Fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5. 22. whose Sallet is better than a stalled Ox Prov. 15. 17. and a Man's Kindness is his Desire Prov. 19 22. Yea all the Substance of his House compared with Love is utterly to be contemned Cant. 8. 7. Christ's Love is better than Wine Cant. 1. 2. and his Loving kindness than Life it self Psal 63. 3. nor doth the Cedar Wood or Silver Pillars or Golden Bottom or Purple Covering so much set out his stately Chariot as that its Midst is Paved with Love Cant. 3. 9 10. Yea Christ doth also count his People's Love much better than Wine Cant. 4. 10. remembring Israel's Kindness Jer. 2. 2. whom he oft proved to know their Love Deut. 13. 3. his Valuation whereof appeareth by what he hath prepared for such as Love him 1 Cor. 2. 9. and therefore David Desired to greater Mercy than what he had for such Psal 119. 132. 6. Affections are the Bringers forth of Actions and as no Work is done at all in Case Affections be wholly wanting so where â—hâ—se are not strong and Lively nothing is done with Joy or without Dâ—fficulty Judgment is as the Head and our Affections as the Feâ—t Therâ—â—ore he cutteth off the Feet who sendeth by a Fool that wanteth both Prov. 26. 6. At least-wise our Affections are as the Wheels unto a Chariot which Driveth Heavily when those are taken off Exod. 14. 25. Love is the sleight of Acting which doth not call its Dâ—ty Grievous 1 John 5. 3. nor is it Quenched with many Waters Cant. 8. 7. but doth constrain 2 Cor. 5. 14. in spight of all Discouragements 2 Cor. 12. 15. Whereas Men void of Love to Christ complain of Weariness Mal. 1. 13. wishing the Work were over Amos 8. 5. and waiting for an Opportunity of being Discharged from it which he who Loves his Master will not Accept of Exod. 21. 5. Let us therefore keep up Affections unless we have a mind to cast off Duty 7. Affections have a re-acting Inflâ—ence upâ—n the Judgment as they are Weak or Lively which should provoke our Câ—re in that regard Lamps in the Letter do onely spend their Oyl or Light which in the Mystery is Multiplyed by a flaming good Affection and Drieth up together with its Going out Nay though Oyl may be in the Vessel yet is there no Propâ—r Light save as that Oyl is fired in the Lamp or good Affection Therefore Men never want sufficient Light for that which they Affect but Generally do complain of Darkness together with the setting of their Love Those Jews had not the Love of God in them John 5. 42. who therefore said they Knew not Christ John 7. 27. although they Knew him well enough v. 28. Nor is it to be wondred at since Things or Persons not Affected are noâ— much Heeded yea most Men's Judgments are Commanded by Affections since the Fall Therefore if once our Lampâ— go out we shall no longer see our Way into a Dis-affected Duty 8. Affections also are very Tickle and therein like to Lamps which if they be not Guarded will soon Blow out A Garmâ—nt may have lost its Gloss whose Substance is not yet Consumed a Razor may-have lost its Edge which is not yet Gap't or Broken a Flower may have shed its Leâ—ves whose Root and Stâ—lk do still continue Such is the Fading Nature of Men's Affections The Spouses Hâ—â—râ— or Judgment was Awake when her Affections were asleep Cant. 5. 2. and there may be Love in the Root for Christ as was in Peter whose Fruit or Exercise was wholly gone when he Denied him Yea one may Act for God and yet without Affection Witness not onely Zipporah's Angry Duty Exod. 4. 25. and others snuffing at it Mal. 1. 13. but also the Consistency that is between One's giving Alms Mat. 6. 2. and yet omitting Mercy Mat. 23. 23. yea all a Man's Goods unâ—o the Poor yet without Charity 1 Cor. 13. 3. Affections are like Crystal Glasses quickly crackt but not by Man to be Amended 9. If our Affections be not fixed upon Christ they will then fasten otherwhere unto our Dis-advantage One may have Power over his own Will in point of Marriage 1 Cor. 7. 37. who yet must needs Affect something or other and if not Christ then either Sin or Creature-comforts will have all Incline my Heart unto thy Law saith David and not to Covetousness Psal 119. 36. q. d. if Thou dost not secure me for thy self then Mammon will be sure to have me Affections cannot keep their Virgin-state but will Espouse some Early Object And when Souls are not alway Ravish'd with Christ's Love the Serpent will creep in upon them Yea if ought else be Master of our Affections God will be Hated by us Mat. 6. 24. there being no Middle kind of Abnegation on either part between him and the Creature as is between one Creature and another Therefore let us Affect Christ and our Duty else will it not be long before we Hate them both 10. God's Love unto his People doth provoke their suitable Return else will they be Inferiour unto Publicans Mat. 5. 46. and Sinners Luke 6. 32. He Loved them first which doth prevent Upbraiding but calls for after-love 1 John 4. 19. His Love to them surpasseth Knowledge Eph. 3. 19. and shall their Love to him not be made known at all or very little He Loves them with an Everlasting Love Jer. 31. 3. And did a stream yet ever fail without a wonder whose Spring continued No Man hath Greater Love from any than have the Saints from Christ John 15. 13. and are they not then unworthy of him in case they Love ought More than him Mat. 10. 37 He loved them when in their Blood Ezek. 16. 8. whilst they were Sinners Rom. 5. 8. and shall not they love this altogether lovely one Cant. 5. 16. whose sharpest Rebukes are big with Love Rev. 3. 19 especially such who have had much forgiven Luke 7. 42. Nothing can separate them from the Love of God in Christ Rom. 8. 39. who then shall seperate Christ from their Love of him v. 35 37 38 11. Love is the greatest Factor and many times with very little Charge which should Encourage us to keep it up for Christ with utmost care A good Man sets his Love upon the Lord therefore God Promiseth to Deliver him because he thereby seems to know his Name Psal 91. 14. whereas bare want of Love to Christ incurrs the saddest Excommunication 1 Cor. 16. 22. Yea David's Love was amply Recompensed when it was onely in his Heart to Build an House for God 2 Sam. 7. 11. 1 Chron. 28. 3. therefore the Poorest Saint shall be Rewarded for their Benevolence which some could never Evidence save by their good Affection Mat. 25. 34 35. And if Saints shall be dealt with by the Lord according to then Love their Portion then must needs be Endless for such hath been their good Affection however short their Actions be Yea
therefore both Their Happiness and others Misery will be Eternal or Answerable to their Endless Love 12. Saints do Profess much Love for Christ Soul-love Cant. 1. 7. and their being Sick thereof Cant. 2. 5. yea their being alway ready to break with an Indefinite Longing after his Judgments or their Duty Psal 119. 20. If Peter's Question were put by Christ to any here John 21. 15. their Answer would be like his as to the Truth if not the Measure of their Affection and would be Grieved as he was v. 17. if their Profession of that Nature be not Credited yea all the People would say Amen unto that Curse 1 Cor. 16. 22. as Israel did of Old unto those Comminations Deut. 27. 26. Therefore these Foolish Virgins would be thought to have so much Affection still as to Desire more or rather they onely meant the want of Light and not of Love by this Confession of Lamps going out O therefore Love the Lord al ye his Saints Psal 31. 23. and do not onely make a shew thereof Ezek. 3â— 31. but let it be without Dissimulation Rom. 12. 9. and not in Word 1 John 3. 18. since Grace is onely like to be their Portion who Lovâ— Christ in sincerity Eph. 6. 24. 13. There can be no true inward Peace or Satisfaction so long as there is a Restraint upon Affection towards Christ and Duty As Anguish shut up is strangling Job 7. 11. so is a Gracious Heart in Pain while its Affections are unduly stopt in point of Godly sorrow Psal 32. 3. Strong Desire Job 32. 19 20. and Holy Zeal Psal 39. 2. Jer. 20. 9. Psal 119. 20. It therefore is good to be Zealously Affected alway in a good thing Gal. 4. 18. Yea a good Conscience if Awakened is not at quiet nor doth enjoy it self with Comfort so long as its Affections for Christ are Dead and therefore David Prays for being Quickned in God's way Psal 119. 37. according to his Word v. 25. and for his Names sake Psal 143. 11. so would he call upon him Psal 80. 18. And with what Faith can they who Love not Christ expâ—ct the Manifestation of his Love to them which is so promised onely John 14. 21 Yea with what Face can they Desire it otherwise as if it were not all the Reason in the World that a Wive's and Husband's Love should be Reciprocal Hos 3. 3 14. The Going out of Lamps or Failing of our Affections is one sad Sign of Foolish Virgins and more especially at such a time or in these latter Days Poor un-espoused Virgins may have a Love for Christ Cant. 1. 3. what shall we then think of such who Love him noâ— since all the Upright are there said to Love him v. 4 The best Material Actions are not so Characteristical of visible Saint-ship as Affections and Filial Duty is thus Distinguished from that of Servants Phil. 2. 20. 22. therefore the shedding of this Flower exceeds the Falling of that Fruit in point of Spiritual Discrimination The Cooling of Professors Love is said to be the Predominant Distemper of such a Time Mat. 24. 12. and Time-Temptations are dreadful Symptoms Thus are the Wise and Foolish Virgins here Distinguished And Typical Ephesus is Threatned with un-churching and consequently with being visibly un-Sainted for leaving her first Love Rev. 2. 4 5. 15. Extinguished Lamps in such a Day as this will hardly be ever Lighted more untill the Door be shut The Nearer that any Union is as that of Brethren the Greater is its Division upon a Breach and so much the more Hard is its being re-united Prov. 18. 