The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

Thirdly, Communication of this good to the soul; let a man have meat and drink, but he cannot come at it when he hath need of it, will this satisfy if it be locked up? let a man have real possession of never so many lands, yet if he hath not the benefit sure to him, as well as the thing, he will never hold out; what am I the better? so that grace satisfies that brings the sold to fruition of the good, that it is now in respect of the benefit of it conveyed to the soul, Psal, 16. 4, 5, the Lord is the portion of my lot and cup, and he maintains both; and hence Jer. 14. 9. Why art thou like a man astonished, yet in the midst of us! if a man have meat and clothes, and the one never feeds, the other never warms, would this satisfy? no, unless that he may feel them, nay he would think this a curse; so let Saints have God in his Ordinances, the best in the world there is, if not fed thereby, Lord! what a misery is this? especially if the Lord helps not in time of need.

Thirdly, Communication of this good to the soul; let a man have meat and drink, but he cannot come at it when he hath need of it, will this satisfie if it be lockt up? let a man have real possession of never so many lands, yet if he hath not the benefit sure to him, as well as the thing, he will never hold out; what am I the better? so that grace satisfies that brings the sould to fruition of the good, that it is now in respect of the benefit of it conveyed to the soul, Psal, 16. 4, 5, the Lord is the portion of my lot and cup, and he maintains both; and hence Ier. 14. 9. Why art thou like a man astonish•d, yet in the midst of us! if a man have meat and clothes, and the one never feeds, the other never warms, would this satisfie? no, unless that he may feel them, nay he would think this a curse; so let Saints have God in his Ordinances, the best in the world there is, if not fed thereby, Lord! what a misery is this? especially if the Lord helps not in time of need.

Fourthly, Reflection of good again to the good which doth refresh us, else it never satisfies; if a man have meat dealt out, and it is very sweet, yet if it gives him no strength to perform acts of life; if a man have a friend, and he cannot love again, nor show testimony of love, it will not satisfy him; so that grace satisfies which makes the soul reflect the love of God to God again; shall I serve the Lord, said David, of that which cost me nothing? you know the Vine and Olive,