near a hundred times in Scripture stiled the Son of man which is not an empty Epithete he shall come so and judg so and dyed as such and shall be glorified as Son of man pag. 209 210 c. At Christs coming all nations shall be gathered as sheep and Goats and set on his right and left hand all explain'd pag. 219. c. Christs final sentence denounced to them on his right and left hand with the reason of it first to glory under five heads explained pag. 228 229. c. That God the Father is the great agent in mans salvation under eight circumstances pag. 234 235. Objection how can it agree with the justice and equity of God almighty to punish a moments sin with an endless Torment resolved pag. 254. 255. Mens plea for an unavoidable decree to damnation made void pag. 257. That our Lord Jesus though upon his Throne of glory will not proceed in judgment according to his royal prerogative but according to undeniable grounds of reason from the Creature pag. 260 261. That sins of Omission as well as sins of Commission are of a damning nature pag. 262. BY Reason the Book was done at two Printing Houses together with the uncertainty of the written Copy the pages of three sheets from 225 c. are twice repeated which the Reader is desired to take notice of for his understanding the Table which truly represents the matter but not the pages In page 232 c. for part read point THE PARABLE Of the Ten VIRGINS c. THat which first ingaged my heart and meditations to enter upon this Portion of Scripture was these two considerations 1. The excellent matter of instruction that was coucht under these three Parables laid down in this Chapter the tendancy whereof is to provoke Christians to strict and cordial self-examination after their inward and spiritual Estate before it be too late 2. The serious consideration of that Period of time which they point at being the time a little before Christ's second coming which we may perceive by a short view of the precedent Chapter most of which Chapter is spent in answer to the Disciples threefold demand in laying down the more remote and more immediate fore-runners of Christ's second coming Now in this 25 Chapter we must either understand our Lord still prosecuting the same design in giving yet more and other predictions relating to his coming or else we must understand him speaking of some remarkable passages that shall fall-in contemporary with those forenamed signs And I take this latter sence to be most coherent with the scope of the whole Context that is to say that when the former remarkable signs and passages shall appear and the Son of Man is near to his second coming ver 30. Then shall the State of the Church and Professors be fitly resembled to what is set forth by these Parables And to this agrees the vulgar Latin who thus read in that point of time their rendring this first word in Capitals as a remarkable period The Parable of the Ten Virgins c. Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened unto Ten Virgins that took their Lamps and went out to meet the Bridegroom The method that I shall take in managing this Subject shall be first to open and explain those words and phrases which may seem to want explication Secondly I shall lay down those doctrinal conclusions that doth naturally arise from the words so opened and then apply the whole and all this with brevity Then in that point of time when according to the precedent signs Christs coming draws near the kingdom of Heaven What may we in this Text understand by the kingdom of Heaven I answ According to the generality of Interpreters kingdom of Heaven in this place is to be understood the Church State and so it must be understood from Corists mouth elsewhere as Math. 16.19 the words of Christ to Peter I gave unto thee the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven which according to the context must be understood as also Math. 23.13 in Christ's words to the Scribes and Pharisees that shut up the kingdom of Heaven kept persons out of the faith and Church of Christ so must Paul be understood Colos 1.13 where he calleth the Church the kingdom of Gods dear Son into which himself and the Colossions were brought or translated be likened or resembled the State of the Church in that juncture of time and consider who made this comparison It is Jesus Christ who was wisdom it self who did not use to make improper comparisons but if Christ say they are like it is so and in this resemblance our Lord hath respect to the manner of their solemnizing the Marriages in those Countrys and times which according to History was in the Nights and so Lamps were needful in which weddings there were a choice company of young men called Sons of the Bride-chamber and a choice and pickt company of Virgins of the Bride kindred and acquaintance to attend the Bridegroom at his coming to which it is thought David doth alude Psa 45. Now saith Christ the Church State shall be a meet resemblance hereunto in that day unto ten The question is what kind of number this must be Is this to be understood in a proper and strict fence I answ We are not bound to understand this in a strict sence precisely ten because we have by this certain number ten an indefinent large and uncertain number As for instance 1 Sam. 1.8 the words of Elkanah to Hannah Am not I better to thee than ten Sons So in the 2 Sam. 19.43 We have ten parts in David Eccle. 7.19 Wisdom strengthneth more than ten mighty men Zac. 8.23 Ten men shall take hold of the skirt of a Jew Ten women shall bake in one Oven all which numbers are significantly to be understood of a large indefinite number and not precisely ten So here when Christ saith ten he must be understood as from seeing large numbers coming in at that juncture of time But why Virgins answ by Virgins must be understood such at least who profess holiness In worship and conversation holy Persons are set out by this appellation Virgins such were the Church of the Corinthians 2 Cor. 11. I have espoused you to one Husband that I may present you a Chast Virgin to Christ this is the proper epithite to Christs Spouse Cant. 1.2 the Virgins love thee by Virgins sometimes is to be understood such as have escaped the false worship of the World as it is understood Revel 14.4 These are they which are not defiled with Women for they are Virgins and in this sence the worst of these might be Virgins these Persons in our Text are set forth by a fourfold Character 1. They are called Virgins 2. They are said to have Lamps or visible profession commonly understood 3. They are said to be gone out they are not like the Sluggard who only with and desire and lie still
