The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

SECT. V.

TO every man, as ever you look to be with Christ Jesus another day,¹ get this oil in your Vessels. The Lord doth in this Parable set before your eyes the estate of the pu•est Virgi-Churches and Professors in the world, and it is his in•nite love to tell us before-hand, before the time be past; to tell us, that many of these shall be shut out from the presence of the Lord Jesus, whom themselves and others think shall not, and yet this love would be but little, unless the Lord had made known the cause or defect in not getting oil to their Vessels. Oh consider therefore, here you are like to fail; you that have Lamps before the cry and Bridegroom comes, acknowledge Christs love, and be overcome by it to get oil into your Vessels; when Rahab knew that the Lord would destroy all Jericho, now she •ays about her to preserve her life. What's the means? To tie the Scarlet thread at the window: Oh she would be sure to get and keep that there. You know the Lord Jesus will come and discover the unsound profession, and destroy the glory of the World, and Churches too: It may be you have had some fears, what if he should cut me off, and cast me out as possibly he may? and I may as well as eminent Professors. I tell you, none ever ⟨p. 187⟩perished but because of this. How just had Rahabs judgment been, if she had refused to get her scarlet thread there, and yours if now you get not your Oil in your Vessel? How many are there that have lived fairly and died quietly, and when they are dead and knock, the door is shut: That then wring their hands, Oh had I but known of this! I would have spent my care and strength, and tears, and thoughts how to have filled my Vessel, but I knew it not. This time will shortly came, and if you know it now, and do not set upon it, what a cut will this be? As therefore the Apostle exhorts,