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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>M A T T H E W.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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This chapter continues and concludes our Saviour's discourse, which
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began in the foregoing chapter, concerning his second coming and the
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end of the world. This was his farewell sermon of caution, as that,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:15,16">John xiv. 15, 16</A>,
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was of comfort to his disciples; and they had need of both in a world
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of so much temptation and trouble as this is. The application of that
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discourse, was, Watch therefore, and be ye also ready. Now, in
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prosecution of these serious awakening cautions, in this chapter we
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have three parables, the scope of which is the same--to quicken us all
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with the utmost care and diligence to get ready for Christ's second
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coming, which, in all his farewells to his church, mention was made of,
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as in that before he died
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:2">John xiv. 2</A>),
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in that at his ascension
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:11">Acts i. 11</A>),
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and in that at the shutting up of the canon of the scriptures,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+22:20">Rev. xxii. 20</A>.
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Now it concerns us to prepare for Christ's coming;
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I. That we may then be ready to attend upon him; and this is shown in
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the parable of the ten virgins,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:1-13">ver. 1-13</A>.
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II. That we may then be ready to give u our account to him; and this is
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shown in the parable of the three servants,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:14-30">ver. 14-30</A>.
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III. That we may then be ready to receive from him our final sentence,
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and that it may be to eternal life; and this is shown in a more plain
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description of the process of the last judgment,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:31-46">ver. 31-46</A>.
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These are things of awful consideration, because of everlasting concern
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to every one of us.</P>
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</FONT>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Parable of the Ten Virgins.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins,
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which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
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2 And five of them were wise, and five <I>were</I> foolish.
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3 They that <I>were</I> foolish took their lamps, and took no oil
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with them:
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4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
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5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
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6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom
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cometh; go ye out to meet him.
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7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
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8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for
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our lamps are gone out.
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9 But the wise answered, saying, <I>Not so;</I> lest there be not
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enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and
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buy for yourselves.
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10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they
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that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door
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was shut.
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11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord,
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open to us.
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12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you
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not.
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13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour
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wherein the Son of man cometh.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here,</P>
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<P>
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I. That in general which is to be illustrated is, <I>the kingdom of
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heaven,</I> the state of things under the gospel, the external kingdom
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of Christ, and the administration and success of it. Some of Christ's
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parables had shown us what it is like now in the present reception of
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it, as
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:1-52"><I>ch.</I> xiii.</A>
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This tells us what it shall be like, when the mystery of God shall be
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finished, and that kingdom delivered up to the Father. The
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administration of Christ's government, towards the ready and the
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unready in the great day, may be illustrated by this similitude; or the
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kingdom is put for the subjects of the kingdom. The professors of
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Christianity shall then be likened to these ten virgins, and shall be
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thus distinguished.</P>
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<P>
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II. That by which it is illustrated, is, a marriage solemnity. It was a
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custom sometimes used among the Jews on that occasion, that the
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bridegroom came, attended with his friends, late in the night, to the
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house of the bride, where she expected him, attended with her
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bride-maids; who, upon notice given of the bridegrooms' approach, were
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to go out with lamps in their hands, to light him into the house with
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ceremony and formality, in order to the celebrating of the nuptials
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with great mirth. And some think that on these occasions they had
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usually <I>ten virgins;</I> for the Jews never held a synagogue,
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circumcised, kept the passover, or contracted marriage, but ten persons
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at least were present. Boaz, when he married Ruth, had <I>ten
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witnesses,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+4:2">Ruth iv. 2</A>.
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Now in this parable,</P>
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<P>
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1. The <I>Bridegroom</I> is our Lord Jesus Christ; he is so represented
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in the
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+45:1-17">45th Psalm</A>,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+1:1-8:14">Solomon's Song</A>,
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and often in the New Testament. It bespeaks his singular and
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superlative love to, and his faithful and inviolable covenant with, his
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spouse the church. Believers are now betrothed to Christ
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+2:19">Hos. ii. 19</A>);
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but the solemnizing of the marriage is reserved for the great day, when
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the bride, the Lamb's wife, will have made herself completely ready,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+19:7,9">Rev. xix. 7, 9</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. The virgins are the professors of religion, members of the church;
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but here represented as <I>her companions</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+45:14">Ps. xlv. 14</A>),
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as elsewhere her <I>children</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+54:1">Isa. liv. 1</A>),
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her <I>ornaments,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+49:18">Isa. xlix. 18</A>.
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They that follow the Lamb, are said to be <I>virgins</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+14:4">Rev. xiv. 4</A>);
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this denotes their beauty and purity; they are to be presented as
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chaste <I>virgins to Christ,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+11:2">2 Cor. xi. 2</A>.
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The bridegroom is a king; so these virgins are <I>maids of honour,</I>
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virgins <I>without number</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+6:8">Cant. vi. 8</A>),
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yet here said to be <I>ten.</I></P>
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<P>
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3. The office of these virgins is to meet the bridegroom, which is as
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much their happiness as their duty. They come to wait <I>upon</I> the
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bridegroom when he appears, and in the mean time to wait <I>for</I>
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him. See here the nature of Christianity. As Christians, we profess
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ourselves to be,
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(1.) Attendants upon Christ, to do him honour, as the glorious
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Bridegroom, to be to him for a name and a praise, especially then when
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he shall come to be glorified in his saints. We must follow him as
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honorary servants do their masters,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:26">John xii. 26</A>.
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Hold up the name, and hold forth the praise of the exalted Jesus; this
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is our business.
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(2.) Expectants of Christ, and of his second coming. As Christians, we
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profess, not only to believe and look for, but to love and long for,
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the appearing of Christ, and to act in our whole conversation with a
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regard to it. The second coming of Christ is the centre in which all
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the lines of our religion meet, and to which the whole of the divine
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life hath a constant reference and tendency.</P>
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<P>
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4. Their chief concern is to have lights in their hands, when they
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attend the bridegroom, thus to do him honour and do him service. Note,
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Christians are children of light. The gospel is light, and they who
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receive it must not only be enlightened by it themselves, but must
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<I>shine as lights,</I> must <I>hold it forth,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:15,16">Phil. ii. 15, 16</A>.
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This in general.</P>
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<P>
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Now concerning these ten virgins, we may observe,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) Their different character, with the proof and evidence of it.</P>
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<P>
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[1.] Their character was that <I>five were wise, and five foolish</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>);
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and <I>wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness;</I>
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so saith Solomon, a competent judge,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+2:13">Eccl. ii. 13</A>.
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Note, Those of the same profession and denomination among men, may yet
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be of characters vastly different in the sight of God. Sincere
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Christians are the <I>wise</I> virgins, and hypocrites the <I>foolish
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ones,</I> as in another parable they are represented by wise and
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foolish builders. Note, Those are wise or foolish indeed, that are so
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in the affairs of their souls. True religion is true wisdom; sin is
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folly, but especially the sin of hypocrisy, for those are the greatest
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fools, that are <I>wise in their own conceit,</I> and those the worst
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of sinners, that <I>feign themselves just men.</I> Some observe from
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the equal number of the wise and foolish, what a charitable decorum (it
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is Archbishop Tillotson's expression) Christ observes, as if he would
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hope that the number of true believers was nearly equal to that of
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hypocrites, or, at least, would teach us to hope the best concerning
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those that profess religion, and to think of them with a bias to the
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charitable side. Though, in judging of ourselves, we ought to remember
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that the gate is strait, and few find it; yet, in judging of others, we
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ought to remember that the Captain of our salvation brings many sons to
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glory.</P>
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<P>
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[2.] The evidence of this character was in the very thing which they
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were to attend to; by that they are judged of.</P>
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<P>
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<I>First,</I> It was the folly of the foolish virgins, that they
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<I>took their lamps, and took no oil with them,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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They had just the oil enough to make their lamps burn for the present,
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to make a show with, as if they intended to meet the bridegroom; but no
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cruse or bottle of oil with them for a recruit if the bridegroom
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tarried; thus hypocrites,</P>
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<P>
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1. They have no principle within. They have a lamp of profession in
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their hands, but have not in their hearts that stock of sound
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knowledge, rooted dispositions, and settled resolutions, which is
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necessary to carry them through the services and trials of the present
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state. They act under the influence of external inducements, but are
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void of spiritual life; like a tradesman, that sets up without a stock,
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or the seed on the stony ground, that wanted root.</P>
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<P>
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2. They have no prospect of, nor make provision for, what is to come.
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They took lamps for a present show, but not oil for after use. This
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incogitancy is the ruin of many professors; all their care is to
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recommend themselves to their neighbours, whom they now converse with,
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not to approve themselves to Christ, whom they must hereafter appear
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before; as if any thing will serve, provide it will but serve for the
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present. Tell them of things not seen as yet, and you are like Lot to
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his sons-in-law, as one that mocked. They do not provide for hereafter,
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as the ant does, nor <I>lay up for the time to come,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+6:19">1 Tim. vi. 19</A>.</P>
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<P>
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<I>Secondly,</I> It was the wisdom of the wise virgins, that <I>they
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took oil in their vessels with their lamps,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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They had a good principle within, which would maintain and keep up
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their profession.
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1. The heart is the vessel, which it is our wisdom to get furnished;
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for, out of a good treasure there, good things must be brought; but if
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that root be rottenness, the blossom will be dust.
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2. Grace is the <I>oil</I> which we must have in this <I>vessel;</I> in
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the tabernacle there was constant provision made of <I>oil for the
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light,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:14">Exod. xxxv. 14</A>.
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Our light must shine before men in good works, but this cannot be, or
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not long, unless there be a fixed active principle in the heart, of
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faith in Christ, and love to God and our brethren, from which we must
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act in every thing we do in religion, with an eye to what is before us.
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They that took oil in their vessels, did it upon supposition that
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perhaps the bridegroom might tarry. Note, In looking forward it is good
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to prepare for the worst, to lay in for a long siege. But remember that
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this oil which keeps the lamps burning, is derived to the candlestick
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from Jesus Christ, the great and good <I>Olive,</I> by the <I>golden
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pipes</I> of the ordinances, as it is represented in that vision
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+4:2,3,12">Zech. iv. 2, 3, 12</A>),
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which is explained
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:16">John i. 16</A>,
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<I>Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.</I></P>
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<P>
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(2.) Their common fault, during the bridegroom's delay; <I>They all
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slumbered and slept,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Observe here,</P>
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<P>
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[1.] The bridegroom tarried, that is, he did not come out so soon as
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they expected. What we look for as certain, we are apt to think is very
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near; many in the apostles' times imagined that the <I>day of the Lord
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was at hand,</I> but it is not so. Christ, as to us, <I>seems</I> to
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tarry, and yet really <I>does not,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hab+2:3">Hab. ii. 3</A>.
