The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened, Parable · Verse 11, 12 – Verse 13
MATTHEW XXV. 11, 12.
Afterwards came alſo the Other Virgins, ſaying, Lord, Lord, Open to us.
And he anſwered and ſaid, Verily, I ſay unto you, I know you not.
IN theſe two Verſes, we have the Fooliſh Virgins ſignified, as by their Practice, ſo by their Portion: with reference to ſuch a Time, viz. the Bridegroom's being Come. From whence the General Obſervation is, as followeth:
Obſerv. Ʋpon the ſhutting of Chriſts Door, then will the Fooliſh Virgins come, deſiring to have it Opened: but will be Repulſed, with Chriſts ſaying to them, Verily, I ſay, I know you not.
Queſt. 1. What is the Meaning of theſe words, Lord, Lord?
Anſw. 1. Negatively: They do not Now crie, Abba, Father: whatever formerly they may have done, from a preſumptuous pretending unto that Spirit of Adoption by which Saints are Authorized ſo to ſpeak, Rom. 8. 15. But Now they onelyonly ſay, Lord, Lord: to ſignifie (perhaps) the great Abatement of their (ſometime) Confidence. Confident ones (as that word [careleſs] ſhould be rendred) will then be Troubled, Iſa. 32. 11. Yea Chriſt will then Evince their being the Devils Children, as at his firſt Appearing, Joh. 8. 44: and when his Door is ſhut againſt them, that very thing will Daunt them. Indeed, how can ſuch call him Father, who are in Bondage unto ſlaviſh Fear, Rom. 8. 15. who ſeek their Own, in ſerving him, Phil. 2. 20, 21, 22. and do not Love his Son, Joh. 8. 42. or that which is the Truth and Work of ſuch a Time.
2. As to the Affirmative: the words [Lord, Lord,] import,
1. Their full Knowledge of his Perſon, as both that Title evideneeth, and his Diſowning Them (in that regard) in his Reply. Thus did that Angel notifie his being Chriſt, Luke 2. 11. thus Peter ſignified his Knowledge of him, Mat. 14. 28: and thus Chriſt hinted (unto Strangers) who he was, Mat. 21. 3. Theſe did not ſeem to Know him in his ſuffering State, Joh. 1. 10: but Now the Blind ſhall ſee out of Obſcurity, Iſa. 29. 18. ſuch Now Refuſe to know Him through Deceit, Jer. 9. 6. but he will Then cauſe them to know, he is the Lord, Jer. 16. 21. He will be then Eaſily to be Known, as by thoſe many Crowns upon his Head, Rev. 19. 12. ſo by his Veſture dipt in Blood, v. 13. and this Name [Lord] upon his Thigh, v. 16.
2. Their Knowledge of his being Preſent there; as this directing of their Speech unto him hinteth. This Diſpenſation hath its Name from thence, Ezek. 48. 35. and it will be ſo fairly writ thereon, that Fooliſh Virgins will underſtand it. His Preſence will appear, as by the Oneneſs of his Name, Zech. 14. 9. So by his People's being Powerfull, 1 Cor. 14. 24, 25; together with the putting of all Fleſh to ſilence, Zech. 2. 13. Therefore All ſorts of perſons (then) will be Ambitious of Communion with a Jew, Zech. 8. 23; and Fooliſh Virgins (among the reſt) will therefore ſeek unto Himſelf for Entrance, ſince Fulneſs of Joy muſt needs be in his Preſence, Pſal. 16. 11.
3. Their Owning of his Lordly Power; or that Himſelf, who ſolely is Jehovah, is the moſt High over all the Earth; which Then will be Acknowledged, Pſal. 83. 18. He is the Saints OnelyOnly Lord, 1 Cor. 8. 6. but Fooliſh Virgins would not that he ſhould Reign, Luke 14. 14. as their Diſputing his Command (of Going forth to Meet him) intimateth, untill This time, and then they yield, Mat. 25. 24. Theſe Now pretend to be his Servants; yea they Now grant him to be Lord of All, with an Emphatical Reduplication; and in Particular, as to his Right of Opening here. And what a Glory will it be to Chriſt and to his People, when Theſe ſhall thus ſubmit themſelves with ſilver Speeches, Pſal. 68. 30.
4. The Earneſtneſs of their Deſire to be Admitted; as this Ingemination ſignifieth. Such will then Crie, as ſometimes the Diſciples did (when like to Periſh) Maſter, Maſter, Luke 8. 24. Thus ſome will ſeek to enter, Luke 13. 24. ſince being Without (at ſuch a time) will argue Men to be Dogs, Rev. 22. 15. and likely to Die of Hunger, Iſa. 65. 13. Whileſt there is any Work in hand, Dogs love to ſlumber, Iſa. 56. 10. and will lie quetly Without till Supper-time; but then ſuch Howl (if not Admitted in) who could not Bark before. Such Dogs are alſo Greedy, Iſa. 56. 11. nor can they now ſleep as heretofore; who therefore needs muſt Howl the more, Iſa. 65. 14.
Queſt. 2. What is Deſired by them in their ſaying, Open to us?
