hath no great mind to Go Prov. 6. 10. Proud Flesh thinks scorn to have the easiest Terms Imposed 2 Kings 5. 11. 13. Self-loving Flesh would part with Nothing much less with All Mat. 19. 21 22. therefore this self or Flesh must be Denied before Christ will be followed Mat. 16. 24. Consult not herewith in others neither as Absalom did with Hushai and Rehoboam with his Companions unto the Ruine of them both The Serpent will tell thee Christ is too Dear and may abate Gen. 3. 4 5. Relations will bid thee first to provide for Them And Carnal Friends will break thine Heart with their Disswasives Acts 21. 13. Peter took Christ to do for being too forward Mat. 16. 22. whom therefore Paul would not consult with at the first Gal. 1. 16 17 18. Nor will a Bargain of this Nature be concluded till such are silenced by us as Peter was by Christ Mat. 16. 23. 7. Mind his Commodity before you do Refuse it and under this single denomination here of its being called Oyl yea meerly with Respect to that Particular use of Oyl intended here viz. it s being Serviceable in point of Light which may induce your Buying of it 1. The Light is sweet Eccl. 11. 7. and doth Rejoyce the Heart Prov. 15. 30. therefore the Light is put for Joy and Gladness Esth 8. 16. Psal 97. 11. by which the Heart-chearing influence of a Godly Ruler is described 2 Sam. 23. 3 4. Yea God's own Love which is the choisest Cordial is called the Light of his Face or Countenance Psal 4. 6. Now would you not be glad of Joy Come then yea come and Buy this Lightsome and this Gladsome Oyl When Sampson had lost his Eyes or Light how did he Grind in the Prison-House Judg. 16. 21. it may be his Teeth together in way of Indignation and Vexation chusing to be Avenged upon others for his Two Eyes by Losing his very Life v. 28. 30. which Now was not Desirable Yea therefore Hell it self is Represented by a place of Darkness where Grinders are Mat. 8. 12. as Heaven is a place of Light Col. 1. 12. and Joy Psal 16. 11. to shew the Pleasantness of Light as in it self considered and Dolefulness of being in the Dark 2. Light giveth Life and Being unto visible Objects which otherwise are as if they were Not as to our being Solaced with their sight Yea we had better Not to hear of Beauty than to want Eyes or Light by which to see it Man seeth not at least not chiefly by Extramission as Owls and such like Creatures do therefore His very Eyes are useless if in the Dark who onely Heareth what others See Death and Destruction have heard of Wisdom Job 28. 22. but sinners know not that Eminent Gift John 4. 10. because there is no Light in them Isa 8. 20. How marvellously would it Affect could Men but see the Amiableness of God's Tabernacles Psal 84. 1. the many Flowers in Sion's Land Cant. 2. 12. much more the Glory of God himself as it appeareth in his Sanctuary Psal 63. 2. John did behold Christ's Glory in his Lowest state John 1. 14. but others saw no Beauty in him who therefore did Despise him Isa 53. 2. 3. Else will you not have the Comfort of what you do Enjoy Souls in a state of Darkness may Really be Interested in Electing Love but till Christ gives them Light Eph. 5. 14. such cannot know it without his Holy Enlightning Spirit there is no Joy of his Salvation Psal 51. 11 12. Thou hast the Scriptures but till thine Eyes are Opened thou canst not understand them 2 Cor. 4. 4. because they are Spiritually to be Discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. Thou hast the Tender of that Marvellous Light 1 Pet. 2. 9. the Sun of Righteousness doth shine upon thee but yet thy Darkness cannot Comprehend it John 1. 5. God is not far from every of you Acts 17. 27. yet can you not see or know him untill the Son Revealeth him Mat. 11. 27. therefore such Groundedly cannot Joy save in the Creature Nor can you see the Creature Neither so as to Rejoyce therein aright save as this Sun doth make that Moon conspicuous Psal 16. 5 6. or as God's Light doth shew the goodliness of that Inheritance 4. You will not else be apt to Blush or be Ashamed whatever cause there may be of it It is a shame to speak of those things which are done by some in secret Eph. 5. 12. because all Manifestation is by the Light v. 13. How did Enlightned Ezra Blush to mention the sins of others Ezra 9. 6. much more to stain his own Profession with the least unseemly Motion Ezra 8. 22 Light is Subjected in the Eye Mat. 6. 22. which Eye is therefore apt to water with every Mote and will not suffer spots to rest upon the Garment Thence is it that Enlightned ones are alway Neat. But sinners are in Darkness Mat. 4. 16. who therefore cannot be Ashamed Jer. 6. 15. Sin being Virtually upon their Back where vilest Spots may be and be Continued with utmost Confidence till they shall be Ashamed and Consounded both together 5. You will not else have any Spiritual Heat or Warmth which alway is Accompanied with Spiritual Light The Natural Sun may warm him who is Blind as to his Bodily sight but so doth not the Sun of Righteousness save whom he also doth Enlighten There may be true Spiritual Light oâ— Grace without any Apprehended Warmth or Comfort Isa 50. 