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There is good reason for the Bridegroom's tarrying; there are many
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intermediate counsels and purposes to be accomplished, the elect must
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all be called in, God's patience must be manifested, and the saints'
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patience tried, the harvest of the earth must be ripened, and so must
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the harvest of heaven too. But though Christ tarry past <I>our</I>
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time, he will not tarry past the <I>due</I> time.</P>
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<P>
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[2.] While he tarried, those that waited for him, grew careless, and
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forgot what they were attending; <I>They all slumbered and slept;</I>
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as if they had given over looking for him; for <I>when the Son of man
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cometh,</I> he will <I>not find faith,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+18:8">Luke xviii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that inferred the suddenness of it from its certainty, when that
|
|
answered not their expectation, were apt from the delay to infer its
|
|
uncertainty. The wise virgins slumbered, and the foolish slept; so some
|
|
distinguish it; however, they were both faulty. The wise virgins kept
|
|
their lamps burning, but did not keep themselves awake. Note, Too many
|
|
good Christians, when they have been long in profession, grow remiss in
|
|
their preparations for Christ's second coming; they intermit their
|
|
care, abate their zeal, their graces are not lively, nor their works
|
|
found perfect before God; and though all <I>love</I> be not lost, yet
|
|
the <I>first</I> love is left. If it was hard to the disciples to watch
|
|
with Christ <I>an hour,</I> much more to watch with him <I>an age. I
|
|
sleep,</I> saith the spouse, <I>but my heart wakes,</I> Observe,
|
|
<I>First,</I> They slumbered, and then they slept. Note, One degree of
|
|
carelessness and remissness makes way for another. Those that allow
|
|
themselves in slumbering, will scarcely keep themselves from sleeping;
|
|
therefore dread the beginning of spiritual decays; <I>Venienti
|
|
occurrite morbo--Attend to the first symptoms of disease.</I> The
|
|
ancients generally understood the virgins' slumbering and sleeping of
|
|
their dying; they all died, wise and foolish
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+49:10">Ps. xlix. 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
before judgment-day. So Ferus, <I>Antequam veniat sponsus omnibus
|
|
obdormiscendum est, hoc est, moriendum--Before the Bridegroom come, all
|
|
must sleep, that is, die.</I> So Calvin. But I think it is rather to be
|
|
taken as we have opened it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) The surprising summons given them, to attend the bridegroom
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>At midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh.</I>
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Though Christ tarry long, he will come at last; though he seem
|
|
slow, he is sure. In his first coming, he was thought long by those
|
|
that waited for the consolation of Israel; yet in the <I>fulness of
|
|
time</I> he came; so his second coming, though long deferred, is not
|
|
forgotten; his enemies shall find, to their cost, that forbearance is
|
|
no acquittance; and his friends shall find, to their comfort, that
|
|
<I>the vision is for an appointed time, and at the end it shall speak,
|
|
and not lie.</I> The year of the redeemed is fixed, and it will come.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Christ's coming will be at our midnight, when we least look for
|
|
him, and are most disposed to take our rest. His coming for the relief
|
|
and comfort of his people, often is when the good intended seems to be
|
|
at the greatest distance; and his coming to reckon with his enemies, is
|
|
when they put the evil day furthest from them. It was at midnight that
|
|
the first-born of Egypt were destroyed, and Israel delivered,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:29">Exod. xii. 29</A>.
|
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|
|
Death often comes when it is least expected; the soul is <I>required
|
|
this night,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:20">Luke xii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ will come when he pleases, to show his sovereignty, and will not
|
|
let us know when, to teach us our duty.
|
|
|
|
[3.] When Christ comes, we must <I>go forth to meet him.</I> As
|
|
Christians we are bound to attend all the motions of the Lord Jesus,
|
|
and meet him in all his out-goings. When he comes to us at death, we
|
|
must go forth out of the body, out of the world, to meet him with
|
|
affections and workings of soul suitable to the discoveries we then
|
|
expect him to make of himself. <I>Go ye forth to meet him,</I> is a
|
|
call to those who are habitually prepared, to be actually ready.
|
|
|
|
[4.] The notice given of Christ's approach, and the call to meet him,
|
|
will be awakening; <I>There was a cry made.</I> His first coming was
|
|
not with any observation at all, nor did they say, <I>Lo, here is
|
|
Christ,</I> or <I>Lo, he is there; he was in the world, and the world
|
|
knew him not;</I> but his second coming will be with the observation of
|
|
all the world; <I>Every eye shall see him.</I> There will be a cry from
|
|
heaven, for he shall <I>descend with a shout, Arise, ye dead, and come
|
|
to judgment;</I> and a cry from the earth too, a <I>cry to rocks and
|
|
mountains,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+6:16">Rev. vi. 16</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(4.) The address they all made to answer this summons
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>They all arose, and trimmed their lamps,</I> snuffed them and
|
|
supplied them with oil and went about with all expedition to put
|
|
themselves in a posture to receive the bridegroom. Now,
|
|
|
|
[1.] This, in the wise virgins, bespeaks an actual preparation for the
|
|
Bridegroom's coming. Note, even those that are best prepared for death,
|
|
have, upon the immediate arrests of it, work to do, to get themselves
|
|
actually ready, that they may be <I>found in peace</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:14">2 Pet. iii. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>found doing</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:46"><I>ch.</I> xxiv. 46</A>),
|
|
|
|
and not <I>found naked,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:3">2 Cor. v. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
It will be a day of search and enquiry; and it concerns us to think how
|
|
we shall then be found. When we see the day approaching, we must
|
|
address ourselves to our dying work with all seriousness, renewing our
|
|
repentance for sin, our consent to the covenant, our farewells to the
|
|
world; and our souls must be carried out toward God in suitable
|
|
breathings.
|
|
|
|
[2.] In the foolish virgins, it denotes a vain confidence, and conceit
|
|
of the goodness of their state, and their readiness for another world.
|
|
Note, Even counterfeit graces will serve a man to make a show of when
|
|
he comes to die, as well as they have done all his life long; the
|
|
hypocrite's hopes blaze when they are just expiring, like a lightening
|
|
before death.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(5.) The distress which the foolish virgins were in, for want of
|
|
<I>oil,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:8,9"><I>v.</I> 8, 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
This bespeaks,
|
|
|
|
[1.] The apprehensions which some hypocrites have of the misery of
|
|
their state, even on this side death, when God opens their eyes to see
|
|
their folly, and themselves perishing <I>with a lie in their right
|
|
hand.</I> Or, however,
|
|
|
|
[2.] The real misery of their state on the other side death, and in the
|
|
judgment; how far their fair, but false, profession of religion will be
|
|
from availing them any thing in the great day; see what comes of
|
|
it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> Their lamps are gone out. The lamps of hypocrites often
|
|
go out in this life; when they who have begun in the spirit, end in the
|
|
flesh, and the hypocrisy breaks out in an open apostasy,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+2:20">2 Pet. ii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
The profession withers, and the credit of it is lost; the hopes fail,
|
|
and the comfort of them is gone; how often is <I>the candle of the
|
|
wicked</I> thus <I>put out?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+21:17">Job xxi. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Yet many a hypocrite keeps up his credit, and the comfort of his
|
|
profession, such as it is, to the last; but what is it when <I>God
|
|
taketh away his soul?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+27:8">Job xxvii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
If his candle be not put out <I>before</I> him, it is put out <I>with
|
|
him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+18:5,6">Job xviii. 5, 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
He shall <I>lie down in sorrow,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+50:11">Isa. l. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
The gains of a hypocritical profession will not follow a man to
|
|
judgment,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:22,23"><I>ch.</I> vii. 22, 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
The lamps are gone out, when the hypocrite's hope proves <I>like the
|
|
spider's web</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+8:11">Job viii. 11</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c.), and like the <I>giving up of the ghost</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+11:20">Job xi. 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
like Absalom's mule that left him in the oak.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> They wanted oil to supply them when they were going
|
|
out. Note, Those that take up short of true grace, will certainly find
|
|
the want of it one time or other. An external profession well humoured
|
|
may carry a man far, but it will not carry him through; it may light
|
|
him along this world, but the damps of the valley of the shadow of
|
|
death will put it out.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> They would gladly be beholden to the wise virgins for a
|
|
supply out of their vessels; <I>Give us of your oil.</I> Note, The day
|
|
is coming, when carnal hypocrites would gladly be found in the
|
|
condition of true Christians. Those who now hate the strictness of
|
|
religion, will, at death and judgment, wish for the solid comforts of
|
|
it. Those who care not to live the life, yet would die the death, of
|
|
the righteous. The day is coming when those who now look with contempt
|
|
upon humble contrite saints, would gladly get an interest in them, and
|
|
would value those as their best friends and benefactors, whom now they
|
|
<I>set with the dogs of their flock. Give us of your oil;</I> that is,
|
|
"Speak a good word for us;" so some; but there is no occasion for
|
|
vouchers in the great day, the Judge knows what is every man's true
|
|
character. But is it not well that they are brought to say, <I>Give us
|
|
of your oil?</I> It is so; but,
|
|
|
|
1. This request was extorted by sensible necessity. Note, Those will
|
|
see their need of grace hereafter, when it should save them, who will
|
|
not see their need of grace now, when it should sanctify and rule them.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It comes too late. God would have given them oil, had they asked
|
|
in time; but there is no buying when the market is over, no bidding
|
|
when the inch of candle is dropped.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Fourthly,</I> They were denied a share in their companions' oil. It
|
|
is a sad presage of a repulse with God, when they were thus repulsed by
|
|
good people. <I>The wise answered, Not so;</I> that peremptory denial
|
|
is not in the original, but supplied by the translators: these wise
|
|
virgins would rather give a reason without a positive refusal, than (as
|
|
many do) give a positive refusal without a reason. They were well
|
|
inclined to help their neighbours in distress; but, We must not, we
|
|
cannot, we dare not, do it, <I>lest there be not enough for us and
|
|
you;</I> charity begins at home; but <I>go, and buy for yourselves.</I>
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Those that would be saved, must have grace of their own. Though we
|
|
have benefit by the communion of saints, and the faith and prayers of
|
|
others may now redound to our advantage, yet our own sanctification is
|
|
indispensably necessary to our own salvation. The just shall live by
|
|
his faith. Every man shall give account of himself, and therefore let
|
|
every man <I>prove his own work;</I> for he cannot get another to
|
|
muster for him in that day.
|
|
|
|
2. Those that have most grace, have none to spare; all we have, is
|
|
little enough for ourselves to appear before God in. The best have need
|
|
to borrow from Christ, but they have none to lend to any of their
|
|
neighbours. The church of Rome, which dreams of works of supererogation
|
|
and the imputation of the righteousness of saints, forgets that it was
|
|
the wisdom of the wise virgins to understand that they had but oil
|
|
enough for themselves, and none for others. But observe, These wise
|
|
virgins do not upbraid the foolish with their neglect, nor boast of
|
|
their own forecast, nor torment them with suggestions tending to
|
|
despair, but give them the best advice the case will bear, <I>Go ye
|
|
rather to them that sell.</I> Note, Those that deal foolishly in the
|
|
affairs of their souls, are to be pitied, and not insulted over; for
|
|
who made thee to differ? When ministers attend such as have been
|
|
mindless of God and their souls all their days, but are under death-bed
|
|
convictions; and, because true repentance is never too late, direct
|
|
them to repent, and turn to God, and close with Christ; yet, because
|
|
late repentance is seldom true, they do but as these wise virgins did
|
|
by the foolish, even made the best of bad. They can but tell them what
|
|
is to be done, if it be not too late, but whether the door may not be
|
|
shut before it is done, is an unspeakable hazard. It is good advice
|
|
now, if it be taken in time, <I>Go to them that sell, and buy for
|
|
yourselves.</I> Note, Those that would have grace, must have recourse
|
|
to, and attend upon, the means of grace. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+55:1">Isa. lv. 1</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(6.) The coming of the bridegroom, and the issue of all this different
|
|
character of the wise and foolish virgins. See what came of it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] <I>While they went out to buy, the bridegroom came.</I> Note, With
|
|
regard to those that put off their great work to the last, it is a
|
|
thousand to one, that they have not time to do it then. Getting grace
|
|
is a work of time, and cannot be done in a hurry. While the poor
|
|
awakened soul addresses itself, upon a sick bed, to repentance and
|
|
prayer, in awful confusion, it scarcely knows which end to begin at, or
|
|
what to do first; and presently death comes, judgment comes, and the
|
|
work is undone, and the poor sinner undone for ever. This comes of
|
|
having oil to buy when we should burn it, and grace to get when we
|
|
should use it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>The bridegroom came.</I> Note, Our Lord Jesus will come to his
|
|
people, at the great day, as a Bridegroom; will come in pomp and rich
|
|
attire, attended with his friends: now that the Bridegroom is taken
|
|
away from us, <I>we fast</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:15"><I>ch.</I> ix. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
but then will be an everlasting feast. Then the Bridegroom will fetch
|
|
home his bride, to be <I>where he is</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:24">John xvii. 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
and will <I>rejoice over his bride,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+62:5">Isa. lii. 5</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] <I>They that were ready, went in with him to the marriage.</I>
|
|
Note, <I>First,</I> To be eternally glorified is to go in with Christ
|
|
to the marriage, to be in his immediate presence, and in the most
|
|
intimate fellowship and communion with him in a state of eternal rest,
|
|
joy, and plenty. <I>Secondly,</I> Those, and those only, shall go to
|
|
heaven hereafter, that are made ready for heaven here, that are
|
|
<I>wrought to the self-same thing,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:5">2 Cor. v. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> The suddenness of death, and of Christ's coming to us
|
|
then, will be no obstruction to our happiness, if we have been
|
|
habitually prepared.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[3.] <I>The door was shut,</I> as is usual when all the company is
|
|
come, that are to be admitted. The door was shut, <I>First,</I> To
|
|
secure those that were within; that, being now made <I>pillars in the
|
|
house of our God, they may go no more out,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:12">Rev. iii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Adam was put into paradise, but the door was left open and so he went
|
|
out again; but when glorified saints are put into the heavenly
|
|
paradise, they are shut in. <I>Secondly,</I> To exclude those that were
|
|
out. The state of saints and sinners will then be unalterably fixed,
|
|
and those that are shut out then, will be shut out for ever. Now the
|
|
gate is strait, yet it is open; but then it will be shut and bolted,
|
|
and <I>a great gulf fixed.</I> This was like the shutting of the door
|
|
of the ark when Noah was in; as he was thereby preserved, so all the
|
|
rest were finally abandoned.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[4.] The foolish virgins came when it was <I>too late</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Afterward came also the other virgins.</I> Note, <I>First,</I> There
|
|
are many that will seek admission into heaven when it is too late; as
|
|
profane Esau, who <I>afterward would have inherited the blessing.</I>
|
|
God and religion will be glorified by those late solicitations, though
|
|
sinners will not be saved by them; it is for the honour of <I>Lord,
|
|
Lord,</I> that, of fervent and importunate prayer, that those who
|
|
slight it now, will flee to it shortly, and it will not be called
|
|
whining and canting then. <I>Secondly,</I> The vain confidence of
|
|
hypocrites will carry them very far in their expectations of happiness.