Anſw. 1. That Chriſt himſelf would Own them, as (ſeemingly) heretofore; and as their deſiring Him to Open, Primarily importeth. Lord! Some of our former Raptures from thy ſelf; ſome of thy Bleſſings upon our Endeavours; at leaſt, ſome Taſtings of that Heavenly Gift which formerly had been vouchſafed to us, Heb. 6. 4, 5. But this will not be granted, in that Day. Self-ſeeking Preachers (heretofore) may have been uſefull unto Others, Phil. 1. 18. but Now, ſuch will be ſilenced by Chriſt, Pſal. 50. 16. who therefore ſhall not profit the People at all, Jer. 23. 32. That Light will then be gathered up into the Sun, as in the firſt Creation, Gen. 1. 16. which formerly was Diſtributed, v 3. And Self-Encompaſſers with their own Sparks, will then lie down in Sorrow, Iſa. 50. 11.
2. That rightly conſtituted Churches would receive them in; together with the Second Temple's Opening unto Others. Lord (will ſuch plead) Admit us to thy Children's Table; let us be under their Inſpection; and let us ſing thy Praiſes with them. But that will not be granted neither. Where Chriſt hears ſway, the Childrens Bread ſhall not be caſt to Dogs; ſince it Ought not to be ſo, by his Order, Mat. 7. 6. And if John Baptiſt's Miniſtration did Refuſe thoſe unrepenting Phariſees, Mat. 7. 8; much more will Chriſt's, v. 12. Yea, till the Vials be poured out, this Second Temple will be ſo filled with Glory, as that no Man (that is, no ſuch as Theſe, as Rev. 14. 3.) ſhall then be able to Enter into it, Rev. 15. 8; ſince none but Zadocks Sons ſhall goe into that Sanctuary, Ezek. 44. 15, 16, 17.
3. That Saints (at leaſt) as Saints, would not refuſe Communion with them, in Religious Actions of a Common Nature. Lord (will theſe ſay) let not thy People turn their back upon us ſpeaking: let them not Grieve to Joyn with us in Prayer: let them account us Chriſtian Brethren ſtill, though not in Church-relation. But neither will This be condeſcend…d unto. Chriſt will then bid, Let them Alone; becauſe Blind Leaders, and not of his Father's Planting, Mat. 15. 13, 14. Then will there be a Difference put between Paul's praying in the Preſence of, and Joyning therein, with others, Act. 27. 35. Then alſo will that Phraſe be uſed, of calling ſuch (onelyonly) Brethren, according to the Fleſh, Rom. 9. 3. by way of Diſtinguiſhing them from Iſaac's Seed, or Children, v. 7.
4. That Equal ſharing (How ſoever) in Outward Bleſſings may not be denied to them, who were ſometimes wont to have the Greateſt Portion. Lord (will ſuch Cry, as Eſau did) let us be alſo Bleſſed by thee, Gen. 27. 34. haſt thou not Reſerved a Bleſſing for us, v. 36? although but one, v. 38. But Eſau (then) will not Prevail, as having Sold away his outward Bleſſing with his Birth-right; however Confident at ſuch a time, Mal. 1. 4. That Fruitful Field will then become a Foreſt, Iſa. 32. 15. and it ſhall Hail thereon, when Sion's City ſhall be Low, in a Low place, or Fruitful Valley, v. 19. Now, they who are ſhut out of Earth as well as Heaven, muſt needs be in ſome kind of Hell; which in Reſpect of wonted Outwards, will be the Fooliſh Virgins Portion.
5. That ſuch might not (at leaſt) meet with thoſe Poſitive Hardſhips, which Excluded Perſons may have cauſe to fear. Lord (will their Laſt Petition be) yet let us not be over hardly uſed by thy ſelf, or by thy Servants, or by our own Accuſing Conſciences. But this Requeſt will not be granted. Chriſt will deny them before his Father, who have Perſi…tingly Denyed Him, by their Departure from his work, Mat. 10. 33. Such will be Galled with the Name of Hypocrites, and Workers of Iniquity, Mat. 7. 23. leaving their Name for a Curſe unto God's Choſen ones, Iſa. 65. 15. Yea, as ſuch will be Abhor'd by All, ſo will they have a Gnawing, Never-dying Worm within, (far worſe than Death) becauſe they have Tranſgreſt againſt the Lord, Iſa. 66. 24.
Queſt. 3. What ſhould Encourage theſe to Hope for Entrance; which both their Coming and their Pleading intimate?
Anſw. 1. Becauſe of their being Virgins. Lord (may ſuch plead) we are no Harlots, and muſt we yet be Numbred with them? VVe have refuſed to hold Communion with the Strumpets of our Time; and muſt we Now be made to do ſo? We have withſtood Humane Inventions in Religious Worſhip; and are we now Excluded, with the Beaſt? But it will then be Anſwered; you were not (indeed) like thoſe more filthy Swine, yet are you Goats, who therefore Now muſt be Divided from the Sheep, Mat. 25. 32. You were no Down-right Babylonians; but being joyned to them is ſufficient, Iſa. 13. 15. Or rather, you had the Name of Virgins, but were Harlots; and Chriſtian Babylon muſt be Deſtroyed.
