December 30

"Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." — Matthew 25:6.

THIS is part of the parable of the ten virgins. By the five wise virgins we are to understand true Christians, who not only have the lamp of profession, but the oil of grace: by the five foolish virgins are meant mere professors of religion, who have the lamp of profession in the hand, but are destitute of the oil of grace. There is a beautiful allusion, in the parable before us, to a known custom of the Jews; on a marriage solemnity, the bridegroom, attended by his friends, came at a late hour of the night to the house of the bride, who was in expectation of his approach, surrounded with her bridesmaids, who, upon notice being given of the bridegroom's approach, were to go out with lamps in their hands, to light him to the house. "While the bridegroom tarried, they all

34 slumbered and slept; and at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." We may apply these words to useful and instructive reflections. Observe, then,

THE EVENT ANNOUNCED. "The bridegroom cometh."

He comes in the ministry of the Gospel. He comes to call sinners by his grace, adopt them into his family, justify their persons, renew their nature, sanctify the heart, and confer grace and glory.

He comes at death and judgment. When the Son of man shall come to judge the world in righteousness, what a solemn period will it be! All flesh shall be ushered into his presence. Then shall we behold our God in grandeur, and our world on fire.

THE COMMAND ISSUED. "Go ye out to meet him." This supposes that there is a distance between us and God, and that he is ready to come and meet us. Thus it is said, "Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness." How are we to go out and meet him?

By reading the Scriptures. Read them with reverence and godly fear, with a teachable and childlike spirit, and with a prayerful dependence on the aid of the Spirit. By hearing his word. The sanctuary is the place where God has appointed and promised to meet you. By sacred meditation. Some of the most delightful interviews the believer has with Jesus are obtained in the secret of retirement. By prayer. As God promised to meet and commune with the Israelites at the mercy-seat, so he now engages to meet us in Christ, our propitiatory. What multitudes have met him at a throne of grace! At the sacramental table. Here he is made known in breaking of bread; here believers have humbling views of themselves, and exalted views of Christ, and are led to exclaim, on a review of such delightful seasons of meeting, "He brought me into his banqueting-house, and his banner over me was love."

THE ATTENTION DEMANDED. "Behold;" but with what feelings and sentiments is it to be? Behold and wonder; behold and believe; behold and prepare; behold and rejoice.