|
|
They go to heaven-gate, and demand entrance, and yet are shut out;
|
|
lifted up to heaven in a fond conceit of the goodness of their state,
|
|
and yet thrust down to hell.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[5.] They were <I>rejected,</I> as Esau was
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>I know you not.</I> Note, We are all concerned to <I>seek the Lord
|
|
while he may be found;</I> for there is a time coming when he will not
|
|
be found. Time was, when, <I>Lord, Lord, open to us,</I> would have
|
|
sped well, by virtue of that promise, <I>Knock, and it shall be opened
|
|
to you;</I> but now it comes too late. The sentence is solemnly bound
|
|
on with, <I>Verily I say unto you,</I> which amounts to no less than
|
|
<I>swearing in his wrath, that they shall never enter into his
|
|
rest.</I> It bespeaks him resolved, and them silenced by it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> Here is a practical inference drawn from this parable
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Watch therefore,</I> We had it before
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:42"><I>ch.</I> xxiv. 42</A>),
|
|
|
|
and here it is repeated as the most needful caution. Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Our great duty is to watch, to attend to the business of our souls
|
|
with the utmost diligence and circumspection. Be awake, and be wakeful.
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2. It is a good reason for our watching, that the time of our Lord's
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coming is very uncertain; <I>we know neither the day nor the hour.</I>
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|
Therefore every day and every hour we must be ready, and not off our
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|
watch any day in the year, or any hour in the day. Be thou <I>in the
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fear of the Lord</I> every day and <I>all the day long.</I></P>
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<A NAME="Mt25_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Parable of the Talents.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>14 For <I>the kingdom of heaven is</I> as a man travelling into a
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|
far country, <I>who</I> called his own servants, and delivered unto
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them his goods.
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15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to
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|
another one; to every man according to his several ability; and
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|
straightway took his journey.
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16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded
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|
with the same, and made <I>them</I> other five talents.
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17 And likewise he that <I>had received</I> two, he also gained
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|
other two.
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18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth,
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|
and hid his lord's money.
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19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and
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|
reckoneth with them.
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20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought
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|
other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five
|
|
talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
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|
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, <I>thou</I> good and faithful
|
|
servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make
|
|
thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
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|
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord,
|
|
thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two
|
|
other talents beside them.
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|
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful
|
|
servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make
|
|
thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
|
|
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said,
|
|
Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou
|
|
hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
|
|
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth:
|
|
lo, <I>there</I> thou hast <I>that is</I> thine.
|
|
26 His lord answered and said unto him, <I>Thou</I> wicked and
|
|
slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and
|
|
gather where I have not strawed:
|
|
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the
|
|
exchangers, and <I>then</I> at my coming I should have received mine
|
|
own with usury.
|
|
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give <I>it</I> unto him
|
|
which hath ten talents.
|
|
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall
|
|
have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away
|
|
even that which he hath.
|
|
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness:
|
|
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
|
|
</FONT></P>
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|
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|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the parable of the <I>talents</I> committed to three
|
|
servants; this implies that we are in a state of work and business, as
|
|
the former implies that we are in a state of expectancy. <I>That</I>
|
|
showed the necessity of habitual preparation, <I>this</I> of actual
|
|
diligence in our present work and service. In <I>that</I> we were
|
|
stirred up to do well for our own souls; in <I>this</I> to lay out
|
|
ourselves for the glory of God and the good of others.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In this parable,
|
|
|
|
1. The <I>Master</I> is Christ, who is the absolute Owner and
|
|
Proprietor of all persons and things, and in a special manner of his
|
|
church; into his hands all things are delivered.
|
|
|
|
2. The <I>servants</I> are Christians, his own servants, so they are
|
|
called; born in his house, bought with his money, devoted to his
|
|
praise, and employed in his work. It is probable that <I>ministers</I>
|
|
are specially intended here, who are more immediately attending on him,
|
|
and sent by him. St. Paul often calls himself a <I>servant of Jesus
|
|
Christ.</I> See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:24">2 Tim. ii. 24</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have three things, in general, in this parable.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The trust committed to these servants; Their master <I>delivered to
|
|
them his goods:</I> having appointed them to work (for Christ keeps no
|
|
servants to be idle), he left them something to work upon. Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Christ's servants have and receive their all from him; for they are
|
|
of themselves worth nothing, nor have any thing they can call their own
|
|
but sin.
|
|
|
|
2. Our receiving from Christ is in order to our working for him. Our
|
|
privileges are intended to find us with business. The <I>manifestation
|
|
of the Spirit</I> is given to every man to <I>profit withal.</I>
|
|
|
|
3. Whatever we receive to be made use of for Christ, still the
|
|
property is vested in him; we are but tenants upon his land,
|
|
<I>stewards of his manifold grace,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+4:10">1 Pet. iv. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) On what occasion this trust was committed to these servants: The
|
|
master was <I>travelling into a far country.</I> This is explained,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:8">Eph. iv. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>When he ascended on high, he gave gifts to men.</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] When Christ went to heaven, he was as a man <I>travelling into a
|
|
far country;</I> that is, he went with a purpose to be away a great
|
|
while.
|
|
|
|
[2.] When he went, he took care to furnish his church with all things
|
|
necessary for it during his personal absence. For, and in consideration
|
|
of, his departure, he committed to his church truths, laws, promises
|
|
and powers; these were the <B><I>parakatatheke</I></B>--<I>the great
|
|
depositum</I> (as it is called,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+6:20,2Ti+1:14">1 Tim. vi. 20; 2 Tim. i. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
the <I>good thing</I> that is committed to us; and he sent his Spirit
|
|
to enable his servants to teach and profess those truths, to press and
|
|
observe those laws, to improve and apply those promises, and to
|
|
exercise and employ those powers, ordinary or extraordinary. Thus
|
|
Christ, at his ascension, left his goods to his church.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) In what proportion this trust was committed.
|
|
|
|
[1.] He gave <I>talents;</I> a talent of silver is computed to be in
|
|
our money three hundred and fifty-three pounds eleven shillings and ten
|
|
pence halfpenny; so the learned Bishop Cumberland. Note, Christ's gifts
|
|
are rich and valuable, the purchases of his blood inestimable, and none
|
|
of them mean.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He gave to some more, to others less; to one <I>five</I> talents,
|
|
to another <I>two,</I> to another <I>one;</I> to every one according to
|
|
his several ability. When Divine Providence has made a difference in
|
|
men's ability, as to mind, body, estate, relation, and interest, divine
|
|
grace dispenses spiritual gifts accordingly, but still the ability
|
|
itself is from him. Observe, <I>First,</I> Every one had some one
|
|
talent at least, and that is not a despicable stock for a poor servant
|
|
to begin with. A <I>soul</I> of our own is the <I>one</I> talent we are
|
|
every one of us entrusted with, and it will find us with work. <I>Hoc
|
|
nempe ab homine exigiture, ut prosit hominibus; si fieri potest,
|
|
multis; si minus, paucis; si minus, proximis, si minus, sibi: nam cum
|
|
se utilem cæteris efficit, commune agit negotium. Et si quis bene
|
|
de se meretur, hoc ipso aliis prodest quod aliis profuturum parat--It
|
|
is the duty of a man to render himself beneficial to those around him;
|
|
to a great number if possible; but if this is denied him, to a few; to
|
|
his intimate connections; or, at least, to himself. He that is useful
|
|
to others, may be reckoned a common good. And whoever entitles himself
|
|
to his own approbation, is serviceable to others, as forming himself to
|
|
those habits which will result in their favour.</I> Seneca de Otio
|
|
Sapient. <I>Secondly,</I> All had not alike, for they had not all alike
|
|
abilities and opportunities. God is a free Agent, <I>dividing to every
|
|
man severally as he will;</I> some are cut out for service in one kind,
|
|
others in another, as the members of the natural body. When the
|
|
householder had thus settled his affairs, he <I>straightway took his
|
|
journey.</I> Our Lord Jesus, when he had given commandments to his
|
|
apostles, as one in haste to be gone, went to heaven.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The different management and improvement of this trust, which we
|
|
have an account of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:16-18"><I>v.</I> 16-18</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Two of the servants did well.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) They were diligent and faithful; <I>They went, and traded;</I>
|
|
they put the money they were entrusted with, to the use for which it
|
|
was intended--laid it out in goods, and made returns of it; as soon as
|
|
ever their master was gone, they immediately applied themselves to
|
|
their business. Those that have so much work to do, as every Christian
|
|
has, need to set about it quickly, and lose not time. <I>They went, and
|
|
traded.</I> Note, A true Christian is a spiritual tradesman. Trades are
|
|
called <I>mysteries,</I> and <I>without controversy great is the
|
|
mystery of godliness;</I> it is a manufacture trade; there is something
|
|
to be done by upon our own hearts, and for the good of others. It is a
|
|
merchant-trade; things of less value to us are parted with for things
|
|
of greater value; <I>wisdom's merchandize,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:15,Mt+13:45">Prov. iii. 15; Matt. xiii. 45</A>.