but these are gone out up and doing these are gone to seek gone to meet 4. They are gone to meet Christ as a Bridegroom with some hope joy and expectation as they that have an interest in him Having thus opened the words I shall take notice of those observable Doctrines that flows from the words 1. That near to the second coming of Jesus Christ the Gospel of the kingdom is preached many shall take upon them professed friendship to him then shall there be ten Virgins even multitudes take up profession 2. The Church here on Earth doth or ought to bear a resemblance to the kingdom of Heaven to come 3. All that are waiting for Christ aright are or ought to be Virgins 4. Those only are wrightly waiting for Christ who are gone forth 5. They that go forth to meet Jesus Christ as they ought have Lamps with them 6. All those that are gone to meet and wait for Christ do go to meet him as a Bridegroom I shall give a brief hint to each of these 1. As to the great number of Professors that shall come in the latter days I have in the explication of this number ten shewed you that it is taken for a large indefinent number This was prophesied Esa 60.5 The abundance of the Sea shall be converted unto thee and the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee ver 8. They shall flock like Doves to the windows Christs house will be furnished with Guests Math. 22.10 Many are called Jesus Christ did foresee that the harvest would be very great Math. 9.37 But some may object was not this fulfilled in the beginning of the Gospel when there were 3000 converted at one Sermon of Peters Acts 2. I answ No First because those then converted were Jews but these prophesied of are Gentiles and Secondly this plentiful flowing in is contemporary with those signs and immediate fore-runners of Christs coming Ch. 24. Now that which shall occasion this large flowing in in that juncture of time may be these circumstances First From that great increase of light that shall break out in that Day which was prophesied of by the Prophet Daniel Chap. 12.4 Many shall run to and fro and knowledg shall be increased which doth refer to that time aâ— we may perceive by the Context We read also of an Angel coming down from Heaven by whose means the Earth is enlightned Rev. 18.1 the first fruit whereof we see in our days Secondly These may arise from the great noise of Christs second coming which shall be made more than formerly which shall awaken many and cause them to run forth The Doctrin of the latter days near Christs second coming will run much upon this Subject this was foreseen by Malachy Chap. 3 as we may also gather out of the Book of the Revelations Thirdly those dreadful and amazing dispensations of God that shall take place in the latter days when those signs spoken of Math. 24. Luk. 21. shall begin to come to pass this shall make all the Tribes of the Earth to mourn Math. 24.30 Luk. 21.25 26. Mens hearts failing at the sight hereof From hence we may be informed that we are upon the borders of the latter days we have not only seen some forerunners of Christs coming in other respects but we have in some part seen this also great numbers of persons have flowed in in these 20 years past much more than formerly So much for the first Doctrin The second is drawn from this appellation kingdom of Heaven Christ doth not inconsiderately but with good consideration so call it From whence I draw the second part That the Church of Christ here on Earth ought to bear a lively resemblance of the State of glory and that in four Circumstances 1. From their compactness the Church of Christ are imbodied together and compact we have this very word used Eph. 4.16 Speaking there of the Church saith it is compact as the Natural Body is so is this therefore called a City Ephe. 2. Fellow Citizens of the Saints so the glory to come called a City Heb. 11.1 ver 16. He hath prepared for them a City 1 Pet. 2.5 Buâ—â— up a spiritual house 2. The Church resembles the State of glory in that purity and holiness 〈◊〉 ought to be in it or members of it Plas 93.5 Holiness becometh thy house for ever the Church is as to holiness stiled Golden Candlesticks which answers to the State of Glory in which no unclean thing shall enter 3. The Church on Earth bears a meet resemblance to the State of Glory and may be called here by Christ the kingdom of Heaven because as Christ is King and Lawgiver in that kindom of Glory so Christ is King and Lawgiver to his Church James 4.12 One Lawgiver 4. As Christ will be resident in his kingdom with his Saints he shall then dwell amongst them Rev. 22.3 he â—abernacle of God is with men and he will dwell amongst them so in the Church the Lord hath promised to walk and dwell amongst them 2. Cor. 6.16 He walketh amongst the Churches under the name of Golden Candlesticks Rev. 1. Thus the Church bears a resemblance with the Kingdom of Glory and the Church is the Porch or entrance into Glory according to Acts 2. last The Lord added to tâ—e Church daily such as should be saved This consideration well weighed may serve to provoke holiness in the Church of Christ both in Ministers and members it is prophesied as to the State of the Church to come Esa 63.21 the people shall be all righteous that we are sure will be a holy time a holy State and without holiness no man shall see God Heb. 12.14 You that are Church members labour after holiness if you arrive not at holiness here you shall never have it hereafter the truth of this Doctrin is confirmed by the third Doctrin which I shall only name 3. Doct. That all that truly wait for Christ are or ought to be Virgins I have already shewed you in the explication what is intended by Christ in this appellation they that the Scripture gives this appellation to or name of Virgins unto such as are holy Persons First as to a blameless holy conversation Secondly Such as are separate from false worship as I shewed you from Rev. 14.4 but I proceed to the fourth doctrin which is this 4. Doct. That all that truly wait for Christ are gone forth they are raised from their Bed of carnal security The Apostle writing to the Hebrew Church Chap. 13.13 doth emphatically call their sufferings for Christ going forth Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp bearing his reproach The Spouse of Christ Cant. 3.1.2 While she seeks Christ upon her Bed found him not she must arise and go forth to seek her beloved whom her Soul loves this going forth supposeth a sequestration in a great measure from earthly injoyments and this the Prophet Joel calls for Joel 2 16. Let the