2. Becauſe of their Having had Communion with the Wiſe in former times. Lord (may ſuch Plead) we have been welcom to thy Table, Luke 13. 26. and are we now Denyed its Crumbs? Thy Gueſts (within) have been our Fellows; and muſt we now be uſed like Dogs? We can produce their Letters Teſtimonial; and will not that Commendamus help us to our Ancient Fellowſhip? To which Chriſt then will Anſwer, I bad the Tares be let alone untill This time, Mat. 13. 30. and though my People failed in your Admiſſion, yet am not I therefore bound to do ſo; nor They, for time to come, Ezek. 44. 9. Nay; you are not the ſame you were, in point of ſometime viſibility: However, I now muſt Judge with Righteouſneſs and Equity, Iſa. 11. 3, 4.
3. Becauſe of their good Service done for Chriſt, Mat. 7. 22. Such will then Plead, Lord, have we not Heard Thee Teaching in our Streets, Luke 13. 26? And was not that ſometimes counted worth a Supper, Mark 6. 34, 35. 37? Have we not Propheſied in thy Name, Mat. 7. 32? And doſt not thou ſay, ſuch Labourers are worthy of their Meat, Mat. 10. 10? Yea, Have we not Caſt out Devils in thy Name, Mat. 7. 23? And wilt thou Caſt us out, unto the Devil and his Angels, Mat. 25. 41? To which it will be then Replyed, but did you not All this unto your ſelves, Zech. 7. 5. 6? And in a Deceitful way of keeping back your Male, Mal. 1. 14? Both as to principal Time-Truths and Duties. You have had your Reward already, Mat. 6. 2. and ſelfiſh Aims have made your work Iniquity, Mat. 7. 23.
4. Becauſe they did go forth (at firſt) to meet the Bridegroom, Mat. 25. 1. Lord (may ſuch plead) we ſometimes bore an Open Teſtimony, hazarding our All in the Maintaining of thy Cauſe: and doth not Half the work Deſerve ſome Part of Pay? But Chriſt will then Reply, you did run well, who hindred you, Gal. 5. 7? Why did you not ſo run, as to Obtain, 1 Cor. 9. 24? My Croſs ſhould daily have been taken up, Luke 9. 23. nor was Salvation promiſed, but to Endurers to the End, Mat. 24. 13. You were the more Fooliſh to Begin, Luke 14. 28. yea, I was therefore moſt Reproached by you Apoſtates, Heb. 6. 6. however, you knew the Law, that all the Backſlider's former Righteouſneſs ſhall be forgotten, Ezek. 18. 24.
5. Becauſe their Not going out (the Second time) proceeded from their want of Oyl, Mat. 25. 8. Lord (will theſe ſay) we had not Light unto this Latter work, and wilt thou Gather where thou haſt not Strewed, Mat. 25. 24? Heathens will not be Judged for the Light they Have not, Rom. 2. 12. and ſhall we Virgins be more Hardly dealt with? Our Lamps went out, through lack of Oyl, and therefore muſt we now be caſt out into utter Darkneſs? But Chriſt will then Reply, you took no Oyl at firſt, Mat. 25. 3. whoſe Fault was that? You truſted unto flaſhy good Affections, though I had told you of the ſtony Hearers, Mat. 13. 20, 21. Nay, the Truth is, you wanted not Light, but Will; and as it now appeareth by your coming, but too late.
6. Becauſe of what they had more Lately done, or ſince the Cry was made. Lord, (will they ſay) we preſently Aroſe and Trimmed our Lamps, as well as our Companions; and is that nothing worth? VVe came to them for Oyl, but were Repulſed, and muſt we now Suffer for th…r unwillingneſs to help us? Nay, thereupon we went to Buy, as they Adviſed us; and was there a Deſign-upon us in that Counſel? To which it will be Anſwered, You did my work Deceitfully; and that Deſerves a Curſe, inſtead of VVages, Jer. 48. 10. You begged coldly at the beſt; that Taught my Servants to Deny you, as 2 King. 5. 18, 19. Nor did you come to Buy of Me; I know you not, 'tis ſo long ſince I ſaw you.
7. Becauſe of their not having yet had a Legal Trial, or due Conviction before a Sentence. Lord (will theſe ſay,) Thy Servants Generally have not Born Witneſs (Hitherto) againſt us; ask them, and they will not deny it: Nor was the Caſe decided (fully) in our Conſciences unto this Day: Shall we now be Condemned (by our Excluſion) before a Trial? Or Excommunicated without a Previous Admonition? But Chriſt will Anſwer, You heard the Cry, as your awakening thereupon Evinced: You had the Scriptures, clearing up that Duty, wherein you failed: You alſo had ſome Pangs of Conſcience, witneſs the Trimming of your Lamps: Therefore you had a Three-fold Admonition, which is one more than Neceſſary, Titus 3. 10.
8. Becauſe they have Now Got that Oyl (as their Returning intimateth) which heretofore they lacked. Lord (will theſe ſay,) we Now are come up to Thy Terms: We Now have Light into that work of Going Forth: And wilt thou not Admit Repenting ſinners, yea, at what Time ſoever? But Chriſt may Anſwer, Your Common-Prayer-Book hath it [at what Time ſoever] but not the Scripture; nay, I have oft told you, that my Door will not ſtand alway Open. Nor have you now got Light into your Duty; but onelyonly wit to ſave your Intereſt, by falling in with ſafe and Gainful Service. And if I ſhould forgive you this time alſo, the next Temptation would evince your being ſtill the ſame, as hath been oft Experimented.