|
|
|
|
A tradesman is one who, having made his trade his choice, and taken
|
|
pains to learn it, makes it his business to follow it, lays out all he
|
|
has for the advancement of it, makes all other affairs bend to it, and
|
|
lives upon the gain of it. Thus does a true Christian act in the work
|
|
of religion; we have no stock of our <I>own</I> to trade with, but
|
|
trade as factors with our master's stock. The endowments of the
|
|
mind--reason, wit, learning, must be used in subserviency to religion;
|
|
the enjoyments of the world--estate, credit, interest, power,
|
|
preferment, must be improved for the honour of Christ. The ordinances
|
|
of the gospel, and our opportunities of attending them, bibles,
|
|
ministers, sabbaths, sacraments, must be improved for the end for which
|
|
they were instituted, and communion with God kept up by them, and the
|
|
gifts and graces of the Spirit must be exercised; and this is trading
|
|
with our talents.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) They were successful; they doubled their stock, and in a little
|
|
time made <I>cent. per cent.</I> of it: he that had <I>five
|
|
talents,</I> soon made them <I>other five.</I> Trading with our talents
|
|
is not alway successful with others, but, however, it shall be so to
|
|
ourselves,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+49:4">Isa. xlix. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, The hand of the diligent makes rich in graces, and comforts, and
|
|
treasures of good works. There is a great deal to be got by industry in
|
|
religion.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Observe, The returns were in proportion to the receivings.
|
|
|
|
[1.] From those to whom God hath given five talents, he expects the
|
|
improvement of five, and to reap plentifully where he sows plentifully.
|
|
The greater gifts any have, the more pains they ought to take, as those
|
|
must that have a large stock to manage.
|
|
|
|
[2.] From those to whom he has given but two talents, he expects only
|
|
the improvement of two, which may encourage those who are placed in a
|
|
lower and narrower sphere of usefulness; if they lay out themselves to
|
|
do good according to the best of their capacity and opportunity, they
|
|
shall be accepted, though they do not so much good as others.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The third did ill
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>He that had received one talent, went, and hid his lord's money.</I>
|
|
Though the parable represents but one in three unfaithful, yet in a
|
|
history that answers this <I>parable,</I> we find the disproportion
|
|
quite the other way, when <I>ten lepers were cleansed, nine</I> of
|
|
<I>ten</I> hid the talent, and <I>only one returned to give thanks,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+17:17,18">Luke xvii. 17, 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
The unfaithful servant was he that had but <I>one</I> talent: doubtless
|
|
there are many that have five talents, and bury them all; great
|
|
abilities, great advantages, and yet do no good with them: but Christ
|
|
would hint to us,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That if he that had but one talent, be reckoned with thus for
|
|
burying that one, much more will they be accounted offenders, that have
|
|
more, that have many, and bury them. If he that was but of small
|
|
capacity, was cast into utter darkness because he did not improve what
|
|
he had as he might have done, <I>of how much sorer punishment, suppose
|
|
ye, shall he be thought worthy, that tramples underfoot the greatest
|
|
advantages?</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) That those who have least to do for God, frequently do least of
|
|
what they have to do. Some make it an excuse for their laziness, that
|
|
they have not the opportunities of serving God that others have; and
|
|
because they have not wherewithal to do what they say they would, they
|
|
will not do what we are sure they can, and so sit down and do nothing;
|
|
it is really an aggravation of their sloth, that when they have but one
|
|
talent to take care about, they neglect that one.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>He digged in the earth, and hid the talent,</I> for fear it should
|
|
be stolen; he did not misspend or misemploy it, did not embezzle it or
|
|
squander it away, but he <I>hid it.</I> Money is like manure (so my
|
|
Lord Bacon used to say,) good for nothing in the heap, but it must be
|
|
spread; yet it is an evil which we have often seen under the sun,
|
|
<I>treasure heaped together</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+5:3,Ec+6:1,2">Jam. v. 3; Eccl. vi. 1, 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
which does good to nobody; and so it is in spiritual gifts; many have
|
|
them, and make no use of them for the end for which they were given
|
|
them. Those that have estates, and do not lay them out in works of
|
|
piety and charity; that have power and interest, and do not with it
|
|
promote religion in the places where they live; ministers that have
|
|
capacities and opportunities of doing good, but do not stir up the gift
|
|
that is in them, are those slothful servants that seek their own things
|
|
more than Christ's.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
He hid his <I>lord's</I> money; had it been his <I>own,</I> he might
|
|
have done as he pleased; but, whatever abilities and advantages we
|
|
have, they are not our <I>own,</I> we are but stewards of them, and
|
|
must give account to our Lord, whose goods they are. It was an
|
|
aggravation of his slothfulness, that his fellow-servants were busy and
|
|
successful in trading, and their zeal should have provoked his. Are
|
|
others active, and shall we be idle?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The account of this improvement,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. The account is deferred; it is not <I>till after a long time</I>
|
|
that they are reckoned with; not that the master neglects his affairs,
|
|
or that God is <I>slack concerning his promise</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:9">2 Pet. iii. 9</A>);
|
|
|
|
no, he is <I>ready to judge</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+4:5">1 Pet. iv. 5</A>);
|
|
|
|
but every thing must be done in its time and
|
|
order.
|
|
|
|
2. Yet the day of account comes at last; <I>The lord of those servants
|
|
reckoneth with them.</I> Note, The stewards of the manifold grace of
|
|
God must shortly <I>give account of their stewardship.</I> We must all
|
|
be reckoned with--what good we have got to our own souls, and what good
|
|
we have done to others by the advantages we have enjoyed. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+14:10,11">Rom. xiv. 10, 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The good account of the faithful servants; and here observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] The servants <I>giving up the account</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:20,22"><I>v.</I> 20, 22</A>);
|
|
|
|
"<I>Lord, thou deliveredst to me five talents,</I> and to me
|
|
<I>two;</I> behold, <I>I have gained five talents,</I> and I <I>two</I>
|
|
talents <I>more.</I>"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> Christ's faithful servants acknowledge with thankfulness
|
|
his vouchsafements to them; <I>Lord, thou deliveredst to me</I> such
|
|
and such things. Note,
|
|
|
|
1. It is good to keep a particular account of our receivings from God,
|
|
to remember what we have received, that we may know what is expected
|
|
from us, and may render according to the benefit.
|
|
|
|
2. We must never look upon our improvements but with a general mention
|
|
of God's favour to us, of the honour he has put upon us, in entrusting
|
|
us with his goods, and of that grace which is the spring and fountain
|
|
of all the good that is in us or is done by us. For the truth is, the
|
|
more we do for God, the more we are indebted to him for making use of
|
|
us, and enabling us, for his service.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> They produce, as an evidence of their faithfulness,
|
|
what they have gained. Note, God's good stewards have something to show
|
|
for their diligence; <I>Show me thy faith by thy works.</I> He that is
|
|
a good man, <I>let him show it,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+3:13">Jam. iii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
If we be careful in our spiritual trade, it will soon be seen by us,
|
|
and <I>our works will follow us,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+14:13">Rev. xiv. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Not that the saints will in the great day make mention of their own
|
|
good deeds; no, Christ will do that for them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>);
|
|
|
|
but it intimates that they who faithfully improve their talents,
|
|
<I>shall have boldness in the day of Christ,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+2:28-4:17">1 John ii. 28-iv. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
And it is observable that he who had but <I>two</I> talents, gave up
|
|
his account as cheerfully as he who had <I>five;</I> for our comfort,
|
|
in the day of account, will be according to our faithfulness, not
|
|
according to our usefulness; our sincerity, not our success; according
|
|
to the uprightness of our hearts, not according to the degree of our
|
|
opportunities.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] The master's acceptance and approbation of their account,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:21,23"><I>v.</I> 21, 23</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> He commended them; <I>Well done, good and faithful
|
|
servant.</I> Note, The diligence and integrity of those who approve
|
|
themselves the good and faithful servants of Jesus Christ, will
|
|
certainly be <I>found to praise, and honour, and glory, at his
|
|
appearing,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:7">1 Pet. i. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that own and honour God now, he will own and honour shortly.
|
|
|
|
1. Their persons will be accepted; <I>Thou good and faithful
|
|
servant.</I> He that knows the integrity of his servants now, will
|
|
witness to it in the great day; and they that are found faithful, shall
|
|
be called so. Perhaps they were censured by men, as <I>righteous
|
|
overmuch;</I> but Christ will give them their just characters, of
|
|
<I>good and faithful.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. Their performances will be accepted; <I>Well done.</I> Christ will
|
|
call those, and those only, <I>good servants,</I> that have done well;
|
|
for it is <I>by patient continuance in well-doing</I> that we seek for
|
|
this glory and honour; and if we seek, we shall find; if we do that
|
|
which is good, and do it well, we shall have <I>praise of the same.</I>
|
|
Some masters are so morose, that they will not commend their servants,
|
|
though they do their work ever so well; it is thought enough not to
|
|
chide: but Christ will commend his servants that do well; whether their
|
|
praise be of men or not, it is of him; and if we have the good word of
|
|
our Master, the matter is not great what our fellow-servants say of us;
|
|
if he saith, <I>Well done,</I> we are happy, and it should then be a
|
|
small thing to us to be judged of men's judgment; as, on the contrary,
|
|
not he who commendeth himself, or whom his neighbours commend, is
|
|
approved, but whom the Lord commends.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> He rewards them. The faithful servants of Christ shall
|
|
not be put off with bare commendation; no, all their work and labour of
|
|
love shall be rewarded.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now this reward is here expressed two ways.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. In one expression agreeable to the parable; <I>Thou hast been
|
|
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many
|
|
things.</I> It is usual in the courts of princes, and families of great
|
|
men, to advance those to higher offices, that have been faithful in
|
|
lower. Note, Christ is a master that will prefer his servants who
|
|
acquit themselves well. Christ has honour in store for those that
|
|
honour him--<I>a crown</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:8">2 Tim. iv. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>a throne</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:21">Rev. iii. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>a kingdom,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:34"><I>ch.</I> xxv. 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here they are beggars; in heaven they shall be rulers. The upright
|
|
shall have dominion: Christ's servants are all princes.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Observe the disproportion between the work and the reward; there are
|
|
but few things in which the saints are serviceable to the glory of God,
|
|
but there are many things wherein they shall be glorified with God.
|
|
What charge we receive from God, what work we do for God in this world,
|
|
is but little, very little, compared with <I>the joy set before us.</I>
|
|
Put together all our service, all our sufferings, all our improvements,
|
|
all the good we do to others, all we get to ourselves, and they are but
|
|
a few things, next to nothing, not worthy to be compared, not fit to be
|
|
named the same day with the glory to be revealed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. In another expression, which slips out of the parable into the thing
|
|
signified by it; <I>Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The state of the blessed is a state of joy, not only because all
|
|
tears shall then be wiped away, but all the springs of comfort shall be
|
|
opened to them, and the fountains of joy broken up. Where there are the
|
|
vision and fruition of God, a perfection of holiness, and the society
|
|
of the blessed, there cannot but be a fulness of joy.
|
|
|
|
(2.) This joy is the <I>joy of their Lord;</I> the joy which he himself
|
|
has purchased and provided for them; the joy of the redeemed, bought
|
|
with the sorrow of the Redeemer. It is the joy which he himself is in
|
|
the possession of, and which he had his eye upon when he <I>endured the
|
|
cross, and despised the shame,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:2">Heb. xii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is the joy of which he himself is the fountain and centre. It is the
|
|
joy of our Lord, for it is <I>joy in the Lord,</I> who is our exceeding
|
|
joy. Abraham was not willing that the <I>steward of his house,</I>
|
|
though <I>faithful,</I> should be <I>his heir</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+15:3">Gen. xv. 3</A>);
|
|
|
|
but Christ admits his faithful stewards into his own joy, to be
|
|
joint-heirs with him.
|
|
|
|
(3.) Glorified saints shall enter into this joy, shall have a full and
|
|
complete possession of it, as the heir when he comes of age enters upon
|
|
his estate, or as they that were ready, <I>went</I> in to the marriage
|
|
feast. Here the joy of our Lord enters into the saints, in the earnest
|
|
of the Spirit; shortly they shall enter into it, shall be in it to
|
|
eternity, as in their element.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The bad account of the slothful servant. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] His apology for himself,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:24,25"><I>v.</I> 24, 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though he had received but <I>one</I> talent, for that one he is called
|
|
to account. The smallness of our receiving will not excuse us from a
|
|
reckoning. None shall be called to an account for more than they have
|
|
received; but for what we have, we must all account.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Observe, <I>First,</I> What he confides in. He comes to the account
|
|
with a deal of assurance, relying on the plea he had to put in, that he
|
|
was able to say, "<I>Lo, there thou hast that is thine;</I> if I have
|
|
not made it more, as the others have done, yet this I can say, I have
|
|
not made it less." This, he thinks, may serve to bring him off, if not
|
|
with praise, yet with safety.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Note, Many a one goes very securely to judgment, presuming upon the
|
|
validity of a plea that will be overruled as vain and frivolous.
