſuit with Meeting Chriſt in the Air at laſt, 1 Theſſ. 4. 17; as being a Middle-ſtate, between the Earth and Heaven; or their being Covered in the ſhadow of his Hand, till he ſhall Plant the Heavens, and lay the Foundations of the Earth afreſh, Iſa. 51. 16.
10. Remember Lot's wife, ſaith Chriſt himſelf, with reference unto his Coming, Luke 17. 30. 32. whom we are to Remember, as to her Sin and Puniſhment, together with the Circumſtances which relate unto them both. Her Sin was Looking Back (to Sodom) or Behind her, Gen. 19. 26. contrary to God's Expreſs Command, v. 17. which Looking Back unfitteth for an Intereſt in his Kingdom, Luke 9. 62. Her Puniſhment was, her being therefore turn'd into a Pillar of Salt, Gen. 19. 26. which Salt doth ſeem to be a Part of Sodom's Judgement, Deut. 29. 23. Lot onelyonly was ſpoken to in that Command, Gen. 19. 17; yet his VVife periſhed for Diſobeying it: therefore take heed of Limiting Commands to thoſe whom they were onelyonly firſt given forth unto. She alſo Died without Mercy, although ſhe was the VViſe of Righteous Lot: therefore Truſt not to Carnal Priviledges. And though ſhe had Come out of Sodom, yet did ſhe Periſh by the Way, for having an Affection thereunto, or Looking back Behind her.
11. Touch no Unclean thing; but be ye Clean, who bear the Veſſels of the Lord, Iſa. 52. 11. By which word [Veſſels] are meant, thoſe Goſpel-Truths which have been carryed into Babylon: the Bearers whereof (from thence) are Prieſts and Levites, Ezra 8. 30. who typified Goſpel-Saints, 1 Pet. 2. 9: and Touching denotes Communion, 2 Cor. 6. 14. 17. Thus are we to ſtudy, wherein the Purity of Communion doth conſiſt; or what it is that makes Unclean (according to the Myſtical Import of Moſes his Law,) by its being Touched. And let us not be made to think, this Separation is unlawfull, if made by a Leſſer Number, or a Particular perſon; in caſe the VVhole (or Greater Number) be ſo Unclean; ſince the Command is Univerſal, the Reaſon is the ſame for every Part as for the Whole; nor have Particular perſons ſtuck thereat, 2 Chron. 11. 14. 16. Joſh. 24. 15. but were Required thus to do, Jer. 15. 19. with an Encouragement from the Lord, 2 Cor. 6. 18. and without Danger, Iſa. 52. 12.
12. If we have eſcaped out of Babylon, let us take heed of ſtanding ſtill on this ſide that which is our Reſting place, Jer. 51. 50. The ſame word (in the Hebrew) is applied to Leah's leaving off to Bear, Gen. 29. 35. and to the ſtaying of that Widow's Oyl, 2 Kings 4. 6. and Joaſh his ſmiting at the Third ſtroak, 2 Kings 13. 18. and Job's Friends being ſilenced, Job 32. 16. and the Sea's ceaſing from her Raging, Jonah 1. 15. all which clear up the Meaning of it. Thus let us not ſtand, as to our freſh Conceptions, Multiplying, ſmiting Anſwers, and Holy Zeal or Raging: Since Babylon's Plagues may elſe be apt to over-take us; and if we ſtand (in ſuch a Caſe) we poſſibly may go no further, and ſo fall ſhort of Sion, which is as far from Babylon, as four Moneths Journeying can well Accompliſh, Ezra 7. 9. Let us not therefore talk of Houſes yet, but onelyonly Tents.
13. Remember to keep no ſilence, ye that make mention of the Lord; and give him no Reſt, till he Eſtabliſh, and till he make Jeruſalem a Praiſe in the Earth, Iſa. 62. 6, 7. VVhen Chriſt's Dominion is ſetup, Pſal. 72. 8. and when the whole Earth is filled with his Glory, v. 19. then will the prayers of David (the Son of Jeſſe) End, v. 20. but till that time, they will (they ought to) be Continued, and for the Haſtening of that Diſpenſation. That Day of Salvation will be a time for Praiſes, Iſa. 12. 4. therefore this Hour (immediately foregoing it) ſhould be the Hour of Prayer. And though God needeth not to be Remembred of his Covenant, Pſal. 111. 5. yet will he be Enquired of for This, Ezek. 36. 37. and therefore let us pray for This; and as we find the Time Approaching, as he did, Dan. 9. 2, 3.
