Matthew 25

Matthew 25:1

THe kingdome,] namely the state of the Church wherein God reigneth in his Sonnes person Tenne Virgins,] a similitude taken from the fashion used at weddings; at which anciently the maidens which were the brides kinswomen and acquaintances went forth with Lampes and Lights in great troopes to meet the bride-groome, when hee came to the brides house, to have her away to his owne house, which was commonly done in the night time. Now the bride-groome is Christ: the time of the wedding is at his last comming: the night is the Churches estate in the world, the Virgins are they that make profession of the purity of the Gospell; the wise Virgins are they that are provided in their hearts with instructions in faith and prety, and with the gift of the Spirit; which is the oyle that burneth, not howsoever alwayes in actuall exercise. The foolish ones are they that have neglected to gaine or preserve the foresaid gift of the Spirit in the Church: the lampes are the hearts; the sleeping and slumbering, is the slackning or ceasing from continuall exercises of piety and expecting of Christ which is caused by the infirmity of the flesh thorow Christs long staying.

Matthew 25:9

Not so,] whereby is shewed that every one shall live by his owne faith, and not by other mens, Habakkuk 2:4 Goe ye,] provide some yet if you can from him that furnisheth every one, namely from God, for every one receaveth onely for his owne share. Not that that minute of time will suffer any such new providing And buy,] see upon Isay 55. 1.

Matthew 25:14

Travelling into,] this voyage is a figure of Christs ascent and abode in heaven, Matth. 21. 33 And delivered,] whereby is showne Christ his distribution of the gifts and graces of his Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:7. Ephes. 4. 8. to be imployed to the advancement of Gods glory, to the edification of his Church and increase of gifts in him that hath them whereof at his comming must be given a most strict account.

Matthew 25:15

According to,] proportionably according to his calling, accompanied with some speciall gift for to manage it.

Matthew 25:21

Into the joy,] namely into everlasting happinesse, Hebrews 1:1-14. 2.

Matthew 25:24

That thou art,] this is spoken onely for the making up and framing of the parable, and cannot be any wise applyed to Christ, unlesse it be to shew that he is a severe judge against those that lose or do not cause his graces to increase, unlesse here be some mark of Gods right in demanding of man, obedience and service, at the fruit of originall justice which was conferred upon Adam in his first creation, which he lost by his owne default: though God do not give it againe to every one as he commeth into the world.

Matthew 25:27

Thou oughtest,] this also is only spoken for to make up the similitude.

Matthew 25:34

From the,] an ordinary phrase to say from all eternity, before any time was, Ephes. 1. 4. 2 Timothy 1:9.

Matthew 25:35

For I was,] not that workes are indeed the cause of salvation, Romans 3:20. Ephes. 2. 9. 2 Timothy 1:9. Titus 3:5. but because they are the true fruit of a lively faith in Christ, the onely author of salvation, in whom and by whom the faithfull are the children of God, and their persons are made acceptable; and their works brought forth by Christs Spirit are approved of and crowned through grace.

Matthew 25:37

When saw we,] to shew that the Lord worketh in this reward of grace beyond all humane apprehension and imagination: and how much more beyond the worth of any worke, and without any merit of the person? See Ephes. 3. 20.

Matthew 25:40

Vnto me,] for you have done it for my sake, and in regard of me, Mat. 10. 40. 42. and that all beleevers are one and the same spirituall body with Christ their head.

Matthew 25:41

For the devill,] from hence as well as from other passages may be gathered, that there is a chiefe of the apostated and evill spirits. See Matthew 12:24.