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LECTURE XX,

PARABLE OF THE FOOLISH AND THE WISE VIRGINS.

MATT. XXV. 1-13.

1. "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2. "And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3. "They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them.

4. "But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps."

ACCORDING to the Jewish custom, those who were invited to a marriage, were in waiting to meet the bridegroom when he arrived home: and on his arrival they lit up lamps in token of joy and congratulation.

Why is the kingdom of heaven likened to persons engaged in this manner?

Because Christians are invited to a banquet, a feast of heavenly things; to a place in the kingdom of God; at whose right hand is the fulness of joy, and pleasures for evermore. That kingdom is often in Scripture compared to a feast and Christ, the head of the feast, who provides and bestows it, is for that reason styled the bridegroom. And as the party of virgins in the parable had this business assigned them, to wait for the bridegroom and be ready when he came; so it is the business of Christians to wait

and watch for the coming of their Lord: to be prepared for the hour when he shall summon them out of this world, and bid them appear before Him.

Those virgins, however, who all went forth for the same purpose, to meet the bridegroom, were not all alike in character. Five of them were wise, and five foolish. This was manifested by their conduct. The foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps, that they might have them lighted and in readiness whenever the bridegroom appeared.

This is the important part of the parable. The foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. Now oil, which feeds the lamp, was the very thing they wanted; without which they could not be ready to meet the bridegroom: could not show their respect for him, could not do honour to him, could not give any proof that they belonged to his party, and were invited to attend his marriage and partake of his entertain

ment.

Therefore these foolish virgins represent all those, who, in a country like our own, though they profess and call themselves Christians, make no real, or no sufficient preparation against the great day when the Son of man shall require them to give account of their lives. Many still remain, whom the parable does not include; many, who, though Christians, because they live in Christendom, or have been baptized in the

name of Christ, can in no sense be said to go forth to meet the bridegroom: they think nothing. of him, or of his coming. Those, however, here intended, do make profession of religion; they attend its ordinances; they acknowledge an expectation of judgment, and of the world to come and it would be a grievous offence if any one questioned their sincerity now, or their safety hereafter. But they take no oil in their vessels with their lamps. They have the outward profession without the inward principles. They do not cherish those dispositions, they do not follow that course of conduct, which must distinguish all whom Christ will receive as His own, and allow to enter with Him into His kingdom. They do not seek this character; they do not cultivate it; they neglect and despise it. Instead of seeking "the inward renewal of their souls day by day" through the power of the Holy Spirit, they resist His grace by sin, or quench it by carelessness. Perhaps they argue that their lamps need no oil: their hearts are pure, and burn brightly of themselves: they "have need of nothing." Or their lamps were lighted at their baptism in the morning of their lives: they have not extinguished them by apostasy, or any heinous wickedness: what more can they require ?

Yet more, much more is required: or we shall be among those who have the "form," but not the "power of godliness," who "have a name to live, and are dead." The lamp must

be supplied with the spirit of Christ: for it is written, "If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His." The heart and the practice must be kept pure: for "without holiness no man shall see the Lord." There must be a sincere and ardent love of our fellow creatures: this is the proof that men are disciples of Christ. The same mind must be created in us, as was in Christ Jesus: the same selfdenying spirit, the same lowliness and meekness, the same patience and long suffering.

Those who are satisfied with the name and outward signs of Christianity, and go through life without striving to add all these qualities to their profession of faith, are like the foolish virgins, who went out to meet the bridegroom, and took no oil with them: they will have nothing to show as proofs of faith when the bridegroom comes.

Less need be said of the wise virgins: they did what the others did not. They took oil in their vessels with their lamps. They prepared against the day, "when the Son of man shall come in His glory." Through the power of the Holy Spirit, these contend against their corrupt nature, keep down the risings of sin, and encourage in their hearts whatsoever things are honourable, and lovely, and pure, and pleasing to God. They do not flatter themselves that all must needs be well, because by their country and by their baptism they belong to the Christian family; but they see that the gate of life

is narrow, the way of destruction broad; and so take heed to "make their calling and election sure:" they "give all diligence, to add to their faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.' In this way they keep themselves in a prepared state. Like the virgins who had oil ready to light up their lamps, these are careful to maintain their souls in right order, and able to meet the bridegroom whenever he appears.

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5. "While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept."

There is an interval during which they remain in the world, till the appointed season of their death arrives.'

The foolish virgins pass this interval in ignorant carelessness. They suffer nothing to disturb them; they reject all such books and all such companions as might be likely to rouse them from their slumber; they exclude the thoughts of death; or, if the memory of it is forced upon them, they speak "peace to their

"To take 'sleep' here in a bad sense, is foreign from the intention of the parable. I interpret it of the worldly business, in which the faithful must be occupied whilst they remain in the flesh. And though forgetfulness of the heavenly kingdom never ought to creep on them, the distractions of this world are not unfitly compared to sleep.". Calvin, in loco.

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