14. Mind well the Signs of our Redemption drawing Near, and let us ſuitably be Affected, Luke 21. 28. Signs are no inſignificant or idle things, which none but Phariſees are Ignorant of, Mat. 16. 3. and All but Carnal Iſraelites will Believe them, Numb. 14. 11. And if ſome do ſo Magnifie their own Invented Sig… of the Croſs, much more ſhould we eſteem that ſign of Mercy, which is of God's own giving, as Iſa. 7. 14. Now, we have had Many Signs and Wonders in our days; which ſhew the Nearneſs of Chriſt's Name, Pſal. 75. 1. upon the multiplying whereof, God doth conclude his People will Believe, Exod. 4. 8. though without Signs they will not, John 4. 48. But yet (alas) how ſoon are Theſe forgot? Pſal. 78. 42, 43. which is Accompanied with Turning back, v. 57. and therefore had need to be Remembred.
15. As they that have wrought God's Judgment, are to ſeek Righteouſneſs; ſo are the Meek bid to ſeek Meekneſs, in this Day; wherein it may be ſuch will be Hid, Zeph. 2. 3. Which Meekneſs (to be ſought by Meek ones) doth denote ſubduedneſs of Spirit to the will of God, in caſe Afflicting Diſpenſations be continued; and Hearts eſtabliſhed with Patience, becauſe his Coming draweth nigh, James 5. 8. We know not certainly how long thoſe ſigns may go before his very Coming; therefore let us Rejoyce with Trembl…ng, and wait upon the Lord, Zeph. 3. 8. Himſelf will (Now) ſoon Plead our Cauſe; therefore let not our Paſſion riſe. But we muſt look to meet with fiery intermixtures afterwards, Rev. 15. 2. therefore get ſtore of Meekneſs.
16. Since God will Now bring Evil upon All, let not Great things be ſought for by us for our ſelves; but let us count it a ſufficient Portion, if Life be given us for a prey, Jer. 45. 5. In caſe the City be Low in a Low place, Iſa. 32. 19. then Bleſſed are they that ſow beſide all Waters, v. 20. or ſuch as have a Spirit ſuited to their Diſpenſation. It is Abſurd, (as well as ſinful) to look for Canaan in the Wilderneſs. How Childiſhly do many wonder at their preſent ſhort Allowance, both in Reſpect of Temporals and Spirituals. Let Milk and Butter ſatisfie us in that day, Iſa. 7. 21, 22. and that we may Truſt in the Name of God, though without any Light, Iſa. 50. 10. or that our Life and Soul are kept together: ſince we muſt be like him, Rom. 8. 29. who entred into Paradiſe in a Cloud, Mat. 27. 46. Luke 23. 43.
17. Let us Account the Bridegroom's Tarrying, or the Long-ſuffering of our Lord, to be Salvation, 2 Pet. 3. 15. It is Deſign'd (by Him) to be ſo; and it may eaſily be perceived (by us) to be of ſuch a ſaving Nature, both in Reſpect to our ſelves and others. If He is unwilling that any ſhould periſh, and therefore ſlackneth, 2 Pet. 3. 9. ſhall we ſo far indulge our Perſonal ſatisfaction, as to wiſh harm (by our Impetuouſneſs) to an Elected Brother? Nay, if we ſeriouſly Obſerve our own unfitneſs, we ſhall have cauſe to ſay, that his Long-ſuffering is our Salvation. The vileſt Spirits of Old, and they who therefore juſtly periſhed, were of a Murmuring Diſpoſition, for our warning, 1 Cor. 10. 10, 11. whereas ſelf-dreſſing watchers know how to improve that ſaving Reſpite to their Gain, at his Appearing.
18. Remember the Lord afar off, and let Jeruſalem come into mind, Jer. 51. 50. It chears the wearied Traveller's Heart when he can ſee his Journeys end. Look upon Sion, as thine Eyes ſhall ſee her in due time, Iſa. 33. 20. The Exerciſe of this believing Proſpect, is both a Priviledge and a Duty. VVe walk by Faith, and not by ſight, 2 Cor. 5. 7. therefore we cannot Move without Believing. But if the Prodigal's Father Ran, upon the ſight of him, when he was yet a Great way off, Luke 15. 20. how will our Affections be enlivened by the ſight of Chriſt, though at ſome Diſtance. Then will our Tears be wiped away, Iſa. 25. 8. and our Blind eyes be opened, Iſa. 35. 5. then will our Labours be Rewarded, Iſa. 40. 10. and all our Loſſes Recompenſed, Iſa. 61. 7. Thus let us comfort our ſelves and others, 1 Theſ. 4. 18.
