The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

SECT. I.

That though the coming of Jesus Christ to his Churches be late,¹ yet it is certain.

THat though the coming of Iesus Christ to his Churches be late,¹ yet it is certain.

1. 1Observation 2.

For though it be midnight, yet he comes we see: For this coming at midnight is not to be understood of the last day of Judgment which shall be at midnight (as the Rabbins and Monks in their devotions conceive) for Christ speaks here of his coming to particular judgement also, which is not always at midnight: The scope of the Parable is to provoke to continual watchfulness; because though the Lord doth not come in the beginning of the night (as was the custom of the Jewish marriages) yet he will come late, even when you look not for him; even at midnight there is a cry. I confess the Lord speaks principally of his coming to Judgment; yet it is true of any other coming of Christ to his people in this life; and because particular examples and instances are the roots of general truths (as Circumcision a seal, so all Sacraments are so; Christ is a Saviour of his people; it is meant of great salvation at last, yet is true of all salvation beside) therefore I shall speak of the coming of Jesus Christ to his Churches and Servants in the general; and so involve the whole coming of Christ, for the more use and comfort to us.