Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 25:13

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

For the understanding of all Parables, I have formerly shewed, That Parables are Similitudes brought from some Earthly things, or Actions, to Illustrate some Heavenly Doctrine, or Spiritual Mysteries, and insinuate them into our Practice; for the right understanding of all Parables, the first and principal thing to be attended to, is the Scope and main end of the Parable. What Heavenly Doctrine it is, which our Saviour by that Earthly Similitude designeth to illustrate, or what practical thing it is which he designeth by that Parable to press, I have shewed▪ our Saviour sometimes more particularly sheweth this, Expressing what he meant by the several things, and Actions mentioned in the Parable. This he did, Ch. 13. in the Parable of the Sower, and of the Tares of the Field. But in most Parables he doth not so, but from something going before or coming after, gives us light enough to know what his main design was, and leaveth to us by that to interpret the several parts of the Parable. Here he hath left us a sufficient Light to know his meaning. 1. From his Discourse in the latter end of the foregoing Chapter, where he had been pressing the Duty, and Prudence of watchfulness, from the incertainty of the time of his coming. It is manifest that he is pursuing the same design still, by the [non-Latin text not transcribed] or, the saying with which he closeth this Parable, v. 13, Watch ye therefore, for you know neither the Day, nor the Hour wherein the Son of Man cometh. This Watchfulness we had interpreted, by an opposition to Sin, [illegible: 1 word] of Omission and Commission. Taking heed of having our Hearts over-charged with Surfeiting, and Drunkenness, and Cares of this Life. Luke 21.34.36. Taking heed of smiting our Fellow Servants, Eating and Drinking with the Drunken, discharging our Trusts faithfully, Ministers giving to the houshold of Christ their Portion in due Season. Ch. 24. v. 45.49. being ready for the coming of Christ, v. 43. Praying, Luke 21.36. This our Lord had pressed there particularly on Ministers, he is here in this Parable pressing the same Duty on all, and in this Parable further opens the Duty of Watchfulness, not only as opposed to Slumbring and Sleeping, but as comprehending a getting of our selves ready (as he had said, Ch. 24.44.) and this Readiness he also further openeth in this Parable, under the Notion, of having not only Lamps, but Oyl in our Lamps. To these purposes he takes up this Parable, which we shall not so well understand without understanding their usual Rites, and Customs at Weddings, which were these. 1. Their Marriages were ordinarily in the Night. 2. They usually had Young-men that attended the Bridegroom, and Young Virgins that attended the Bride at her Fathers House. The Young-men attended the Bridegroom. These were called the Children of the Bride-Chamber, or the Friends of the Bridegroom or Bride, Mar. 2.19. Iohn 3.29. The Wedding being in the Night, there was need of Lamps. When the Bridegroom came, the Bride-maids, who were attending the Bride, went forth to meet the Bridegroom, with Lamps lighted, to conduct him and his Companions into the House, and to Her who was to be the Bride, when they were entred the Door was shut, and the Marriage proceeded. Our Saviour now to quicken his Auditors to the Watchfulness, before spoken of, supposeth such a Marriage and Ten Virgins, (the usual number at such Solemnities) he supposeth these Ten Virgins, to have been, half of them Wise, and half Foolish, the Wisdom of the one, he makes to lye in getting their Lamps ready, and furnishing themselves in time, with Oyl to feed them, that they might go out, either while they waited for his coming, or in their Conduct of him. The Folly of the others he makes to lye in their want of this care, so as when the Bridegroom came, their Lamps were out, they would have borrowed Oyl of the others, but they had none to lend them, so as they were shut out of the Door, of the Bridal-House, and tho they Knocked could obtain no entrance. It is not hard now to apply the several parts of the Parable, to the end for which this Parable is brought, provided that we do not expect, that Similitudes should run on four Feet, or that every Minute Circumstance in a Parable, should be fitted in the Explication. The Kingdom of Heaven (which in Scripture always signifies that of Grace or Glory) here signifieth that of Grace, the State of the Church is likened to Ten Virgins, these Ten Virgins are Professors, their Lamps and their going forth to meet the Bridegroom, signifie their joynt profession of the Gospel, and their Expectation joyfully to meet Christ (who is the Bridegroom here meant, Psal. 45.14. Iohn 3.29. Five were Wise, five F[illegible: 3 letters]ish. T[illegible: 2 letters]s signifieth the di[illegible: 1 letter]ference o[illegible: 1 letter] Professors, some have Lamps, make a Profe[illegible: 1 letter]sio[illegible: 1 letter], but have no Truth of Grace, others have the root of the m[illegible: 1 letter]tter in them, a true Faith, and Love which feeds Me[illegible: 1 letter]s Profession. The Bridegrooms tarrying, signifies C[illegible: 1 letter]ri[illegible: 1 letter]ts delaying to come to Judgment, their Slumbring and Sleeping signifies the Infirmities of the best, who Sleep, tho their Hearts Wake; and the deeper se[illegible: 1 letter]urity of others in the[illegible: 1 letter]r sinful state. The coming of the Bridegroom at Mid-night. Signifieth Christ's coming, in a dark time of Troubles and Afflictions, or at a time not looked for. The Virgins trimming their Lamps upon the cry made, signifies the care of Pious Souls, more especially upon any notices of Christs coming, to prepare themselves for the meeting, and Reception of him. The foolish Virgins late discerning that their Lamps were out, and that they wanted Oyl, lets us know, that Hypocrites and formal Professors, will too late know that Profession without a Root of Faith, and true Regeneration will serve them in no stead. Their asking the wise Virgins to lend them some of their Oyl with their refusal, because then they should not have enough for themselves, lets us know the woful shifts that Hypocrites will at last be put to, and how vain their Hopes are, who hope to be relieved, from the Grace, and good Works of others. Their going to buy Oyl, and their being shut out before they returned, and Knocking in vain, and in vain crying, Lord open to us, lets us know, That as the Tree falls so it must lye, That after our buying time in this Life mentioned, Isaiah 55.1, 2. is expired: Our State will be determined, that we are concerned to take the Counsel of Solomon, Eccles. 9.10. whatsoever thy Hand findeth to do, especially for our Souls, to do it with thy might, for there is no Work nor Device, nor Knowledge, nor Wisdom in the Grave whither thou goest. Therefore we are all concern'd to Watch, that is, to look that we have not only Lamps, but Oyl to feed our Lamps, and to keep our Lamps burning, because we know that the Bridegroom Christ will come, and we do not know at what time he will come, to the General Judgment, or our particular Judgment; for when we dye, we can do no more to make our selves ready for the great coming of Christ to Judge the World, but must appear before him, as we go out of this World. No Oyl after the Determination of our Lives will be to be bought, no further Preparation of our selves is to be made, as our Life leaveth us Judgment will find us.

Marginal references: Mark 13. [illegible: 2 letters] 1 Cor. 1[illegible: 1 letter]. 1[illegible: 1 letter] ▪ 1 Thes. 5.[illegible: 1 letter] 1 Pet. 5.[illegible: 1 letter] Rev. 16.[illegible: 2 letters]