9. Becauſe of what Encouragement they ſometimes had to Hope, as to a Real work of Grace upon their Hearts, (and conſequent…y for Admiſſion) notwithſtanding Leſſer Failings. Lord (will theſe ſay) Haſt thou not ſometimes Crowned us with Peculiar Favours? Hath not thy Spirit witneſſed with ours, that we were Thine? Yea, had we not the witneſs of water, as well as Blood, of Duty (Excepting this Particular) as well as Faith on Thee? And ſhall this one Blot ſpoil our former Evidences? But Chriſt will Anſwer, I never Warranted your Thus concluding: You ſpoke Peace to your ſelves, and Fathered it upon me. I gave you Sixpence, and you thence hoped to be mine Heirs. Time-Duties (alſo) are that by which all other is to be Tried, John 8. 24.
10. Becauſe of ſome Admitted in, who were as likely as Themſelves (or rather more) to be Excluded. Lord (will theſe ſay,) There ſitteth one, who is too Young, to have Deſerved ſuch a Priviledge; let him give Place to us his Seniors: Here comes Another, who hath been formerly on Old Egyptian, ſhall he ſtep in before us Iſraelites? Yea, thoſe Wiſe Virgins there (our Old Companions) have had but a very little Time, wherein to ſhew their being Better than our ſelves; why then are we ſo hardly dealt with? But Chriſt will Anſwer, How Bold are you, thus to Reply, Rom. 9. 20. or Bind my Hand, Mat. 20. 15? Theſe few Wiſe Virgins came in Time, ſo did not you: Thoſe Younger ones have not been Tried, as you have been: However, I have told you, Mat. 8. 11, 12. that many ſhall be Admitted, (yea, ſome Egyptians and Aſſyrians, Iſa. 19. 23.) when ſuch as you ſhall be Caſt out.
11. Conſidering the Matter of their Requeſt. Lord (will theſe ſay) did we Deſire a Diſpenſation to Tranſgreſs, or did we onelyonly beg ſome outward Mercy, then might we Juſtly be Repulſed: But we Intreat Communion with thy ſelf, and with thy People; and haſt thou not Promiſed to give thy Spirit (or Spiritual Good things) to them that ask him, Luke 11. 13? But Chriſt will Anſwer, That Promiſe is onelyonly made to Children: And Promiſes are onelyonly ſure in Me, 2 Cor. 1. 20. whom they who are without, are therefore Strangers from the Promiſes, Eph. 2. 12. ſave as the Spirit is Promiſed unto ſuch as do Return at my Reproof, Prov. 1. 23. Nor do you ſo much deſire Communion with my People, as with their Priviledges.
12. Conſidering the Earneſtneſs of their Deſire; which doth evince their being Cordial and Affectionate. Lord (will theſe ſay, as ſometimes Job did to his Friends) Look upon us, for it is evident, if we Lie, Job 6. 28. Our Coming, and our Pleading intimate that we are …: Now, will not our Sighs and Tears Affect thine Heart? Yea; haſt thou not Engaged to be found, when ſearched for, with all our Heart; Jer. 29. 13? But Chriſt will Anſwer, Not ſimply upon that Account, ſave as Men ſeek me Early alſo, Prov. 8. 17. Eſau would fain have had the Bleſſing, and ſought it carefully with Tears, but was Rejected, Heb. 12. 17. becauſe he came too Late, though with Right Veniſon, Gen. 27. 33.
13. Conſidering the Manner of their preſent Supplication. Lord (will theſe ſay) we do not offer to Enforce a Paſſage, but onelyonly ſtand here knocking at the Door: Nor do we call to others, but do deſire of Thee, to be Admitted with thy Leave: Nor do we Claim it as our Right, but Humbly Beg it as a Favour. To which it will be Anſwered, You know 'tis but a Folly (Now) to be Diſorderſy, as heretofore, elſe is your Spirit ſtill the ſame. The Gates of Hell cannot prevail againſt this Door, Mat. 16. 18. Nor will the preſent Porters Open without mine Order, Ezek. 44. 9. and as your Caſe will not permit a Claim, ſo neither will your Conſcience ſuffer it; yea, Intereſt alone doth make you (in Appearance) Humble.
14. Conſidering the Ingenuouſneſs of their Profeſſion; imported by that Title [Lord] which they Now give to Chriſt. Lord (will theſe ſay,) we Now acknowledge thee to be our Lord: We do profeſs Subjection to thy Laws: Nor ſhall we henceforth Diſobey thee, onelyonly this once forgive our ſin, as Pharaoh Pleaded, Exod. 10. 17. But Chriſt will Anſwer, Not every one that ſaith, Lord, Lord, ſhall enter into this Heavenly Kingdom, but he that doth my Father's Will, Mat. 7. 21. Nor are you better than your Predeceſſors, Rom. 3. 9. who did but Flatter with their Mouth, Pſal. 78. 36. and Haſten their Deſtruction by Hypocriſie, Iſa. 29. 13, 14. all which befell them for Enſample, 1 Cor. 10. 11. However Now, the Door is ſhut.
