The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

2. Those that close with Promises without Christ himself, and divide between them two, that strip Christ of these his Swaddling-clouts, make their gain of these, and let himself go. I confess all a Christians wealth is laid up in Promises, not in words and syllables, for they are dead things, but Christ in them, and Gods faithfulness in them, 2 Sam. 23. 4, 5. This is all my salvation, for all fullness is in Christ, he is rich, but what am I the better? nay the more miserable, for all emptiness is in me; therefore in the promise lies my peace. And this is a Christians support in all troubles, and hence he casts anchor here; but here is his frame, he lays not hold on them without Christ, but by them goes to Christ, and there rests, John 6. 45. He that hath heard of the Father cometh unto me. Give children milk in the dish, they cry still, they must have it from the Mother, and there suck: so 2 Pet. 1. 2, 3. Now there are others that finding some work in themselves without Christ, and thinking that it's saving, and so a good sign; hence are mistaken, and close with it without Christ, and now they think it's well. I doubt not but the Jews that be devout comforted themselves with that promise, He that confesseth, &c. Prov. 28. 13. not understanding of it, Mat. 3. Say not within your selves we have Abraham to our Father, that promise kept them off from Christ, Mat. 22. Some came not to the Feast, some came but without a Wedding Garment. 'Tis with these men as 'tis with men that come to buy Wines, they taste them, and content themselves with a taste, another buys the thing: a Saint doth so; another tastes the sweet, and after falls to the impardonable sin, Heb. 6. Or as 'tis with a man that sees corn on the ground, he buye• the field, another he gleans somewhat, and contents himself with that. There is in one word a double error,