of his Spirit ; and that " the grace of Christ shall be sufficient for us." See how graciously the Lord supported Paul, when all his Christian friends had forsaken him in his greatest extremity : "At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me : I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge : not- withstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me™." Thus shall you find him present with you in every hour of trial, and be made "more than conquerors through him that loved you."]
m 2 Tim. iv. IG.
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Matt. XXV. 10. And they that were ready went in with him to the marriage : and the door was shut.
TOWARDS the close of his ministry our Lord insisted much upon the vengeance which should in a little time be inflicted on the Jewish nation, and upon the general judgment which was to be typified by that event. He the rather dwelt on these subjects that he might keep up in the minds of his disciples an expectation of his future advent, and stimulate them to such incessant vigilance as might enable them to behold his face with joy. In the passage before us he compares his final appearance to the sudden return of a bridegroom ; and the state of mankind to that of virgins who had been appointed to pay him the customary honours ^ He mentions two different descriptions of persons who had under- taken that office, and from whose character and end they might derive the most important instruction. We shall be profitably employed whilst we,
L Compare their character —
There was much wherein the wise and foolish virgins appeared to resemble each other —
[Both of them professed to be waiting the arrival of the heavenly bridegroom : both, while the bridegroom tarried, became unwatchful, and were overpowered with sleep : both were alarmed at the sudden tidings of his approach, and
^ Here read the whole parable.
If396.1 THE TEN VIRGINS. 531
instantly began to put themselves in a state of readiness to meet him. This fitly describes the state of the visible Church, in which, the professed intentions of all are exactly similar. All believe that Christ w^ill come again to judge the world ; and profess to be waiting for his arrival : all too are apt to be off their guard, and to yield to slothfulness. As for hypocrites, they are immersed in the deepest sleep ; and even the best of men are sometimes remiss; yea, their utmost vigilance may be almost called a slumber, when compared with that activity and vigour of mind which they ought ever to preserve. The prospect of death and judgment is awful to persons of every description : much as the bridegroom's arrival is desired, it is a solemn event to all ; nor can the holiest of men look forward to it but " with fear and trembling." Often is his approach announced, when we, alas ! are but little prepared for his recep- tion : but all agree in preparing for him when he appears to be near at hand : even hypocrites " in their affliction will cry, Arise and save us :" and all, except the most obdurate repro- bates, will feel a desire to meet him with acceptance.]
But notwithstanding this resemblance betv^een the wise and foolish virgins, they widely differed from each other.
[The wise virgins had taken the precaution to secure oil in their vessels, that in case the bridegroom should tarry, they might have wherewith to replenish their lamps, and not be destitute of it in the hour of need. But the foolish virgins were contented with just so much as would enable them to make a fair shew for the present ; nor were they at all aware of the danger to which their improvidence exposed them : hence when the cry was made at midnight, the wise virgins had only to trim their lamps, which, though burning dimly, were yet alight; but the foolish ones found their lamps extinguished; nor even knew how, or where, they should obtain a supply of oil. Instantly they requested the other virgins to impart to them of theirs ; but were advised to go and procure it where alone it was to be obtained. The bridegroom however coming during their absence, the wisdom of the provident, and the folly of the improvident, were made apparent.