Matthew 25

Matthew 25:1

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

While men are here indifferently mingled together, their VOL. IV. N state seems all alike: all would be thought to be as wise virgins; but, at the end of the world, it shall appear what every one is. As the manner is, that virgins meet the bridegroom, and attend upon him till he be brought into the bride-chamber; so all, that take upon them to profess the Name of Christ, make shew of a ready and forward attendance upon his person and ordinances.

Matthew 25:2

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

But, indeed, many of them are but false and hypocritical, which will appear in the issue. XXV. 3, 5, 6, 8. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. For, as those virgins are foolish, who do not furnish their lamps with store of oil, which may continue their light, according to the occasion of their attendance; so those men are spiritually sottish, who do not labour for true faith, and all other sound graces of the Spirit, which may enable them to persevere unto the end, and may make them capable of the glory of the Heavenly Bridegroom. So verses 9, 10, 11, 12.

Matthew 25:15

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability.

Unto one, the Great Master of the Family, the God of Heaven, hath given greater gifts, faculties, opportunities; to another, less; but to all, some; with an intention, that they should be employed to the honour and advantage of his Name, who is the Owner and Bestower of them.

Matthew 25:18

But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

But he, that had received the least measure and proportion of stock from the hand of God, was careless in the improving it; and made no use at all of it, for the profit of his master. XXV. 24, 25. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. As the idle and negligent servant, when his business succeeds not, is ready to cast the blame upon his master, pretending his hardness, and straitness, and morosity; so is the unfaithful and indiligent man apt to lay the fault upon his Maker, when he hath omitted his good services, and run himself into judgment. XXV. 26, 27. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou

Matthew 25:29

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Whosoever, through the effectual inoperation of God’s Spirit, shall improve those graces and helps which he hath received, to the further honour of God, he shall receive a further accession both of grace and glory; and he, that quencheth the Spirit, and suppresseth the good motions thereof, and rejects those good means which are offered him, shall be stripped of all those common favours which he hath, and lose the hope of all that he might have attained.

Matthew 25:30

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into utter darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

As that earthly master would justly cast such an unprofitable servant out of doors, into the darkness and cold, there to miscarry, while himself and his thrifty followers are entertained with good cheer and light within; so shall the just God cast out such evil and unfaithful servants from his presence, and thrust them down into the dark pit of hell, where there is nothing but wailing and horror.

Matthew 25:33

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

And he shall set his elect and holy ones, as sheep, on the right hand; and the wicked and reprobate, as goats, on the left.

Matthew 25:35

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; &c.

For ye have manifested the truth of your faith, which only can give you just claim to heaven, by the fruits of your good and charitable works: when I, in my poor members upon earth, was hungered, ye gave me meat; &c.