for ever the praises of our God in the courts of Heaven. "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage-supper of the LAMB;" never more to faint or flag; never more to slumber or sleep; but for ever to cry with a loud voice, "Salvation to our GOD, WHICH Sitteth upon the Throne, and unto the LAMB."-So, doubtless, shall it be with the tongue he now has, that the unfaithful Christian shall, at the Coming of the Bridegroom "say to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the Face of HIM That sitteth upon the Throne, and from the Wrath of the LAMB." With that self-same tongue, "salted with fire," that it may "burn," and not be "consumed," in the "everlasting burnings," shall the unwise bewail themselves as lost; lost for ever, and for ever. Those tongues, doubtless shall they "gnaw for pain," and desire, without finding," the tip of a finger dipped in water," wherewith to be "cooled," when "tormented in that flame.", 8 3 Accordingly, there shall be a cry made, 1 Rev. xix. 9. 7 Rev. xvi. 10. 2 Rev. vii. 10. 8 S. Luke xvi. 24. 3 Rev. vi. 16. "Be both from wise and unwise, "Behold the Bridegroom cometh!" Then shall the unwise " cry with a great and exceeding bitter cry," and say, "Behold HE cometh!" And the wise shall make answer, and say, hold HE cometh! Even so, come, LORD JESUS, come quickly." All, wise and unwise, shall cry out for "the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His Voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the Resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of damnation." Oh! what a midnight of the soul are the words, Death and Judgment, to those who are walking in the sunshine of this world! How, in a moment, does all that is brightest on this side the grave, sink into "darkness which may be felt." Who shall walk into "the land of darkness, and the shadow of death," with his lamp untrimmed, and his loins ungirded? Who thus go out to meet HIM? It is an aweful, fearful thought, to awake and go forth into "a land of darkness, as darkness itself," and to know not whither 3 S. John v. 29. 1 Gen. xxvii. 34. 4 Exod. x. 21. 2 Rev. xxii. 20. C we are going; to know, and to feel that we are at the threshold of another world, and shall soon be actors in those solemn mysteries of the world unseen, of which we have been, though not altogether, yet in a great degree, hearers only, during our sojourning on earth. Who shall picture to himself the horror of a ruined, naked, desolate soul, hovering at the entrance of the world of spirits; waiting for the summons which shall, once and for ever, hurry him away from this world; "walking in the night, and stumbling, because there is no light in him?""" Then, if never before, then, can the unwise bethink themselves that it were well if they had taken oil in their vessels with their lamps. And too sadly can the Ministers of GOD's Holy Church bear witness to the truth of this. It is theirs, in an especial manner, to receive the piteous cry from the dying lips of many they have in vain sought to warn and awaken, "Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out." Then, endeavouring to shake off the sluggish, stupefying torpor of the sins of a whole life, deadened and drowsy, benumbed and bewildered, they lift 1 S. John xi. 10. up their heads, to see their graves a-digging; and, it may be, to flatter themselves that, because they have set their minds at rest, and feel at ease, all will yet be well. As though, because they feel assured that they have indeed repented, and, though late, obtained a supply of oil, they now had a sure and certain hope. But to such as these how plainly and positively do the concluding verses of this parable speak! For although the foolish virgins had obtained the oil, it was all to no purpose. Doubtless they thought that they should even yet be received. And, in truth, few of the foolish of this world die without seeking, though it be late, to trim their lamps and if they can but succeed in making themselves and those around them believe their desires for pardon and acceptance to be sincere, full surely they believe that all must be well. But how little must they who can thus think, know of the real nature of sin : how hateful it is to GOD: how fearful in its consequences: how difficult to be overcome: how miserable to the penitent soul. How little must they think of the Majesty of GOD: of His Mightiness of His Justice: His Purity: His Holiness. What a mockery of GOD; what an affront to our Heavenly FATHER, thus to seek to rush into HIS very immediate Presence: to crowd into a few hours what should be the work of many years! Nevertheless, how often do we see the sad instance of those who, if they can but feel easy, think they have found rest; who do not fear their danger, because they cannot comprehend it. Who are these, but the foolish virgins, who would fain believe that their late hurry shall atone for their long delay? And yet, we see, they may have procured their oil; they may have trimmed. their lamps; they may have gone forth to meet the Bridegroom; they may have sought HIм out; they may have knocked at the door; they may have called out, "LORD! LORD! open to us;"-and the answer be, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.' In spite of all which they had thought, and said, and done, He knew them not: HE would not acknowledge them: they were not 66 ready:" not ready: the time had passed: they that were ready went in with HIM to the marriage, and the door was shut." "Then did they call upon HIM, but HE would not answer, they sought HIM, but they |