to Dye v. 20. Yea after the fourth Beast's being slain in the little Horn the rest of the Beasts or a grosser interest will in some sence survive though they have no Dominion or proper settlement in Scripture-phrase Dan. 7. 11 12. And when the Witnesses are Risen and Ascended or have Received their Kingdom as Christ did upon his Ascention Luke 19. 12. then comes that dreadful Earthquake Rev. 11. 12 13. which Termâ—â—ateth upon their Enemies but will Begin with others as seemeth to be hinted by that Harvest Rev. 14. 15. before the Vintage v. 18. just as God's Israel met with that check in the Valley of Achor after their being Actually possess'd of Canaan Josh 7. 5 6 7 8 9. And as poor David had long War with the House of Saul 2 Sam. 3. 1. after being made King in Hebron 2 Sam. 2. 4. And as the Jews were troubled Ezra 4. 4. after the return of their Captivity v. 1. All which with reference unto the latter days is clearly signified by that Prophetical praying for a Turn Psal 85. 4. After the Captivity is brought back v. 1. and by the Assyrian's inrode into Imanuel's Land Isa 8. 7 8. Or that of Gog and Magog into a Land that is brought forth out of the Nations Ezek 38. 18. and by the Nations coming against Jerusalem when Re-Inhabited Zech. 12 9. or after the bringing again of their Captivity Jâ—el 3. 1 2. Then will be the Time of Jacob's greatest Trouble Jâ—r 3â— 3. 7. of Siâ—n 's Second Travail Mic 4. 10. and of Satan's resisting Joshua after his having been a Brand pluckt out of the Babylonish Fire Zech. 3. 1 2. These things the Scriptures have fore-told but they have not been generally understood and therefore Christ hath been conceiv'd to tarry or prolong his Time meerly through our mis-apprehension Quest 2. Why doth Christ Tarry beyond the Expected Time Answ Not from his being forgetful or asleep as Baal was tauntingly said to be 1 Kings 18. 27. Since Christ is alway mindful of his Covenant Psal 111. 5. and doth not sleep or slumber Psal 121. 4 however wrongfully he may be Judged of Psal 44. 23 24. Not from any want of Power whence Amasa's tarrying beyond his time might possibly arise 2 Sam. 20. 5. Since Christ is Almighty Rev. 1. 5. who therefore is improperly said to have been hindred or withstood by the Prince of Persia Dan. 10. 13. Much less from wnat of Will or good Affection from whence Lot's lingring in Sodom did proceed Gen. 19. 16. but not Christ's Tarrying here no more than in that casâ— of Lazarus John 11. 6. whom he yet Loved v. 3. and whose saâ— Death v. 14. together with his own v. 34. and his beloved Sisterâ— Weeping v. 33. had been prevented by his coming sooner v. 32. especially since Christ now cometh as a Bridegroom whose stay can not be therefore thought to be from want of Love or any good Affection But he now Tarrieth for other Reasons such as these are 1. To proclaim his Sovereignty as when he would not Gratifie his Mother just at her Time to let her know his God-head was not iâ— Subjection to her John 2. 3 4. God sometimes bids his People to Command him Isa 45. 11. but lest they should abuse his Condescention he therefore would not heal Miriam now as Moses did too boldly move Numb 12. 13 14. Must he needs therefore come at such a Time for fear of frustrating his Creatures Expectation Or lest their Labour should be lost in going out to meet him Christ may set Maâ— his Time the Disputing whereof was their great sin Hag. 1. 2. But it becomes a Spouse not to awake her Love or stir him up untill he pleaseth Cant. 8. 4. The Temple-work will be revived but so as that it shall appear to be an Act of Grace and not of proper Debt Zech. 4. 7. 2. To make his Coming the more desired which is a chief part of his Design and thus Accomplished Christ will not come as King of Nations untill he be Desired by them Hag. 27. no more than David would be King of Israel 2 Sam. 2. 7. till such a Time 2 Sam. 5. 1. He will be enquired of Ezek. 36. 37. and they shall seek him Hos 3. 5. with all their Heart Jer. 29. 13. resolving to make mention of his Name alone Isa 26. 13. And thus when both the Bride and he that Heareth shall say Come Rev. 22. 17. then I come quickly saith the Bridegroom v. 20. Now though an Hypocrite will not pray alway Job 27. 10. yet tarrying is an Incentive to a Cordial seeker who is not silent in the Night although his Cry the Day before hath not been heard Psal 22. 