19. Prepare to Meet thy God, O Iſrael, Amos 4. 12. with reference unto the Terror of his work at ſuch a time. The Hearing whereof made Habakk…k to quiver, Hab. 3. 16. For who ſhall Live, when God doth this, Numb. 24 23? Few know the Nature of thoſe Clouds, in which th… …on of M… wi…l Come: And who ſhall ſtand when he Appeareth, Mal. 3. 2? Something will be, which ſhall make ſinners (then) to be afraid, Iſa. 33. 14. who are not frighted with meerly Spiritual Judgments: And Saints themſelves have need to Tremble in themſelves, as they would Reſt in ſuch a Day, Hab. 3. 16. Prepare for Riſſing, in the Letter, Zech. 14. 2. and for the trying of your work by Myſtical Fire at the leaſt; and therefore take heed of Building with Stubble, Hay, or Wood, which then will Burn, 1 Cor. 3. 12, 13.
20. Take up a Lamentation, (ſaith God unto his Prophet, at ſuch a time of dreadful Judgment, (for Tyrus, Ezek. 27. 2. For Pharach, Ezek. 32. 2. And for the Princes of Iſrael, Ezek. 19. 1. For ſinners of all ſorts, and more eſpecially for Fooliſh Virgins or Profeſſors. Their Caſe will Then be very ſad, 1 Pet. 4. 17, 18. which therefore is the Matter of a Laſting Lamentation, Ezek. 19. 17. Nor do they Lament Themſelves, who therefore ſhould be wept over by us, as Ignorant Old Jeruſalem was by Chriſt, Luke 19. 41, 42. And it was time for Jeremy to be pained at his very Heart for thoſe, Jer. 4. 19. whom (in a while after) he he was forbid to pray for, Jer. 7. 16. Thus let thoſe (of the Separation) keep the Paſſeover for All the Children of the Captivity, as Ezra 6. 20, 21. Mourning for thoſe who Ignorantly Deſire the Haſtening of that Dreadful Day, Amos 5. 18.
21. Go through, go through the Gates; prepare you the way of the People: Caſt up, Caſt up the High-way; Gather out the ſtones, lift up a Standard for the People, Iſa. 62. 10. All which implieth,
1. Our ſetting an Example unto others, by Going through the Gates before them. This Practical ſpeaking is likely to be moſt Effectual, 2 Theſ. 3. 7. wherein Chriſt differed, John 13. 15. from the Phariſees, Mat. 23. 3. This is a ſpecial Duty, and Indiſpenſably required of us, though very Difficult, as the Reduplication [Go forth, go forth] importeth. Thus are we to Remove, and be as the He-Goats before the Flock, Jer. 50. 8. ſaying, Let us go ſpeedily, I will go alſo. Zech. 8. 21.
2. Our calling upon others to go with us, or at leaſt to follow us; which is the import of Lifting up a Standard for the People, which therefore is joyned elſe-where with Publiſhing, Jer. 50. 2. and Blowing of the Trumpet, Jer. 51. 27. at which time all the Dwellers upon Earth are bid to See and Hear, Iſa. 18. 3. Perſons diſpoſed to ſlumber, cannot endure to hear a Trumpet ſound: But tell them, you are Souldiers, and muſt Obey the Orders of your General, the Lord of Hoſts; and they had better be Awakened with your Trumpet, than with His. You Kill us, ſaid thoſe, when kept Awake in the Sweating Sickneſs; but had they not been ſo, they had Dyed indeed. Let us be therefore Crying in their Ears, All Fleſh is Graſs, as we are bid to do, Iſa. 40. 6. at ſuch a Time, v. 10. or ſhewing the Vanity of all their Glory.
3. Preparing their way, by caſting the High-way up, and (as it is in the Hebrew) ſtoning it from ſtones. Which Caſting up (with ſpeed, as the Ingemination hinteth) denotes the making of a Cauſey, for their dryer paſſage in thoſe Lower Grounds: And ſtoning imports the making of it firm and ſmooth, or without ſtumbling-blocks, as Iſa. 57. 14. Thus let us prepare the way for others, not putting any ſtumbling-block in their way, Rom. 14. 13. but Raiſing it up in their eſteem, and Comforting them with the ſight of our way and Doings, Ezek. 14. 22, 23. Our in-offenſive Zeal for Chriſt, and wiſe deportment towards others, will much Invite their Coming out of Babylon, who elſe may be affrighted back again. Which yet doth not imply our Daubing with untempered Mortar, but dealing plainly in a prudent way; removing the Matter of juſt Offence, and Pa…ing their way with ſolid and ſubſtantial Grounds.