15. Conſidering his Graciouſneſs, whom they have Now to Argue with. Lord (will theſe ſay at their Laſt plea,) we do confeſs thy Sovereignty; but canſt thou not evince that, in a way of Mercy, if thou pleaſeſt, Rom. 9. 18? Is not thy Grace Deſigned for Supremacy in Goſpel-times, Eph. 1. 6? And will Chriſt fall therefrom at Laſt? How can the ſhutting of thy Door upon us conſiſt with having no Pleaſure in our Death, Ezek. 33. 11. or thy Delight in ſhewing Mercy, Mic. 7. 18? But Chriſt will Anſwer, My Tarrying for you all this while doth witneſs the Truth of what you ſay; but Grace hath had its Time, and I have other Attributes to ſhew the Glory of. However, the Door is ſhut; my word is paſt, which muſt be Magnified more than Sovereignty, Grace, or any other Syllable of my Name, Pſal. 138. 2. And therefore Now (in brief) I know you not.
Queſt. 4. What ſeemeth to be meant by thoſe words, Verily I ſay, I know you not?
Anſw. 1. Negatively; Not but that Chriſt doth know them, in ſome ſence, unto their ſorrow; and which They Now ſhall know, Rev. 2. 23. He knoweth Ephraim, and Iſrael is not hid from him, Hoſ. 5. 3. He knows their Manifold Tranſgreſſions, and their Mighty ſins, Amos 5. 12. He knoweth (as a Witneſs) all their Lying words, which he hath not Commanded them, Jer. 29. 23. He knows the things that come into their Mind, yea, every one of them, Zech. 11. 5. He knoweth their Imagination which they go about, even Now before it comes to paſs, Deut. 31. 21. He knoweth they are Abraham's Seed, according to the Fleſh, John 8. 37. but yet he alſo knows, they have not the Love of God in them, John 5. 42. whatever ſhew thereof they ſeem to make, Ezek. 33. 31.
II. Affirmatively. He doth not know them in a Comfortable ſence;
1. He doth (at leaſt) not fully know them, unto ſatisfaction; as the Greek word there uſed ſignifieth, 2 Cor. 5. 1. and that other word, Mat. 7. 23. compared with John 6. 69. which alſo is the ſame with this, Luke 13. 27. Their Voice is Jacob's, but their Hands are Eſau's; and in that Caſe Chriſt will not Bleſs, as Iſaac did, without Diſcerning, or certain knowledge, Gen. 27. 22, 23. He doth not know them, as he did Abraham, by having made a Trial of their Holy Fear, Gen. 22. 12. or by his having ever known a Practice ſuitable to this Profeſſion. Nor is it to be wondred at, they are ſo altered (Now) from what they ſometimes were, at their firſt going out; and it is ſo long ſince he ever ſaw them, or hath Heard of them till Now.
2. He doth not know them ſo, as to allow them, or their Practices: In which ſence Paul knew not (as it is in the Greek and Margin) what he did not allow, Rom. 7. 15. Reprobate Silver ſhall Men call them, becauſe the Lord will then Reject them, Jer. 6. 30. Their beſt Performances will (then) not be allowed of, but will be called Iniquity, Mat. 7. 23. Their Perſons are unclean by having Touched a Dead Body; therefore ſo are their Offerings, and every of their other works, Hag. 2. 13, 14. They will be now ſtayed for inſufficiency, when putting up their Supplicate for a Degree in Glory. And how will they Gnaſh their Teeth, as did thoſe Jews, Acts 7. 54. when they were called uncircumciſed, v. 51. while Chriſt ſtood Looking on, v. 55.
3. He will not know them, ſo as to Love them: As they who Love not, do not know the Lord, 1 John 4. 8. or as his Sheep are known by Laying down his Life for them, John 10. 14, 15. He will not have any ſpecial favour for them, as for others, who will be in his Books, Rev. 3. 5. Nay, his Rebuking and Chaſtiſing Love (to ſuch) doth ſeem to end with Laodicean Churches, Rev. 3. 19, 20. And whom he doth not Love, he Hateth, as he did Eſau, Mal. 1. 3. whoſe Seed (at ſuch a time) are therefore called the People of his Indignation, v. 4. Now, as Love (at a Banquet) is the Banner, Cant. 2. 4. in point of Excellency, or being Chief, as the ſame Hebrew word is rendred, Cant. 5. 10. So Hatred makes a ſtalled Ox leſs worth than Herbs, Prov. 15. 17.
4. As knowing is oft-times put for Underſtanding. Thus, did not the Diſciples know, (as it is in the Greek,) that which they did not Underſtand, John 10. 6. and 12. 16. And thus Chriſt will then ſay, I hear a ſound of words, but do not ſeem to Underſtand their Meaning. Themſelves are ſtrangers, ſo will their Language therefore be. They call me Lord, but with an Hollow Voice, or from the Teeth outwards onelyonly. They bid me Open, but do not ſpeak diſtinctly; I Underſtand them not. Now, as the Believer's Happineſs co…ſ…teth in Chriſt's knowing what the Spirit Meaneth, Rom. 8. 27. So when another's ſpeech cannot be Underſtood, that needs muſt Uſher in a being ſcattered, as Gen. 11. 7, 8.
5. His Abſolute Diſowning of any former Acquaintance with them, as is more plainly ſignified, Mat. 7. 23. I Never knew you. This will Deſtroy their ſometime Hope of having had a ſpecial work of Grace upon them. Chriſt's having Never known Back ſliders here, and their not having Ever known the Lord, 1 John 3. 6. are two unanſwerable Arguments to Prove, that none do finally and wholly fall from Goſpel-Grace, And if poor Cain's Countenance fell, upon his Preſent Non-acceptance, Gen. 4. 5. much more will Theirs, when All their By-paſt Duty is Rejected. And when the whole Houſe comes down, (as having been laid upon a Sandy Bottom) how Great muſt be the Fall thereof, Mat. 7. 26, 27?