19. And as Affections are Enobled by their Objects so love for Christ Degenerating into sleightiness doth therefore enter into the Depth of Putrefaction as Best things do when fallen into Decay which consequently are most irrecoverable Thence is it that so few Adulterers or Backsliders do Return Prov. 2. 19. so Boisterous is that Affection which is not kept within the bounds of its allowed Object And Time-Temptations such as this is at present are more especially Malignant or Incurable because they are a Spiritual Plague or Token of God's Displeasure by which his Own are separated from the World Psal 12. 7. Therefore let our Affections be well Guarded Now unless we mean to have those Lamps put out for ever 16. Let us duly weigh that dreadful Sentence passed upon such as love not Christ 1 Cor. 16. 22. There was of Old and there still is a Two-fold Ordinary Spiritual Censure upon Offenders the one of which was to be shut out of the Camp for so long time Deut. 23. 10. which was a Type of that With-drawing 2 Thes 3. 6. 14 15. The Other was to be cut off Exod. 12. 15. which Answereth unto Gospel-Excommunication Gal. 5. 12. Yet might a Person so dealt with be Taken in again 2 Cor. 2. 8. But some were not to be so much as Prayed for 1 John 5. 16. as being never to be forgiven Mat. 12. 32. but to be called Anathema or set aside untill the Lord shall come which Maranatha signifieth the former of which is a Greek word the other Syriack which latter was the common Language of the Jews at that day To intimate that he who loves not Christ was to be Cursed by Jews and Greeks or Gentiles 1 Cor. 1. 24. till Christ shall come and say Depart ye Cursed Mat. 25. 41. Not but that every sin deserveth Death Rom. 6. 23. nor but that sinners of this kind may be Recovered onely to Represent the Danger of not loving Christ next unto that of sinning against the Holy Ghost And as we would keep our Affections up for Christ and Duty these following Helps may be of Use 1. Let us stand Gazing upon these Objects as those Apostles did when Christ Ascended Acts 1. 10. nor shall we need to fear our being therefore checked as they were then v. 11. because their stedfast looking Terminated upon his Flesh unto our Admonition As is the Sight so is Impression Beholding Changeth 2 Cor. 3. 18. and Vision doth Assimilate 1 John 3. 2. Yea Job concluded the working of his Friends Affections towards him in case they would but look upon him Job 6. 28. as looking upon Christ doth make his Piercers mourn Zech. 12. 10. with Supplication Therefore Job made a Covenant with his Eyes Job 31. 1. and Drunkards are bid to take heed of looking upon the Wine Prov. 23. 31. Yea when Christ would not be Overcome he bids the Spouse to Turn away from him Cant. 6. 5. So Powerful is Sight upon Affection And if Ten Thousand Objects were in View Christ would appear to be the chiefest of them all Cant. 5. 10. 2. Let us endeavour also to Trim such Objects since our Affections unto Things and Persons are much Inflamed by the Bravery of their Adorning as Harlots too well know Jer. 2. 33. Nor doth Christ need to be set out by us save as an Eye of Faith can
in some 1 Tim. 4. 2. and in all Unbelievers to be Defiled Titus 1. 15. yea to be weakened in the Best 1 Cor. 8. 7. therefore not fit to be confided in save as it is Accompanied or back'd with Faith unfeigned and without which it is not good 1 Tim. 1. 15. And as Christ's Future Promises are nothing with a Demas to this present world 2 Tim. 4. 10. so present Suffering in the way of Duty will easâ—ly be too many for an Hypocrite's future fears of such a Nature Therefore Christ doth not trust Conscience with his People's Guidance but doth Himself dwell in them by his Spirit and which In-dwelling Spirit doth enable them to keep what is Committed to them 2 Tim. 1. 14. 10. VVhen our Affections unto Duty are meerly bottomed upon the sense of highest proper Priviledges from the Lord himself which are believed to be had in such a way 'T is true indeed the Love of Christ for what he hath already done is of a Soul-constraining Nature 2 Cor. 5. 14. next unto which is Hope of Future Glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. but as the Saints Duty is not proper so neither can it be ensured save as it issueth chiefly from a Nobler and more Lasting Principle A Child of Light may walk in Darkness Isa 50. 10. whose Duty in that Case would fail if he were onely animated by a sense of Priviledges Therefore so many stumble in the ways of Christ because they meet not with those In-comes from him which were too peremptorily Expected and too much Leaned on Christ was Delighted in God's will as such Heb. 10. 7. therefore he Fainted not though seemingly forsaken by his Father Mat. 27. 46. and nothing short of that same Oyl wherewith he was Anointed viz. the Love of Naked Duty will keep our Lamps from Going out Vse 1. God alway can and in due time he will constrain the Foolish Virgins to confess their being Inferiour to the Wise in point of Oyl or some more choice Accomplishments Thus Pharaoh was enforced to confess that Moses was more prevailing than Himself with God in Prayer Exod. 8. 8. and Balaam also that his Present state was not so Happy as that of Israel Numb 23. 10. Yea Saul at last was made to signifie that David was more Righteous than himself 1 Sam. 24. 17. As God can punish the stoutest Heart Isa 10. 12. and cause the Arrogancy of such to cease Isa 13. 11. So he can make the proudest Pharisee to call himself the chiefest sinner 1 Tim. 1. 15. who sometimes thought he had wherein to Trust Phil. 3. 4 5. Ahab's false Prophet scorned to be thought Inferiour to Micajah 1 Kings 22. 24. untill he went into an inner Chamber to Hide himself unto the shame of his Profession and then he saw it v. 25. Compliance with an Ahab's will and base unworthy self-withdrawing fear evince the Absence of God's Spirit in Men and will at last convince such of their false Pretending thereunto in Times of Peace 2. Those are not worthy to be called Virgins who are Condemned by these Foolish Virgins Carriage to the Wise in such a Case and Time These do not call the other Desperate Schismatical or self-conceited for Offering to go out without their Company Eliab therefore was an Invidious Fellow who neither would Engage himself with that Goliath nor yet let David go without a Censure 1 Sam. 17. 28. These do not call their Darkness Light nor boast of their New Trimmed Lamps but do Confess their going out Saul therefore was exceeding Impudent who did assert his having been Obedient against both Sense and Conscience 1 Sam. 15. 13 14. These do not scorn to be Instructed nor Totally Neglect the use of Means but freely come unto the Wise to be partakers of their Oyl Therefore proud Amaziah was near his End who scorned to be Taught by his Inferiour 2 Chron. 25. 15 16. So were Eliab's Sons who causelesly Railed upon Moses but scorned to come up unto him to have the Case Decided in a Friendly way Numb 16. 12 13 14. 32. 3. The Foolish Virgins Lamps are alway apt to fade and will at last Go out especially at such a Time or when the Cry is made They are at best but as a Morning Cloud Hos 6. 4. unrooted Seed Mat. 13. 5. Houses upon the Sand Mat. 7. 26. Professors Deut. 5. 28. without an Heart v. 29. and of an Earthy make 1 Cor. 15. 45. or without strength Rom. 5. 6. all which evince their being apt to fail Yea such will at the last come down indeed since Hypocrites will not alway Pray Job 27. 10. nor yet Believe but for a while Luke 8. 13. but will be choaked with the World Mat. 13. 22. being onely Zealous for Men's Traditions Mat. 15. 2. or meerly Counterfeiting Good Affections Mark 7. 6. And more especially at such a time when God will lead Back-sliders forth with workers of Iniquity Psal 125. 5. Discovering Foundations unto the Neck Hab. 3. 13. when two third Parts shall be cut off Zech. 13. 8. and Chaff shall be bâ—rnt up Mat. 3. 12. in Order to the Purging out of Rebels from among his People Ezek. 20. 38. This is a Failure of High Concernment which I shall therefore a little shew the Symptoms of And so the Symptoms of Decaying good Affections or Fading Lamps are briefly these Sympt 1. When onely in an hour of Temptation there seems to be a want of Light into that Truth or Duty which formerly and in cool Blood was never Doubted of If Peter knows not Christ Mat. 26. 72. nor Nabal who Famous David is 1 Sam. 25. 10. nor Israel what 's become of Moses Exod. 32. 1. It is not so much from Ignorance as want of Love That Lamp and not its Oyl is to be blamed whose Light is alway clear untill some Nip or Gust of Wind doth put it out and in that Case Men wrongfully complain of Darkness 'T is true Back-sliders never were Judicious and yet their not Continuing in the Truth is nextly caused by the failing of their Affections and is a sign thereof A Real Friend doth Love a Thing or Person alway Prov. 17. 17. therefore Adversity will make no Alteration so long as Friendship doth continue however injudicious that Affection is And let no Man deceive himself his Turning aside from Christ cannot be from a Better Light but want of Love 2. When every small Occasion is improved by Professors whereon to fall or be Offended Love covereth a Real Sin Prov. 10. 12. and Charity beliveth all things 1 Cor. 13. 7. especially when there is Ground for Confidence as in this Case there is that such a Thing or Person is not Culpable when most suspected But when the Foolish Virgins Motion for Oyl or Light is soon Denied especially when Haman's suing for his Life is most unreasonably misconstrued Esth 7. 8. Yea when a Man is therefore called an Enemy for telling that which cannot be denyed to be a