10. but there can be no Grounded Peace where Grace is wholly wanting Isa 57. 21. This is that Oyl of Joy Isa 61. 3. and without which there is no Laughter save what is Mad Eccl. 2. 2. Darkness and Sorrow are Co-incident and both of them are Consistent with the Light of Earthly Sparks Isa 50. 11. All Wisdoms Paths are Paths of Peace Prov. 3. 17. which is a way that others know not because their Paths are crooked Isa 59. 8. and therefore their Case must needs be sad 6. You will not else be Spiritually helpful unto others at least there is no Promise for it upon other Terms Jer. 23. 22. Christ was Anointed first and with this Special Oyl and then his Preaching was Effectual Isa 61. 1. but What hast thou to do saith God unto the Wicked to Declare my Statutes Psal 50. 16 whom others are bid to let alone and with Respect unto their Blindness Mat. 15. 14. Lips may Salute the Ear whereas Heart Answereth unto Heart Prov. 27. 19. nor can it be Expected in an Ordinary way that Nature should work Grace or that a sinner should Beget save in his own Likeness as Gen. 5. 3. Christ's Image in a true Believer's Conversation is a Preaching Picture 1 â—et 3. 1. while Graceless Gifts are but a silent kind of Speaking John 6. 63. nor can the Flesh Reveal that which is Spiritual Mat. 16. 17. no more than Nature can Receive it 1 Cor. 2. 14. Since Darkness Comprehendeth
single Force of Pre-engagement and as with reference unto sin Jer. 2. 25. so with Respect unto some kind of good John 19. 22. Yea Jephthah rather than he would go back chose to Deny himself in Sacrificing his onely Child Judg. 11. 35. Pride also is Predominant in Foolish Virgins who therefore may do more than otherwise they would have done because they scorn to come behind their Fellows Communion also begetteth Love and Love constrained Ruth who yet had not a better Principle to keep her Mother Company Ruth 1. 15 16. Yea Natural Conscience will Regret to Part with Ancient Precious Friends when barely put upon Repeating their Joint former Practice untill some more than Ordinary Let doth intervene and till a plausible pretence or colour shall be Offered for such a Parting 4. They might do This without any Prejudice to Themselves and in that Case some easier work will not be stuck at by a Foolish Virgin 'T is nothing in Comparison for one Awakened to Arise Nor can the Trimming of One's Lamp or stirring of some good Affections much Disquiet any Man whose Principal Interest or Corruption is yet untouch'd Thus Satan is content to Gratifie the sinner's bawling or a wakened Conscience by giving him a Dispensation to Hear and Read and Pray sometimes untill that Crying fit be over Nor is a Worldly Interest endangered by what this Trimming of the Lamps importeth no more than Nicodemus his Coming unto Christ by Night did him since he was yet within the Compass of that Law John 9. 22. And though an Harlot will not do thus much yet is the most Foolish Virgin Wiser than to distast a Bosom Friend by Grudging that which may be safely granted 5. They might think being Foolish this was All untill the Cry is as it were Expounded by the Wiser Virgins Going further So prone are Hypocrites to Magnifie their own Performances Or they might think this would suffice at least either to carry them out as at the first or to Excuse them in Case they did not Go having thus shewn their good Affection by Trimming of their Lamps First they might think their Trimmed Lamps would be sufficient to carry them out this Second time as well as at the First when they did onely take their Lamps but no Oyl with them not minding the Difference that Now was both as to the Work it self and also the strength of their Affections The Work it self was Then more Easie and their Affections were more Lively than at the Present But when poor Sampson's Hair was cut he still was apt to Fancy that shaking of himself would serve the turn as heretofore at other times Judg. 16. 19 20. This trusting unto fore-Experiences is many times the Ruine of unsound Professors who Argue from a former Practice unto their Future perseverance and so betray themselves into the Tempter's hand through their Presumptuous Confidence David indeed might safely Argue his following Success from what he formerly had met with 1 Sam. 17. 37. because he went in the Name or Strength of God v. 45. which Hypocrites do not pretend unto and therefore since their Good is not in their Own Hand Job 21. 16. it is no wonder if their Lamp or Candle be put out v. 17. Secondly they might at least suppose This would Excuse them in Case they went no further having thus shewn their Willing Mind or good Affections by Trimming of their Lamps Thus some poor Creatures are apt to Fansy that good Desires will serve the turn who therefore plead a Love for Christ such as those Virgins had Cant. 1. 