The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

1. The soul beholds the Lord in all his Glory, seeing of him present with him in all his Glory, and set before him, Psal. 16. 8. For this is one necessary ingredient to his sanctification and seeking the Lord as his utmost end. For why doth a man seek himself? He sees some glory and good in himself, none in the Lord. And hence we say of some men, whose pride spoils their parts, they know themselves too well, and hence Saints when they see their own vileness, and see the Lord, they are so far from seeking, as that they loath themselves. Therefore when the Lord reveals himself to the soul in his Glory, this makes them seek him and not themselves, 1 Cor. 1. 30. Christ is made wisdom, righteousness, &c. that all might glory in him. For this is the Glory of Christ, and the first Principle of seeking the Lord, the soul sees his good laid up in the Lord more than in himself; nay wholly in the Lord, not at all in himself. His wisdom is in him, he cannot but wilder till utterly lost without him. His righteousness is in him, he could never have one sin pardoned by Angels holiness without him. His sanctification is in him, he could not have the least thought nor desire, but the Lord must work it in him. His redemption is in him, there could not be freedom one hour from unknown evils but by him. Hence seeing him such an one, he seeks him. As why do men seek men, especially if great? Why do men desire to stand before Princes, and please them, so that they will not gladly offer them the least distaste? Because they see them before them, beholding of them, apt to be angry, if displeased; and their greatness awes them: So here. Why is not the Lord Jesus pleased? He is not seen in his Glory, nor made really present; and hence Rev. 5. 12, 13. When they saw him on his Throne, they cast down their Crowns and gave him Glory.

1. The soul beholds the Lord in all his Glory, seeing of him present with him in all his Glory, and set before him, Psal. 16. 8. For this is one necessary ingredient to his sanctification and seeking the Lord as his utmost end. For why doth a man seek himself? He sees some glory and good in himself, none in the Lord. And hence we say of some men, whose pride spoyls their parts, they know themselves too well, and hence Saints when they see their own vileness, and see the Lord, they are so far from seeking, as that they loath themselves. Therefore when the Lord reveals himself to the soul in his Glory, this makes them seek him and not themselves,