|
|
Slothful professors, that are afraid of doing too much for God, yet
|
|
hope to come off as well as those that take so much pains in religion.
|
|
Thus <I>the sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that
|
|
can render a reason,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+26:16">Prov. xxvi. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
This servant thought that his account would pass well enough, because
|
|
he could say, <I>There thou hast that is thine.</I> "Lord, I was no
|
|
spendthrift of my estate, no prodigal of my time, no profaner of my
|
|
sabbaths, no opposer of good ministers and good preaching; Lord, I
|
|
never ridiculed my bible, nor set my wits to work to banter religion,
|
|
nor abused my power to persecute any good man; I never drowned my
|
|
parts, nor wasted God's good creatures in drunkenness and gluttony, nor
|
|
ever to my knowledge did I injury to any body." Many that are called
|
|
Christians, build great hopes for heaven upon their being able to make
|
|
such an account; yet all this amounts to no more than <I>there thou
|
|
hast that is thine;</I> as if no more were required, or could be
|
|
expected.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> What he confesses. He owns the burying of his talent;
|
|
<I>I hid thy talent in the earth.</I> He speaks as if that were no
|
|
great fault; nay, as if he deserved praise for his prudence in putting
|
|
it in a safe place, and running no hazards with it. Note, It is common
|
|
for people to make a very light matter of that which will be their
|
|
condemnation in the great day. Or, if he was conscious to himself that
|
|
it was his fault, it intimates how easily slothful servants will be
|
|
convicted in the judgment; there will need no great search for proof,
|
|
for <I>their own tongues shall fall upon them.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> What he makes his excuse; <I>I knew that thou were a
|
|
hard man, and I was afraid.</I> Good thought of God would beget love,
|
|
and that love would make us diligent and faithful; but hard thoughts of
|
|
God beget fear, and that fear makes us slothful and unfaithful. His
|
|
excuse bespeaks,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The sentiments of an enemy; <I>I knew thee, that thou art a hard
|
|
man.</I> This was like that wicked saying of the house of Israel,
|
|
<I>The way of the Lord is not equal,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+18:25">Ezek. xviii. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus his <I>de</I>fence is his <I>of</I>fence. <I>The foolishness of
|
|
man perverteth his way,</I> and then, as if that would mend the matter,
|
|
<I>his heart fretteth against the Lord.</I> This is covering the
|
|
transgression, as Adam, who implicitly laid the fault on God himself;
|
|
<I>The woman which thou gavest me.</I> Note, Carnal hearts are apt to
|
|
conceive false and wicked opinions concerning God, and with them to
|
|
harden themselves in their evil ways. Observe how confidently he
|
|
speaks; <I>I knew thee to be so.</I> How could he know him to be so?
|
|
<I>What iniquity have we or our fathers found in him?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+2:5">Jer. ii. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
Wherein has he wearied us with his work, or deceived us in his wages?
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+6:3">Mic. vi. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Has he <I>been a wilderness to us, or a land of darkness?</I> Thus long
|
|
God has governed the world, and may ask with more reason than Samuel
|
|
himself could, <I>Whom have I defrauded? or whom have I oppressed?</I>
|
|
Does not all the world know the contrary, that he is so far from being
|
|
a hard master, that <I>the earth is full of his goodness,</I> so far
|
|
from reaping where he sowed not, that he sows a great deal where he
|
|
reaps nothing? For he <I>causes the sun to shine, and his rain to fall,
|
|
upon the evil and unthankful, and fills their hearts with food and
|
|
gladness</I> who say to the Almighty, <I>Depart from us.</I> This
|
|
suggestion bespeaks the common reproach which wicked people cast upon
|
|
God, as if all the blame of their sin and ruin lay at his door, for
|
|
denying them his grace; whereas it is certain that never any who
|
|
faithfully improved the common grace they had, perished for want of
|
|
special grace; nor can any show what could in reason have been done
|
|
more for an unfruitful vineyard than God has done in it. God does not
|
|
demand brick, and deny straw; no, whatever is required in the covenant,
|
|
is promised in the covenant; so that if we perish, it is owing to
|
|
ourselves.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The spirit of a slave; <I>I was afraid,</I> This ill affection
|
|
toward God arose from his false notions of him; and nothing is more
|
|
unworthy of God, nor more hinders our duty to him, than slavish fear.
|
|
This has bondage and torment, and is directly opposite to that entire
|
|
love which the great commandment requires. Note, Hard thoughts of God
|
|
drive us from, and cramp us in his service. Those who think it
|
|
impossible to please him, and in vain to serve him, will do nothing to
|
|
purpose in religion.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] His Lord's answer to this apology. His plea will stand him in no
|
|
stead, it is overruled, nay, it is made to turn against him, and he is
|
|
struck speechless with it; for here we have his conviction and his
|
|
condemnation.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> His conviction,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:26,27"><I>v.</I> 26, 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Two things he is convicted of.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Slothfulness; <I>Thou wicked and slothful servant.</I> Note,
|
|
Slothful servants are wicked servants, and will be reckoned with as
|
|
such by their master, for he that is <I>slothful in his work,</I> and
|
|
neglects the good that God has commanded, <I>is brother to him that is
|
|
a great waster,</I> by doing the evil that God has forbidden,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+18:9">Prov. xviii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
He that is careless in God's work, is near akin to him that is busy in
|
|
the devil's work. <I>Satis est mali nihil fecisse boni--To do no good
|
|
is to incur very serious blame.</I> Omissions are sins, and must come
|
|
into judgment; slothfulness makes way for wickedness; all become
|
|
<I>filthy,</I> for <I>there is none that doeth good,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+14:3">Ps. xiv. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
When the house is empty, the unclean spirit takes possession. Those
|
|
that are idle in the affairs of their souls, are not only idle, but
|
|
something worse,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:13">1 Tim. v. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
When men sleep, the enemy sows tares.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Self-contradiction
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:26,27"><I>v.</I> 26, 27</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not: thou oughtest therefore
|
|
to have put my money to the exchangers.</I> Note, The hard thoughts
|
|
which sinners have of God, though false and unjust, will be so far from
|
|
justifying their wickedness and slothfulness, that they will rather
|
|
aggravate and add to their guilt. Three ways this may be taken;
|
|
|
|
(1.) "Suppose I had been so hard a master, shouldest not thou therefore
|
|
have been the more diligent and careful to please me, if not for
|
|
<I>love,</I> yet for <I>fear,</I> and for that reason oughtest not thou
|
|
to have minded thy work?" If our God is a consuming fire, in
|
|
consideration of that let us study how to serve him. Or thus,
|
|
|
|
(2.) "If thou didst think me to be a hard master, and therefore durst
|
|
not trade with the money thyself, for fear of losing by it, and being
|
|
made to stand to the loss, yet thou mightest have put it into the hands
|
|
of the exchangers, or goldsmith, mightest have brought it into the
|
|
bank, and then at my coming, if I could not have had the greater
|
|
improvement, by trade and merchandize (as of the other talents), yet I
|
|
might have had the less improvement, of bare interest, and should have
|
|
received <I>my own with usury;</I>" which, it seems, was a common
|
|
practice at that time, and not disallowed by our Saviour. Note, If we
|
|
could not, or durst not, do what we would, yet that excuse will not
|
|
serve, when it will be made to appear that we did not do what we could
|
|
and durst. If we could not find in our hearts to venture upon more
|
|
difficult and hazardous services, yet will that justify us in shrinking
|
|
from those that were more safe and easy? Something is better than
|
|
nothing; if we fail of showing our courage in bold enterprises, yet we
|
|
must not fail to testify our good will in honest endeavours; and our
|
|
Master <I>will not despise the day of small things.</I> Or thus,
|
|
|
|
(3.) "Suppose I did reap <I>where I sowed not,</I> yet that is nothing
|
|
to thee, for I had sowed upon thee, and the talent was my money which
|
|
thou wast entrusted with, not only to keep, but to improve." Note, In
|
|
the day of account, wicked and slothful servants will be left quite
|
|
without excuse; frivolous pleas will be overruled, and every mouth will
|
|
be stopped; and those who now stand so much upon their own
|
|
justification will not have one word to say for themselves.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> His condemnation. The slothful servant is
|
|
sentenced,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. To be deprived of his talent
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:28,29"><I>v.</I> 28, 29</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Take therefore the talent from him.</I> The talents were first
|
|
disposed of by the Master, as an absolute Owner, but this was now
|
|
disposed of by him as a Judge; he takes it from the unfaithful servant,
|
|
to punish him, and gives it to him that was eminently faithful, to
|
|
reward him. And the meaning of this part of the parable we have in the
|
|
reason of the sentence
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>To every one that hath shall be given.</I> This may be applied,
|
|
|
|
(1.) To the blessings of this life--worldly wealth and possessions.
|
|
These we are entrusted with, to be used for the glory of God, and the
|
|
good of those about us. Now <I>he that hath</I> these things, and useth
|
|
them for these ends, he <I>shall have abundance;</I> perhaps abundance
|
|
of the things themselves, at least, abundance of comfort in them, and
|
|
of better things; but <I>from him that hath not,</I> that is, that hath
|
|
these things as if he had them not, had not power to eat of them, or to
|
|
do good with (<I>Avaro deest, tam quod habet, quam quod non habet--The
|
|
miser may be considered as destitute of what he has, as well as of what
|
|
he has not</I>), they <I>shall be taken away.</I> Solomon explains
|
|
this,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+11:24">Prov. xi. 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that
|
|
withholdeth more than is meet, and it tendeth to poverty.</I> Giving to
|
|
the poor is trading with what we have, and the returns will be rich; it
|
|
will multiply the meal in the barrel, and the oil in the cruse: but
|
|
those that are sordid, and niggardly, and uncharitable, will find that
|
|
those riches which are so got, <I>perish by evil travail,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:13,14">Eccl. v. 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Sometimes Providence strangely transfers estates from those that do no
|
|
good with them to those that do; they are <I>gathered for him that will
|
|
pity the poor,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+28:8">Prov. xxviii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+13:22,Job+27:16,17,Ec+2:26">Prov. xiii. 22;
|
|
Job xxvii. 16, 17; Eccl. ii. 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) We may apply it to the means of grace. They who are diligent in
|
|
improving the opportunities they have, God will enlarge them, will
|
|
<I>set before them an open door</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:8">Rev. iii. 8</A>);
|
|
|
|
but they who know not the day of their visitation, shall have the
|
|
things that belong to their peace hid from their eyes. For proof of
|
|
this, <I>go see what God did to Shiloh,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+7:12">Jer. vii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
(3.) We may apply it to the common gifts of the Spirit. He that hath
|
|
these, and doeth good with them, shall have abundance; these gifts
|
|
improve by exercise, and brighten by being used; the more we do, the
|
|
more we may do, in religion; but those who stir not up the gift that is
|
|
in them, who do not exert themselves according to their capacity, their
|
|
gifts rust, and decay, and go out like a neglected fire. From his that
|
|
hath not a living principle of grace in his soul, shall be taken away
|
|
the common gifts which he hath, as the lamps of the foolish virgins
|
|
went out for want of oil,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus the arm of the <I>idle shepherd,</I> which he had sluggishly
|
|
folded up in his bosom, comes to be dried up, and his right eye, which
|
|
he had carelessly or wilfully shut, becomes utterly darkened, as it is
|
|
threatened,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+11:17">Zech. xi. 17</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He is sentenced to be <I>cast into outer darkness,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) His character is that of an <I>unprofitable servant.</I> Note,
|
|
Slothful servants will be reckoned with as unprofitable servants, who
|
|
do nothing to the purpose of their coming into the world, nothing to
|
|
answer the end of their birth or baptism, who are no way serviceable to
|
|
the glory of God, the good of others, or the salvation of their own
|
|
souls. A slothful servant is a withered member in the body, a barren
|
|
tree in the vineyard, an idle drone in the hive, he is good for
|
|
nothing. In one sense, we are all <I>unprofitable servants</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+17:10">Luke xvii. 10</A>);
|
|
|
|
we cannot <I>profit God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+22:2">Job xxii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
But to others, and to ourselves, it is required that we be profitable;
|
|
if we be not, Christ will not own us as his servants: it is not enough
|
|
not to do hurt, but we must do good, must bring forth fruit, and though
|
|
thereby God is not profited, yet he is glorified,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:8">John xv. 8</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) His doom is, to be <I>cast into outer darkness.</I> Here, as in
|
|
what was said to the faithful servants, our Saviour slides insensibly
|
|
out of the parable into the thing intended by it, and it serves as a
|
|
key to the whole; for, <I>outer darkness, where there is weeping and
|
|
gnashing of teeth,</I> is, in Christ's discourses, the common
|
|
periphrasis of the miseries of the damned in hell. Their state is,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Very dismal; it is outer darkness. Darkness is uncomfortable and
|
|
frightful: it was one of the plagues of Egypt. In hell there are
|
|
<I>chains of darkness,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+2:4">2 Pet. ii. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
In the dark <I>no man can work,</I> a fit punishment for a slothful
|
|
servant. It is <I>outer</I> darkness, <I>out</I> from the light of
|
|
heaven, <I>out</I> from the joy of their Lord, into which the faithful
|
|
servants were admitted; <I>out</I> from the feast. Compare
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:12,22:13"><I>ch.</I> viii. 12; xxii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Very doleful; there is weeping, which bespeaks great sorrow, and
|
|
gnashing of teeth, which bespeaks great vexation and indignation. This
|
|
will be the portion of the slothful servant.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_40"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_42"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_43"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_44"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_45"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt25_46"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Process of the Last Judgment.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the
|
|
holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his
|
|
glory:
|
|
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall
|
|
separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth <I>his</I>
|
|
sheep from the goats:
|
|
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats
|
|
on the left.
