The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

3. Consider the fierce wrath upon Reprobates, who shall rise like Toads coming out of their holes in winter time, standing before Christ's Tribunal, crying out of the day that ever they were born, and receiving their final doom; imagine the silence while the Lord is pronouncing the sentence; and when past, a cry; and then Christ to depart, and shut up himself in Heaven with his Saints, the Reprobate never to see him nor his face any more; are these things tales, fables, notions? if they be, blot out the Scripture; but if real, oh then who can but awake! If God intends mercy to you, the thoughts of these things will awaken you, you shall see them really; if not, they shall awaken you by feeling of them.

4. Consider how many will be found too light at that day.

Secondly, Make this day present: Optic glasses will take within them the present image of things afar off; a Mud-wall cannot give the form of them; so by Faith look at these things that be to come as near for if we see really the Lords coming, but we look upon it as a thing that is afar off, it will not affect: Now a thing may be present to Faith which is not to sense; It may be the last and great coming of the Lord is not very nigh (although we are doubtless in the last times) but the beginning of this, thy Petty-Sessions before that general Assize, may be nigh. Oh therefore make it present.

Secondly, Make this day present: Optick glasses will take within them the present image of things afar off; a Mud-wall cannot give the form of them; so by Faith look at these things that be to come as near for if we see really the Lords coming, but we look upon it as a thing that is afar off, it will not affect: Now a thing may be present to Faith which is not to sence; It may be the last and great coming of the Lord is not very nigh (although we are doubtless in the last times) but the beginning of this, thy Petty-Sessions before that general Assize, may be nigh. Oh therefore make it present.