The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

Because at his coming there is the entrance and passage into eternity,¹ and into an eternal state of weal or woe; now though the apprehension of the end of a secure sinful way, may and will awaken, yet when eternity is apprehended it will amaze; for this time is but a little spring or river which runs into eternity, and carries all men living down with it to eternity: Now when men see an end of time, and the beginning of eternity, and themselves posting thereto, it is as when a man sees himself floating upon the waters, where there's no bottom, and all stay gone, though he hath been long secure, now he will cry out if he sees it. It is with men now, as it is with those that are ready to be cast down from some Tower, it makes the heart tremble, oh! where shall I alight! oh it's impossible but if men do apprehend eternity, and that also near unto them, but it will awaken them; it will make a stout, stony-hearted Saul to run to Urim; it will make Kings and Princes run to Monasteries, and men to Cells and Deserts; It will make the proudest Felix tremble when Paul reasons of Judgement to come. It's usually the first thing that doth awaken the people of God; eternity doth amaze them, and them that have fallen to all lasciviousness. Oh eternity!

Because at his coming there is the entrance and passage into eternity,¹ and into an eternal state of weal or wo; now though the apprehension of the end of a secure sinful way, may and will awaken, yet when eternity is apprehended it will amaze; for this time is but a little spring or river which runs into eternity, and carries all men living down with it to eternity: Now when men see an end of time, and the beginning of eternity, and themselves posting thereto, it is as when a man sees himself floating upon the waters, where there's no bottom, and all stay gone, though he hath been long secure, now he will cry out if he sees it. It is with men now, as it is with those that are ready to be cast down from some Towr, it makes the heart tremble, oh! where shal I alight! oh it's impossible but if men do apprehend eternity, and that also near unto them, but it will awaken them; it will make a stout, stony-hearted Saul to run to Urim; it will make Kings and Princes run to Monasteries, and men to Cells and Deserts; It will make the proudest Felix tremble when Paul reasons of Judgement to come. It's usually the first thing that doth awaken the people of God; eternity doth amaze them, and them that have fallen to all asciviousness. Oh eternity!