6. His being Reſolved to Deny them, as was Nabal, when begging David had that Anſwer, I know not whence you are, 1 Sam. 25. 11. juſt as Chriſt (elſe-where) telleth Theſe, Luke 13. 25. 27. Now, if it is ſaid to have been Roughly ſpoken by Joſeph to his Brethren, in putting that Queſtion, Whence come ye, Gen. 42. 7? much more thus poſitively to Determine it for ſuch a Purpoſe. They ſometime knew not whence he was, John 8. 14. elſe would they have Believed in him: And Now he knows not whence They are; therefore they ſhall not be Relieved by him. So that, (in brief,) there will be no Door of hope to ſuch, when once this Door is ſhut, and their ungrounded Exerciſe of Hope, will therefore be the more Confounding, Job. 6. 20.
7. Theſe words import a Poſitive Sentence, as well as Privative. Thus.
1. By a Direct (or Natural) Conſequence. Known unto God are all his Works, Acts 15. 18. and then whoſe work are They, whom he Denies the knowledge of? He knoweth who are His, 2 Tim. 2. 19. Such then (by Conſequence) are the Devil's, whom he knoweth not. His Sheep are known by him, John 10. 27. though yet uncalled, v. 16. therefore ſuch are not His, (ſo much as by Election,) whom he knoweth not. His having no Pleaſure in Apoſtates, Heb. 10. 38. Implieth Hating; his Not Commanding, Jer. 7. 31. Implies Abhorring: Such kind of Negatives are ſad Diminutives, Implying more (by far) than is expreſt. Thus will his word be Magnified (both unto Saints and Sinners) by its being much ſurpaſſed in Performances.
2. By our Obſerving what doth Accompany theſe words [I know you not] both in this place, and other Parallel Scriptures.
1. With Reſpect unto the Poſitive Matter (elſewhere) Added hereunto. 'Tis onelyonly (here) Privatively ſaid, I know you not: But other-where 'tis ſaid, Depart from me, Mat. 7. 23. and into Everlaſting Fire, Prepared for the Devil and his Angels, Mat. 25. 41. Thoſe whom Chriſt knoweth not, are bid Depart; not being ſuffered to continue (ſo m…h as) Begging at his Door: And thus the Hypocrite's Hope ſhall periſh, Job 8. 13. Nor muſt they onelyonly Depart from Chriſt, but into Everlaſting Fire; and who (among Them) ſhall Dwell with Everlaſting Burnings, Iſa. 33. 14? And if that Fire had onelyonly been Prepared for Them, it might have been Leſs Hot; but they muſt Now be fellow-Commoners with the Devils.
2. With reference to the Perſons ſpeaking and ſpoken To; I ſay to you, This ſhall be Now Received, not as the Word of Man, but as it is in Truth, the Word of God; which therefore needs muſt be Effectual, 1 Theſ. 2. 13. I, who know All things, John 21. 17. Know not you: I, who am Maſter of the Houſe, Luke 13. 25. bid you Depart, v. 27. I, who have alſo the Keys of Hell, Rev. 1. 18. bid you Go into everlaſting Puniſhment. Thus he who formerly was a Lamb, John 1. 29. will now roar as a Lion, Amos 1. 2. and then, who will not Fear, Amos 3. 8? Nor would his Roaring be ſo Dreadful, if he had onelyonly now to deal with Beaſts: But I thus ſay to you, who have been Virgins, in Communion with the Wiſe, full of Good works, &c. this breeds the gnawing Worm.
3. Conſidering the Manner of Chriſt's ſpeaking this.
1. With an Angry Appellation, Depart ye Curſed, Mat. 25. 41. Workers of Iniquity, Mat. 7. 23. If he and they might Part in Love, it would be leſs Afflicting; but he will now ſpeak to them in his wrath, Pſal. 2. 5. and which theſe Titles Evidence. Inſtead of Owning any Former Duty, he will now call them Workers of Iniquity, as David did ſome Profeſſors in his time, when God had heard his Prayer, Pſal. 6. 8. And he who biddeth Saints to Bleſs their Curſers, and Pray for their Deſpitefull Uſers, Luke 6. 28. will now (Himſelf) Curſe them who ſeem to Bleſs him, at leaſt, to Pray unto him. Thus will the Happieſt of them be Accurſed, Iſa. 65. 20. and this will be the Topſtone of their Sorrow, to be thus perſecuted in his Anger, Lam. 3. 65, 66.
2. With an Emphatical Aſſeveration, foreign, Verily. Which (in relation to his Not Knowing them) denotes the Certainty of his ſad Ignorance; and ſo the ſame word, Mat. 16. 28. is Elſewhere rendred, Of a Truth, Luke 9. 27. And with reſpect unto the Reſidue of their Sentence, it importeth, Partly, his ſad Aſſenting thereunto, as 1 Cor. 14. 16. Partly, his wiſhing it to be ſo, as Mat. 6. 13. And in Relation to them Both, the Vehemency of his Spirit in this uttering of his Mind, as Mat. 5. 26. and 8. 10. and 10. 15. Thus will there be no room for Queſtioning the Truth of what is thus Aſſerted: nor yet for Hope, as to the Reverſing of their Sentence; nor yet for ſtanding any longer before this Angry and Proteſting Judge.
