2. On the part of the foolish, they found their oil spent.
3. That they go to the wise for a supply : ' Give us of your oil.' First, The effect of the cry that is common to them all, ' They arose
and trimmed their lamps.' Which is first to be considered on the wise virgins' part, and so it will teach us this note : —
Doct. That the faithful, as often as they think of the coming of the Lord, should more rouse up themselves, and prepare themselves to meet him with joy and comfort.
For the trimming of the lamps, on their part it noteth the rousing up of themselves out of their negligence and security, and a serious preparation for his coming. To evidence this to you, we shall con- sider—
1. How the scripture presseth this upon us.
2. What reasons there are in the thing itself to awaken us to this serious preparation.
First, How the scripture presseth this upon us. In the word of God we have not only the doctrine of Christ's coming to judgment, but the uses and inferences built thereupon. I shall instance in two places in one chapter, 2 Peter iii. 11 and 14.
Ver. 11, ' What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conver- sation and godliness ? ' Where observe —
1. That it is not enough to believe the doctrine of Christ's coming, but we must improve it to the use of holy living. The improvement is pressed in scripture, as well as the doctrine is revealed. In God's account no faith will go for faith, but the working faith ; all else is
372 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SeR. YI.
but opinion and cold speculation ; whatever truths we believe, we must bring forth to practice. Therefore if we believe steadfastly, we must live accordingly ; live as men that look for such things. A bare apprehension or assent to the truth is nothing worth, unless it be accompanied with that care and diligence which belongeth to the truth so apprehended. The Christian religion consisteth not in word, but in deed ; and our belief of it is not tried by a speculative assent, especially in the absence of temptations, but by a constant and diligent practice of those duties whereunto this belief bindeth us. So that they do not truly and savingly believe such things who are not seriously and constantly diligent in the spiritual life. I cannot say that an assent separate from practice is no faith, but it is no saving faith ; it it is such a faith as the devils may have, who know there is a God, and a Christ, and a world to come ; they believe it and fear it. So may carnal men believe it so far as to stir up bondage and legal fears in their hearts ; but while they improve it not, and prepare not for their everlasting estate, their faith is ineffectual to salvation. True faith is tried rather by living than by talking : 1 John ii. 4, ' He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.' There is a difference between an untruth and a lie. Now where the actions do not correspond to the profession, that profession is not only an untruth but a lie. There is a denying in word as well as works,1 Titus i. 16. Many profess and believe as Christians, but live as atheists. It is not notions, but affections, living rather than talking, that will demonstrate true faith. Now the paucity of serious walkers showeth the paucity of true believers.
2. In this improvement there is an appeal to conscience ; for here is a question put to our own hearts, let reason and conscience speak : After the serious consideration of the glory and terror of Christ's second coming, what holiness and preparation is necessary on our part ! Surely the holiest upon earth, if they would put this question to their own hearts, they would not be satisfied with that holiness which they had, but would seek after more ; their desires wTould be strengthened, their endeavours quickened, their diligence doubled. It is for want of self-communing that we are so dull and sluggish. If men did oftener ask of themselves, reason would tell them that no slight thing will serve the turn. But truths are not improved. First, for want of a sound belief ; secondly, for want of a serious considera- tion. Therefore in scripture, when any notable truth is propounded and improved, there are these appeals to conscience : Heb. ii. 3, ' How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation ? ' and Eom. viii. 31, ' What shall we say to these things ? '
3. In this appeal the qualification of our persons is first regarded and looked after. For pray mark the question : it is not, How holy ought our conversations to be ? but, What manner of persons ? The state of the person must be first regarded, and then the course of our actions and conversations. There are some persons at whose hands God will not accept a gift. God had respect first to Abel, and then to his offering. The state of the person is to be judged of according to the two great privileges of Christianity — justification and sanctification.