3. who yet were not Espoused to him These Good Affections are the Bane of Hypocrites who think to Borrow upon Practice by their Presenting Christ with good Desires but he will not be Mocked Onely themselves are fully satisfied if they have but a liking of Christ's ways a Love for Walkers in them especially if they are Up and Doing to the Height of their pretended Light Indeed Christ sometimes doth Accept a Willing Mind but that Relateth onely to Invincible Inability and not to Foolish Virgins but the Wise 2 Cor. 8. 11 12. both which are sadly mis-applyed by them to themselves 6. This Work is of a self-paying Nature as well as safe and Ephraim that silly Creature Hos 7. 11. is willing to Tread out the Corn Hos 10. 11. or Work and Eat together Deut. 25. 4. so is a Foolish Virgin The first Going out was attended with present Pay wherein the Foolish Virgins therefore Joyned so is their Second Rising and Trimming of their Lamps though not their Second Going forth And Carnal Jews will follow Christ whilst they are filled with his Loaves John 6. 26. who Walked no more with him v. 66. when nothing but Spiritual or invisible Bread and Flesh is promised to them v. 51. But Rising doth Refresh the Conscience much so doth the finifying of Affections Since it is Natural unto Maids or Virgins to think more on their Ornaments than on their Rest Jer. 2. 32. Yea they would not else be accounted Virgins the Preservation of which Name or Title doth Plentifully Recompense the Foolish Virgins present Labour who therefore are thus at Work Vse 1. As none were to be counted Virgins Heretofore save they who at the first went forth to meet the Bridegroom so when the Cry is made none are to be Accounted Virgins Then save they who thereupon Arose and Trimmed their Lamps since All the Virgins at such a time are said to do so And so long onely doth the Warrant of Communion last with such and of their being Owned as Professors who Differed from the Wise at first as to Reality but from This time they cease to have the Name of Virgins given to them and as that Name is Common to the Foolish with the Wise in point of Visibility This shews the sadness of their visible State who are not moved with the Cry since they have thereby forfeited the Name of Virgins in Christ's Account as having slept the sleep of Death Yea they who are not Parted Now from such as These will not themselves be counted Virgins Vse 2. Here we may see one sad Effect of sleep or slumber viz. the marring of our Lamps at least as their being Trimmed by awakened ones evinceth Now Virgins usually are very Neat therefore this consideration might suffice to keep such ever waking as they would not spoyl their Trimming How Glorious was their first Love when shining with a Lively Exercise thereof and Burning with an Holy Zeal for Christ at their first Going out together wherewith their Glory also hath been lost Man's Eye is eminently the Seat of Beauty which therefore needs must be Eclipsed together with the Closing of his Eye with sleep which is Death's Image In point of visibility Darkness it self is staining Job 3. 5. and sleep will Ruffle the finest Ornaments in Reality therefore none would be seen in their Night-Habits nor will they lye down to slumber till
as to the same Degree for that which in respect of Kind is Equally communicated unto all Thus are the Saints betrusted with peculiar Priviledges yea every Sinner with some kind of Talent though Gradually Differing both of them each from other and suitable whereunto must be their Reckoning Men must be accountable for their sweet Illapses Crosses Opportunities for Duty Helps therein and Outward Mercies what they have Gained thereby whose Duty it therefore is to Trade therewith and to wards the End especially 3. Let us be much in Prayer that we may not Enter into Temptation Mark 14. 38. but be accounted VVorthy to Escape and stand before the Son of Man Luke 21. 36. Now one may be said to Enter into Temptation when something is that way done although not to the Height thereof when sinfull Motions are Parlyed with or Satan is heard in a plain Case When foiled Temptations are not pursued but suffered to Rise again When Opposite Duty is not duely prized and when we are not Deeply Humbled for a former Fall In which regard Prayer is of special securing use as it doth bring the Soul into God's Over-awing Presence as it enlivens other helps and as it is the likelyest way to be Instructed and Assisted from the Lord. Onely we must therein be Upright Earnest Persevering and not Idle Beggars but free to Work 4. What manner of Persons ought we to be as to All Godliness and Holy Conversation 2 Pet. 3. 11 so as to be found of Christ in Peace and without Spot or Blame v. 14 Christ will Then come and his Reward with him Isa 40. 10 therefore let us now ply our Work apace and let us not make light of Idle words which then must be Accounted for Mat. 12. 