The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

2. If you can do any thing savingly good, the soul is bound now (by the power of Faith) to stir up it self to act, though not to trust to it alone, for sometimes the soul hath the regenerate part uppermost, and the prevailing Spirit of God, Psal. 21. 3. which comes to him, and gives it power to act before the soul come to it. Now a man is bound to act, because 'tis from Christ now. Hence Timothy was to stir up the gift, 2 Tim. 1. 6. Hence complained of them Isa. 64. 8. None stir up himself to take hold on the Lord. A man must stir up himself to believe, as well as other Graces, hence the Kingdom of Heaven is taken with violence, and though corruption is stronger than Grace, yet Grace assisted with the Spirit, is stronger than it, which is never quite out of the soul, but 'tis in the soul, 1 John 4. 4. Stronger is he that is in you. And 'tis said professedly, He purgeth himself, and keepeth himself, the evil one toucheth him not, 1 John 5. 18. But mark, trust not barely t• this, but when you do this, withal remember, Lord I cannot hold out in this unless thou dost help me: But know, Isa. 26. The Lord is the rock of my strength. And if you by the Spirit mortify, &c. Rom. 8. 13. Therefore ever hold up sails, but look for a wind. And if a man be not to do this, then when any sinful temptation comes, if a man do not find the Spirit and strength ready at hand to help, if he be not to stir up himself against it, he is to suffer himself to be carried down by it. Hence a man may neglect all duties a long time, if he do not find the Spirit assisting, if so be a man must not stir himself up, and so (will some say) a man may. May? What shall I say to such sluggish soul, but sleep on? But know it, the Lord will awaken thee, when you shall say, Oh that I had improved the Talent I had! And if you do find Christ in such a condition, know it they be but the last visits of Christ before he departs. You can do more than you do, and the Lord will have you do it.