understood when she speaketh as you may read in Cant. 5. or Solomons Song ver 2. in these words I sleep but my heart waketh it is the voice of my beâ—oâ—ed that knocketh saying Open to me my Sister my â—ove my Dove my undefiled for my head is filled with dew and my locks with the drops of the Night this may give us to understand that although the eyes may be shut yet the thoughts may be awake and at work and thus it may be understood of the wise Virgins they slambred not slâ—pt The second difference between slumbring and sleeping is in the leâ—gth of 〈◊〉 a slumber supposeth a short time whereas a deep sâ—â—â—p is long and proper to young and healthy weary and drunken persons whereas slumbring is proper to aged weak sickly Persons Thirdly A person in slumbring is as to himself sensible of the length of time and thinketh the time longer than it is whereas in a deep sleep he is not sensible but thinketh the time shorter than it is it is certainly true that a Person in a spiritual sleep a deep sleep is not sensible of the length of time he lyeth in that secure quiet estate till some eminent dispensation of affliction awaketh him Fourthly One in a slumber a small â—oise doth awaken him he can here lightly and distinctly as the Church could Cant. 5.2 it is the voice of my beloved though she was in this shallow sleep she is soon awaked but a Person in a deep sleep is not easily awaked to this the Prophet Isaiah alludeth in Isaiah 28.10 they are in a deep sleep therefore there must be Line upon Line Precept upon Precept to awaken them these Persons are said to be under a Spirit of deep sleep Now that this evil of slumbring and sleeping will prevail in the latter days a little before the second coming of Jesus Christ will appear First From that Provision that Christ hath made with particular respect to that day for it is plain and clear from Math. 24.25 our Lord Jesus Christ is here upon the predictions of his second coming and when he speaketh of wakefulness or watchfulness it is as to that day also you may see Mark 13. and the two last ver lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping and further addeth in these words what I say unto you I say unto all watch this implieth the danger that â—â—ll be in that day Christ seemeth to intimate that then Persons will be very prone and apâ— to sall into those evils in thaâ— day even then when Christ is near his second coming what less then this can be supposed to bâ— the meaning of all those cautions warnings counâ—cels exhortations directed to this day from Christ own mouth Secondly The truth of this position appeareth from those beginnings of this defection even iâ— the Apostles days see what St. Paul saith to the Church of the Romans Rom. 13.11 And thaâ— knowing the time that now it is high time to awakâ— out of sleep for now is our Salvation nearer theâ— when we believed By this we are informed that such an evil as this of Sleeping did begin to appear iâ— the Apostles days also see what the Apostle saith to the Church of the Ephesians Ephe. 5.14 These words wherefore he saith wake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give theâ— light and further read what the Apostle saith to this matter in his first Epistle to the Thessalonians Thes 5.6 In these words Therefore let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober by this it doth appear that there was Sleeping in that day according to the fence of the Text before us but what may be the reason of the prevailing of this evil in the latter day First it may arise from the abounding of formal external Professors in those days I may say many are asleep because never truly awaked only rowsed not raised from death or to stand up from the dead there are many that are startled and seared afflicted and convinced but not thorougly converted and awakned and raised up from tâ—e dead as the Apostle calleth it We read that while St. Paul reasoned of righteousness temperance and judgment to come Felix trembled but we hear no more of him he was not thorowly awakened nor raised up to this agreeth what the Apostle speaketh of Professors amongst the prevailing evils of the latter days in 2 Tim. 3.5 These words having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away Secondly It ariseth sometimes from former wakefulness and industry it is observed that Persons of a more than ordinary zeal and industry weary themselves and soon fall a sleep of this sort were the Church of Ephesus spoken of in Rev. 2.2 3 4. I know thy works and thy labour and thy patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil and thou hast tryed them which say they are Apostles and are not and hast found them lyars And hast born and hast patience and for my names sake hast laboured and hast not fainted Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love this people had laboured much 't is twice exprest we find four qualifications which did precede the drowsie and sleepy state of this Church which is expressed by the Spirit of God in that place First They were choicely induced with the grace of patience in affliction 't is twice exprest in the Context Secondly They were not only patient but active they laboured as is twice exprest Thirdly They could not bear with evil in their members or teachers which was a choice qualification in them Fourthly They held a long time in this State therefore it is added and hast not fainted yet after this industry she fell a sleep she left her first love and ceased this vigorous motion whereupon the are called upon to do their first works So thâ— Church of Sardis had likewise persevered well the are only desired to hold fast what they had Thâ— Hebrew Church was eminent for zeal and industry if we compare them with Acts 4.4 Howbeâ— many of them which â—eard the word believed and thâ— number of the men were about five thousand Alâ— Heb. 10.32 But call to mind the former days in wâ—iâ— after ye were illuminated ye endured a great fighâ— of afflictions but now they were asleep Thirdly This is occasioned from Satans subtâ— endeavours to work persons out of love with thâ— Holy Scriptures from hence it is that St. Paâ— taketh such pains to perswade Timothy to have a duâ— esteem and respect to the Holy Scriptures to thâ— end he might be preserved in the power of Godâ— ness as in 2 Tim. 3. chap. 14. ver to the enâ— But continue thou in the things which thou hast learâ— ed and hast been assured of knowing of whom thoâ— hast learned them and that from a child thou haâ— known the Holy Scriptures which are able to makâ— thee wise unto
