The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

WE live in a Country which hath goodly trappings,¹ rich hangings, glorious Profession, burning Lamps: and hence many think themselves •ich, when indeed poor; many look to mee• the Bridegroom, when indeed they shall he shut out-from the fellowship of the Bridegroom. How shall I know that? That all my sorrows, prayers, reformation, profession, is but a paint, an appearance, a fashion, a Church-craft, which will stand me in no stead when the Lord shall appear, who shall judge the secrets of all hearts, by the Word you hear• this day. Try it therefore by this Rule, doth it come from a principle of life or no? Your Lamp burns, but look what is in your vessel that feeds this flame. That as our Divines speak, how the Disciples could do greater works than Christ, and others wrought Miracles besides Christ: how then do they prove that he is Christ? 'Tis answered, in all his miraculous works we are to consider not only quid fecit, i. e. what he did, but qua virtue fecit, from what power he did it. The Apostles and others wrought Miracles, but it was alienâ virtue: Christ did them, but it was prop•• virtue. So many an unsound heart he may do greater works them Saints, and his lamp burn brighter. Therefore in this case we are not to look so much to what is done, as from what power and principle it is done: for therein the best hypocrite ever falls. We shall ever observe in some beasts there are ambraerationis ⟨p. 182⟩[…], yet there is no rational soul, nor any wise man will believe that their acts proceed from such a Principle: So there are shadows of the power of grace in a carnal heart, and yet no Judicious Christian will say they come from an inward soul; or principle of life. Consider therefore whether there is this principle or no; you see there is profession, you have a name to live in the judgement of all the Church, but search your hearts, and see from what principle it proceeds, for if this be wanting, all is naught: As he that had Beer given him, when Milk and Wine, and Sugar was put into it to mend it, said, The Wine is good, and the Milk is good, but the Beer is naught: So Profession, affection is good, but the heart, the man is naught,