2. A profession of godliness, though never so glorious, should not be rested in without a saving work of grace upon the heart to main- tain it. There was the folly of one sort of virgins, that they were contented with having oil in their lamps for their present use, without looking further ; and the wisdom of the other, that their vessels were furnished as well as their lamps. Grace must flow forth, but withal it must have a bottom within. As a fountain or spring sending forth streams to water the ground about it, or the heart sendeth forth life and spirits to every faculty and member, so the graces of the Spirit in believers flow forth in their carriage and behaviour, to make their tongue drop that which is savoury, their actions orderly and even, their carriage in all relations and affairs grave and serious. It is well when all this hath a bottom, that there is a principle of life within, to diffuse this virtue into every part of their conversations, and to keep them mindful and respective to all the commands of God. Now this is required — (1.) Partly because this glorious profession and practice will not serve the turn for the present ; for God looks not to outward appearance, but regards the frame of the heart ; it is internal holiness that is lovely in his eyes, Ps. li. 6, and without which the external is loathsome to him, Mat. xxiii. 17. A Christian hath more in the vessel than in the lamp : Ps. xlv. 13, ' The king's daughter is all glorious within.' That which is outwardly professed is inwardly rooted and cherished by them who worship and serve God in spirit and truth. Knowledge, faith, love, hope, zeal, courage, patience, these adorn the heart, as well as the fruits of them appear in the life, and this maketh us beautiful in the eyes of him that seeth in secret. It would help us to discover our mistakes if we did make God our witness, approver, and judge ; for the present studying to approve him in the frame of our hearts, which is hidden from all others. And (2.) Partly because the lamp will not long hold burning unless there be a stock of oil to feed it ; so that if it could suffice for the present, yet without grace in the heart, for the future, we shall miscarry when the slender provision and store is spent. A Christian is to provide for the time to come such grace as may endure and hold out in all trials, and bear weight in the day of judgment. We are often pressed to set ourselves in such a state, and put ourselves into such a frame, as will endure the glory of Christ's presence ; and to think of that time, and what we shall do, or how we shall be found when he appeareth. He only believeth aright in Christ that will not be ashamed at his appearance : Luke xxi. 36, ' That ye may stand before the Son of man ;' and 1 John iv. 17, ' That we may have boldness at the day of judgment ;' and 1 John ii. 29, ' When he shall appear we may have confidence, and not be ashamed of him at his coming/
3. A saving work of grace is an inward principle of life, and that in such a degree and measure, which the unsound, though the most glorious professors of the gospel, do not attain unto. Some slight and insufficient touches upon their hearts many professors may attain unto that yet never had this rooted principle of grace, which may properly be called oil in the vessel. It differeth in indication and efficacy, as I showed before. They are enlightened, but the day-star doth not arise in their hearts, 2 Peter i. li), and Eph. v. 8. A flash
334 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SER. II.
of light they may have, but are not light in the Lord. Are affected with the truths of the gospel, but not changed or transformed by it, 2 Cor. iii. 18. Sin may be restrained or benumbed, but it is not subdued and mortified, Gal. v. 24 ; we cannot say it is crucified. They are half loosed, but are still in bonds ; make some show of escape from Satan, but are surprised by him again ; worse hampered than before, Mat. xii. 45 ; urged, excited to some good, but not enabled and inclined to love God with all the heart, and seriously and constantly to set about the things that please him, and to avoid the contrary. They have not the grace the apostle prayeth for, Heb. xiii. 12, that grace ' that may make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ.' Have you this grace, to be always working that which is pleasing in his sight ? Their fire is like a straw fire, soon in and soon out; so that there is a difference. The common grace that they have is real, but not of an abiding and everlasting nature, not secured by God's covenant and promise ; there is not that solid, rooted piety. Therefore, it is not enough for Christians to see that the lamp burnetii, but to look what there is in the vessel, to feed the flame. It is not sudden affections on our part, nor the transient motions of the Spirit on God's part, that will amount to a constant principle of life.