2. Yea therefore such will pray more earnestly Luke 22. 44. And as Christ's Satisfaction is thus consulted for so is his People 's also since a Return of Prayer is then most Acceptable Psal 69. 13. when Eyes are apt to fail with waiting or when one's Throat is dryed through weary Crying v. 3. 3. Christ therefore Tarrieth at such a Time because his own set Time is not Then come Which Time in such a Case is not for us to know Acts 1. 7. Our Time is in such Cases always ready so is not his John 7. 6. who will not come untill the fulness of his Time be come Gal. 4. 4. till when a Thousand Years with him are as one Day but when that Time is come one Day is as a Thousand Years 2 Pet. 3. 8. That is he will not Tarry Heb. 10. 37. Nor is it any just matter of Grief to us that Christ thus tarryeth since Fruits are sweetest when fully Ripe However it is no cause of Wonder since Mercy must give place to Truth Psal 138. 2. and therefore those Days of Tribulation are no whit shorter than as was fore-determined Mat. 24. 21 22. 4. That so his Coming might be with greater State after the manner of Earthly Kings whose Motion therefore is not too quick and who are therefore wont to have an Harbinger as Christ hath also which cannot but Occasion some kind of tarrying Christ's Spiritual Kingdom was thus Ushered in Mat. 3. 3. much more then must his Temporal Kingdom be so Attended because the Glory of this latter will be more Visible And though Christ's Coming in this Parable will be but such an Harbinger compared with his Personal Coming yet this fore-runner compared with it self will also have its Messenger when Christ shall come into his Temple Mal. 3. 1. which Temple is not in being at his Personal Coming Rev. 21. 22. And thus Elias must first come Mark 9. 12. untill the ending of whose Ministration the Bridegroom tarrieth Poor Virgins would fain have had him come forthwith but that would not so well have suited his designed Kingly State 5. That so the Foolish Virgins might be Discovered Christ alway cometh with his Fan Mat. 3. 12. and Fullers Soap and Fire Mal. 3. 2.
THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS OPENED OR CHRIST'S Coming as a Bridegroom Cleared up and Improved from Matthew XXV Ver. 1 2 3 c. By Benjamin Stonham The Marriage of the Lamb is Come and his Wife hath made her self Ready Rev. 19. 7. LONDON Printed in the Year M.DC.LXXVI ERRATA PAge 11. Line 8. Tinie for Tyme p. 20. l. 18. by for be p. 21. l. 23. Read Voles p. 21. l. ult r. such p. 45. l. 14. r. these p. 76. l. 14. r. tarryeth p. 69. l. 38. r. 8. p. 121. l. 22. r. Awakened p. ibid. l. 33. r. 18. p. 122. l 2. r. the. p. 124. l. 32. r. 28. p. 131. l. 24. r. be p. 138. l. 37. r. might p. 139. l. 29. r. Complainers p. 153. l. 28. r. Delatory p. 175. l. 36. r. every p. 186. l. 16. r. her p. 194. l. 33. r. 32. p. 198. l. 39. r. 11th p. 202. l. 21. r. were p. 204. l. 17. r. 12. p. 214. l. 3. r. were p. 216. l. 36. r. shewen p. 216. l. 40. r. 15. p. 218. l. 40. r. Mat. 9. 15. p. 221. l. 40. r. 1 Kings 1. 41. p. 227. l. 30. r. peculiar p. 229. l. 19. r. Attlred p. 233. l. 29. after Salvation add should awaken us Rom. 13. 11. p. 234. l. 17. r. oft p. 241. l. 26. r. as p. 265. l. 2. r. 29. p. 265. l. 35. r. and as if p. 279. l. 9. r. bare p. 283. l. 38. r. as p. 299. l. 24. r. Type p. 299. l. 35. r. his p. 96. l. 18. r. Ezekiel p. 96. l. 34. r. Ezekiel p. 96. l. ult r. resented To the READER AS in all Ages it hath been Satan's Design to Blind the Minds of Men even from our first Parents whom he had soon rockt into a dead sleep with all their Posterity in which they had lyen till now had not Christ awakened them So ever since and more Eminently in the last Times is he so Employed all things concurring to the Accomplishment of his Design The World which hath Ordinarily been a pricking Bryar by that means preventing some Mens Sleeping hath been turned into a â—ed of ease and the Watch-men by whom Slumberers should have been awakened have supported them with Pilows yea Men have been so disposed to sleep that they have closed their own Eyes untiâ—l the Best have slumbred and the most are fast asleep which hath ever been Dangerous but now more than ever Therefore the Lord Jesus Christ who was manifested to Destroy the works of the Devil hath Knocked at such sleepers Doors by