cal, as well as instructive. It shows us beforehand, in what way many in the Church will be found to act. It distinctly sets forth the folly of those who bearing the Name of Christ, and confessing their belief that He is coming to be their Judge, nevertheless, in the midst of their privileges and opportunities, fail, through carelessness, in securing the salvation of their souls. Now of all those amongst ourselves, whose lamps are gone out; who without being prepared for death are seeking for the enjoyments of life; there is not one that intends to be taken by surprise; that has any thought of being found wanting at the last. So far from having given up religion altogether, all hope and mean to be found ready to meet their Saviour. Those that are living in sin and carelessness intend the same thing with the faithful and devout. But they little know what bitter disappointment is in store for them. They little fancy as yet how grievously they are deluded. If the foolish virgins had suspected that they would be too late, that their ill-timed sleep would lead to their finding the door shut, they would not have suffered their eyes to sleep, or their eyelids to slumber; they would have looked carefully to their lamps; they would have seen that their vessels were supplied with oil; in short, they would have been only careful

about this, that when the Bridegroom came, they might be ready. And so, if men did but know, how unsafe it is for them to be living in pleasure, while they are not prepared for death, they would not rest satisfied. They expect, however, all will be right, because they intend it should be so. But oh! my brethren, if you do not wish to be taken by surprise at the last, you cannot begin too soon to live to God. Thousands and thousands are guilty of that very folly, against which we are so mercifully warned by our Blessed Lord. Multitudes are dying continually with no oil in their vessels, and their lamps gone out. And they never meant to die in this unprepared state; no, they never thought of such a thing. They would have shuddered at such a prospect, just as you yourselves would do. But what they never intended nevertheless has happened to them. They left the world, and found out afterwards, that they had lost all hope of entering into heaven. And what inconceivable folly must they now consider it, that they should have let life pass by, whilst they were unmindful of the very objects, for which life was given them. Bitter will be the remembrance of years spent in ease, when it is seen, that the greatest business of all has been neglected, and that the time for remedying this neglect is gone, since there is no repentance in

the grave. Oh! let us beware, lest we be deceived by fair intentions. Let us often call ourselves to a strict account; let us try to realize the very feelings we should have, if summoned the next minute to leave the world, and to enter into the presence of God. Let us look anxiously, whether our lamps are burning; whether our souls are right with God: and until we have satisfied ourselves on this point, let us give ourselves no rest, not allowing life to run out while we are only intending to be ready; but, without any procrastination, searching and finding out, whether we are really and truly in the way of peace, and are likely to die in the favour of God.

But further; when the Bridegroom came, the foolish virgins awoke, and were now all anxiety to be ready to receive Him. This anxiety, however, came too late. They no sooner indeed saw their error than they tried to remedy it. They said unto the wise," Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out." But in this request they failed. Their companions had none to spare. All that the wise could do was to advise them to go to those that sold, and to buy for themselves. And the foolish immediately attended to their advice. They went to buy, but while they were gone, the Bridegroom came, and "those that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was

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shut." And this serves to shew us, how willing people are, in the time of their fear, to attend to the advice, at other times offered them in vain. The foolish now earnestly wished that they had followed the example of the wise. And in the end, will it not be just the same with the careless? They may now perhaps think others over strict; they may choose to follow their own counsels, and seek their satisfaction in their own way; but, at last, all will feel that those alone are wise, who have really given up their hearts to God.

When death draws nigh, such as have been careless usually desire the presence and prayers of the minister of Christ. Him, whose office, and whose counsel before they despised, they now are eager to see and hear. And to the words of godly instruction which he speaks they now will pay attention. They are inclined at length to consider their latter end. There is a startling sound ringing in their ears, "Behold the Bridegroom is come," and they awaken from their sleep of sinful security, and are all eagerness to make the best use of their time, and to see if they can even yet be prepared. They look to their lamps, and find they are gone out; they look to their vessels, and find them empty. And the wish oftentimes expressed is, Oh! that I were like such or such an one! Oh! that I had but

thought of these things before! And what can the minister of Christ, or any faithful friend advise under such a state of things as this? The wise virgins did not tell the foolish, there was no hope for them; they told them to try and do the best they could. And so it is with regard to those, who have been foolish in regard to their souls. The ministers of Christ do not tell them, there is no hope. They bid them to do the best they can under the circumstances. They shew them where to apply for pardon and peace. But they cannot promise them they will be in time. They may find the door shut, and they may find it open; not a moment therefore is to be lost; no means must be left untried; a matter of infinite moment is at stake; and therefore they must use their utmost diligence, if, haply, they may even yet have an entrance granted them into the heavenly kingdom.

But the parable, in representing the foolish virgins as arriving after all too late, and being therefore disowned and excluded, was designed to show us beforehand, that the earnest endeavour to get every thing in readiness at the last may fail of proving successful. The foolish virgins, as I have said, took the advice of the wise. They hastened to those that sold; they bought their oil; they came back with all speed and in all