John Trapp on Matthew 25:3

Verse 3. Took their lamps, and took no oyle] Empty casks, [illegible: 1 word] figtrees, pretenders only to the power of godlinesse: of whom it may be said, as Livy saith of the Athenians, that they waged warre against Philip the father of Persius King of Macedonia [illegible: 1 word] 4. (so these against the devill the world and the flesh,) literis verbis que , quibus solis valent. These carry Uriah's letters about them destructory to themselves. For if Religion be not good, why do they professe it? If it be, why do they not practise it? To such it may fitly be said, as Archidamus to his son, rashly conflicting with the enemy without sufficient strength, Aut viribus adde, aut animis adime, so either adde practise, or leave profession: And as Alexander, having a souldier of his own name, and this souldier being a coward, he came to him and said, either leave off the name of Alexander, or be valiant: so let these Nominals, either lay by their lamps or take oile with them.