Salvation through Faith which is 〈◊〉 Christ fesus All Scripture is given by Inspiratirâ— of God and is profitable for Doctrine for reprooâ— for correction for instruction in righteousness thâ— the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnishâ— to all good works compare this with Rev. 3. â— Concerning the Church in Philadelphia I know tâ—â— works behold I have set before thee an open door anâ— no man can shut it for thou hast a little strength anâ— hast kept my word and hâ—st not demed my name Fourthly This evil is prevalent in the latteâ— days greatly for want of prayer Câ—â—ist foresecing that putteth forth a Parable as in Luke 18 1. Arâ— he spake a parable unto them to this end that men ought always to pray and not to faint therefore Jesus Christ joyneth watching and prayer together or waking and prayer together as the great duty of the latter days that person that is a diligent praying person is a wakeful person Prayer is the first alive and the last dead in a person if thou art negligent here thou art declining to drowsiness The fifth occasion of this sleep is occasioned from that sensuality and excess in the Creature this was one of those evils that Jesus Christ foresaw would be prevalent as antecedent to this slumbring see St. Mat. 24.37 38 39. â—ut as the days of Noah were so shall also the coming of the Son of man be for as in the days that were before the Flood they were eating and drinâ—ing marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noan entred into the Ark and knew not until the flood came and took them all away so shall also the coming of the Son of man be So likewise St. Luke 17.26 30. you have the same words This was the sin which did preceed the flood and the overthrow of Sodom so it also shall go before the coming of the Son of man and consequently before this sleeping state they then were sensually excessive in the Creature so also when the Apostle speaketh unto the Romans ch 13. v. 14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not â—rovision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts therof this he speaketh to be awakening and rousing them from this spiritual sleep Sixthly This is occasioned by that slothfulness and negligence in those Christian Duties required of us There are many Christian duties required of us as Christians the neglect whereof doth occasion this sleep What Solomon saith upon an outward account is true in this in Prov. 19.15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep and the Idle Soul shaâ—â— suffer hunger the same doth the Apostle St. Peteâ— hint 2 St. Pet. 1 9 5. And besides this give all dâ— ligence to add to your faith virtue and to vireuâ— knowledge or this he speaketh to be a provoking oâ— them to watchfulness The fourth thing that I am to speak to is to laâ— down some discovering Characters where a perâ— son may know whether he be declined or declinâ— ing into or towards this spiritual sleep First He that is declining or declined is onâ— that hath upon him a general indisposition to spiritual duties and Exercises he has a loathfulness and dulness and heartlesness to hearing reading praying and such like if this body be in the duty hiâ— heart is else where of this God complaineth as in Ezek. 33 9.3â— And they come unto thee as the people cometh and they sit before thee as my people anâ— they hear thy words but will not do them with their mouth they shew much love but their heart goeth after Covetousness Secondly He hath a disposition to separate himself from lively spiritual wakeful Societies no heart to assemble with the people of God but loveth to be alone Thirdly Such persons do not prize or preserve Communion with God in Holy duties Fourthly Such a persons Lamp or light burneth dimm for want of trimming their conversation is dark and dimm Fifthly Such a person is notable to make Judgment of the light of Gods countenance or the hideing of Gods face two signes of one asleep First he ceaseth his spiritual motion or action he ceaseth the very duty it self as to prayer reading hearing conversing of what is good Secondly All his spiritual senses are asleep as â—earing seeing smelling tasting feeling Thirdly He is not affected nor awakened under â—he differing dispensation of God whether affliction or prosperity God bestoweth great mercies upon him yet he is not affected with them God sendeth some afflictions but he taketh no notice of â—hem he is not awakened Fourthly All instructions and reproofs move him not at all he remaineth still the same Fifthly He maketh it his great business to fulfil the desires of the flesh and mind Vse If this be the prevailing sin of the last days preceeding our Lords second coming then certainly if we look in us and about us we cannot but judge this day of Christ draweth near doth not this evil prevail in our day more then ever are not the Virgins for the generality of them Slumbring and Sleeping as may be easily gathered by the former Characters too visibly seen and experienced in us and amongst us Secondly This may serve for instruction and that to two sorts of people First to those awake Secondly To those asleep if they may be supposed to hear it First to those awake in these days some I hope are and be affected with thy happy state and know who it is that hath opened thine eyes the time was thou wast a sleep as well as others but God hath quickened and awakened thee Secondly Art thou a â—ake then keep in spiritual exercises that is the means to keep thee awake use thy self to reading hearing praying breaking bread Church-fellowship with the people of God I will only nâ—me some awakening considerations First Consider though you are asleep your adversary Satan is always awake Secondly Consider that God whom you profess never slumbers nor sleeps Thirdly Consider natural death is very uncertain as to his surprizal Fourthly Consider that to be surprized by natural death in a spiritual sleep is very dreadful Fifthly Consider that a spiritual sleeping state iâ— a weakning loosening impoverishing state Sixthly Consider that a sleeping frame of spirit is an inexpressible distasteful state to God Seventhly Consider that this sleeping state is that which gratifieth our adversary it is his time to do his mischief Eightly Consider our salvation is very near Romans 13.11 the Apostles great argument Ninthly This spiritual sleeep and death is the same and both the state before conversion Tenthly A wakeful spiritual state is the most sweet and pleasantest state in the world Oh 〈◊〉 see how sweet it was with thee then when it was so with thee Thus I have done with the fifth Verse We now proceed to the sixth Verse And at Midnight there was a Cry made Behold the Bridegroom cometh go you out to meet him We have contained in this Verse a particular relation of the