his awakening Providences and by his Servants the Prophâ—â—s Rising up early and sending them But now the danger of sleepiâ—g unto Death is so great that he sends forth a Cryer at Midnight to prevent the Ruine that would o're-whelm those Sleepers by the Morning This is the Critical Hour and the last Application those that do not then Recover perish for ever Were we sensible of the present Danger of such a Nature we should not be Offended at plain dealing The following Discourse which the Providence of God gave me with others an Opportunity to Hear is of such a Nature The Instrument by whom this Truth was sounded forth being first sent to awaken others now sleeps in Jesus who willing that all Men should come to the knowledge of the Truth hath by his Providence Ordered the surviving of this Testimony that so it may come to their hands who had not an Opportunity nor possibly an Heart to Receive it from the Speakers Lips It was Joy to me to hear of its being Printed though I do expect as Christ himself did so his most Material Truths will meet with hard Vsage in the World The Foundation and Corner-stone which God lays in Sion becomes a stone of stumbling to the Men of Judah being Rejected of their Builders yet nevertheless precious to them that believe 'T is Dangerous not to Believe the Truth much more to be Offended at it The Good Lord prevent Sorrow upon either Account Receive nothing for Truth without a Touch-stone We do not onely Tell Gold after a Brother but heretofore when Men were more Exact did Weigh it also with Gold Weights which then were wont to be in Readiness with them differing from those by which baser things were Weighed So also is utmost Holy Curiosity Commendable in Weigihng Truth onely 〈…〉 careful to have the Sanctuary Ballance viz. 〈◊〉 Scriptures and 〈…〉 Traditions of the Elders or formerly Received Principles And if something be hard to be Vnderstood be not Hasty to Reject at much less the whole for the sake of it the Fault may possibly be in thine Eye and not in the Object we Live under a Dispensation wherein the fine Gold or Gospel-Grace is changed and become Dim as well as Lamps going out The Difference between Wise and Foolish Virgins is not so easily discerned save by searching the Vessels which this serves unto and Gold will lose nothing by being Rubbed nor can Foolish Virgins be damnified by having the Emptiness of their Vessels discovered whilst Oyl is to be bought Solomon saith to every Purpose there is Time and Judgment therefore the Misery of Man is great who wanteth Judgment to know the Time appointed to his purpose Every Professor will one day know this Truth which yet will not prevent theri Misery save by the timeliness of such Knowledge It was the great Aggravation of Jerusalem's sin and sorrow that she did not know even in that her Day the things that did Concern her Peace which therefore are hid from her eyes ever since as we may well expect it will be with those Foolish Virgins against whom for the same Reason Christ will shut his Door I knew not what would be greater Rejoycing to me than to see Christ in his Truths and Interests advanced in mine own and others Hearts to the silencing of that Ignorance and prejudice that hath with-stood the Receiving of the Truth in Love wherein we might have been established and not so Subject to be blown to and fro by the Tempters Wind as at this Day Going out at Midnight is attended with many Difficulties but when once entred into Christ's Bride-Chamber they will be no more Remembred nor will there be any cause of Repenting that Labour when they shall hear others Knock and Cry in vain without which God prevent being our Portion by a Timely and effectual Grafting into the true Olive-tree that so this Oyl of Grace and Light may never fail so an Entrance shall be Ministred into the Everlasting Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ which is the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb to which the Called are pronounced Blessed untill when Fellowship with this Testimony is Acknowledged a good Heritage bestowed by the Lord on a very Vnworthy Creature VV. B. THE PARABLE OF THE Ten VIRGINS Opened Math. XXV 1. Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened unto Ten Virgins which took their Lamps and went forth to meet the