|
|
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come,
|
|
ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
|
|
from the foundation of the world:
|
|
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty,
|
|
and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
|
|
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I
|
|
was in prison, and ye came unto me.
|
|
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw
|
|
we thee an hungred, and fed <I>thee?</I> or thirsty, and gave <I>thee</I>
|
|
drink?
|
|
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took <I>thee</I> in? or naked,
|
|
and clothed <I>thee?</I>
|
|
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
|
|
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say
|
|
unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done <I>it</I> unto one of the least of
|
|
these my brethren, ye have done <I>it</I> unto me.
|
|
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart
|
|
from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil
|
|
and his angels:
|
|
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty,
|
|
and ye gave me no drink:
|
|
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye
|
|
clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
|
|
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we
|
|
thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or
|
|
in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
|
|
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you,
|
|
Inasmuch as ye did <I>it</I> not to one of the least of these, ye did
|
|
<I>it</I> not to me.
|
|
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the
|
|
righteous into life eternal.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here a description of the process of the last judgment in the
|
|
great day. There are some passages in it that are parabolical; as the
|
|
separating between the sheep and the goats, and the dialogues between
|
|
the judge and the persons judged: but there is no thread of similitude
|
|
carried through the discourse, and therefore it is rather to be called
|
|
a draught or delineation of the final judgment, than a parable; it is,
|
|
as it were, the explanation of the former parables. And here we
|
|
have,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The placing of the judge upon the judgment-seat
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>When the Son of man shall come.</I> Observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. That there is a judgment to come, in which every man shall be
|
|
sentenced to a state of everlasting happiness, or misery, in the world
|
|
of recompence or retribution, according to what he did in this world of
|
|
trial and probation, which is to be judged of by the rule of the
|
|
everlasting gospel.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The administration of the judgment of the great day is committed to
|
|
the Son of man; for by him God will judge the world
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+17:31">Acts xvii. 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
and to him all judgment is committed, and therefore the judgment of
|
|
that day, which is the centre of all. Here, as elsewhere, when the last
|
|
judgment is spoken of, Christ is called <I>the son of man,</I> because
|
|
he is to judge the sons of men (and, being himself of the same nature,
|
|
he is the more unexceptionable); and because his wonderful
|
|
condescension to take upon him our nature, and to become the son of
|
|
man, will be recompensed by this exaltation in that day, and an honour
|
|
put upon the human nature.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. Christ's appearing to judge the world will be splendid and glorious.
|
|
Agrippa and Bernice came to the judgment-seat with <I>great pomp</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+25:23">Acts xxv. 23</A>);
|
|
|
|
but that was (as the original word is) <I>great fancy.</I> Christ will
|
|
come to the judgment-seat in real glory: the Sun of righteousness shall
|
|
then shine in his meridian lustre, and the Prince of the kings of the
|
|
earth shall show the riches of his glorious kingdom, and the honours of
|
|
his excellent majesty; and all the world shall see what the saints only
|
|
do now believe--that he is the brightness of his Father's glory. He
|
|
shall come not only in the glory of his Father, but in his own glory,
|
|
as mediator: his first coming was under a black cloud of obscurity; his
|
|
second will be in a bright cloud of glory. The assurance Christ gave
|
|
his disciples of his future glory, might help to take off the offence
|
|
of the cross, and his approaching disgrace and suffering.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. When Christ comes in his glory to judge the world, he will bring all
|
|
his holy angels with him. This glorious person will have a glorious
|
|
retinue, his holy myriads, who will be not only his attendants, but
|
|
ministers of his justice; they shall come with him both for state and
|
|
service. They must come to call the court
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+4:16">1 Thess. iv. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
to gather the elect
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:31"><I>ch.</I> xxiv. 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
to bundle the tares
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:40"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 40</A>),
|
|
|
|
to be witnesses of the saints' glory
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:8">Luke xii. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
and of sinners' misery,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+14:10">Rev. xiv. 10</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. He will then sit upon the throne of his glory. He is <I>now</I> set
|
|
down with the Father upon his throne; and it is a throne of grace, to
|
|
which we may come boldly; it is a throne of government, the throne of
|
|
his father David; he is a priest upon that throne: but <I>then</I> he
|
|
will sit upon the throne of glory, the throne of judgment. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+7:9,10">Dan. vii. 9, 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Solomon's throne, though there was not its like in any
|
|
kingdom, was but a dunghill to it. Christ, in the days of his flesh,
|
|
was arraigned as a prisoner at the bar; but at his second coming, he
|
|
will sit as a judge upon the bench.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The appearing of all the children of men before him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Before him shall be gathered all nations.</I> Note, The judgment of
|
|
the great day will be a general judgment. All must be summoned before
|
|
Christ's tribunal; all of every age of the world, from the beginning to
|
|
the end of time; all of every place on earth, even from the remotest
|
|
corners of the world, most obscure, and distant from each other; all
|
|
nations, all those nations of men that are made of one blood, to dwell
|
|
on all the face of the earth.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The distinction that will then be made between the precious and
|
|
the vile; <I>He shall separate them one from another,</I> as the tares
|
|
and wheat are separated at the harvest, the good fish and the bad at
|
|
the shore, the corn and chaff in the floor. Wicked and godly here
|
|
dwell together in the same kingdoms, cities, churches, families, and
|
|
are not certainly distinguishable one from another; such are the
|
|
infirmities of saints, such the hypocrisies of sinners, and one event
|
|
to both: but in that day they will be separated, and parted for ever;
|
|
<I>Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the
|
|
wicked,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:18">Mal. iii. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
They cannot separate themselves one from another in this world
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+5:10">1 Cor. v. 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
nor can any one else separate them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:29"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 29</A>);
|
|
|
|
but the Lord knows them that are his, and he can separate them. This
|
|
separation will be so exact, that the most inconsiderable saints shall
|
|
not be lost in the crowd of sinners, nor the most plausible sinner hid
|
|
in the crowd of saints
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+1:5">Ps. i. 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
but every one shall go to his own place. This is compared to a
|
|
shepherd's dividing between the sheep and the goats; it is taken from
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+34:17">Ezek. xxxiv. 17</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle.</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Jesus Christ is the great Shepherd; he now feeds his flock like a
|
|
shepherd, and will shortly distinguish between those that are his, and
|
|
those that are not, as Laban divided his sheep from Jacob's, and set
|
|
three days' journey between them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+30:35,36">Gen. xxx. 35, 36</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. The godly are like sheep--innocent, mild, patient, useful: the
|
|
wicked are like goats, a baser kind of animal, unsavoury and unruly.