proper Servants to them he commits his goods 4 Doct. That Christs intrustments with such hiâ— Servants are very great and weighty set out bâ— Talents five times 187 to one Servant twice 18 to a Second once 187 to the lowest called according to the Greek his substance or goods 5 Doct. That there are left by Christ in his houâ— sufficient gifts and abilities for the effectual carrying on and management of his affairs in his housâ— in his absence Though Christ be in Heaven yeâ— he is greatly concerned as to his house on Earth that his trade and business be well managed theâ— is no want of means in order to the compleating his work 6 Doct. That every Persons gifts and abilitiâ— from Christ are not the same though Christ own Servants some are intrusted more some less some twice as much as others this may not be a ground of discouragement to Persons so intrusted 7 Doct. In giving gifts Christ hath an eye to Persons abilities it is said to every man according to their abilities some cannot use or manage what others can the Porter had not the same abilities as the Steward or Ruler of the Family 8 Doct. The whole concerns of Christ in the World are committed into the handâ— of Christs own Servants resident in his house or Church would you trade for Christ or Glory apply your selves to his house there are his Correspondents If any have Ears to hear let them hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches 9 Doct. The very highest Christians stock in heavenly affairs is not their own it is but lent by Christ therefore they have no cause to boast as if they had not received it therefore Christ is but said â—o receive his Own with Vsury ver 27. it is his own and the product of his own 10 Doct. That Jesus Christ upon this Journey reposeth great trust in his Servants no sooner had Christ committed his substance to his Servants but straightway took his Journey he is so satisfied in what he hath done Now I might speak distinctly to each of these Doctrines and indeed they are all very well worth our consideration but I study brevity therefore I shall speak two words First One to Christ's House Secondly One word to those who are not yet of Christs house But before I come to speak particularly to these let me Answer one Question Who or what people are Christ's house here on earth Answ Baptized Believers are Christs house they were those with whom he left his orders with when he went away and must needs be so so still and it is strange any should question this truth were not all Christs Servants brought into his house this way Is not this Christs Law to all his Servants Read but seriously the proceedings of Christs own Servants immediately after the Master was gone Act. 2.47 by Baptism The Lord added to his Church daily such as should be saved and who hath had power from Christ since to alter this his way But I design brevity As an exposition I shall only speak a few words by way of Use to the whole of the former Doctrines Vse First To Christs house consider that though your Master be in Heaven yet his Eye is over you continually he searcheth the heart and tryeth the reins of his Churches therefore dâ— all things in his house in his fear Secondly Do all in his name by his poweâ— and authority in his house Do not all the Miâ—â—sters or Servants in the furthest part of this King Dominions act in his name in what they doâ— and it is as powerful and binding as if he did 〈◊〉 himself in Person even so whatever Christs Seâ—vants do according to their Commission he owâ—eth it and it is as if he had done it himself seâ— Math. 18. about Excommunication it is bounâ— in Heaven Thirdly Receive all your rules orders and directions in the management of the affairs in hiâ— house from his orders left with you for though he is at a great distance the house is his he is you Master and Lord and head of his Church Fourthly Let every one in Christ's house observe their work stand where Christ hath set them be subject to those whom Christ hath given authority for he hath given authority to his Servant Mark 13. Some are made rulers to give the reâ— their Meat in due season and in disobeying theâ— in lawful Commands you disobey Christ Math. 10.40 He that receiveth you receiveth mâ— and he that rejecteth Christs Servants in place rejecteth him 2 Vse To those not yet of Christs house First Have a special care of slighting Christâ— house or Servants because the Master is not with them all slights and injuries to them is taken as iâ— to their Master and highly provoking to him Secondly If you would know any thing concerning the mind of Christ repair to his house he hath left his mind there and thither he sends aâ— that want instructions and help heaven-ward see in the business of Saul though Christ spoke from heaven to him Act. 9. he doth not direct him from thence in particular but sendeth him to the City to receive directions from Ananias and sends Ananias to Saul so it was in the case of Cornelius Act. 10. Christ sends him to St. Peter that he might receive directions from him not now from the Master but the Servants belonging to the house 3 Vse Know this that what rules and orders Christ gave to and left with his Church is for the whole time of his absence and he looks to find his house in the same order he left it in when he went away therefore in the two great Ordinances of the Gospel Baptism and the Lords Supper we find their Period at Christs return at the end of the World Math. 28.20 I am with you in Baptizing to the end of the World 1 Cor. 11.26 Ye remember the Lords death till he come the Church and house of Christ hath its being in all Ages Eph. 3.21 therefore if you have an Ear to hear you are to hear what the Spirit saith to the Church in this day as well as formerly in that day immediately after his Ascension to Heaven know this that all the visible power that Christ hath in the World at this day is only that power he hath in his Church and know also whatever you may think that the Church is the only receptacle of Persons in order to happiness and glory hereafter Christ gathers from thence those that shall be eternally rewarded and enter into their Masters Joy well Christ is yet upon his Journey but his return draws near So I have briefly done with the 14 and 15 Verses We now come to verse 16. Then he that haâ—â— received the five Talents went and traded with thâ— same and made them other five Talents 17. verse And likewise he that received two gained also other tuâ— 18. verse But he that received one went and diggeâ— in the earth and hid his Lords money