as to make our Love for Christ a Matter Disputable 9. When Souls are Satisfied with Ignoble and Dull Performances of that Duty which God requireth Love scorns to be affrighted into Duty 1 John 4. 18. or basely to be Hired thereunto Dan. 5. 17. yet will it Act unto its utmost as that which David did with good Affection 1 Chron. 29. 3. he also did with all his Might v. 2. Some Pray and Hear as they should Buy and Marry 1 Cor. 7. 29 30. and as the manner of their Acting is such is the Measure of their Affection and suitable thereunto at last will be the Nature of their Pay 1 Sam. 2. 30. The weakest Creature hath an Heart and Soul and Mind and Strength wherewith God in the first place should be Loved Mark 12. 30. and may not Christ justly say to thee as Delilah did to Sampson Judg. 16. 15. How canst thou say I Love thee when thine Heart in a Duty is not with me but hast oft Mocked me and not yet told me wherein thy great strength lyeth A Customary Yawning Drouzy Wandring Sleighty VVorshipper of God is one whose Lamp or good Affection unto Duty is either Gone or Going out 10. VVhen Souls are not Affected duly with anothers Duty wherein Themselves are not so properly concerned Indeed some will Commend that Duty unto others wherein Themselves would be Excused Mat. 23. 4. This is a self-condemning Approbation Rom. 2. 18. 21. But others onely Cry that Duty up wherein Themselves are Eminently Engaged But this is self-Love and not a Proper Love of Duty Love is commensurated by its Object therefore Christ doth not call that Love or Friendship which is not both Indefinite John 14. 15. and Universal John 15. 14. forbidding his Disciples to fault that Good which others did who walked not with them Mark 9. 38 39. Moses Desired that all the Lords People were as he Numb 11. 29. and others stedfastness was that by which Paul was Preserved alive 1 Thes 3. 8. Yea John Rejoyced in Christ's out-shining him John 3. 26. 29. The Spirit in a Saint may Lust to Envy James 4. 5. but Men of an Habitual Invidious Spirit approving nought but what is in themselves are void of Love to Christ or Duty These are the Symptoms of Decaying Lamps or good Affections in Order unto the keeping whereof Alive for Christ and Duty these Motives may be of Use Mot. 1. Affections in Man are Noble Faculties and Spiritual Objects are the Highest which God hath therefore aptly joyned Col. 3. 1. and such no Man should put asunder Mat. 19. 6. Adam in Paradise had all the Creatures in their Prime yet could he not find an Help meet for himself among them all Gen. 2. 20. that shews the Nobleness of Man's Affections whose Nature is still the same but that Man 's Foolish Heart is Darkened Rom. 1. 21. Eph. 4. 18. VVill any wise Man stitch Rags together with Silver Threds Or spill Rose-water upon the Ground Or cast away his Love and Person upon a Foolish VVoman Such are these Lower things Beggarly Gal. 4. 9. Earthly Phil. 3. 19. and Foolish 1 Tim. 6. 9. VVhat Pity it is that Princes Daughters Cant. 7. 1. should Marry so much beneath themselves when Courted or Desired by him v. 10. who is the King of Kings Rev. 19. 16. the Treasury of wisdom Col. 2. 3. the greatest Heir imaginable Heb. 1. 2. and chiefest of Ten Thousand in point of Beauty Cant. 5. 10. 2. Affections in Man are Lasting especially his Love or Charity which will Abide when Faith and Hope shall fail 1 Cor. 13. 13. and Spiritual Objects are the most Incorruptible Rom. 1. 23. whilst Earthly things are of a Fading Nature Isa 24. 4 why should our Eyes then be set thereupon Prov. 23. 5 VVill any wise Young Man lay out his whole Eâ—tate upon a falling House when he might have a better How sweet are Christ's Embraces Cant. 2. 6. whose Arms are Everlasting Deut. 33. 27. compared with other Lovers whom we must be Divorced from by Death 1 Tim. 6. 7. if not before Affections will continue with us unto all Eternity but not their worldly Objects and how will Sinners grieve in Hell who through meer Foolishness will then have Nothing to fix their Love upon VVhereas they whose Affections Now are wholly given up unto the Lord will be so far from wanting what to Love Hereafter as that Love in its Happiest Exercise will be the Chief if not the Sole Survivor of their Affections 3. Love is of God 1 John 4. 7. who therefore is called the God of Love 2 Cor. 13. 11. and in a Natural sence as well as Spiritual since he is the Father of our Souls or Spirits Heb. 12. 9. and consequently also of our Affections Now shall not he that Plants a Vine Mat. 21. 33. Receive its Fruit v. 34 Shall he that Feeds a Flock not eat the Milk thereof 1 Cor. 9. 7 Shall not a Father be first Served with his Child's Activity Houses are firstly at their Builder's Service Rivers return unto the Sea from whence they came Eccl. 1. 7. Trees shed their Leaves upon the Ground that bears them And then shall Israel onely bring forth Fruit unto Himself Hos 10. 1. Is it a small thing with us to take God's Jewels Broidered Garments Oyl and Honey yea his very Sons and Daughters and give them from himself to others Ezek. 16. 17 18 19 20 To Love ought more than him without whom nothing could be Loved is most unworthy and the just matter of greatest self-abhorring 4. Affections seem to be the clearest Evidence of God in Man as to his Infiniteness in which regard Low finite Objects are no way Adequate thereunto There may be a Desire in Man of More than is attained by him or clearly understood or can be had or should be Aimed at yea more than he is able to Receive so Boundless are his Affections and therefore Meet for none but Christ Something 's may be desired which are forbidden Gen. 3. 6. and sinful Objects should not be Loved Rom. 12. 9. but let him be Anathema Maranatha who Loves not Christ 1 Cor. 16. 22. Some Die of Love unto the Creature because they cannot have it but none are more than Sick of Love for Christ Cant. 5. 8. who at the last will be self-manifesting unto such as Love him John 14. 21. No Earthly thing should be Affected overmuch but Love to Christ will never turn into a Lust Deut. 6. 5. Yea Spiritual Objects will make room for their Reception and Comprehension Eph. 3. 17 18. and as the Lord is satisfying Psal 73. 25. so he that Loveth him Loves other things in their due manner Mark 12. 30 31. All which bespeak our Love for him 5. Affections are the Gloss of Actions and without which the greatest Doer and utmost Sufferer is as nothing in God's Account 1 Cor. 13. 3. Love is the fulfilling of the Law Rom. 13. 10. the first
blemished their Virgin-Reputation A Gentleman thinks scorn to have an Ivy-bush hung at his Door and visible Saints will thun appearances of evil 1 Thes 5. 22. especially when of so gross a Nature by which they may be known from others 7. Virgins are very neat and studious of their Beauty Can a Maid forget her Ornaments Jer. 2. 32 Nor will a Spouse walk out without her Veil Cant. 5. 7. Such are ashamed to be seen undrest and what they wear is very clean yea they are for the finest stuff and newest Fashion with Sobriety Their Looking-Glasses are of daily Use nor will they be Offended if Friendly told of any thing amiss about them and would have every part of their Attire in its due place and Order Such will wash oft and carefully avoid what doth defile them and keep within doors for fear of being Sun-burnt Those are no visible Saints who are not very Accurate Compared with the Generality 8. Virgins are in the best Capacity of caring for the things of God because discharged from other Cares which is accordingly improved by Spiritual Virgins 1 Cor. 7. 34. Poor Carnal Creatures are Married unto the World whose care is therefore how to please that Husband supposing it to be their Duty because they have no Faith in God nor Love for ought but Mammon But visible Saints have had a taste of better things Heb. 6. 5. and can Adventure more upon the Promise which doth a little sublimate their Spirits and Affections A Covetous Professor should not be kept in others Company 1 Cor. 5. 11. Aâ— Virgins are wont to sort together 9. Virgins are Noted for their comely silence as being to be seen but seldom heard Whereas an Harlots voyce is Loud Prov. 7. 10 11. They who have least in Heart are usually most full of Tongue but deepest Waters make the smallest noyse And though Saints are not for an Humorous silence yet is their speech more sparing especially in such like Cases as these which follow Saints will not Prate against the Truth nor will they Boast of what they are nor do they place the main of Duty in much speaking nor do they relish vain Discourse or love to speak themselves but are more swift to hear A Wise Man spares his words Prov. 17. 27. And Foolish Virgins may Learn that piece of Heavenly Breeding by being in the others Company The very speech of over-talkative Professors doth bewray them 10. Virgins are mighty apt to blush upon the least Occasion whereas an Whores â—ace is Impudent Prov. 7. 13. Refusing to be ashamed Jer. 3. 3. Some cannot Blush though guilty of Abominations which is a dreadful Sign Jer. 6. 15. But visible Saints are of a more Ingenuous Temper most fully sensible of sin's defilement and of a more tender Conscience which makes them apt to Blush when any spot is on them especially when coming before the Lord Ezra 9. 6. Yea when they do but hear or speak of other's grosser failings Eph. 5. 12. Harlots count this the Virgins weakness but it is Vertue 's Tincture and from the want whereof Professors are shrewdly to be suspected 11. Virgins have very strong Affections and therefore the Lamentation of a Virgin is put to signifie the depth of sorrow Joel 1. 8. The Generality will never hurt themselves for Christ but Spouses love him with their Soul Cant. 1. 7. And Tremble at his Word Isa 66. 2. And Serve him with all their Might 1 Chron. 29. 2. And break with Longing for him Psal 119. 20. And Joy in him with an Excessive Gladness Psal 4. 