with his Dispensation doth Resemble Marriage As thus 1. It was most Honourable that a Marriage should be known and so is Christ's Coming as a Bridegroom Notified here before hand for all the World to speak if they have ought against it He never used to steal a Marriage by Creeping into Houses as Suspitious Persons do 2 Tim. 3. 6. but published his Purpose unto Pharaoh Exod. 5. 1. and the King of Babylon Jer. 51. 61. Thus was his Personal Coming Published Mat. 2. 2. and 3. 3. thus is his Spiritual Kingdom to be managed Mat. 10. 27. thus was his Temporal Kingdom first set up Rev. 12. 4 5. and thus I am perswaded it will be Restored as in the Type 2 Sam. 2 7. 2. Marriage is a time of more than Ordinary Joy to all there present as well as to the Bride and Bridegroom which is of Use still among the Jews as faith Buxtorfius Synag Juda. Therefore the Rising Sun is Represented by a Bridegroom 's Coming out of his Tent or Chamber with others Joyful Acclamations Psal 19. 5. And thus John Baptist who was the Bridegroom's Friend Rejoyced greatly because of the Bridegroom's Voice John 3. 29. And as there is Joy in Heaven upon a Souls Marrying unto Christ Luke 15. 10. so doth it make those Glad on Earth who are that Bridegroom's Friends Acts 11. 23. And thus Christ's Coming here will be Received with many shoutings Zech. 4. 7. and all kind of Musick Rev. 15. 2 3. and holy Dancing Jer. 31. 13. And as the Bride hath cause to Joy especially considering what a Match this is so Christ will then Rejoyce as doth a Bridegroom Isa 62. 5. whose Heart is then most Glad Cant. 3. 11. 3. Marriage also is a Time of Feasting especially when Kings are Married as when Ahasuerus Married Esther Esth 2. 18. for which some Poor no doubt might fare the better Thus Israel's first Marriage was called a Feast Exod. 5. 1. in which regard their Flocks and Herds must all go with them Exod. 10. 9. And therefore God's making a Feast for Christ in Gospel-times is called a Marriage Mat. 22. 2. And as that Publican made a Feast upon his being Married unto Christ Luke 5. 29. So will Christ make a Feast of Wines and Fat things full of Marrow Isa 25. 6. when he shall come v. 9. as when he first came in Person Mat. 22. 2. and when his Temporal Kingdom was first set up Cant. 5. 1. according unto Brightman's Notion And he who bids the Poor to be then called Luke 14. 13. will then Relieve the Poorest Creatures with some of his Servants broken Meats yea all the People Isa 25. 6. 4. Much Company is wont to be at all Marriages so will there be at such a time When Souls are Married unto Christ the Angels flock to see Repenting Sinners Luke 15. 10 So when the Church in Corinth was Espoused 2 Cor. 11. 2 the Angels came to their Solemnities 1 Cor. 11. 10. How great a mixed Multitude there was Exod. 12. 38 when Israel was Espoused in the Wilderness Jer. 2. 2 and when Christ wedded his Dispensation in Gospel-times his Chariots were twenty thousand even Thousands of Angels Psal 68. 17. Thus in the days of Constantine we read of an innumerable Multitude Rev. 7. 9 and a great Voice of much People afterwards Rev. 19. 1 together with the Fall of Babylon vers 2. Then All will gather themselves to Sion Isa 60. 4 as all the City did to Naomi at her Return Ruth 1. 19 and whose Thundering Voices will evince the Second Temple's being opened Rev. 11. 19. 5. All sorts of persons Then are in their greatest Bravery so is it at Christ's Marriage Then Solomon is crowned with a stately Crown Cant. 3. 11. The Bride is brought in Cloathing of wrought Gold and Needle-work Psal 45. 13 14. yea God will Then appear in Glorious Greatness Tit. 2. 13. as Earthly Parents are most fine upon their Childrens Wedding-day Bridegrooms are wont to Deck themselves with Ornaments and Brides with Jewels Isa 61. 10. so will Christ come with Power and great Glory Mat. 24. 30 and part of that Bride's Ornament will be her Numerous Train Isa 49. 18 but chiefly the Garment of Salvation and Robe of Righteousness Isa 61. 10. Then also will the House be Garnished Isa 4. 2 and Meanest Servants will be finisied with Outward Blessings and Moral Vertues as Rev. 22. 2 â—t more especially the Brides Companions or all wise Virgins will then be Honourable Psal 45. 9 14. 6. Marriage-Solemnities of Old were in the Night which Christ doth here allude unto And so are all his Marriages He married Israel at least-wise call'd them to be married in the Night Exod. 12. 