IN this parable, ye have the state and posture of the Church a little before, and at the coming of Jesus Christ. Then shall the Kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten Virgins. verse 1. Sometimes the Doctrine and grace of the Gospel, is called the Kingdom of heaven: The Kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard-seed, &c. This cannot be meant here; because in the Gospel there are not ten Virgins. Sometimes the state of glory above is called the Kingdom of heaven: That is not meant here, because there are no foolish Virgins. Sometimes the Church of Christ under the New Testament, is called the Kingdom of heaven; for there God appears, manifests himself, and it is heaven on earth: and this is that which is here called the Kingdom of heaven. Which Kingdom is described by the Governor, King and Head thereof: And by the subjects of that Kingdom. The Subjects are described by their Agreement and Disagreement. First, they ⟨p. 2⟩agree in this, that they are all Virgins; though some foolish, yet Virgins, not defiled with men, or the pollutions of the world: 'tis possible a foolish, and unsound heart may go thus far in Religion, to be free from the pollutions of the world, yea, through the knowledge of Christ, says the Apostle Peter. Secondly, they agree in this, that they have all their Lamps, good and bad, wise and foolish under Ordinances, which are the Lamps, whereby the golden oil of the sanctuary is emptied into our hearts. Thirdly, they agree in this, that they are all expectants, wise and foolish wait the bridegrooms coming: they all think to receive good, and have a good day by the coming of Jesus Christ: this is far, yet thus far may a foolish Virgin go. Fourthly, they all agree in this that they had oil in their lamps: indeed, verse the 3. it is said, 1that the foolish Virgins took no oil with them; but verse the 8 they say, Our lamps are gone out: So that o••e they had once, but they had not enough, and so none; parts and gifts, and common graces a man may have, not only his lamp but some oil in it for a time, yet be a foolish Virgin. Fifthly, they agree in this, that they keep Company, have Communion and fellowship together in the Church; yea, so far that the foolish are not known till Christs coming: so smoothly may a foolish Virgin carry it, yet remain foolish. Sixthly, They all agree in this also;
IN this parable, ye have the state and posture of the Church a little before, and at the coming of Jesus Christ. Then shall the Kingdome of heaven be likened unto ten Virgins. verse 1. Sometimes the Doctrine and grace of the Gospell, is called the Kingdome of heaven: The Kingdome of heaven is like to a graine of mustard-seed, &c. This cannot be meant here; because in the Gospel there are not ten Virgins. Sometimes the state of glory above is called the Kingdome of heaven: That is not meant here, because there are no foolish Virgins. Sometimes the Church of Christ under the New Testament, is called the Kingdome of heaven; for there God appears, manifests himselfe, and it is heaven on earth: and this is that which is here called the Kingdome of heaven. Which Kingdome is described by the Governour, King and Head thereof: And by the subjects of that Kingdome. The Subjects are described by their Agreement and Disagreement. First, they ⟨p. 2⟩agree in this, that they are all Virgins; though some foolish, yet Virgins, not defiled with men, or the pollutions of the world: 'tis possible a foolish, and unsound heart may go thus farre in Religion, to be free from the pollutions of the world, yea, through the knowledge of Christ, sayes the Apostle Peter. Secondly, they agree in this, that they have all their Lampes, good and bad, wise and foolish under Ordinances, which are the Lampes, whereby the golden oyle of the sanctuary is emptied into our hearts. Thirdly, they agree in this, that they are all expectants, wise and foolish wait the bridegroomes comming: they all thinke to receive good, and have a good day by the comming of Jesus Christ: this is farre, yet thus farre may a foolish Virgin go. Fourthly, they all agree in this that they had oyle in their lampes: indeed, verse the 3. it is said, 1that the foolish Virgins took no oyle with them; but verse the 8 they say, Our lampes are gone out: So that o••e they had once, but they had not enough, and so none; parts and gifts, and common graces a man may have, not only his lampe but some oyle in it for a time, yet be a foolish Virgin. Fifthly, they agree in this, that they keep Company, have Communion and fellowship together in the Church; yea, so farre that the foolish are not knowne till Christs comming: so smoothly may a foolish Virgin carry it, yet remain foolish. Sixthly, They all agree in this also;
- 1Ad nihilū valet quod non valet ad finem suum.Ad nihilū valet quod non valet ad finem suum.
