Take heed you fall not short of the Grace of God,1 of the promise and Spirit of Grace,2 Heb. 12. 15. Oh get Oil in your Vessels! When there is much counterfeit Gold abroad, every man will have his Scales, and not only look and rub, but he will weigh every piece he takes: Was there ever more Counterfeits abroad, or such similitudes of the Truth? Insomuch as some in their Opinions, think it impossible, others in their practises find it hard and very difficult to distinguish the one from the other. Oh but there is a vast distance and difference! As ever you look for Mercy, get this Oil in your Vessel. As ever you look for peace, know that you have it in your Vessel. I am persuaded that there is never a soul that follows the Lord tremblingly and tenderly, but when he hears of this, sends up his sighs, good Lord let me not fail here; better never have had thy Name in my Forehead, nor affection in my heart, than to want Oil in my Vessel: And I am persuaded he trembles to think, what if I should perish at the last? And yet how many never have strong fears of failing here, that have most cause so to do. This Parable is directed to ⟨p. 224⟩Virgin-Churches at the last period of the decrepit world; wherein methinks the Lord Jesus speaks unto his people, There is much profession, affection, but o• take heed you perish not for want of oil in your Vessel. Le• all your care be to get that, and fear to want that, wherein the Lord doth answer that fear, and question, and thought of his people: Oh what if I should perish at last? […] in your Vessel then, and if the Lord Jesus had been of that mind that there are no inherent graces in the Saints, or so dim they cannot be known, or if known you are not to respect them as any signs, but to look for a witness of grace upon you, or out of you, without respecting or looking upon grace in you, he would never have recorded this Parable, which to wise Virgins is to prevent those conceits: Oh therefore how many fall short here, and regard not this!
TAke heed you fall not short of the Grace of God,1 of the promise and Spirit of Grace,2 Heb. 12. 15. Oh get Oyl in your Vessels! When there is much counterfeit Gold abroad, every man will have his Scales, and not only look and rub, but he will weigh every piece he takes: Was there ever more Counterfeits abro•d, or such similitudes of the Truth? Insomuch as some in their Opinions, think it impossible, others in their practises find it hard and very difficult to distinguish the one from the other. Oh but there is a vast distance and difference! As ever you look for Mercy, get this Oyl in your Vessel. As ever you look for peace, know that you have it in your Vessel. I am perswaded that there is never a soul that follows the Lord tremblingly and tenderly, but when he hears of this, sends up his sighs, good Lord let me not fail here; better never have had thy Name in my Forehead, nor affection in my heart, than to want Oyl in my Vessel: And I am perswaded he trembles to think, what if I should perish at the last? And yet how many never have strong fears of failing here, that have most cause so to do. This Parable is directed to ⟨p. 224⟩Virgin-Churches at the last period of the decrepit world; wherein methinks the Lord Jesus speaks unto his people, There is much profession, affection, but o• take heed you perish not for want of oyle in your Vessel. Le• all your care be to get that, and fear to want that, wherein the Lord doth answer that fear, and question, and thought of his people: Oh what if I should perish at last? 〈…〉 in your Vessel then, and if the Lord Jesus had been of that minde that there are no inherent graces in the Saints, or so dim they cannot be known, or if known you are not to respect them as any signs, but to look for a witness of grace upon you, or out of you, without respecting or looking upon grace in you, he would never have reco•ded this Parable, which to wise Virgins is to prevent those conceipts: Oh therefore how many fall short here, and regard not this!
- 1Use 4.
- 2Of Exhort.
