The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

SECT. V.

Hence we learn what verdict to pass and give in concerning those men that¹ decay and fall off from the Lord. They never had Oil in their Vessel, never had dram of Grace in their heart, Thus, 1 John2. 19. If▪ they had been •f us, they would doubtless have continued with us. It seems they were such men which were so eminent and excellent, as that there were no brands nor marks upon them to give notice to the Churches that they were marked out for apostasy, but were only discovered to be unsound by their apostasy; and this was argument good enough. Hence Christ, when some of the Jews began to believe in him with a temporary Faith, John 8. 31. If my Word continue in you, ye are my Disciples; as if he should say, your Faith is a Fancy, if it continue not. Look therefore as the Prophet said, Zach. 1. 5. Your Prophets, where are they? Your Fathers, where are they? So say I to you; Your Tears, your Tenderness, your Groanings, your Heart-breaking, Prayers, &c. Where are they? Is it with them as with ships that are sunk and wrecked, some of the ribs remain, which gives you to see and say, there was a fair ship, but its sunk, 1 Tim. 1. 19. Make shipwreck of Conscience, and so lose their Faith also. Some men for a time seem to keep a whole Conscience, wind and water-tite, they can pass through many storms, yet at last it breaks, and when that is lost, their Faith is lost also. Their Faith before God▪ and Conscience before men, both of them break.

HEnce we learn what verdict to pass and give in concerning those men that