first do in prosecution of this Doctrine shall be to shew how a true and faithful Servant of Christ when he is as Christ would have him to be doth sitly resemble the highest sort of traders Merchants in ten particulars A true Servant of Christ bears resemblance to the highest sort of traders in ten circumstances First He knows the worth of the commodity he trades in what ever others do that are out of the way of that trade he well knows the worth of the Pearl Math. 13.46 Secondly He is venturesome not timorous and fearful in laying out his money in that Commodity the skilful Merchant is as free and willing to lade his Ship as he is to unliver it Thirdly He is endued with patience to wait the return of a long Voyage he doth not repine becâ—use his Ship to the Indies doth not return in Five or Six Months he hath patience to wait for a good and bear a bad return he doth not knock off trading because he hath had a loss though great but goeth on still in his trade from hence it is that the trading Woman Prov. 31.17 is said to have her loins girt wâ—â—â— strength she is not afraid of the Snow or Cold she is armed for it ver 21. Fourthly The highest sort of traders many times straiten themselves to inlarge their trade straiten their home occasions to venture largely afar he takes up goods borrows mony to cast upon the waters to send out of sight for the present Of these Merchant we read in the Parable Math. 13.44 selleth all he hath to purchase the hidden Pearl and ver 45 46. the Merchant that hath found one Pearl sells all he hath to buy it The Pearl is at a distancee yet a true Merchant a trader ventures for it a true Christian Servant of Christ may bear the name of the highest sort of Traders Merchants so called in the former Parable Fifthly Great Traders are accustomed to and acquainted with trusting they trade for time three Months six Months nine Months they trade upon Credit or Faith and such great Traders have a way of insuring what they venture this is their refuge I will say they insure and let me say this to Christians no trade like Christs trade for trusting no trade so sure as to its returns here Men have need sometimes to insure their insurers they need not do so who trade heaven-wards their insurer is able and faithful Sixthly As the highest Traders deal in large quantities of the Commodity fill Ware-houses and whole Ships So the Trader under Christ deals large large in his endeavours large in his Prayers aims and expectations When Solomon speaks of that Merchant Woman Prov. 31. he speaks of her as compassing great things she considers and buys a Field She plants a Vineyard she is not content only in her lower domestick affairs but lanches out abroad Seventhly As the highest of Traders so a Trader under Christ trades at a great distance he findeth that it is most profitable in its return though long an India Voyage saith the Merchant is better than three or four nearer Voyages a Christian drives his trade at a great distance in Heaven St. Paul was one of those Traders Phil. 3.20 his Conversation his Trade as the word will bear is in Heaven It is said of the former Merchant Woman Pro. 31. she fetcheth her food from far Eighthly As the highest sort of trades on earth to forreign parts at a great distance have their Correspondent there who trades there in their behalf who negotiates for them in their absence and sends them their effects and products even so a Christian that trades in Heaven hath his Correspondent there who is acting there for him even Jesus Christ who is entred into Heaven for that purpose Ninthly All this trade is driven with mature consideration and deliberate counsel they must be wise men that drive this great trade such as through experience are incouraged such as Solomon saith Who have their eyes in their head a fool will not be a Merchant adventurer he loves to see what he hath before him Tenthly This trade thus driven brings in great profit Are not those Merchants most rich who trade largest and furthest this trade for Christ brings thirty sixty or a hundred fold in return Merchants sometimes makes cent per cent There are three choice commodities that Christs intrusted Servants trade in vent and venture First Making known the truths of Christ in the Gospel in order to Salvation Secondly Charity and Alms. Thirdly Sufferings for Christ and the Gospel These are stable commodities which being rightly managed never fail of a profitable return A word or two to each of these First A word or two to the Talent of knowledge in the Scriptures and indeed I might be large upon this head were I not designed to be brief in the whole Now though all Christs Servants are not intrusted alike herein yet I am perswaded that there is not one living member of Christs house that is not intrusted with some measure of this kind namely a word that might be profitable though women Priscilla as well as Aquila capable to instruct an Apollos Acts 18.26 St. Paul writing to the Church of Philippi ch 2. indefinitely exhorts them to shine as lights and to hold forth the word of life and St. Peter 1 Pet. 4. exhorts as many as had received the gift he should minister therein The Apostle supposeth all had not received alike yet each had some gift of this kind which ought to be brought forth as occasion is offered Now this Talent is of great use to the world rightly managed It is true that some are by the providence of God called to larger opportunities yet each at one time or other have an opportunity if they have a heart to speak something in order to the inlightning the World and there is a duty incumbent on them to express their Charity to their neighbour and not to hide this Talent in a Napkin There is an opportunity at one time or other for more weak Christians if I may speak in the words of Elihu Job 32. to shew their opinion but we must be careful to observe our time as he did the Text faith he waited till his elders haâ— Ipoken first what they had to say And see how acceptable this modest forbearance was to God Eliâ—â— is not in the least blamed he was no forwarder There are two extreams amongst persons in this respect some will not declare what they know no not at any time either out of too much modesty or else from fear of displeasure from those they speak unto Others there are that are too forward and pragmatical to thrust forward themselves when they are not justly called to it but possibly the matter might be better managed by others If we would therefore manage and improve our Talent rightly to Gods glory and the good of others We must observe these rules in our speaking First Be sure
