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souls, when there is no peace." On the other hand, the sleep of the wise is the calm tranquillity, not of those who are ignorant or careless of danger, but who are prepared for it. In their practice, they "watch and pray that they enter not into temptation;" but in their hearts they enjoy repose, and are entitled to it; for "being justified by faith, they have peace with God," and are safe from the powers of darkness, whether they wake or sleep, whether they sleep or die.

6. "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7. "Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps."

The bridegroom cometh when death comes. This is the time for which they were to be ready. Then it was to be seen whether they were in a state of preparation; able to meet the eye and answer the expectations of their Lord, who looked to find them in order for His reception.

And now appears the difference between the foolish and the wise. Those who have "kept the faith" of the Son of God, meet the approach of death without dismay; it does not take them by surprise; they have provided for it; they have lived for it. Certainly it is to them, as it is to all, a serious and perhaps an awful change; but they arise and trim their lamps; they examine their hearts, and find them relying for acceptance solely on their Saviour's merits; their

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conscience testifies that they have proved that faith by "confessing" Him in their life and practice; and these witnesses of the Spirit enable them to say, "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word." As for the ungodly, it is not so with them. They are in utter confusion.

8. "And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out."

We often see this when the hour of danger and of death arrives, in those who have been content with the name of Christians without the spirit, or who have borne the outward appearance of religion, having none of its reality in their heart. At last, they perceive the vanity of their hopes, the error of their past lives. And to whom do they apply in this terror and alarm? Not to the careless; not to the worldly; not to the hypocritical of their acquaintance, their former companions; but to those whom lately they despised, perhaps as too precise or too superstitious, too careful not to miss the narrow gate that leadeth unto life, but whom they now discover to be the only wise. These they anxiously consult, and inquire, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Give us of your faith, for our lamps are gone out. We are now aware that we have had no true religion; we have nothing to show ; no proof of our profession; we are utterly unprepared to meet the Lord.

Matt. x. 32.

9. "But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves."

Such is the only advice by which the minister or the pious friend is able to comfort the dying man. My faith, he says, I cannot give you; that grace which alone can make it effectual to renew your heart, is not mine to give. But go ye rather to Him, who gave Himself for you as well as for me, who gave Himself a ransom for all who turn to Him in faith. Go, and buy for yourselves; procure by your repentance, your prayers, and your contrition, that interest in the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, which is freely offered "to all who truly turn to Him." 3

The conclusion of the parable warns us to be wise in time, and not to trust to any such late repentance.

10. "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage and the door was shut.

11. "Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, open to us.

12. "But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13. "Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

This parable gives indeed a strong reason why all should watch, and be habitually prepared. And the words in which the unrighteous are excluded, point out what habitual preparation is.

Communion service.

Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Those, then, who are really heirs of salvation must be known to their Lord by certain signs. They must have been known to Him by their faith, leading them to give up other grounds of confidence. They must have been known to Him by their practice, as setting their affections on things above; as living to Him who died for them; as denying themselves the lusts of the flesh, and the vanities of the world, as far as they are inconsistent with the commands of God. In this manner our Lord Himself tells us, that He knows them that are His. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish." These, He assures us, shall enter with Him to the marriage. "Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." 5

Watch, therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of man cometh. Think no labour, no self-denial, no means of grace within your reach too much; that when you are summoned, you may be found ready; "your loins girded, and your lights burning, and yourselves like men that are waiting for their Lord."

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* John x. 27.

'Matt. x. 33.

LECTURE XXI.

PARABLE OF THE TALENTS.

MATT. XXV. 14-30.

14. "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15. "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey."

In this parable is explained to us the condition of Christians in the world, as the servants of God; his own servants in an especial manner, as bound to Him by the obligations of their baptism; as those to whom He has appointed duties, and whom He makes accountable for the discharge of those duties.

He delivers to them his goods. Not to all in an uniform portion; but a portion to all; and to every man according to his several ability. We have "gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us." "There are diversities of gifts," both in the ministers of the Church, and the world at large. For the talents here distributed represent the various powers and opportunities which each individual enjoys, both of doing good and of receiving good; represent abilities, whether of education, or of natural understanding; represent the advantages of health, of time, of for

'Rom. xii. 6.

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