|
|
The sheep and goats are here feeding all day in the same pasture, but
|
|
will be coted at night in different folds. Being thus divided, he will
|
|
set the <I>sheep on his right hand,</I> and the <I>goats on his
|
|
left,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ puts honour upon the godly, as we show respect to those we set
|
|
on our right hand; but the wicked shall rise to everlasting shame,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:2">Dan. xii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is not said that he shall put the rich on his right hand, and the
|
|
poor on his left; the learned and noble on his right hand, and
|
|
unlearned and despised on his left; but the godly on his right hand,
|
|
and the wicked on his left. All other divisions and subdivisions will
|
|
then be abolished; but the great distinction of men into saints and
|
|
sinners, sanctified and unsanctified, will remain for ever, and men's
|
|
eternal state will be determined by it. The wicked took up with
|
|
left-handed blessings, riches and honour, and so shall their doom
|
|
be.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The process of the judgement concerning each of these.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Concerning the godly, on the right hand. Their cause must be first
|
|
despatched, that they may be assessors with Christ in the judgement of
|
|
the wicked, whose misery will be aggravated by their seeing Abraham,
|
|
and Isaac, and Jacob, admitted into the kingdom of heaven,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+13:28">Luke xiii. 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The <I>glory</I> conferred upon them; the sentence by which they
|
|
shall be not only acquitted, but preferred and rewarded
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>The king shall say unto them.</I> He that was the Shepherd (which
|
|
bespeaks the care and tenderness wherewith he will make this
|
|
disquisition), is here the King, which bespeaks the authority wherewith
|
|
he will then pronounce the sentence: where the word of this King is,
|
|
there is power. Here are two things in this sentence:</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] The acknowledging of the saints to be the blessed of the Lord;
|
|
<I>Come, ye blessed of my Father. First,</I> He pronounces them
|
|
<I>blessed;</I> and his saying they are blessed, makes them so. The law
|
|
curses them for their many discontinuances; but Christ having redeemed
|
|
them from the curse of the law, and purchased a blessing for them,
|
|
commands a blessing on them. <I>Secondly, Blessed of his Father;</I>
|
|
reproached and cursed by the world, but blessed of God. As the Spirit
|
|
glorifies the Son
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:14">John xvi. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
so the Son glorifies the Father by referring the salvation of the
|
|
saints to him as the First Cause; all our blessings in heavenly things
|
|
flow to us from God, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+1:3">Eph. i. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> He calls them <I>to come:</I> this <I>come</I> is, in
|
|
effect, "<I>Welcome,</I> ten thousand welcomes, to the blessings of my
|
|
father; come to me, come to be for ever with me; you that followed me
|
|
bearing the cross, now come along with me wearing the crown. The
|
|
blessed of my Father are the beloved of my soul, that have been too
|
|
long at a distance from me; come, now, come into my bosom, come into my
|
|
arms, come into my dearest embraces!" O with what joy will this fill
|
|
the hearts of the saints in that day! We now come boldly to the throne
|
|
of grace, but we shall then come boldly to the throne of glory; and
|
|
this word holds out the golden sceptre, with an assurance that our
|
|
requests shall be granted to more than the half of the kingdom. Now the
|
|
Spirit saith, <I>Come,</I> in the word; and the bride saith,
|
|
<I>Come,</I> in prayer; and the result hereof is a sweet communion: but
|
|
the perfection of bliss will be, when <I>the King shall say,
|
|
Come.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] The admission of the saints into the blessedness and kingdom of
|
|
the Father; <I>Inherit the kingdom prepared for you.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> the happiness they shall be possessed of is very rich; we
|
|
are told what it is by him who had reason to know it, having purchased
|
|
it for them, and possessed it himself.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. It is a <I>kingdom;</I> which is reckoned the most valuable
|
|
possession on earth, and includes the greatest wealth and honour. Those
|
|
that inherit kingdoms, wear all the glories of the crown, enjoy all the
|
|
pleasures of the court, and command the peculiar treasures of the
|
|
provinces; yet this is but a faint resemblance of the felicities of the
|
|
saints in heaven. They that here are beggars, prisoners, accounted as
|
|
the off-scouring of all things, shall then inherit a kingdom,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+113:7,Re+2:26,27">Ps. cxiii. 7; Rev. ii. 26, 27</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. It is a kingdom <I>prepared:</I> the happiness must needs be great,
|
|
for it is the product of the divine counsels. Note, There is great
|
|
preparation made for the entertainment of the saints in the kingdom of
|
|
glory. The Father designed it for them in his thoughts of love, and
|
|
provided it for them in the greatness of his wisdom and power. The Son
|
|
purchased it for them, and is entered as the fore-runner to prepare a
|
|
place,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:2">John xiv. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
And the blessed Spirit, in preparing them for the kingdom, in effect,
|
|
is preparing it for them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. It is prepared <I>for them.</I> This bespeaks,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The suitableness of this happiness; it is in all points adapted to
|
|
the nature of a soul, and to the new nature of a a sanctified soul.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Their property and interest in it. It is prepared on purpose for
|
|
them; not only for such as you, but for you, you by name, you
|
|
personally and particularly, who were chosen to salvation through
|
|
sanctification.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. It is prepared <I>from the foundation of the world.</I> This
|
|
happiness was designed for the saints, and they for it, before time
|
|
began, from all eternity,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+1:4">Eph. i. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
The end, which is last in execution, is first in intention. Infinite
|
|
Wisdom had an eye to the eternal glorification of the saints, from the
|
|
first founding of the creation: <I>All things are for your sakes,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:15">2 Cor. iv. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Or, it denotes the preparation of the place of this happiness, which is
|
|
to be the seat and habitation of the blessed, in the very beginning of
|
|
the work of creation,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+1:1">Gen. i. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
There in the heaven of heavens the morning stars were singing together,
|
|
when the foundations of the earth were fastened,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+38:4-7">Job xxxviii. 4-7</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> The tenure by which they shall hold and possess it is
|
|
very good, they shall come and <I>inherit it.</I> What we come to by
|
|
inheritance, is not got by any procurement of our own, but purely, as
|
|
the lawyers express it, <I>by the act of God.</I> It is God that makes
|
|
heirs, heirs of heaven. We come to an inheritance by virtue of our
|
|
sonship, our adoption; <I>if children, then heirs.</I> A title by
|
|
inheritance is the sweetest and surest title; it alludes to possessions
|
|
in the land of Canaan, which passed by inheritance, and would not be
|
|
alienated longer than to the year of Jubilee. Thus is the heavenly
|
|
inheritance indefeasible, and unalienable. Saints, in this world, are
|
|
as heirs under age, tutored and governed till the time appointed of the
|
|
Father
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+4:1,2">Gal. iv. 1, 2</A>);
|
|
|
|
and then they shall be put in full possession of that which now through
|
|
grace they have a title to; <I>Come,</I> and inherit it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The ground of this
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:35,36"><I>v.</I> 35, 36</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat.</I> We cannot hence
|
|
infer that any good words of ours merit the happiness of heaven, by any
|
|
intrinsic worth or excellency in them: our goodness extends not unto
|
|
God; but it is plain that Jesus Christ will judge the world by the same
|
|
rule by which he governs it, and therefore will reward those that have
|
|
been obedient to that law; and mention will be made of their obedience,
|
|
not as their title, but as their evidence of an interest in Christ, and
|
|
his purchase. This happiness will be adjudged to obedient believers,
|
|
not upon a <I>quantum meruit--an estimate of merit,</I> which supposes
|
|
a proportion between the work and the reward, but upon the promise of
|
|
God purchased by Jesus Christ, and the benefit of it secured under
|
|
certain provisos and limitations; and it is the purchase and promise
|
|
that give the title, the obedience is only the qualification of the
|
|
person designed. An estate made by deed or will upon condition, when
|
|
the condition is performed according to the true intent of the donor or
|
|
testator, becomes absolute; and then, though the title be built purely
|
|
upon the deed or will, yet the performing of the condition must be
|
|
given in evidence: and so it comes in here; for Christ is the Author of
|
|
eternal salvation to those only that obey him, and who patiently
|
|
continue in well doing.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now the good works here mentioned are such as we commonly call works of
|
|
charity to the poor: not but that many will be found on the right hand
|
|
who never were in a capacity to feed the hungry, or clothe the naked,
|
|
but were themselves fed and clothed by the charity of others; but one
|
|
instance of sincere obedience is put for all the rest, and it teaches
|
|
us this in general, that faith working by love is all in all in
|
|
Christianity; <I>Show me thy faith by thy works;</I> and nothing will
|
|
abound to a good account hereafter, but the fruits of righteousness in
|
|
a good conversation now. The good works here described imply three
|
|
things, which must be found in all that are saved.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] Self-denial, and contempt of the world; reckoning the things of
|
|
the world no further good things, than as we are enabled to do good
|
|
with them: and those who have not wherewithal to do good, must show the
|
|
same disposition, by being contentedly and cheerfully poor. Those are
|
|
fit for heaven that are mortified to the earth.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] Love to our brethren; which is the second great commandment, the
|
|
fulfilling of the law, and an excellent preparative for the world of
|
|
everlasting love. We must give proof of this love by our readiness to
|
|
do good, and to communicate; good wishes are but mockeries without good
|
|
works,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+2:15,16,1Jo+3:17">Jam. ii. 15, 16; 1 John iii. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that have not to give, must show the same disposition some other
|
|
way.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[3.] A believing regard to Jesus Christ. That which is here rewarded is
|
|
the relieving of the poor for Christ's sake, out of love to him, and
|
|
with an eye to him. <I>This</I> puts an excellency upon the good work,
|
|
when in it we serve the Lord Christ, which those may do that work for
|
|
their own living, as well as those that help to keep others alive. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+6:5-7">Eph. vi. 5-7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those good works shall then be accepted which are done in the name of
|
|
the Lord Jesus,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+3:17">Col. iii. 17</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>I was hungry,</I> that is, my disciples and followers were so,
|
|
either by the persecutions of enemies for well-doing, or by the common
|
|
dispensations of Providence; for in these things there is one event to
|
|
the righteous and wicked: and <I>you gave them meat.</I> Note,
|
|
<I>First,</I> Providence so variously orders and disposes of the
|
|
circumstances of his people in this world, as that while some are in a
|
|
condition to give relief, others need it. It is no new thing for those
|
|
that are feasted with the dainties of heaven to be hungry and thirsty,
|
|
and to want daily food; for those that are at home in God, to be
|
|
strangers in a strange land; for those that have put on Christ, to want
|
|
clothes to keep them warm; for those that have healthful souls, to have
|
|
sickly bodies; and for those to be in prison, that Christ has made
|
|
free. <I>Secondly,</I> Works of charity and beneficence, according as
|
|
our ability is, are necessary to salvation; and there will be more
|
|
stress laid upon them in the judgment of the great day, than is
|
|
commonly imagined; these must be the proofs of our love, and of our
|
|
professed subjection to the gospel of Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+9:13">2 Cor. ix. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
But they that show no mercy, shall have judgment without mercy.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now this reason is modestly excepted against by the righteous, but is
|
|
explained by the Judge himself.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. It is questioned by the righteous,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:37-39"><I>v.</I> 37-39</A>.
|
|
|
|
Not as if they were loth to inherit the kingdom, or were ashamed of
|
|
their good deeds, or had not the testimony of their own consciences
|
|
concerning them: but,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The expressions are parabolical, designed to introduce and impress
|
|
these great truths, that Christ has a mighty regard to works of
|
|
charity, and is especially pleased with kindnesses done to his people
|
|
for his sake. Or,
|
|
|
|
(2.) They bespeak the humble admiration which glorified saints will be
|
|
filled with, to find such poor and worthless services, as theirs are,
|
|
so highly celebrated, and richly rewarded: <I>Lord, when saw we thee an
|
|
hungered, and fed thee?</I> Note, Gracious souls are apt to think
|
|
meanly of their own good deeds; especially as unworthy to be compared
|
|
with the glory that shall be revealed. Far from this is the temper of
|
|
those who said, <I>Wherefore have we fasted, and thou seest not?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+58:3">Isa. lviii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Saints in heaven will wonder what brought them thither, and that God
|
|
should so regard them and their services. It even put Nathanael to the
|
|
blush, to hear Christ's encomium of him: <I>Whence knowest thou me?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:47,48">John i. 47, 48</A>.
|
|
|
|
See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:20">Eph. iii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
"<I>When saw we thee an hungered?</I> We have seen the poor in distress
|
|
many a time; but when saw we thee?" Note, Christ is more among us than
|
|
we think he is; surely the Lord is in this place, by his word, his
|
|
ordinances, his ministers, his Spirit, yea, and his poor, and we know
|
|
it not: <I>When thou wert under the fig-tree, I saw thee,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:48">John i. 48</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. It is explained by the Judge himself
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Inasmuch as ye have done it to these my brethren,</I> to the least,
|
|
to one of the least of them, <I>ye have done it unto me.</I> The good
|
|
works of the saints, when they are produced in the great day,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Shall all be remembered; and not the least, not one of the least,
|
|
overlooked, no not a cup of cold water.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They shall be interpreted most to their advantage, and the best
|
|
construction that can be put upon them. As Christ makes the best of
|
|
their infirmities, so he makes the most of their services.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We see what recompences Christ has for those that feed the hungry, and
|
|
clothe the naked; but what will become of the godly poor, that had not
|
|
wherewithal to do so? Must they be shut out? No,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Christ will own them, even the least of them, as his brethren; he
|
|
will not be ashamed, nor think it any disparagement to him, <I>to call
|
|
them brethren,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:11">Heb. ii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
In the height of his glory, he will not disown his poor relations;
|
|
Lazarus is there laid in his bosom, as a friend, as a brother. Thus he
|
|
will confess them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:32"><I>ch.</I> x. 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He will take the kindness done to them, as done to himself; <I>Ye
|
|
have done it unto me;</I> which shows a respect to the poor that were
|
|
relieved, as well as to the rich that did relieve them. Note, Christ
|
|
espouses his people's cause, and interests himself in their interests,
|
|
and reckons himself received, and love, and owned in them. If Christ
|
|
himself were among us in poverty, how readily would we relieve him? In
|
|
prison, how frequently would we visit him? We are ready to envy the
|
|
honour they had, who ministered to him of their substance,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+8:3">Luke viii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Wherever poor saints and poor ministers are, there Christ is ready to
|
|
receive our kindnesses in them, and they shall be put to his
|
|
account.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Here is the process concerning the wicked, those on the left hand.