3. In a way of ſerious Deliberation; as that [I ſay] importeth, Mat. 16. 18. Luke 7. 47. Joh. 3. 3. Words ſpoke in Haſte are apt to be Repented of, Mat. 21. 29: but Judgment is an Everlaſting bottom, Hoſ. 2. 19. and ſaying▪ implyeth Judgement. You ſay, Lord, Lord, as if you knew me, but verily I ſay, I know not you: nor do I ſpeak this Raſhly, or in a ſudden Paſſion, or upon fallible Grounds; but upon due Advice and Conſu…tation. Thus doth the Lord bid, Say to your Brethren, Ammi, and to your Siſters Ruhamah, I own them not, Hoſ. 2. 1, 2: and thus ſaith the Amen, (to Laodicean Churches and Profeſſors,) I will ſpew you out, Rev. 3. 14, 16. This ſaying to them (as before,) will Lock and Bolt and Barr the Door for ever.
Queſt. 5. Why is Chriſt ſo Inexorable at this Time?
Anſw. 1. Becauſe it is a day of Judgement, Rev. 11. 18; though not That Day, 2 Tim. 4. 8. or the Great Day, Jude 6. nor that Great Day of Jezreel, Hoſ. 1. 11. or of the Literal Jews Converſion, Rev. 16. 14: but yet 'tis ſomewhat Like them both; a Taſte whereof hath been already given, Rev. 6. 17. Act. 2. 16. 20. Now Wrath and Judgement goe Together; yea, Judgement without Mercy, Jam. 2. 13. or Reſpect of Perſons, 1 Pet. 1. 17. as is to be obſerved in all former Diſpenſations of that Nature. When once the Deluge was begun, no Crying out would ſave the Life of any One, Gen. 7. 22. nor was there any Mercy to be ſhewn, to ſuch as ſtaid in Old Jeruſalem, at ſuch a time, Jer. 21. 7. ſo will it be, with reference to ſuch like Future days of Judgement.
2. Becauſe theſe Fooliſh Virgins Caſe is very Heynous.
1. They are Virgins, or Profeſſors▪ which ſadly Aggravateth Sin and Puniſhment. Such had drawn nigh to God: and therefore Nadab and Abihu had no Mercy, Lev. 10. 1, 2, 3. Such hath God Known of all the Families of the Earth; and therefore Theſe muſt ſignally be Puniſhed, Amos 3. 2. ſuch have been Leaders unto others in their Sin, Mal. 2. 8. who therefore Now are moſt ſeverely dealt with, v. 9. Little do many think, how much the Garment of their Profeſſion is like to Coſt them, if that be tattered or Defiled. Darkneſs is blackeſt unto thoſe who lately came from a Lightſome place: and after a Prolonged Summer-ſeaſon, when it once ſets in Rain, Fair-weather is at an End; ſo will it be with Virgins, as with Haman, Eſth. 6. 13.
2. Their Preſent failing is not Circumſtantial, but very High as to its Matter. That Notion of Religious Circumſtances, (if Commanded by the Lord,) hath ever been Erroneous, and the Betrayer of many Souls into Perdition. Thus Iſrael fancyed, their Not Going up to Canaan, … ſuch a Time,) was but a Circumſtantial failing at the moſt; as their Reſolving on it (Afterwards) evinced, Numb. 14. 40. but to their Ruine, v. 45. which Failing alſo kept the reſt from Entring into it for Ever, v. 30. And thus Complyers with the Man of Sin, have call'd their Failing Circumſtantial, which yet hath alway been the Badge of Reprobation, Rev. 13. 8. Chriſt hath no Witneſſes ſave with reſpect unto Time-Truths and Duties: wherein theſe Fooliſh Virgins fail, and ſo are guilty of Denying him.
3. The Manner of their Sin is more than Ordinarily provoking. They had been oft Reproved to no purpoſe, and that forerun's remedileſs Deſtruction, Prov. 29. 1. They had Relapſed a ſecond Time; and Trees twice dead, are pluckt up by the Roots, Jude 12. But more Eſpecially they have perſiſted in their Evil way, until the End of Chriſt's intended Patience, or till the Door be ſhut: and then a Leſs Tranſgreſſion is ſufficient to make their Plea of none Effect. Let Perſons (at this Day) beware of letting ſlip a preſent Opportunity, by truſting unto future Reſolutions. Thoſe trifling Iſraelites were free (at Laſt) to march and Fight, Deut. 1. 41: …ut it was then too Late. The Timelineſs of Man's Return is as Eſſentially required to Admiſſion, as the Act it ſelf.
