The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

First, When they not only slumber but sleep, and that long, even to the coming of the Bridegroom almost, yet Christ spares them, and doth not all this while cut them off, and bury them out of his sight, as men that do forget him.

Secondly, He prevents them with awakening grace, and the Lord is up when his servants be abed, and is awakened for their good when they are asleep and regard not him; and first by his cry he awakens them before they shake up themselves; when once the Churches fall asleep, they would sleep their long sleep, and never awaken, if the Lord should not by some cry or other prevent them.

Thirdly, He longs for their fellowship and company though secure; and therefore it is not a cry of terror and wrath, the Bridegroom hath forsaken you, for your secure careless course; but it is a cry of grace, go forth to meet him; yet he is willing to have communion with you, yet he desires that you would have communion with him; oh come out to meet him; I shall wrap up all these together, because I shall be brief. Wonderful was the grace of Christ toward the old world, when for the space of one hundred and twenty years he waited for them, who after they had been an hundred and nineteen secure, yet then the same spirit that waiteth for us in these days of the Gospel, preached the Lord unto them.