7. And Mourn for sin against him as for an Onely Son Zech. 12. 10. Those are no Prophets as all the Saints are termed Psal 105. 15. whose Spirits and Affections are so much at their own Command in Spiritual Cases whilst Things and Persons of a Godly sort are to be known from others by their Zeal and Vehemency 2 Cor. 7. 11. 12. Virgins are forward to go forth and meet the Bridegroom though in the dark yea though exposed thereby to Loss and Danger which is the necessary Consequent of going out at such a Time 'T is true some of them as the Foolish Virgins may chiefly be drawn out by their Companions or from an hope of being put among the Bride's Honourable Women or meerly from a Religious Humour and spirit of Curiosity to see and to be seen But upon one account or other all Virgins are ambitious of this Service who otherwise are not somuch as visible Saints and therefore Christ knows not those Foolish Virgins Mat. 25. 12. Because they went not forth the second time v. 8. as at the first v. 1. Mat. XXV 2. And Five of them were wise and Five were Foolish IN these words we have the Ten fore-named Virgins Distributed or Distinguished with reference unto their Wisdom and Folly which cannot be meant in a Natural sence as Eccl. 2. 19. Or in a Worldly sence as Luke 16. 8. Or in one's own Conceit and Apprehension onely which is forbidden Rom. 12. 6. But in a Moral sence and in Reality And so the Observation from these words is this Observ Professors in these latter days will be some of them Spiritually wise and others of them in the same sence Foolish as Folly is put for sin and Wisdom for New Covenant-Grace Whence several things arâ— offered to be enquired into Quest 1. Why is New Covenant-Grace exprest by Wisdom c. Answ 1. Wisdom is chiefly seated in the Understanding or Intellectual Faculty and doth consist in Light or Knowledge and so doth Grace which therefore is Resembled by it The New Man is renewed in Knowledge Col. 3. 10. And Grace is called the Law of the Mind Rom. 7. 23. Whilst sin is oft-times called Darkness Eph. 4. 18. and 5. 8. Which meerly being Privative doth therefore need no positive Cause and consequently there 's no Necessity that either God should be its Author or that the Soul which is its Subject should be by Natural Generation upon the one of which Rocks many have run from un-acquaintance with sin's proper Notion since sin is nothing but the Issue of an Active Spirit devoid of Light which then cannot but err or stumble John 11. 10. 2. Wisdom or Knowledge is that wherein the Image of God consisteth Col. 3. 10. A lower kind of wisdom was that wherein consisted mainly God's Essential Image Gen. 1. 26. And highest wisdom or true Holiness is that wherein God's Personal Image doth consist Eph. 4. 24. As Christ who was his Father's wisdom Luke 11. 49. with Mat. 23. 34. Is therefore called the Image of his Person Heb. 1. 3. Which is the onely Image of God now owned by him in a Moral sence so that a Godly wise Man is now the onely God-like Man whereas the Foolish sinner is like unto the Devil John 8. 44. who is Resembled by that Foolish Woman Prov. 9. 13. In opposition unto Christor Wisdom v. 1. 3. Wisdom is to be got
sorts of Interests would have Combin'd with Ashur against God's hidden Ones Psal 83. 3. 8. who else might have been Built up in the midst of Israel had they walk'd worthy of their Restauration after an Affrightment Jer. 12. 15 16. 12. To shame his own unworthy People 1 John 2. 28 by frustrating their Expectation Job 6. 20. and to Correct them by bringing Trouble and no Good when they did look for Peace and Healing Jer. 14. 19 20. He had been oft-times made to Tarry for their Duty who therefore justly makes them Stay for their Deliverance They quickly waxed Wan on with a little Liberty who therefore were remanded into Bonds till better able to bear Enlargement They were not Thankful for what they had which therefore was thought meet to be withdrawn A Toleration was sometimes called Monstrous therefore it is Recalled till it shall have a better Appellation and duly General Distribution They had a mind to spare some Goodly Babylonish Garment therefore though Jericho was fallen before yet Ai must check them in their own Land They were exceeding Hypocritical Isa 10. 6. therefore they must fall under the Slain and it is well if that be all that is to be inflâ—cted v. 4. 13. To make the Revelation of himself at last more Ravishing and his Continuance Grateful by Reason of his present Tarrying as warmth is after a tedious Winter and Meat unto an hunger-bitten Soul Christ or the Head-stone must be brought forth with shoâ—tings Zech. 4. 7. And when he Comes he means to tarry by it for though John must Decrease John 3. 30. yet will there be no End of Christ's increasing Government Isa 9. 7. therefore he will consult for more than Ordinary Welcom Now that which hath been long desired is most Affectionately Entertained and like to be most Lastingly Delighted in Since waiting doth enlarge one's Receptivity and gathereth up the Souls Affections into the Bosom of its Beloved Object untill that Object doth become the sole Inheriter of its Love Therefore the Saints shall not grow weary of being ever with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 17. because they have been made to wait for his Appearing 1 Thes 1. 10. with so much earnest Expectation 2 Cor. 5. 2. 14. To Fit and Prepare all sorts of Persons for their respective future Portions at his Coming Christ waiteth to be Gracious to his People Isa 30. 18. and the Damnation of others doth not slumber 2 Pet. 2. 3. yet doth he tarry till These be fitted to Destruction and till Those be prepared unto Glory Rom. 9. 22 23. Israel's Redemption must therefore be delayed because the Amorites sins were not yet full Gen. 15. 16. Nor will Christ Bury those Dead untill some competent Waiting hath evinced that they are Dead indeed Yea God's own People were too Hot to Drink at their first going out they were not fine enough to be then Married they were too Young to Sway the Scepter too Private Spirited to be entrusted with a Publick Stock too High to be Exalted too Sensual to eat their fill too Low of Stature to wear Long Robes too Cholerick to eat Christ's Sweet-meats indeed too Many to be Feasted and too too Carnal for a Spiritualized Kingdom But when the Grapes are fully Ripe the Vintage will be Gathered Rev. 14. 18 19. And when the Bride is Ready the Bridegroom will not tarry as till that time he doth Rev. 19. 7. 15. To shew the Greatness of his Power in scattering his Re-inforc'd Adversaries and in Reviving that Work which had been given up for Dead and Buried As he abode still where he was John 11. 6. till Lazarus was Dead v. 14. and had been four Days Buried v. 39. that his Disciples might Believe v. 15. and that his Enemies might bear Witness to such a Miracle v. 46 47. The Virgins Party was too Potent at their first going out as Gideon's was who Therefore were not then Delivered lest Israel should vauntingly impute their being saved to their own Hand Judg. 7. 2. Therefore Christ tarrieth untill their Power be wholly scattered Dan. 12. 7. to make them sing His Holy Arm hath gotten him the Victory Psal 98. 1. and not their Sword Psal 44. 3. Nor would the Faith of some have been so strengthned by healing what was onely Sick as by one's being Raised from the Dead which latter Dives thought in Hell sufficient to Convince the greatest Unbeliever upon Earth Luke 16. 30. Nor doth Christ judge the Beast to be an Adversary strong enough untill the Dragon doth succeed him whom Pharaoh Typified and whom God raised up to shew his Power Exod. 9. 16. Christ sleepeth till the Ship be full of Water Mark 4. â—7 38. But when Senacherib or Babylon's Assistant doth threaten Lâ—banon and Carmel 2 Kings 19. 23. Now will I Rise saith the Lord Isa 33. 9 10. And when all Nations are United against Jerusalem Then shall the Lord go forth and fight against them as in the day of Battel Zech. 14. 2 3. 16. To Aggravate both Sions Mercy and her Opposers Judgment by their joynt-suddenness at his Appearing thus unawares At their first going out the Virgins Generally did Expect him and so did others as their Amazing fear did then Evince therefore Christ tarrieth designing to surprize them all as they are either Watching Luke 12. 37. or Sleeping Mark 13. 36. or Revelling Mat. 24. 49. at least-wise minding other Matters Luke 17 28. and not thinking of him Mat. 24. 44. Which suddenness doth marvellously Affect according to the Nature of a Dispensation both in a way of Paining at the very Heart Jer. 4. 19 20. and of Rejoycing 2 Chron. 29. 36. How will the Saints Mouth be filled with Laughter when their Captivity is Returned whilst they are in a Dream Psal 126. 1 2. And how will others be confounded when their inevitable Destruction cometh whilst they are saying Peace and Safety 1 Thes 5. 3 Therefore Christ doth prolong his Time that so his unexpected Coming might fill his Peoples Hearts with Wondring and others with Consternation Quest 3. What are we to Understand by Slumbring and by Sleeping here Both as to the Difference that is between them and as to the Particular Cases which they refer unto Answ I. As to the Difference between these two it may be considered two ways Either first with Respect unto their Nature and so all know that Slumbring is less than Sleeping as being but an Entry into the Sleeper's House A Slumberers Senses are not so fast bound up but that he can hear some greater Noise and understand what is said or done and give some kind of Answer yea have some stirring of Affections and be awakened sooner than he that 's fast asleep Witness the Spouse whose Heart was then awake therefore her Sleep was but a Slumber Cant 5. 2. because she then could hear the Knock of her Beloved and understand his Voyce v. 2. and gave some kind of Answer v. 3. Yea had some Moving in