36. Each Talent well Improved will gain a City in that Day Luke 19. 17 and little do many think how small a matter will be sufficient to Burn This World as was to Drown the Other How forcible to make us Accurate would be the constant Expectation of a Dying Hour and the last Trumpets sounding unto Judgement And with what Chearfulness doth a Tenant hear his Landlord Knock whose Rent is Ready and not to Borrow at such a time 5. Say not A Confederacy with Threatning Ashur Isa 8. 12 whose Fall Isa 31. 8. immediately ushereth in Christ's Dispensation Isa 32. 1. Some will Confederate with him for Mischief to God's Hidden Ones Psal 83. 4 5 8. and others in Jerusalem through slavish Fear directly cross to a Divine Command And therefore Hezekiah would not give him Pledges Isa 36. 8 although he was not for Provoking Answers v. 21. and thereupon was fortified from the Lord Isa 37. 6 7. What Shame and Horrour will then surprize those unrepenting Israelites who have gone down for help to Egypt Isa 31. 1. or to this King with Presents Isa 57. 9 'T is very Probable that Shebna was of this Confederacy who sometimes had the Key of David's House but therefore forfeited his Place unto Eliakim Isa 22. 21 before that Siege was raised 2 Kings 18. 18. 6. Come out of Babylon as all Gods People are bid to doe Rev. 18. 4. and more especially at such a Time Now Babylon is to be Known Partly by her being very Tender and unacquainted with others Hardships Isa 47. 1 2. Partly by her abounding with worldly Great ones 2 Kings 25. 28 and men of greatest Note for Wisdom Dan. 2. 12 Partly by making a God of Succoth-benoth or Tents of Daughters 2 King 17. 30 viz. the Numerousness of their Party though onely made up of Women Partly by her most cruel Persecutions Jer. 50. 17. and unnatural Oppressions Isa 14. 20 and Partly by her Incorrigibleness Jer. 51. 9. This Babylon is to be left Jer. 51. 45. and all the Temple-Vessels to be carried thence which have been there Abused as was of Old since Every one found There at such a time will be cut off Isa 13. 15. 7. Forsake not the Assembling of your selves Together and so much the more as this Day seemeth to Approach Heb. 10. 25. Those are no Watchers especially in these latter dayes who are for meeting Asunder through fear of suffering for so clear a Duty Thus let us therefore VVatch in case fresh Persecution should arise as hath oft done in former times and after some Respite given And as men would be kept Awake in that respect so let them take heed of Trusting in their Former Duty much more of pleading for a former Failing or making light thereof which is most likely to betray us into fresh Temptations Yea let us Adde mutual Exhortations unto other Means whereby to counterpoise the Practice or Manner of some Others with reference hereunto as is there further signified Heb. 10. 25. 8. Let us be Moderate in our Affections with reference unto Creature-comforts and more Especially as the Time grows short or as the Fashion of This world is seen to pass Away 1 Cor. 7. 29 30 31. VVhich word translated Fashion doth signifie the Out side Cloathing of a thing or person thus Christ was found in Fashion as a Man Phil. 2. 8. when he was cloathed with our Nature so will the Present VVorld be changed as a Vesture at his Coming Psal 102. 25. And that word short is thought to be a Metaphor taken from a piece of Cloth whose very End is onely left unrolled up Or rather it doth im-import that Time is Now put into its VVinding-sheet and so the same Greek VVord is rendred Acts 5. 6. Therefore 't is Time to take our Affections Off from that which is Now Dead and Ready to be Buried 9. Let us then Flee out of Judea into the Mountains Mat. 24. 16. and much more out of Old Jerusalem at such a time on pain of Death Jer. 21. 9 10 11. 'T is something strange that it should Ever be a Duty to goe into Babylon but 't is True as Babylon denotes Confusion or Going forth out of the City into the Field and There shall Sion be Delivered Mic. 4. 10. Thus are the Lord's Priests or Eminent Saints commanded to VVeep between the Porch and Altar at such a time Joel 2. 17 which necessarily implyeth their being Come out of that former Temple wherein they had been wont to Minister VVhich fleeing to the Mountains doth fitly suit with Meeting Christ in the Air at last 1 Thess 4. 17 as being a Middle-state between the Earth and Heaven or their being Covered in the shadow of his Hand till he shall Plant the Heavens and lay the Foundations of the Earth afresh Isa 51. 16. 10. Remember Lot's wife saith Christ himself with reference unto his Coming Luke 17. 30. 32. whom we are to Remember as to her Sin and Punishment together with the Circumstances which relate unto them both Her Sin was Looking Back to Sodom or Behind her Gen. 19. 26. contrary to God's Express Command v. 17. which Looking Back unfitteth for an Interest in his Kingdom Luke 9. 62.