words I shall now according to my promise lay down those Doctrinal Conclusions contained in the words thus opened with an eye to the Context there are ten Parts or Doctrinal Conclusions that I shall lay down and speak a brief word to each and so wind up these verses Part 1. That Jesus Christ shall be victorious and shall overcome in Judgment every mouth shall be stopped before him Jesus Christ hath stopt the mouth of this pertinacious Pleader Part 2. That the second Coming of Jesus Christ is a stripping discovering day a day of pulling off of vizards Part 3. The Angels are Christs subordinate Ministers and Executioners at thaâ— day Part 4. That Christ's way of proceeding in Judgment is to exalt the Faithfulness of such as are so by the Wickedness of others the dispraise and shame of the one is the glory of the other Part 5. It is Christ's never-failing Rule and Maxime That Industry in Spirituals shall produce abundance We have it five times expâ—est from Christ's mouth Part 6. It is a certain truth That stripping bereavement and poverty is the never-failing portion of the slothful Servant Part 7. That Christ's proceeding in Judgment with his unfaithful Servants is with violence and detestation Cast ye Part 8. It is highly displeasing to Christ when we are not profitable to our selves Part 9. Darkness utter Darkness is the portion of Satan and wicked men as well such within as without the Church Part 10. That the greatness and exquisitness of the Wrath and Misery of Condemned Sinners will occasion Envy Rage Vexation vented in lamentable Clamour with gnashing of teeth I shall speak a very brief word to each of these 1. That Christ shall overcome in Judgment This Part I gather from his silencing this Pleader That word shall be fulfilled that every mouth shall be stopt when he comes to plead with men This Servant is now dumb like the Man we reade of Mat. 22. Christ does but ask him a question and he is speechless This David prophesied of Psal 51.4 That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest and overcomâ— when thou judgest or pleadest Christ will carrâ— the day in Judgment against the most arrogant Pleâ—der What bold presumptuous Pleaders doth Chriâ—meet with Mat. 7. with Luk. 13. yet what Daviâ— saith Psal 1. is true they cannot stand in Judgment This man in our Text had liberty to plead and reason with his Lord as long as he had any thing to say and now he can say nothing why Sentence may noâ— be pronounced against him If this shall be the Power of Christ in that day then take David's Counsel Ps 2. Kiss the Son before that day come He is now willing to be reconciled to thee Make peacâ— with Him before that day as the Prophet Isaiah directs chap. 27. and Now acquaint thy self with Him Job 22. So much for the first Part. 2. That the Day of Christ's second Coming shall be a stripping unmasking discovering day I shewed yoâ— in the Explication that the taking away did principally consist in his discovery and shame cutting asunder or cutting off as you have heard as to that Servant Luke 12.46 which is the same kind of punishment This Servant went for current before hâ— Master and Christ found him in his House as he did him without the Wedding-garment Mat. 22. This day will be a sad day for Hypocrites when Christ comes they may well be afraid of that day Isa 13.14 In this day every secret thing shall be discovered that which was done in secret in Closets shall be published upon the House tops that is the very proper time of discovery 1 Cor. 4.5 yea every secret thing shall be revealed Eccl. 12.14 This may teach us to be thorow and cordial for God in what we do or in what we profess Sincerity is that which will stand thee in stead and nothing else The varnish and painting of the Hypocrite shall then be washed off and he must lye open in his colours This should put each of us upon the Test before that Day come Examine and judge thy self before that so thou mayst not be condemned in that Day for every man's work must be tryed by fire the Day shall try it So much for the second Part. 3. The Angels are Christ's subordinate Officers in that day they are to degrade and take away That Jesus Christ in his next coming is attended with multitudes of Angels yea all his holy Angels is plain in Scripture both in the old and new Testament see Psal 68. But I shall have occasion to say more to this afterwards I have in opening the words shewed you that the Reapers are the Angels and those that gather out of the Kingdom that which offends are the Angels This sets forth the high and excellent Nature of Christ who comes so gloriously attended when Christ was born they worshipped Him Heb. 1. by appointment and in this day they shall serve Him See how far Christ is above Angels they waited on Him in His Temptations Matth. 4. The Angels came and ministred unto Him They also waited on Him in His last Passion they then ministring unto Him What a dreadful and glorious Appearance will this be then when they shall all attend on him the Angels are then his great Host and Attendants in that day He comes then in Power and great Glory 4. That the slothfulness and wickedness of some of Christs Servants shall redound to th'augmentation of the glory and reward of the other who are faithful Give it to him that hath ten He had a large portion before having doubled he had ten before yet he must have this augmentation Christ will heap Honour upon the Faithful 〈◊〉 that day Give it to him that heâ— ten How does this set forth the unexpressible respeâ—â— that Christ bears to Faithfulness and Industry 〈◊〉 knows not how to gratifie him enough rather thaâ— such a one shall not be served answerably He wiâ—â— come forth and serve him himself Luk. 12. Bâ—â— because I shall meet with something like those in thâ— next Part. 5. That what Christ doth in this case is the answeâ— to a standing Rule and Maxim laid down by himselfâ— That Industry in Spirituals shall produce abundanâ—â— We have this Rule five times minted by the Evangelists Mat. 13.12 For whosoever hath to him shall 〈◊〉 given This Christ gives in Answer to the Questions propounded by his Disciples why he spake to the multitude in Parables He answers because they should not understand as is evident in the two verses following in regard they had not improved their Understandings they should be taken away But vers 16. Blessed are your eyes for they see that is you have been improving what you have you shall have more Knowledge None shall set forward in Christ's Wayes in good earnest but shall find great encouragement see Mark 4.24 25. To him that hath shall more be given i. e. that is willing to be found putting forward for he that
