The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

Hence we may see the woeful condition of those. viz. First, Consider how far from eternal life those are that never knew their fall;¹ the foolish Virgins knew their want of oil and shining, and yet were foolish, and yet were shut out; how great is their fall then, and how great their misery, that have had burning lamps, but now know it not? this is the state of many a professor, many a man who is fallen from the Lord, and the affections once he had, but he knows it not; God did enlighten him, but now he is blinding of him; he did affect him, but he is now benumbing of him; he did make him tender, but not he is making his heart fat; he did make him low in his own eyes (as Saul, but when a King then pu•t up) so God is swelling of him; but this is most grievous, he knows it not, Isa. 6. If a man did know his lamp were going out, he might seek, as these, for it, and possibly find it; but now no hope unless the Lord help; as we see men wounded and falling, they are astonished at the blow, that they know it not, and may die, unless those about them dress them, and send to and fro for help for them; so it is with many; men are so stupefied with some blows of their lusts, that unless Christian friends exhort, admonish and send their prayers and tears to heaven to the Lord, no hope of recovery again; and whether the Lord will be entreated is hard to say; surely it is rare, and yet ⟨p. 70⟩thus it is