…. Theſe come with too much Confidence: but without being ſenſi…e … …ormer failings. They call for Opening, but not for Mercy: …he… … for Suffering, but not for Sin: Here is a Prayer, but no Confeſſion. As Nature (in Paul) was willing to be Cloth'd upon, but not to be Uncloathed, 2 Cor. 5. 4: ſo Fooliſh Virgins are for a Return, without Repentance. But as John Baptiſt bad, Repent, Mat. 3. 2. before he would Admit unto his Miniſtration, v. 8. juſt ſo did Chriſt, Mat. 4. 17. elſe future Zeal is not ſufficient, ſave as it is Accompanyed with Repentance, Rev. 3. 19 And out of their Own mouth will ſuch be judged, Luke 19. 22. who have maintained this with reference unto Others, and yet Themſelves would have a Diſpenſation: which doth evince their being ſelf-condemned, together with the Righteouſneſs of their Excluſion, or Rejection, Tit. 3. 10, 11.
Ʋſe 1. This Parable cannot ſo Properly be Applyed (as it is by ſome) unto Chriſt's Perſonal Coming; ſince there will then be no ſuch room for Fooliſh Virgins Pleading with him, as Here they doe. Then will the Earth, and All therein be burnt up with Material Fire, 2 Pet. 3. 10: excepting ſome few, as in the Ark of Old, 1 Pet. 3. 20. and None of which will then come Afterwards (as doe theſe Fooliſh Virgins) untill Chriſt's Reign is Ended, Rev. 20. 5. ſo that we either muſt refer this to ſome other coming, or offer violence unto the Proper Meaning of theſe words. Whereas his Coming with the ſeventh Trumpets ſounding, will fairly admit of ſuch a Parley, and Preſently upon his being come, as is here ſignified. Yet I exclude not his Laſt comeing (wholly) from a ſhare herein, ſo far as it is Capable thereof, or without ſtraining.
2. Poor Fooliſh Virgins will not Come, untill the Door be ſhut: but then ſuch may be looked for. This will be the righteous Wages of Carnal Prudence: Thus he that ſeeketh to ſave, ſhall Looſe, Mat. 16. 25. Chriſt hath fore-told it here, that none might be Offended, as Joh. 16. 1. and therefore will their Caſe be ſad who Tarry for the Other Virgins company. This doth confirm mine Old Perſwaſion, that few profeſſing Jews will find this way untill it be too Late, Mat. 7. 14. But then ſuch will Return, with Open Mouths, unto a Door that will be ſhut againſt them. I ſee what Haſte poor Muck-wet Creatures made unto the Ark, when God had once ſhut Noah in; Gen. 7. 16. and how thoſe Eight ſecured Souls did then Rejoyce, whileſt Others were ſoon waſht away.
3. Thoſe may know Chriſt, and give him Goodly Words, yea ſeek to Enter; whom yet He will not Know, nor Open unto. Some kind of Knowledge doth not Edifie, 1 Cor. 8. 1. Dives in Hell Knew Abraham, but not to his Advantage, Luke 16. 23. to ſhew how far unprofitable Notions may Accompany. Such alſo (then) will be for ſmoother Language, not Daring to Inſult, as Heretofore; prepare for Flattery, which yet will not Prevail. Yea ſuch will be Diſſatisfied in their Diſtance from the Wiſer Virgins, earneſtly Deſiring to Build with them, as Ezra 4. 2. but will be ſhamefully Repulſed, as they were, v. 3. and yet will not be Able (then) to do the Other any Miſchief, as of Old, v. 4. for fear of that Decree and Curſe at ſuch a Time, Ezra 6. 8. 11, 12.
4. Chriſt is not All made up of Mercy, as ſome poor Creatures fanſie; but Can (yea, Will) give Terrible words, and unto Virgins as well as Others. He ſometimes was a Patient Lion; but he will be a Roaring Lamb: Yea he was alway for an Intermixture of Threatnings with Encouragements. I am Offended with ſome mens Humours, who are Afraid to give one Cutting word unto this Rotten-hearted Generation of Profeſſors, and have obſerved what hath been the fruit of Dawbing with untempered Morter. But this will Aggravate Chriſt's Rougher ſpeaking at the laſt: and it will then appear, how far himſelf is Bound (from the Neceſſity of his Nature) to be Gracious. Chriſt onelyonly now Reſerveth Anger, Nah. 1. 2. which therefore at the Laſt will turn into the Plague, or when the Vials ſhall be poured forth, Rev. 15. 7, 8.
5. Chriſt will then have the Laſt word, in Diſcourſe; as is here ſignified by their not Replying to his Anſwer. Thus will himſelf be Glorified, as was Job, when After his words they did not ſpeak Again, Job 29. 22. The Phariſees were oft wont to Prate, untill Chriſt put a Queſtion to them concerning his being David's Lord, Mat. 22. 45. and then 'tis ſaid, they neither could Anſwer him, nor durſt they Ask him any more Queſtions, v. 46. to ſignifie how Silencing that God-like Kingly State will be, when it ſhall be Advanced. The Diſpenſation (or Appearing) of this King, will be Evinced by the ſpeechleſneſs of thoſe unworthy ones whom he Reproveth, Mat. 22. 11, 12. Errour and Sin may Now be full of words; but Then all Fleſh is bid, be ſilent, Zech. 2. 13. yea all the Earth, Hab. 2. 20.
MATTHEW XXV. 13.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the Day, nor the Hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.
IN this Verſe, we have an Account of Chriſt's Deſign in putting forth this Parable; or of that principal uſe which he would have us make thereof, viz. Our being Watchfull. From whence, the General Obſervation is as followeth;
Obſerv. Since we Know not the Day or Hour in which the Son of Man will come, we therefore ought to be upon our Watch.