tism in the morning of their lives: they have not extinguished them by apostacy, or any heinous wickedness: what more can they require?

Yes--more, much more is required: or we shall be among those who have the "form," but not the power of godliness," who "have a name to live, and are dead." The lamp must be supplied with the Spirit of Christ for it is written, "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." The heart and the practice must be kept pure; for "without holiness no man shall see the Lord." There must be a sincere and ardent love of our fellow creatures: this is the proof that men are disciples of Christ. The same mind must be created in us, as was in Christ Jesus: the same self-denying spirit, the same lowliness and meekness, the same patience and long suffering.

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Those who are satisfied with the name and outward signs of Christianity, and go through life without striving to add all these qualities to their profession of faith, are like the foolish virgins, who went out to meet the bridegroom, and took no oil with them they will have nothing to show as proofs of faith when the bridegroom comes. Less need be said of the wise virgins: they did, what the others did not. They took oil in their vessels with their lamps. They prepared against the day, "when the Son of man shall come in his glory." Through the power of the Holy Spirit, these contend against their corrupt nature, keep down the risings of sin, and encourage in their hearts whatsoever things are honourable, and lovely, and pure, and pleasing to God. They do

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not flatter themselves that all must needs be well, because by their country and by their baptism they belong to the Christian family; but they see that the gate of life is narrow, the way of destruction broad; and so take heed to "make their calling sure," and "give all diligence, to add to their faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly-kindness; and to brotherly-kindness, charity." In this way they keep themselves in a prepared state. Like the virgins who had oil ready to light up their lamps, these are careful to maintain their souls in right order, and able to meet the bridegroom whenever he appears.

5. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

There is an interval during which they remain in the world, till the appointed season of their death arrives.' The foolish virgins pass this interval in ignorant carelessness. They suffer nothing to disturb them; they reject all such books and all such companions as might be likely to rouse them from their slumber; they exclude the thoughts of death; or if the memory of it is forced upon them, they speak "peace to their souls, when there is no

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To take sleep here in a bad sense, is foreign from the intention of the parable. I interpret it of the worldly business, in which the faithful must be occupied whilst they remain in the flesh. And though forgetfulness of the heavenly kingdom never ought to creep on them, the distractions of this world are not unfitly compared to sleep.”— Calvin in loco.

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 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.

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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. 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.

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 you 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 yourself: 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."

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. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

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

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

excluded, Verily I

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