The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

2. Look that your Vessel be ever kept empty; when a man hath no grace, and sees how others can pray and mourn, and how far short he falls of them, its easy now to be empty, as Saul when he was no King; but when the Lord hath given some light and affection, and some comfort, and some Reformation; now a man grows full here: Saints do for God, and ca••al hearts do something too; but a little fills them, and quiets them, and so damns them. And hence men at the first work upon them are very diligent in the use of means, but after that they be brought to neglect prayer, sleep out Sermons, and to be careless, sapless, lifeless, who is the better for them? Because I say that now they have got something, the main work is wrought, they call not that into Question, and so when God comes to reckon, they are found too light. Oh therefore keep the Vessel empty, never content thy self with any measure. Hath the Lord called thee? Yes I think so, and believe sometimes so, but I am afraid I may at last be found without oil in my Vessel; be then every day, as if thou wert but now to begin. And this I say, true grace as it comforts, so it never fills, but puts an edge on the appetite; more of that grace Lord! Thus Paul, Phil. 3. 13, 14. Thus David, Out of my poverty I have given, &c. 1 Chron. 29. 3, 17, 18.

2. Look that your Vessel be ever kept empty; when a man hath no grace, and sees how others can pray and mourn, and how far short he falls of them, its easie now to be empty, as Saul when he was no King; but when the Lord hath given some light and affection, and some comfort, and some Reformation; now a man grows full here: Saints do for God, and ca••al hearts do something too; but a little fills them, and quiets them, and so damns them. And hence men at the first work upon them are very diligent in the use of means, but after that they be brought to neglect prayer, sleep out Sermons, and to be careless, sapless, liveless, who is the better for them? Because I say that now they have got something, the main work is wrought, they call not that into Question, and so when God comes to reckon, they are found too light. Oh therefore keep the Vessel empty, never content thy self with any measure. Hath the Lord called thee? Yes I think so, and beleeve sometimes so, but I am afraid I may at last be found without oyle in my Vessel; be then every day, as if thou wert but now to begin. And this I say, true grace as it comforts, so it never fills, but puts an edge on the appetie; more of that grace Lord! Thus Paul,