Lord is not slack concerâ—ing his promise as some men count slackness but is long suffering to us-ward not walling that any should perâ—h but tha◠〈◊〉 should come to Repentance it is for soulâ— sake that they might not perish The first Vse This in 〈◊〉 us what great need the Spâ—ule of Christ hath of patience ye have nee◠〈◊〉 parieâ—â—eâ— as in Heb. 10.36 Yea absoluâ— need of paâ—â—ence those who are waiâ—ing for Christ have need of long patience Take Habakkuks coâ—â—sel though he tarry wait for him This was St. Pauls Prayer that God would direct their heares to the love of God and patienâ— waiting for 〈◊〉 Secondly If Christ come not so soon as he is 〈◊〉 for then it may instruct those that are going fortâ— to meet him to make provision for â—delay or long tarrying the fault of the Foolish Virginâ— lay here they did not make provision for a delay they had just Oyl enough for the present There are some Professors who if Christ 〈…〉 come upon them â—n the beginning of their 〈◊〉 an Profession he would sind them in a pretry good state their Lamps are burning their Oyl not spent Oh! How full of Love Zeal â—aith Joy are they insomuch that they could follow Christ in a Land not sown their love to Christ is so strong â—s srael's was of Old of whom God complaineth erem 2.2 they had such love which God remembred in the day of their first espousals but they lost their first love as Ephesus did in Rev. 2.4 so these have in some years spent all and are gone to sleep with Lamps gone out their stock is spent no Oyl left therefore it is the wisdom of a Christian going forth to meet the Bridegroom to prepare for and expect a delay therefore our Lord Christ exhorts him that begins to build in his ways to sit down and count the cost lest he expose himself to be mocked at as a Fool who began to build and had not wherewith to finish see Luk. 14.30 these foolish Virgins did as it were begin to build and had not wherewith to finish so did the stony ground in the Parable Mark 4.5 But what stock must we lay in or what provision must we make that we may hold out to the end First Be sure thou hast a true and sincere love to Christ in the root else thou canst not wait long for him in differing dispensations Secondly Be sure thou hast true love to the Brethren this is part of that Oâ—l â—hat will hold out Charity never saileth this is a durable grace 1 Cor. 13.8 Thirdly Have faith in the certainty of Christs second coming though he do tarry yet believe he will come this grace is of necessity for the just shall live by faith as in Heb. 10.38 Fourthly Keep a good conscience that will be a special Companion whilest thou art waiting this had Paul as in Act. 24.16 Herein do I exercise my self to have a conscience void of offence towards God and Man so likewise in 2 Cor. 1.12 Fithly Maintain a Universal good spotless and holy conversation Thirdly Doth Christ stay longer than is expected then this will render those unprovided the more inexcusable if thy work be not done having so long a time it is an agravation to blame this is an argument against Jezebel Revel 2.21 I gave her space to repent and she repented not one reason why Christ delays his coming is that we might be ready and Christ expects an increase oâ— grace not diminishing in our graces by his tarrying The fourth Use This may be a Use of Caution to the word though Christ seems to stay long yet he will most certainly come at last though the Flood upon the old World stayed long yet it came at last though travail upon a Woman witâ— Child is talked on long yet it cometlâ— at last this St. Peter asserts in answer to those Mockers spoken of 2 Pet. 3. â—0 But the day of the â—ord will come as a Thief in the Night though the season be long the saying is true and will be fulfilled Fifthly Though Christ tarry long have a special care of security in lying down for that may be the time of his coming have a special care of neglectâ—ng thy Watch least Christ cometh and taketh thee napping or sleeping if he do that will be sad this seemeth to be much supposed in those words Mark 13.36 lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping so much for the first Doctrin We now proceed to the third Doctrin which was this That the great prevailing evil amongst Professors in the latter days a little before the second coming of Christ is a slumbring and sleeping State or frame of Spirit They all slumbred and slept A slumbring and sleeping temper doth prevail upon Professors in the latter days Now in the prosecution of this Doctrin First I shall explain what this sleep is and how it is understood in Scripture Secondly Prove the Doctrin that this is the overspreading evil of the last days Thirdly I shall give you the reasons why it is so Fourthly Give some symptoms of a Person declining towards this sleeping State Fifthly Make the use of the whole First I shall open the nature of this evil called slumbring and sleeping Indeed this Language our Lord speaketh to our capacities and in our Language he doth not in this mean or intend natural sleep that is no evil Christ himself is found in that as you may see in Math. 8.24 And behold there arose a great tempest in the Sea insomuch that the Ship was covered with the waves but he was a sleep it is no more evil to be found so sleeping then to be found eating and drinking but by slumbring and sleeping in Christs fence here must be understood of the in â—ard man now what this is must be considered There are two words used in the Text slumbring and sleeping which may be fitly applied to the two sorts of Persons in our Text the wise and foolish the wise slumbred the foolish slept they all slept more or less The Learned tell uâ— that there are three words made use of to set ouâ— sleep in the Hebrew tongue First A word that setteth forth sleep in general Secondly A word that signifies deep sleep oâ— dead sleep as we call it Thirdly A word which signifieth weak and shallow sleep or a slumber to forget our selves as we call it David seemeth to maâ—e a double distinction as you may see in Psal 132.4 I will not give sleep to mine Eyes nor slumber to mine Eye-lids sleeping is more than slumbring and a dead sleep more than an ordinary sleep a Person may slumber at his work or business but not sleep there is a fourfold difference between slumbring and sleeping First Slumbring is more external than internal slumbring is contrary to deep sleep in slumbring the thoughts may be awake and at work but in deep sleep the thoughts are asleep also of this slumbring state must the Church be