had gone out Before who yet are bid to go oâ— Now which therefore intimates The Repetition of their formeâ— Practice with fresh Amendments He doth not check them for whaâ— they had done nor is he yet fully satisfied with it who else would noâ— have Vain or Needless Repetitions Mat. 6. 7. Their First going out was Warrantable but not faultless else should no place have beeâ— sought for the Second as in Relation to that first Covenant Heb. 8. 7. Thaâ— first was from John Baptist's Cry the Influence whereof must first Decrease before the Bridegroom's Voice is heard Yea that at first was mostly upon the first Adam's Motion whose weakness must first appear then comes the Son himself as in Relation to the Law and Gospel Rom. 8. 3. Indeed that first going out was very Mercenary therefore he putteth upon this Second to try the Nobleness of their Principle However Christ is for a Second Edition which usually is Corrected and his best Wine is kept by him untill the last John 2. 10. 3. The Virgins at their first going out did verily Expect the Bridegroom's Coming then as their Design to Meet him signified who Now are bid go out again together with an Additional Notification of his Coming which therefore intimateth The Re-assuming of their former Expectation upon a fresh and surer Ground They took John Baptist to be the Bridegroom wherein he checks their over haâ—tiness by telling them that his Own Coming was not till now to be Expected Their former Hope was meerly grounded upon Providence he therefore now more plainly expounds the Scriptures unto the Revival of their Dying Expectations as Luke 24. 27. He taketh pleasure in his Peoples Hope Psal 147. 11. whos 's very Expectation shall not Perish Psal 9. 18. therefore he catcheth at sinking Peter though his first Confidence was not a grounded Faith Mat. 14. 28 29 30 31. They were now Tossing to and fro or Nodding by Reason of the Bridegroom 's Tarrying therefore he giveth them at last this stedfast Anchor 4. One's going out to Meet another is both a Token of Respect Gen. 9. 1. and a sign of Longing to behold him with the first Numb 23. 15. which therefore intimateth his present Expectations of that Nature from them with reference unto himself He then expecteth to be Worshipped by all the gods both Men and Angels Psal 97. 7. and Saints will Honour him at such a time Rev. 19 7. which Time is therefore hinted by this Cry But chiefly is this desired by him as going out to Meet him is a signal of their Longing to behold him with the first and therefore he that Heareth is bid say Come Rev. 22. 17. and to evince â—t by this Going Which cannot but be readily performed by the Saints with reference unto their Lord and Friend their Brother Husband and Blessed Saviour Nor may it irk them to go forth a little since he is pleased to come the greater part of the way by far onely requiring their meeting him in the Air who comes to them from Heaven out of Respect and Love 5. These words import their going out of something in Order to their Meeting of the Bridegroom Which things then to be gone out of are as followeth 1. They are to go Out of all their sinful Desilements of a Common Nature which hath been their Duty alway 2 Cor. 7. 1. but Now is so by way of Eminency And if the Name of Christ obligeth hereunto 2 Tim. 2. 17. much more the Notice of his Coming as a Bridegroom and as a Judge His Day will be upon the Losty Isa 2. 12. therefore Go Out of Pride The Meek will then moâ—t probably be hidden Zeph. 2. 3. therefore Go Out of Passion The Time will Now be very short Rev. 10. 16. therefore Go Out of Earthly-mindedness 1 Cor. 7. 29. 30 31. The Face of the Covering will be Destroyed Isa 29. 7. therefore Go Out of Formality The Lord alone will be Exalted Isa 2. 17. therefore Go Out of Slavish Fear and Fleshly Confidence v. 22. A sin of meer Omission will send some then to Hell Mat. 25. 41 42. therefore Go Out of Negative Christianity Preachers and others will then be termed Workers of Iniquity Mat. 7. 22 23. therefore Go Out of bare Material Duty into its Life and Power and Spirituality 2. They are to Go Out of Babylon as far as may be from the Beast especially from the Whore or Antichrist in his more Spiritual appearances This Latter was a Duty alway the neglect whereof was never so severely punished as Now it will be Now Temporal Judgments will be entailed upon Spiritual Sins and it is then High Time to Go Out thence Rev. 18. 4. Yea every one that is then found in Babylon shall be thrust through Isa 13. 15. therefore let none stand still but let Jerusalem come into their Remembrance Jer. 51. 50. And though the Beast's Name as that of Priests may falsly be continued unto some yea though some still retain the Number of his Name yet may both these escape that Brand of visible Reprobates which then will be the Portion of his Worshippers and such as do receive his Mark or more down-right and Manifest Compliers with that Interest Rev. 14. 9 10 11. Were these things rightly understood as to their Sence and Time enquiries of that Nature would not be though unuseful 3. They are to Go Out of Privacy into an Open Testimony as they had done before at their first going forth This also was an Ancient Duty the Neglecters whereof in times of utmost Danger are threatned by Christ himself to be Denyed by him as being the Deniers of him Mat. 10. 27 28. 33. Upon the first Rise of the Man of Sin the Woman then fled into the Wilderness Rev. 12. 14. as that denoted her want of former Outward Glory but not from fear of Bloody Cruelty as Brightman well Observes upon the place onely to shew that such Apostates did falsly call themselves Christ's visible Churches Which also followeth upon the Privacy of Church-worship which is a Worshipping of the Beast unto the Clouding of Professors Saint-ship and the destroying of a proper Accident viz. Visibility which is inseparable from a Churches Essence And though Repentance may recover Saint-ship yet such a failing layeth Churches wast till New Erected and which may prove to their Advantage 4. They are to Go Out of those Old Heavens which then must Pass away at least be changed together with the Earth of Civil Constitutions This Going out of Churches is Warrantable in the fore-named case yea and a Duty but at this time there will be no visible Churches to continue in although Church-state may still remain Thus was it with the Jewish Church at Christ's first Coming Thus will it be with Temple-state at his next Personal Coming Rev. 21. 22. Yea thus it was with present Constitutions a little before his Coming in Constatine's Time Rev. 6. 13 14. and as the sixth Seal
Truth Gal. 4. 16. Such Mens Affections certainly are Altered Well might they be Concluded to be Envious or Dis-affected Mat. 27. 18. who could not say what Evil Christ had done and yet Cryed out to have him Crucified v. 23. Whereas he that doth Love his Master will not Accept of Freedom Offered Exod. 21. 5. Nor will Ruth leave her dearly Beloved Mother although she hath a fair Occasion Ministred Ruth 1. 15 16. nor will ought separate a True Believer from his Love of Christ Rom. 8. 35. 3. When Means afforded for Satisfaction as to the Truth of such a Duty are very sleightly attended unto if at all He daily Meditateth in the Law of God who dearly Loveth it Psal 119. 97. and he that Cordially desireth Heavenly Wisdom will separate himself from other Business to seek it Prov. 18. 1. Nor is a Love-sick Spouse Discouraged by what she meeteth with from the Pursuance of her Beloved Cant. 5. 6 7 8. But Dilatory Hearers who feignedly are for a more Convenient Season Acts 24. 25. and such as put a Question but stay not for its Answer John 18. 38. especially they who will not so much as come unto the Light John 3. 20. Yea they who Perfunctorily converse about Enquiries of this Nature or do not Hear in Hearing Mat. 13. 13. do plainly evidence their want of Love unto the Truth 2 Thes 2. 10. Thus some are easily convicted of Decaying good Affections because the strenuousness of their Endeavour doth no way suit the shew of their Desire 4. When Ordinary Light is not sufficient without some more than Necessary Demonstration which yet in other like Cases is by such Persons thought to be unreasonably expected by another God made Man upright or Plain-hearted but he hath found out many bad Inventions or Evasions Eccl. 7. 29. and out of his own Mouth shall he be Judged Luke 19. 22. Some things of Old were Darkly hiated much more in Gospel-times Psal 49. 4. Mat. 13. 34. to Try Men's Ingenuity Mat. 15. 15 16. or who are of that Chosen Number that will Obey as soon as they shall Hear Psal 18. 44. Love made the Spouse when half asleep to Hear the Voice of her Beloved Cant. 5. 2. And David's Delighting in the Will of God did make him light of Hearing Psal 40. 6. 8. And if Elisha had not been very Candid he â—â—uâ—d not so readily have known the Meaning of Elijah's Mantle câ—â— upon him 1 Kings 19. 19 20. 'T is true Man's Reason may not Dictâ—â—e Gospel-Dutâ—â—s yet is there room for Candour in such Cases and Persons Dull of Hearing Mat. 13. 15. have not the Love of God in them John 5. 42. 5. When clear Convictions are not Accompanied with speedy Actions it being an undoubted sign of Weakness in that Child which stayeth long in the place of breaking forth Hos 3. 13. A strong Affection is rather apt to be too forward as Moses was to have his Sister healed Numb 42. 13. as David was to Buâ—ld a Temple 2 Sam. 7. 2. 5. and as the People were to make Christ King John 6. 15. however such are in Pain till they have Vent and then are most Refreshed Job 32 19 20. â—aiâ—h is not Haâ—ty Isa 28. 16. and Hope can wait Rom. 8. 25. but Love â—s all upon the Spur and if there be nothing from Without to hinder one Dâ—y is then Accounted a Thousand Years 2 Pet. 3. 