The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

3. It must be called of God, for else the soul though never so sensible of misery, could not, would not, du•st not come; but it would either sink under its burden, or plead against all means: It shall presume, as Judas that had no look of Christ (as Peter had) hangs himself: And hence I•r. 3. 23. Come unto me, Their heart answered, We come. For this is usually the Objection of the soul when it sees the riches of mercy, What have I to do with it, that am so vile, and have fallen so oft, and rejected the Lord, and am like to do so; I shall sin the more by this means. No, the command of the Gospel comes, oh come, notwithstanding all this, nay because of this, for I will heal you of them. Now this call hath two things in it. 1. 'Tis particular, for general invitations to believe and come in, are made particular to the Elect, who else would not come in; And hence I•ai. 43. 1. I have […] thee by name. For we shall find that the hearts of men when they see a promise, cannot think it concerns them; all that hunger shall be satisfied, but shall I? And hence show them 'tis as particular as the Law, they cannot think it is to them; and hence they say sometime the word All, is not put in. Now that is the mighty power of unbelief, a word spoken to all is regarded by none, till the Lord make it particular; and hence Isai. 2. Christ is said to judge the Nations, now when Judges ride their Circuits, they do not make Laws, but only apply Laws. One man is brought before them to be condemned, he hopes […], but he is so; now he trembles: Another to be acquitted, •e […], being […] accused, he is freed; and now he rejoiceth. 2. 'Tis a living call, or powerful call, John 5. 25. And hence a man may live under the calls of the Minister long, and never come, because 'tis not made living from the Lord of life; and •ence no• irresistible.

3. It must be called of God, for else the soul though never so sensible of misery, could not, would not, du•st not come; but it would either sink under its burden, or plead against all means: It shall presume, as Iudas that had no look of Christ (as Peter had) hngs himself: And hence Ir. 3. 23. Come unto me, Their heart answered, We come. For this is usually the Objection of the soul when it sees the riches of mercy, What have I to do with it, that am so vile, and have fallen so oft, and rejected the Lord, and am like to do so; I shall sin the more by this means. No, the command of the Gospel comes, oh come, notwithstanding all this, nay because of this, for I will heal you of them. Now this call hath two things in it. 1. 'Tis particular, for general invitations to beleeve and come in, are made particular to the Elect, who else would not come in; And hence Iai. 43. 1. I have thee by nam. For we shall finde that the hearts of men when they see a promise, cannot think it concerns them; all that hunger shall be satisfied, but shall I? And hence shew them 'tis as particular as the Law, they cannot think it is to them; and hence they say sometime the word All, is not put in. Now that is the mighty power of unbelief, a word spoken to all is regarded by none, till the Lord make it particular; and hence