The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

3. Hereupon the soul closeth with the whole will of Christ, and pleaseth it, because it pleaseth him. Its with every man, as it was with Samson, he would needs have a wife or the Philistines, Why so? Judg. 14. 3. Because she pleaseth me. So, why will men seek themselves, save themselves, love themselves, and please their own wills? Because it pleaseth them. Look therefore as the soul when he loved himself, did seek to please only his own will in every thing, and 'tis good because it pleaseth me; so the soul, whose heart is now endeared to Christ, though he cannot perfectly do it (that's in Heaven) yet he seeks to give the whole will of Christ content, because it pleaseth Christ. And this is that that God hath sworn his people shall have, Luke 1. 74, 75. And that Christ hath delivered us from all our enemies, (For the great reason why men cleave not to the Lord, and please his whole Will is, because they have many things to care for, and •eep, and please, which we account friends, which are the Lords enemies, Satan and world) to serve him without fear, i. e. in love, and in holiness and righteousness, i. e. his whole Will all •ur days. And hence Eph. 5. 8, 9. They were darkness, but now are light, by Faith, now there is sanctity, Walk as children of the light. Wherein consists that? Proving what is acceptable to God. Hence Eph. 6. 6. They should please Christ, doing the Will of God from the heart. And this is so necessary, that Gal. 1. 10• The Apostle saith, If I please men, i. e. their wills, I am not Christs. And this is walking worthy of the Lord, pleasing him in all things, and this is fruit, the end of the tree and leaves also, and differencing a tree from all other, that be beautiful, but barren, Col. 1. 10.

3. Hereupon the soul closeth with the whole will of Christ, and pleaseth it, because it pleaseth him. Its with every man, as it was with Samson, he would needs have a wife or the Philistims, Why so?