8. Therefore such â—re for making Haâ—te Psal 119. 60. and not conferring with Flesh aâ—d Bâ—ood Gal. 1. 16. but do immediately endeavour to comply with signifiâ—d Duty Acts 16. 10. Whereas Lot's Lingring still in Sodom Gen. 19. 16. after a double Item given v. 12. 15. did plainly evidence he had no great Affection to be gone 6. When Souls are glad of being Hindred and who are therefore Catching at or readily at least improve the first Advantage fairly Offered for such a Purpose As Hatred watcheth for anothers Halting Jer. 20. 10 and Envy seeketh for Occasions 2 Cor. 11 12. or false Witnesses Mat. 26. 59. so Love Deviseth Liberal things Isa 52. 8. and waiteth to be Gracious Isa 30. 18. David was Glad when others did invite him unto Duty Psal 122. 1. whose Soul did break with Longing for it Psal 119. 20. and 41. 1 2. Nor would Paul be disswaded with Heart-breaking Importunities Acts 12. 13 14. but did what in him lay to shun Obstructions Gal. 1. 17. and sadly Bewailed Rom. 7. 24. his being sometimes Captivated v. 23. or Hâ—ndrâ—d from that good which he fain would have done v. 19. Whereas they have but small Affection for their Duty who wait but for a Wind to carry them off John 6 65 66. or willingly Obey Man's countermand Hos 5. 11. yea they who do not cast about to be Delivered from a forcible Captivâ—ty Jer. 41. 13 14. 7. When any thing is loved More than Christ or Duty Mat. 10. 37. A Child may truly Love his Parents both alike and Christ did duly Love All his Disciples John 13. 1. though John was Eminently his Beloved v. 23. but Christ is not Beloved Duly if Life it self as well as our Relations be not Hated by us in Competition with our Duty unto him Luke 14. 26. David Desired Nothing upon Earth Compared with God Psal 73. 25. Nor was Paul moved with the fear of Losing All if what he had to do for Christ might be but finished Acts 20. 23 24. and nothing short of this will clâ—arly Evidence a True Disciple's Love John 21. 17 18. And though a Temporary failing of this Fruit in Peter Mat. 26. 34. might be consistent with its Never failing Root Luke 22. 32. yet they who fall with him and do not also Rise again will not be Credited as to the Truth of their Professed good Affection An Hypocrite may Suffer much but yet their Lamps are quite Gone out who do Habitually Affect ought more than Christ and do thus Evidence it 8. When that Reproach which some Men cast upon the ways of God is Lightly born by those who do Profess to walk therein How would the VViser Virgins have been Moved in case the Foolish had Reviled them because of Going forth Love is made up of Sympathy and as in Christ Acts 9. 4. so in his People Psal 69. 9. And though Paul would have some Opposers to be Taught with Meekness 2 Tim. 2. 25. yet could not he bear Blaspheming Jews Acts 13. 45 46. Yea David's Love to God made him Hate the Haters of him and to be Grieved with them Psal 139. 21. as with his greatest Enemies v. 22. Two contrary Masters cannot be served with the same Affection Mat. 6. 24. and next unto a Saint's being Angry with himself 2 Cor. 7. 11. he cannot but Declare against the sins of others Mic. 3. 8. Passion is to be watched over Eph. 4. 26. and Personal Cases call for Moderation Numb 12. 2 3. but let us have a care of smothering Zeal by our Discretion so
case those Chambers be taken down which otherwise is no way Dis-advantaged 9. Let us be careful with whom we Ordinarily at least-wise Intimately do Converse since though Communion with the Wise cannot secure the Foolish Virgins Lamps from Going out yet are Companions apt to Influence Prov. 13. 20. Saul if among the Prophets will also Prophesy 1 Sam. 19. 24. And Joash his good Affection was Preserved so long as good Jehoiada Lived 2 Chron. 24. 2. but otherwise Love will cool Mat. 24. 12. Affection for Duty since the Fall is very crazy and Persons Aguishly Disposed upon the sight of others so Affected are apt to shake Thus many Hopeful Virgins of later Years have Buried their Ancient Love for Duty in the Bosom of a Dis-affected Yoak-fellow which is a fair Warning unto Others to Marry in the Lord 1 Cor. 7. 39. Come out of Babylon for fear of being Touched with her Sins Rev. 18. 4. Since any one Root of Bitterness is apt to Trouble and Defile Heb. 12. 15. though it be but a little Leaven 1 Cor. 5. 6. Consult Experiences and let us Act accordingly 10. Let us endeavour to ashame our selves both by our Own and Others Practices provoking hereunto Oh how Affectionate are sinners in their way Doting upon their Lovers Ezek 23. 10. and seeking to out-vye each other in their Inordinacy v. 11. Yea falling in Love with Pourtraitures upon the Wall v. 14. 16. and being inflamed with the Remembrance of former Lewdness v. 19. 21. And is it not a shame that Christ should have less Love than Satan Nay Saints themselves have heretofore been Zealous in an Evil way as Paul had been who therefore when he was Converted followed after Holiness in himself as he had sometimes Persecuted it in others Phil. 3. 6. 12. Yea all these Virgins had been full of seeming Love for Christ as those for Paul Gal. 4. 15. And is it not a shame that Israel should come short of Heathens in point of Lasting Jer. 2. 10 Nor can it be denyed but that Saints have Affections still who can give no good Reason for their Abatement toward Christ Jer. 2. 5. 31. and in that case as Christ will not Accept the Creatures Leavings Mal. 1. 8. so doth he sadly Curse such a Deceitful Sacrificer v. 14. and such a puff upon a Candle new blown out may be of use to blow it in again yea with the Help of Christ's Breath therein and of his Hand behind it this may regain the deadest Lamp 11. Let us be deeply Humbled in the sence of our Decaying Love for Christ as we would ever get it up again and keep it Lively Cold peccant Humours lye exceeding Low as Melancholy in the Stomach which maketh Heart-sick before it will come up as she Experiencâ—d Cant. 5. 8. upon the Cooling of her Love v. 2 3. And Peter eminently till he had Wept most Bâ—tterly Mat. 26. 74 75. and then he Loved Christ ever after to the Death John 21. 17 18. Christ would be glad to hear Bâ—ck sliding Ephraim to bemoan himself Jer. 31. 18 19 20. Such Breakin gs forth upon our Lips would comfortably Evidence somes hopes of a Recovery v. 20 21. These Foolish Virgins do confess their Fading Lamps with un-affected Hearts who Go to Buy more Oyl Mat. 25. 10. but not with Weeping as Jer. 50. 4. nor do they Return with self-condemning Mat. 25. 11. that shews their Hopelesness v. 12. Remember whence we are fallen and Repent as we would Rise again Rev. 2. 5. 12. Let us be much in Prayer that God would Direct our Hearts in the Love of him 2 Thes 3. 5. and that he would incline them to his Law Psal 119. 36. and not to any Evil thing Psal 141. 3. As he is the Father of Lights James 1. 17. so his Almighty Hand must Guard our Lamps as doth a Lanthorn else every Gust of Wind will blow them out He turneth the Heart to Hate Psal 105. 25. and Esau's Hatred into Love Gen. 33. 4. who also can prepare the Heart unto himself by keeping that Affection up for ever which else is Subject to Decay 1 Chron. 29. 18. This Fire first cometh from Above and though forenamed Helps may lay the sticks together yet Prayer must Blow it up else will it soon go out Had these Poor Foolish Virgins gone to Christ who onely went to their Companions they might have gained from himself what neither was in their own Power to keep Alive viz. their Lamps nor in the Others to Restore MATTHEW XXV 9. But the Wise Answered saying Not so lest there be not enough for us and you but Go ye rather to them that Sell and Buy for your selves IN these words we have the Wise Virgins Answer unto the Others fore-going Motion Wherein we may Observe First a Gentle Denying of them rather Implyed in that word but than plainly signified those word Not so not being in the Greek Secondly a Satisfactory Reason rendred Lest there be not enough for us and you Thirdly a Giving them yet what Help they can by way of Exhortation and Direction to Go and Buy of such as Sell. From all which the General Observation is as followeth Observ In Answer to the Foolish Virgins Motion for Oyl or Light the Wiser in these latter days will rather wish the Others going unto such as Sell in Order to their Buying of it for themselves Quest 1. How came the Wise Virgins to be so Calm considering the Others great Mâ—scarriage whose Lamps were now Gone out through want of Care to take Oyl with them at the first Answ 1. These Foolish Virgins here do not Provoke the Wise unto their Faces by any unhandsome word or carriage and in that Case few will Begin to Quarrel upon Christ's Account till Passion is stirred up by Personal Provocations There is a great Fault among Professors in that regard who count Plain dealing Passion and so Desist therefrom untill themselves are throughly vexed or Passionate indeed and then such will speak out We ought to follow Peace with all Men Heb. 12. 14. but not to Purchase it by Theft and Murder such as Mans sinful silence is to Christ and to his Brother Jer. 23. 30. Ezek. 33. 8. Thus doth self-love dispense with Duty under a Pretence of studying Peace till Interest hath made such Furious instead of being truly Faithful which seldom is of any use James 1. 20. save onely to Discover those Passionate Reprovers Dissimulation 2. The Wiser Virgins might Perceive the others inability to bear plain down-right dealing at the present and this might cause their being silent Rebukes are Pearls too good for Swine Mat. 7. 6. Not may a Scorner be Reproved Prov. 9. 7 8. And when that Prophet was â—id forbear he Warrantably did so as a Token of the others Ruine 2 Chron. 25. 16. As Men would not be cast out so let them take heed of Mocking Gen. 21. 9 10. and as they would not be let alone so let
