The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

Answ,

1. That which makes a christian unready for him, are those strong fears, and jealousies, and damping doubts of the love of Christ to him. The soul haply hath made choice of him, is content with him, melts into wonderment and love to think that he should love him: what me? and Christ hath writ him on his heart, and on the palms of his hands; but Israel saith, my God hath forsaken me, my God hath forgotten me, Isai. 49. 14. Is it possible? is it credible? one that hath been so vile, one that still hath such a heart, for him to set his heart on me? surely no: hence the Soul is afraid to dye, and desires too much to live still: and the more he thinks of that time, and blessedness of following the Lamb where-ever he goes; the more he sees and fears this may possibly never be my portion: there may be some falseness in my heart towards him that I never yet saw, some secret ⟨p. 41⟩knot that was never yet unloosed: and hence not yet ready. Hence many a christian saith, if I had a little more assurance, let him come when he will: Thus some think it was with Hezekiah, who though he had walked before God with a perfect heart, yet bitterly complained that he was cut off, Isai. 38. per totum. So therefore then the soul is prepared & ready for him, when he hath some comfortable assurance of the love of Christ towards him, that it can say, if I live he loves me, though he kills me by Death, yet I know that he loves me: nay, then he loves me mo•t, when he puts an end to my sins, and to my sorrows too? And therefore now saith as one ready to ceive a Prince, now let him come to me, or send for me when he will: why so? Who can separate me from the love of Christ? Rom. 8. 35. That look as 'tis with a Soldier that is to go to war, where many bullets and arrows are like to fall about him, and hit him while he hath no armour on; call him to the Captain, and he will say he is not ready yet, but when he hath his armour on of proof, and such armour that he knows let him receive never so many wounds, yet he shall escape with his life, and triumph with his Captain afterward: Now give him but his watch-word he is ready, though never so weak, yet I am sure I shall escape with my life, nay not so much as hurt. So a christian wanting his assurance, wants his armour; he is weak, and powers of darkness will assault him, and he is slain by them, now he is unready: