The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

1. Consider how far men have gone? What means they have used? yet have never found to this day, Luke 13. 24. Strive, saith Christ. This I speak because men think they may neglect their seasons of earnest pursuit after grace, men may sit still, and put all care from themselves to God, and live in their sloth. Oh no, Consider so many snares, so many by paths, so many deceits within, so many sins and lusts to subdue, all time and means is little enough: Take heed of spending prodigally, and think Christs grace will bear you out. Oh! look upon the cries at death-bed, to see some men that have been like famishing men that have wanted bread, and then have cried bread, bread, but could not eat it. Oh saith Paul, I beat down my body, lest in preaching to others my self become a cast away.

1. Consider how far men have gone? What means they have used? yet have never found to this day, Luke 13. 24. Strive, saith Christ. This I speak because men think they may neglect their seasons of earnest pursuit after grace, men may sit still, and put all care from themselves to God, and live in their sloth. Oh no, Consider so many snares, so many by paths, so many deceits within, so many sins and lusts to subdue, all time and means is little enough: Take heed of spending prodigally, and think Christs grace will bear you out. Oh! look upon the cries at death-bed, to see some men that have been like famishing men that have wanted bread, and then have cryed bread, bread, but could not eat it. Oh saith Paul, I beat down my body, lest in preaching to others my self become a cast away.

2. Consider how others have broken down the greatest difficulties, and are now in glory, as Rev. 12. 11. They loved not their lives to the death. They have not only spent their time, lost their name, their comforts, but their blood, that have passed through waters, fires, bonds, imprisonments, and with Paul have not accounted their lives dear, that they might finish their work. David was full of God one would think sometimes he had enough, yet when he awakes, he is with God at midnight, his thoughts and reins instruct him; the Law was his meditation day and night. You shall see him in the Temple blessing God, on the Throne advancing the Lord, on the dunghill, in banishment longing after him, when he sate among Princes meditating; and was there here too much cost, might any of this ointment have been spared? Consider Christ himself,