with his Dispensation doth Resemble Marriage As thus 1. It was most Honourable that a Marriage should be known and so is Christ's Coming as a Bridegroom Notified here before hand for all the World to speak if they have ought against it He never used to steal a Marriage by Creeping into Houses as Suspitious Persons do 2 Tim. 3. 6. but published his Purpose unto Pharaoh Exod. 5. 1. and the King of Babylon Jer. 51. 61. Thus was his Personal Coming Published Mat. 2. 2. and 3. 3. thus is his Spiritual Kingdom to be managed Mat. 10. 27. thus was his Temporal Kingdom first set up Rev. 12. 4 5. and thus I am perswaded it will be Restored as in the Type 2 Sam. 2 7. 2. Marriage is a time of more than Ordinary Joy to all there present as well as to the Bride and Bridegroom which is of Use still among the Jews as faith Buxtorfius Synag Juda. Therefore the Rising Sun is Represented by a Bridegroom 's Coming out of his Tent or Chamber with others Joyful Acclamations Psal 19. 5. And thus John Baptist who was the Bridegroom's Friend Rejoyced greatly because of the Bridegroom's Voice John 3. 29. And as there is Joy in Heaven upon a Souls Marrying unto Christ Luke 15. 10. so doth it make those Glad on Earth who are that Bridegroom's Friends Acts 11. 23. And thus Christ's Coming here will be Received with many shoutings Zech. 4. 7. and all kind of Musick Rev. 15. 2 3. and holy Dancing Jer. 31. 13. And as the Bride hath cause to Joy especially considering what a Match this is so Christ will then Rejoyce as doth a Bridegroom Isa 62. 5. whose Heart is then most Glad Cant. 3. 11. 3. Marriage also is a Time of Feasting especially when Kings are Married as when Ahasuerus Married Esther Esth 2. 18. for which some Poor no doubt might fare the better Thus Israel's first Marriage was called a Feast Exod. 5. 1. in which regard their Flocks and Herds must all go with them Exod. 10. 9. And therefore God's making a Feast for Christ in Gospel-times is called a Marriage Mat. 22. 2. And as that Publican made a Feast upon his being Married unto Christ Luke 5. 29. So will Christ make a Feast of Wines and Fat things full of Marrow Isa 25. 6. when he shall come v. 9. as when he first came in Person Mat. 22. 2. and when his Temporal Kingdom was first set up Cant. 5. 1. according unto Brightman's Notion And he who bids the Poor to be then called Luke 14. 13. will then Relieve the Poorest Creatures with some of his Servants broken Meats yea all the People Isa 25. 6. 4. Much Company is wont to be at all Marriages so will there be at such a time When Souls are Married unto Christ the Angels flock to see Repenting Sinners Luke 15. 10 So when the Church in Corinth was Espoused 2 Cor. 11. 2 the Angels came to their Solemnities 1 Cor. 11. 10. How great a mixed Multitude there was Exod. 12. 38 when Israel was Espoused in the Wilderness Jer. 2. 2 and when Christ wedded his Dispensation in Gospel-times his Chariots were twenty thousand even Thousands of Angels Psal 68. 17. Thus in the days of Constantine we read of an innumerable Multitude Rev. 7. 9 and a great Voice of much People afterwards Rev. 19. 1 together with the Fall of Babylon vers 2. Then All will gather themselves to Sion Isa 60. 4 as all the City did to Naomi at her Return Ruth 1. 19 and whose Thundering Voices will evince the Second Temple's being opened Rev. 11. 19. 5. All sorts of persons Then are in their greatest Bravery so is it at Christ's Marriage Then Solomon is crowned with a stately Crown Cant. 3. 11. The Bride is brought in Cloathing of wrought Gold and Needle-work Psal 45. 13 14. yea God will Then appear in Glorious Greatness Tit. 2. 13. as Earthly Parents are most fine upon their Childrens Wedding-day Bridegrooms are wont to Deck themselves with Ornaments and Brides with Jewels Isa 61. 10. so will Christ come with Power and great Glory Mat. 24. 30 and part of that Bride's Ornament will be her Numerous Train Isa 49. 18 but chiefly the Garment of Salvation and Robe of Righteousness Isa 61. 10. Then also will the House be Garnished Isa 4. 2 and Meanest Servants will be finisied with Outward Blessings and Moral Vertues as Rev. 22. 2 â—t more especially the Brides Companions or all wise Virgins will then be Honourable Psal 45. 9 14. 6. Marriage-Solemnities of Old were in the Night which Christ doth here allude unto And so are all his Marriages He married Israel at least-wise call'd them to be married in the Night Exod. 12. 42 and Married or Betrothed Souls are called out of Darkness 1 Pet. 2. 9. and in the Night he will come as a Bridegroom in this Parable He was Betrayed in the Night 1 Cor. 11. 23 and in the Night will he Return The Natural Day began at Evening Gen. 1. 5 so will this Day of the Son of Man Zech. 14. 7. as ancient Visions were wont to be in the Night Job 4. 13. Christs Kingdom cometh not with Observation therefore Not in the Day but as the Lightning which shineth out of Darkness Luke 17 20. 24. This sheweth His Affection to that Dispensation and will trie who love sleep above it It will be a Night of Rioting unto the Wicked 1 Thess 5. 7. and Sorrow to the Saints Psal 30. 5. and Drowziness unto all save them who set themselves to watch 7. Bridegrooms are wont to be Met of Old and so to be conducted to the Marriage which also Christ requireth here Thus Israel Met him in the Wilderness Jer. 2. 2. for There he found her Hos 9. 10. Thus a Betrothed or Believing Soul must Come unto him John 6. 35. and thus his People must prepare to meet him in the latter days Am. 4. 12. When Abraham had overcome those four great Kings then did the King of Sodom goe out to Meet him Gen. 14. 17 and when Christ fully hath subdued the four Monarchs then Abraham's Seed must goe and meet with him Thus when he cometh to his People in the latter dayes he will be found of them without who must then Lead him into their Mothers House Cant. 8. 1 2. Who must be then Ready also with Oyl prepared and Strength to bear his terrible Appearing 1 Joh. 2. 28. so as to meet him with Thanksgivings Revel 11. 16 17. Quest 6. How can Christs Vnion with his Dispensation in these Latter Dayes be called a Marriage since it is granted to have been Once set up Before Ans 1. Because this Restauration followeth a former Just Divorce Christ married the Gentiles at his first Coming as he had done the Jews before Rom. 11. 22. Now as Gods Ancient Israel commâ—tted Whoredom before their going into Babylon so did the Gentile-Churches before the Man of Sin arose 2 Thess 2. 3. And
Restauration Acts 1. 6 7. 2. That so Christ's Coming in these Latter Days might Eminently Answer unto its being a Type or Sign of his own Personal Coming at the last This seemeth to be that Sign of the Son of Man Mat. 24. 30. Now Signs must Answer unto what is thereby signified and Answering in a Chief Respect such as This is doth hint the Eminency of such a Sign Therefore Melchisedec was the Highest Type of Christ because he was most like the Son of God in that peculiar and most signal point of Everlastingness Heb. 7. 1. 3. Some other Dispensation as that of Babylon's Fall Isa 13. 10. 13. might Resemble Christ's Last Coming in several other Respects Luke 21. 25. but Absolute Secrecy as to the Time is Eminently reserved for this Dispensation as being its peculiar Sign 3. To Exercise a Spirit of Enquiry in his most Inlightned ones As God will be Enquired of with reference unto the Matter of Redemption Ezek. 36. 37. so with Respect unto the Time thereof 1 Pet. 1. 11. as being of Special use Jer. 8. 7. Thus Christ oft spake in Parables to make his Disciples the more Inquisitive and to bring Hidden Matters before this Altar 1 Kings 8. 31. Those do Mistake his Drift who argue from a Secrecy unto their being bound from searching into it save when that search is absolutely Forbidden as Judg. 13. 18. Johns Revelations are full of Mysteries yet Blessed is he who Reads that Book Rev. 1. 3. Thus are we taught to Aim at that Perfection which yet is unattainable at least not Actually or Already apprehended Phil. 3. 11 12. 4. Else that Immediately foregoing Hour of Temptation would be no Trial in comparison which yet it is Intended for Rev. 3. 10 11. It is there call'd an Hour to keep from sinking but yet that Hour is the same with those Ten Dayes Rev. 2. 10. to make it Trying In case Late Persecutions should Now Expire the Certain foreknowledge of so short a Time would have Prevented probably that which its being Hidden hath Experimented But Abraham's being Ignorant how long he might have been without his Isaac was that which Tempted him unto the height Gen. 22. 1. 12. though he was onely Exercised with a meer Affrightment and but of three dayes Continuance v. 4. and this made way for that Affectionate Blessing afterwards in way of seeming Righteousness v. 15 16 17 18. 5. Else would not Others be secure as they must be at such a Time Luke 21. 35 but in the sight of any Bird the Net is spread in vain Prov. 1. 17. some cannot Dig Luke 16. 3. as they must doe for Hidden Treasures Prov. 2. 4. yea they are Glad of such a Plea for Slothfulness who therefore Juâ—â—â—y meet with Parables Mat. 13. 13. But with respect unto self-preservation no good man of the House would suffer it to be broken through in case he Knew what Hour the Thief would come Luke 12. 39. Now if this Day had Clearly been Revealed in the Scripture it then might have been Known unto the Cherishing of a sleighty Spirit in some untill the last preceding Minute whom Christ will not so Gratifie and therefore John wondred who had forewarned such as to His Day Mat. 3. 7. 