The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

That counterfeit and common grace of foolish Virgins, after some time of glorious¹ profession, will certainly go out, and be quite spent: It consumes in the using, and shining and burning. Luke 8. 18. To him that hath shall be given, ⟨p. 63⟩but he that hath not, shall be taken from him that which he hath. Joh. 15. 2, 6. Every branch in me that beareth no• fruit it withers, then it is taken away, and so it is consumed, and in time burned; and hence, many that are first, are •n time last, Matth. 9. 20. and many that are last first: Men that have been most forward, decay; their gifts decay, life decays, and these are last: and last are first; many newly brought home to Christ, excel them, and live so, and die so, that one would think should never hold out. I need not speak more, Scripture is so abundant: I say it is after some time of profession; for at first it rather grows than decays and withers; but afterward they have enough of it, it withers and dies: And look as it is with some bodies when they are healthful, they grow by all means; but when once Nature is spent, and now declining, nothing recovers them, though they may be kept at a stay for a time, but dye they will with their best cordials in their mouths; so it is here.

That counterfeit and c•mmon grace of foolish Virgins, after some time of glorious¹ profession, will certainly go out, and be quite spent: It consumes in the using, and shining and burning. Luke 8. 18. To him that hath shall be given, ⟨p. 63⟩but he that hath not, shall be taken from him that which he hath.