42 and Married or Betrothed Souls are called out of Darkness 1 Pet. 2. 9. and in the Night he will come as a Bridegroom in this Parable He was Betrayed in the Night 1 Cor. 11. 23 and in the Night will he Return The Natural Day began at Evening Gen. 1. 5 so will this Day of the Son of Man Zech. 14. 7. as ancient Visions were wont to be in the Night Job 4. 13. Christs Kingdom cometh not with Observation therefore Not in the Day but as the Lightning which shineth out of Darkness Luke 17 20. 24. This sheweth His Affection to that Dispensation and will trie who love sleep above it It will be a Night of Rioting unto the Wicked 1 Thess 5. 7. and Sorrow to the Saints Psal 30. 5. and Drowziness unto all save them who set themselves to watch 7. Bridegrooms are wont to be Met of Old and so to be conducted to the Marriage which also Christ requireth here Thus Israel Met him in the Wilderness Jer. 2. 2. for There he found her Hos 9. 10. Thus a Betrothed or Believing Soul must Come unto him John 6. 35. and thus his People must prepare to meet him in the latter days Am. 4. 12. When Abraham had overcome those four great Kings then did the King of Sodom goe out to Meet him Gen. 14. 17 and when Christ fully hath subdued the four Monarchs then Abraham's Seed must goe and meet with him Thus when he cometh to his People in the latter dayes he will be found of them without who must then Lead him into their Mothers House Cant. 8. 1 2. Who must be then Ready also with Oyl prepared and Strength to bear his terrible Appearing 1 Joh. 2. 28. so as to meet him with Thanksgivings Revel 11. 16 17. Quest 6. How can Christs Vnion with his Dispensation in these Latter Dayes be called a Marriage since it is granted to have been Once set up Before Ans 1. Because this Restauration followeth a former Just Divorce Christ married the Gentiles at his first Coming as he had done the Jews before Rom. 11. 22. Now as Gods Ancient Israel commâ—tted Whoredom before their going into Babylon so did the Gentile-Churches before the Man of Sin arose 2 Thess 2. 3. And
as those Israelites were put away for their Adultery when they were first carried Captive Jer. 3. 8. so must the Gentile-Churches and Professors generally be Divorced by a parity of Reason at their first going into Babylon Theâ—â— is it that as the Temple was then shut up so was the City or Temporal Dominion also Trodden under foot Rev. 11. 1 2 as in the Letter of Old And therefore the Return of that Captivity with reference unto them both may well be called a Marriage as it is Hos 2. 19 20. Jer. 3. 14. Isa 62. 4 5. because it followeth a Divorce with reference to that Numerical Dispensation although Once more Restored in Kind And this Return is not compleat with reference unto us Gentiles untill the Bridegrooms coming in this Parable whatever shew thereof like that of Betrothing or Espousals may go Before Now if Christs Union with his Kingly Dispensation in these Latter dayes doth follow a Just Divorce from what had been Before such doe but then plead an Harlots Cause who Argue for his Ecclesiastical or Temporal Kingdom from what hath been Before or since the Rising of the Man of Sin save onely in a late Preparatory way to this ensuing Marriage from what of Later years hath come to pass in order thereunto 2. Because the Glory of this Latter House or Dispensation will be Greater than of the Former Hag. 2. 9. Now when the New Heavens and Earth shall be created the former shall not be remembred Isa 65. 17. Christ Married at the first when he was Young as some Great Persons use to doe Who in relation to his Spiritual Kingdom when it was first set up was Therefore call'd a Child Act. 4. 27. and a Man-child with reference unto the first Erecting of his Temporal Kingdom Rev. 12. 5. both which must needs be Mystically understood Now Infant-Marriage is not taken notice of when one is married Afterwards at his full Age as Christ is at this time from whence the Name of Marriage therefore ever after doth Commence This second also will Eclipse the former because the Glory of Christs Spiritual and Temporal Kingdom Now will be united which Heretofore were severed Now as Christs ancient Marriage with the Jews was to be quite forgot in Gospel-times Jer. 3. 