6. Else would none Watch as Christ here signifies whereof more Afterwards Quest 6. Why is the Day here set before the Hour Since in a way of Accurate and more Emphatical Speech it might have run Ye know not the Hour nor yet the Day or not some longer time before that very Hour Ans 1. To Check perhaps that over-much Curiosity or Exactness in Discourse which may be too much the matter of some men's Care the Want of which in others is oft-times Childishly carped at and in Themselves is sinfully Afflicting Too much of some Men's Time is spent in Starching which is one Argument of their Effeminacy and as such are too much Admired so others are therefore tempted to be silent because they are not Men of Words Exod. 4. 10. or cannot speak so Well as others v. 14. But though one may seek after Acceptable Words Eccl. 12. 10. Yet Paul was not for Curiosity in that respect 1 Cor. 2. 1. whose Speech was therefore Contemptible 2 Cor. 10. 10. nor doth the Spirit of Christ keep unto Grammar-Rules in many places of Scripture as when the Nominative Case is oft put Absolute in the Greek Rev. 2. 26. and 3. 12. 21. 2. Yet may This Order of the Words be most Emphatical and most Proper 1. Though we take the word Hour here as being Less by farr than that word Day or in the strictest sence imaginable as Mat. 8. 13. and 9. 22. and Mat. 20. 6. Luke 12. 12. and 24. 33. Joh. 4. 52. And so an Hour may import the very great suddenness of Christ's Appearing unto an Hour as well as Day which addeth Force unto the present Exhortation His Personal Coming will not be Known untill that very Moment 1 Cor. 15. 52. nor yet this other Coming untill the Day no nor untill its very Hour which should provoke our being Watchfull Had we a Day to turn us in some might presume they should get Ready in a few Hours time but when they hear his Coming will not be Known untill that very Hour of its Beginning those must be sadly Desperate â—â—o do put off that weighty work untill this Nick of time 2. If we interpret this word Hour here as it is Elsewhere plainly meant 1. For a sett Appointed Time Thus did Christ eat the Passover with his Disciples when the Hour was come Luke 22. 14 15 or when the Even was come Mat. 26. 20. which was the set Appointed time according to the Law Deut. 16. 6. This addes an Emphasis unto the Object of our Ignorance and Force unto the present Exhortation to be Watchfull since we Know not the Day nor the Appointed time in which the Lord will come This Coming of Christ in the latter dayes is every way Determined or Appointed both as to the Thing it self Zeph. 3. 8. and as to the very Time thereof Hab. 2. 3. which is of that fore-named use It is Appointed therefore it Must be yea it must therefore be at such a Time which since we Know not we had need to VVatch because it certainly will prove according to Appointment Exod. 9. 5 6. 2. For some more signal Time in point of Terrour Thus was Christ's Dreadfull Passion call'd an Hour which he desired if Possible might Pass from him Mark 14. 35. or that he might be saved from it Joh. 12. 27. This sence of the word is of the like Import with that before viz. That we had need to VVatch because we neither know the Day in point of Time nor yet the Dreadfull Nature of it or that Fatal Hour in which the Lord will Come VVho would have thought the God of Love could ever have been so Angry with the whole Creation Gen. 7. 22. especially considering the First
also will be the Nature of his Temporal Kingdom Psal 72. 8. Therefore Christ biddeth his Disciples not to follow or go after those who are of a poor Narrow Spirit Luke 17. 23. Confining his Work or Dispensation to some Lesser Compass as Partial Reformists do in a Spiritual and Ecclesiastical sence and others in a Civil or Political as did those Jews of Old unto Judea Since the whole of his Government is endlessly increasing Isa 9. 7. though first heard of in Bethlehem Ephrata Psal 132. 6. the least among Judah's Thousands Mic. 5. 2. Nor will that Kingdom be without its Interruption as Christ there signifieth Luke 17. 22. by his Disciples defiring in vain to see one of his Days who was Then with them So will it be with reference unto his Temporal Kingdom which hath been formerly proved at large as in Relation to his Spiritual In which Regard Souls must look for a fresh Conversion upon some Greater Fall or Revolution Acts 3. 19. The not Understanding whereof made his Disciples to Rebuke the Bringers of Little Children to him Luke 18. 15. and is the Cause why others cannot Enter into his Kingdom v. 17. which doth consist of none but such v. 16. Therefore let not us or the Churches be Offended with this Interruption and that Renovation 10. Forgetfulness of Old Distinguishing Mercies from the Lord. Thus with Respect unto the Latter Days professing Jews are Taxed for their saying unto God Wherein when he had told them of his former Love Mal. 1. 2. which he re-minds them of in Competition with their Brother Esau whom he had Hated and laid his Mountains waste Mal. 1. 2 3. Thus Edom in the Mystery or Israel's Elder Brother according to the Flesh hath been quite laid aside of later Years yet have not the Men of Judah walked worthy of their being suffered to continue still And whereas Edom will at such a time hope for the Return of his Captivity God will throw down his Buildings Mal. 1. 4 and will be Magnified from the Border of Israel v. 5. or from some out-skirts of these Jews as that word Border intimateth Ezek. 11. 11. although the Generality of This People also Now would soon be laid aside v. 11. and partly because they virtually had forgot this great Discriminative Favour 11. Wishing for the Day of Christ without Considering the Nature of it Some will Desire it's being hastened in a way of scoffing Isa 5. 19. but others simply though to no End save their own sorrow Amos 5. 18. And yet who is there at this day among Professors but seeketh it and is Delighted in its Expectation Like those of Old Mal 3. 1. who yet could not Abide it nor stand therein v. 2. The Reason is because All Hope to wear some of that Bridegroom's Favours as did the Jews Mat. 20. 21. and the Samaritans also John 4. â—â— but Dream not of his fiery Baptism Mat. 20. 22. In which regard that Prophet did not desire the woful Day Jer. 17. 16. when others said v. 15. Let it Come Now No more should we if seriously considering How many Virgins then will be Defloured Zech. 14. 2. and how much Loss the saved ones will then Meet with besides Affrightment Zech. 13. 9. 12. A mighty proneness to Impose upon Observe and Censure others more than our selves and to deal thus with some more than with others in a sinful way Old Age is more for Talk than Actions as were the Pharisees Mat. 23. 3. who never thought another's Burden Heavy enough v. 4. And they who mind their own Work least are apt to be most busie in Observing others so as to spye their very Motes Mat. 7. 3. which is the Labour of Idle Persons Yea Christ and his Disciples who least Deserved it had sharpest Censures and most Observing Eyes as Harmless Jeremy had from his Jerusalem Jer. 15. 10. Yea Evil for Good Jer. 18. 20. while Herod's Incest and their own gross Enormities were over-looked But as this did evince their being Hypocrites in Christ's Opinion so is it but a Folly Now to think of Hiding inward sleightiness by Liveless Testimonies and being Dis-satisfied with another's Low Attainments more than our own It is a slye Temptation this since Conscience is pleased with Reproving sin or Pressing Duty and Pride is for that Magisterial Act with reference unto another Yea under this Painted Tomb of Verbal Declamations the Old Man's Rottenness lyes undiscovered Mat. 23. 27 28. Next unto Heartless self-condemning this Formal witnessing unto the Height of Sin and Duty in another is one of the saddest Dying Groans or Symptoms of a Near approaching Change among Professors at this Day 13. Mis-apprehending the Voice of Providence as to its Principal and Proper Meaning Thus as the Enemies of Sion will not understand God's Thoughts and Counsel in bringing them against her to their own Destruction Mic. 4. 11 12 13. So neither will some in Sion know wherefore he doth Those things unto them as is Apparent from their putting that Question to the Prophet Jer. 6. 10. wherein they are more Ignorant than some of other Nations Jer. 22. 8 9. Such will impute the Assyrian's Coming unto the Grosser Wickedness of those among them Whereas God chiefly sendeth him against the Hypocrites Isa 10. 5 6. Such will Arraign 't is like that Persecuting Persian or Assyrian Spirit as by whose means their following Judgments came But God tells them it hath been by Their Means Mal. 1. 9. because of their Complying with the Persian Prohibition Hag. 1. 9. And when Deliverance cometh such will be apt to share its Meritorious Cause among Themselves Which yet next to the Lord 's own Name Ezek. 36. 22. is Attributed to a Little Remnant Isa 1. 9. a Tenth or Holy Seed Isa 6. 13. and single Cluster upon a Withered Vine Isa 65. 8. The Man of Wisdom will see God's Name Mic. 6. 9. and Prudent ones shall Understand Hos 14. 9. but none of the Wicked Dan. 12 20. which is a sore Temptation 14. Mistaking the Predominant Duty of such a Time as did Five of those Spies to One when in the Wilderness Numb 14. 30. and but Three Hundred in David's Time did seem to know what Israel ought to do 1 Chron. 12. 32. And with Respect unto the Day of Jacob's Trouble some Ask as being Ignorant what God would have them do Mic. 6. 6 Ghessing at several things as Thousands of Rams Ten Thousand Rivers of Oyl yea their First-born v. 7. which in their Eye were of the Greatest Value and yet All wrong v. 8. though such had Meant according to their Proffer which yet is Questionable Thus at this Day some count a Witness against the Papists others against the Prelates others against the Hearing of Conformists c. to be the Principal Duty of this present Time with reference unto which they Nobly proffer the Sacrificing of Ten Thousand Lives But if our Going out of Old Jerusalem be a present Duty