|
|
And in that we have,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The sentence passed upon them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+5:41">v. 41</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was a disgrace to be set on the left hand; but that is not the worst
|
|
of it, he shall say to them, <I>Depart from me, ye cursed.</I> Every
|
|
word has terror in it, like that of the trumpet at mount Sinai, waxing
|
|
louder and louder, every accent more and more doleful, and exclusive of
|
|
comfort.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] To be so near to Christ was some satisfaction, though under his
|
|
frowns; but that will not be allowed, <I>Depart from me.</I> In this
|
|
world they were often called to come to Christ, to come for life and
|
|
rest, but they turned a deaf ear to his calls; justly therefore are
|
|
they bid to depart from Christ, that would not come to him. "Depart
|
|
from me the Fountain of all good, from me the Saviour, and therefore
|
|
from all hope of salvation; I will never have any thing more to say to
|
|
you, or do with you." Here they said to the Almighty, <I>Depart from
|
|
us;</I> then he will <I>choose their delusions,</I> and say to them,
|
|
<I>Depart from me.</I> Note, It is the hell of hell to depart from
|
|
Christ.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] If they must depart, and depart from Christ, might they not be
|
|
dismissed with a blessing, with one kind and compassionate word at
|
|
least? No, <I>Depart, ye cursed,</I> They that would not come to
|
|
Christ, to inherit a blessing, must depart from him under the burthen
|
|
of a curse, that curse of the law on every one that breaks it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Gal+3:10">Gal. iii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>As they loved cursing, so it shall come unto them.</I> But observe,
|
|
The righteous are called <I>the blessed of my Father;</I> for their
|
|
blessedness is owing purely to the grace of God and his blessing, but
|
|
the wicked are called only <I>ye cursed,</I> for their damnation is of
|
|
themselves. Hath God sold them? No, they have sold themselves, have
|
|
laid themselves under the curse,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+50:1">Isa. l. 1</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[3.] If they must depart, and depart with a curse, may they not go into
|
|
some place of ease and rest? Will it not be misery enough for them to
|
|
bewail their loss? No, there is a punishment of sense as well as loss;
|
|
they must depart into <I>fire,</I> into torment as grievous as that of
|
|
fire is to the body, and much more. This fire is the wrath of the
|
|
eternal God fastening upon the guilty souls and consciences of sinners
|
|
that have made themselves fuel for it. Our God is a consuming fire, and
|
|
sinners fall immediately into his hands,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:31,Ro+2:8,9">Heb. x. 31; Rom. ii. 8, 9</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[4.] If into fire, may it not be some light or gentle fire? No, it is
|
|
<I>prepared</I> fire; it is a torment <I>ordained of old,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+30:33">Isa. xxx. 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
The damnation of sinners is often spoken of as an act of the divine
|
|
power; <I>he is able to cast into hell.</I> In the vessels of wrath he
|
|
makes his power known; it is a <I>destruction from the presence of the
|
|
Lord, and from the glory of his power.</I> In it shall be seen what a
|
|
provoked God can do to make a provoking creature miserable.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[5.] If into fire, prepared fire, O let it be but of short continuance,
|
|
let them but pass <I>through</I> fire; no, the fire of God's wrath will
|
|
be an <I>everlasting</I> fire; a fire, that, fastening and preying upon
|
|
immortal souls, can never go out for want of fuel; and, being kindled
|
|
and kept burning by the wrath of an immortal God, can never go out for
|
|
want of being blown and stirred up; and, the streams of mercy and grace
|
|
being for ever excluded, there is nothing to extinguish it. If a drop
|
|
of water be denied to cool the tongue, buckets of water will never be
|
|
granted to quench this flame.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[6.] If they must be doomed to such a state of endless misery, yet may
|
|
they not have some good company there? No, none but <I>the devil and
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|
his angels,</I> their sworn enemies, that helped to bring them to this
|
|
misery, and will triumph over them in it. They served the devil while
|
|
they lived, and therefore are justly sentenced to be where he is, as
|
|
those that served Christ, are taken to be with him where he is. It is
|
|
terrible to lie in a house haunted with devils; what will it be then to
|
|
be companions with them for ever? Observe here, <I>First,</I> Christ
|
|
intimates that there is one that is the prince of the devils, the
|
|
ring-leader of the rebellion, and that the rest are his angels, his
|
|
messengers, by whose agency he supports his kingdom. Christ and his
|
|
angels will in that day triumph over the dragon and his,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+12:7,8">Rev. xii. 7, 8</A>.
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|
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|
<I>Secondly,</I> The fire is said to be prepared, not primarily for the
|
|
wicked, as the kingdom is prepared for the righteous; but it was
|
|
originally intended for <I>the devil and his angels.</I> If sinners
|
|
make themselves associates with Satan by indulging their lusts, they
|
|
may thank themselves if they become sharers in that misery which was
|
|
prepared for him and his associates. Calvin notes upon this, that
|
|
<I>therefore</I> the torment of the damned is said to be <I>prepared
|
|
for the devil and his angels,</I> to cut off all hope of escaping it;
|
|
the devil and his angels are already made prisoners in the pit, and can
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worms of the earth think to escape?</P>
|
|
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<P>
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|
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(2.) The reason of this sentence assigned. God's judgments are all
|
|
just, and he will be justified in them. He is Judge himself, and
|
|
therefore <I>the heavens shall declare his righteousness.</I></P>
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|
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<P>
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|
|
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Now,
|
|
|
|
[1.] All that is charged upon them, on which the sentence is grounded,
|
|
is, omission; as, before, the servant was condemned, not for wasting
|
|
his talent, but for burying it; so here, he doth not say, "I was hungry
|
|
and thirsty, for you took my meat and drink from me; I was a stranger,
|
|
for you banished me; naked, for you stripped me; in prison, for you
|
|
laid me there:" but, "When I was in these distresses, you were so
|
|
selfish, so taken up with your own ease and pleasure, made so much of
|
|
your labour, and were so loth to part with your money, that you did not
|
|
<I>minister</I> as you might have done to my relief and succour. You
|
|
were like those epicures that were at ease in Zion, and were not
|
|
<I>grieved for the affliction of Joseph,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+6:4-6">Amos vi. 4-6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Omissions are the ruin of thousands.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] It is the omission of works of charity to the poor. They are not
|
|
sentenced for omitting their sacrifices and burnt-offerings (they
|
|
abounded in these,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+50:8">Ps. l. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
but for omitting the weightier matter of the law, <I>judgment, mercy,
|
|
and faith.</I> The Ammonites and Moabites were excluded the sanctuary,
|
|
because they <I>met not Israel with bread and water,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+23:3,4">Deut. xxiii. 3, 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Uncharitableness to the poor is a damning sin. If we will not be
|
|
brought to works of charity by the hope of reward, let us be influenced
|
|
by fear of punishment; for <I>they shall have judgment without mercy,
|
|
that have showed no mercy.</I> Observe, He doth not say, "I was sick,
|
|
and you did not cure me; in prison, and you did not release me"
|
|
(perhaps that was more than they could do); but, "You <I>visited me
|
|
not,</I> which you might have done." Note, Sinners will be condemned,
|
|
at the great day, for the omission of that good which it was in the
|
|
power of their hand to do. But if the doom of the uncharitable be so
|
|
dreadful, how much more intolerable will the doom of the cruel be, the
|
|
doom of persecutors! Now this reason of the sentence is.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> Objected against by the prisoners
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:44"><I>v.</I> 44</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst?</I> Condemned
|
|
sinners, though they have no plea that will bear them out, will yet in
|
|
vain offer at excuses. Now.
|
|
|
|
1. The manner of their pleading bespeaks their present precipitation.
|
|
They cut it short, as men in haste; <I>when saw we thee hungry, or
|
|
thirsty, or naked?</I> They care not to repeat the charge, as conscious
|
|
to themselves of their own guilt, and unable to bear the terrors of the
|
|
judgment. Nor will they have time allowed them to insist upon such
|
|
frivolous pleas; for it is all (as we say) but "trifling with the
|
|
court."
|
|
|
|
2. The matter of their plea bespeaks their former inconsideration of
|
|
that which they might have known, but would not till now that it was
|
|
too late. They that had slighted and persecuted poor Christians, would
|
|
not own that they had slighted and persecuted Christ: no, they never
|
|
intended any affront to him, nor expected that so great a matter would
|
|
have been made of it. They imagined it was only a company of poor,
|
|
weak, silly, and contemptible people, who made more ado than needed
|
|
about religion, that they put those slights upon; but they who do so,
|
|
will be made to know, either in the day of their conversion, as Paul,
|
|
or of their condemnation, as these here, that it was <I>Jesus whom they
|
|
persecuted.</I> And, if they say, <I>Behold, we knew it not: doth not
|
|
he that pondereth the heart consider it?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+24:11,12">Prov. xxiv. 11, 12</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> Justified by the Judge, who will convince all the
|
|
ungodly of the hard speeches spoken against him in those that are his,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jude+1:15">Jude 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
He goes by this rule
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:45"><I>v.</I> 45</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it
|
|
not to me.</I> Note, What is done against the faithful disciples and
|
|
followers of Christ, even the least of them, he takes as done against
|
|
himself. He is reproached and persecuted in them, for they are
|
|
reproached and persecuted for his sake, and <I>in all their afflictions
|
|
he is afflicted.</I> He that touches them, touches him in a part no
|
|
less tender than the apple of his eye.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> Here is the execution of both these sentences,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:46"><I>v.</I> 46</A>.
|
|
|
|
Execution is the life of the law, and Christ will take care that that
|
|
be done according to the sentence.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. <I>The wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment.</I>
|
|
Sentence will then be executed speedily, and no reprieve granted, nor
|
|
any time allowed to move in arrest of judgment. The execution of the
|
|
wicked is first mentioned; for first the tares are gathered and burned.
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The punishment of the wicked in the future state will be an
|
|
everlasting punishment, for that state is an unalterable state. It can
|
|
neither be thought that sinners should change their own natures, nor
|
|
that God should give his grace to change them, when in this world the
|
|
day of grace was misspent, the Spirit of grace resisted, and the means
|
|
of grace abused and baffled.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The wicked shall be made to <I>go</I> away into that punishment;
|
|
not that they will go voluntarily, no, they are <I>driven</I> from
|
|
light into darkness; but it bespeaks an irresistible conviction of
|
|
guilt, and a final despair of mercy.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. <I>The righteous shall go away into life eternal;</I> that is, they
|
|
shall <I>inherit the kingdom,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Heaven is life, it is all happiness. The life of the soul results
|
|
from its union with God by the mediation of Jesus Christ, as that of
|
|
the body from its union with the soul by the animal spirits. The
|
|
heavenly life consists in the vision and fruition of God, in a perfect
|
|
conformity to him, and an immediate uninterrupted communion with him.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It is <I>eternal</I> life. There is no death to put a period to
|
|
the life itself, nor old age to put a period to the comfort of it, or
|
|
any sorrow to embitter it. Thus life and death, good and evil, the
|
|
blessing and the curse, are set before us, that we may choose our way;
|
|
and so shall our end be. Even the heathen had some notion of these
|
|
different states of good and bad in the other world. Cicero in his
|
|
<I>Tusculan Questions,</I> lib. 1, brings in Socrates thus speaking,
|
|
<I>Duæ sunt viæ, duplicesque cursus è corpore
|
|
exeuntium: nam qui se vitiis humanis contaminarunt, et libidinibus se
|
|
tradiderunt, iis devium quoddam iter est, seclusum à consilio
|
|
deorum; qui autem se integros castosque servarunt, quibusque fuerit
|
|
minima cum corporibus contagio, suntque in corporibus humanis vitam
|
|
imitati deorum, iis ad illos a quibus sunt profecti facile patet
|
|
reditus--Two paths open before those who depart out of the body. Such
|
|
as have contaminated themselves with human vices, and yielded to their
|
|
lusts, occupy a path that conducts them far from the assembly and
|
|
council of the gods; but the upright and chaste, such as have been
|
|
least defiled by the flesh, and have imitated, while in the body, the
|
|
gods, these find it easy to return to the sublime beings from whom they
|
|
came.</I></P>
|
|
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