16 so will his Second Marriage with the Gentiles quite Destroy the former by reason of that Glory which Excelleth as 2 Cor. 3. 10 therefore this Latter onely hath that Name Quest 7. How may we Reconcile Christ's coming here To the Marriage with that Returning From the Marriage Luke 12. 36 Ans 1. By varying the Circumstances of Time and Place with reference unto the same Wedding in point of Substance Christ went to Receive his Kingdom when he Ascended and after the Receiving of it to Return Luke 19. 12 and yet at his Return together with the seventh Trumpet 's sounding he is then said to Take it as if he had not Taken it before Rev. 11. 17. which plainly sheweth a Double Taking of his Temporal Kingdom the one in Heaven and 〈◊〉 other upon Earth yet doth he not Take it in the second sence till his Returning from having taken it in the former And in like manner he may be said to have been Married First in Heaven when he Ascended since Marrying and Receiving are the same and yet he doth not Take or Marry that Dispensation upon Earth till his Returning from that former Wedding And so his Knocking Luke 12. 36. must onely intimate his sudden Coming consistent with a going out to meet him 2. By altering the Translation of that Greek word ' Ex which is there rendred From Lu. 12. 36 but yet it may be read by reason of and so that Place and this will nothing differ although fore-named Circumstances be not varied And thus the same Greek word is rendred of Rom. 9. 11. 30 with reference unto Works and Faith and Him that Calleth that is because or by reason of as easily may be collected And in that sence Christs coming To the Marriage here and his Returning in Luke by reason of the Wedding may well agree since his Return viz. from Heaven will be because of his Wedding upon Earth Nor need we stick at the word Return if we referre it unto Heaven which He is now Gone into who sometime was on Earth especially since his Marrying is so Desireable as that Earth therefore may be call'd his Home and so his Coming for such a purpose may well be call'd Returning in the strictest sence yet doth the Greek word onely note Removing 3. By varying the Case in Luke and Matthew The Latter of which or this in my Text doth plainly relate unto Christs Marrying with his Dispensation But that in Luke may possibly referre unto another Parable by which the Virgins are exhorted to be Watchfull as Servants are for their Lord 's Coming when he shall Return from Feasting at some Persons Wedding In which last sence Christ doth compare himself in Luke unto an Housholder who taketh liberty Himself to Feast abroad or to be at another's Wedding in the Night yet doth he expect his Servants should be well employ'd at home and ready to Open at his first Knock. Christ is Now Feasting upon his Fathers Throne Rev. 3. 21 yet will he have his Servants upon Earth to watch that when he shall Return from thence which in regard of Feasting is call'd a Wedding unto his proper Marriage here they might immediately receive him Thus Luke and Matthew are Reconciled Quest 8. Wherein consists the Priviledge hinted here of Going with Christ unto the Marriage at such a Time Ans 1. â—â—ch will enjoy more Intimate and Near Communion with the Bridegroom which is a precious Priviledge Christ then will onely have the Bride as Joh. 3. 29 but all his Friends will have his Presence So as to see his Face Rev. 22. 4 and hear his Voice Joh. 3. 29 and have their fill of his Embraces Cant. 8. 3. Their Eyes shall then behold him in his Beauty Isa 33. 17. and if the Bride be worth one 's Coming to have seen Rev. 21. 9 much more the Crowned Bridegroom in that Day of his Espousals Cant. 3. 11. The Saints future Happiness consisteth in their being with him 1 Thess 4. 17 which therefore Paul so much Desired Phil. 1. 23. the Fulness of Joy being in his Presence Psal 16. 11. which therefore doth forbid his Peoples Mourning Mat. 9. 5. How did good Davids Soul and Flesh thirst to behold his Glory in the Sanctuary Psal 63. 1 2 which will be then so fully Opened as that his Hidden Ark will then be seen Rev. 11. 19. 2. Such will then Clearly see the Bride in all her Glory which is a great Priviledge Rev. 21. 9 10. She will be then Visible unto All as was Christ's spiritual Glory at his first Appearing which yet was Actually seen but by a Few Joh. 1. 14. Others may see her at a Distance as will the saved