Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Ver. 1. _Then shall the kingdom of heaven_] Our Saviour here continueth his former discourse, and sets it on by a second parable to the same purpose; not so much for the diff... [ Continue Reading ]
And five of them were wise, and five _were_ foolish. Ver. 2. _Five were foolish_] That is, some were wise, and some others foolish, and these last usually the most imprudent, improvident, after witted, _oculos habentes in occipitio, _ having eyes in the back of their head, that foresee not a follow... [ Continue Reading ]
They that _were_ foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: Ver. 3. _Took their lamps, and took no oil_] Empty casks, barren fig trees, pretenders only to the power of godliness; of whom it may be said, as Livy saith of the Athenians, that they waged war against Philip the father of Persi... [ Continue Reading ]
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Ver. 4. _But the wise took oil_] That is, true faith in their hearts, which, as oil, is spreading, softening, suppling, soaking. Christ putteth not upon his a washy colour of profession (a blockwood blue), but he dyeth them in grain, with tru... [ Continue Reading ]
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. Ver. 5. _While the bridegroom tarried_] Tarry he doth. 1. To exercise our patience. 2. To eneager our desires. 3. That his elect may be all gathered. 4. That the mystery of iniquity may be fulfilled. 5. That the prophecies may be accomplis... [ Continue Reading ]
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Ver. 6. _There was a cry made_] By the trumpet of the archangel, _a_ and the voice of God, say some interpreters; and Jerome reports it for an apostolic tradition that Christ shall come at midnight. But of t... [ Continue Reading ]
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. Ver. 7. _And trimmed their lamps_] The foolish also made a fair flourish, and held themselves, haply, in case good enough for heaven; deceiving their own hearts, or rather deceived by them, while they use fallacious and specious sophisms, James... [ Continue Reading ]
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. Ver. 8. _Our lamps are gone out_] They were not lighted lamps, but sparks of their own tinderboxes; fantastic fire, an _ignis fatuus, _ foolish fire, a painted flame, which neither heats nor lights. The glowworm se... [ Continue Reading ]
But the wise answered, saying, _Not so_; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Ver. 9. _Lest there be not enough, &c._] The best have nought to spare, whatever Papists fancy of the church treasury. The righteous is scarcely saved; at de... [ Continue Reading ]
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Ver. 10. _And they that were ready went in, &c._] The bridegroom waits no man's leisure: love is impatient by delays, leaps over all impediments, those mountains of Bet... [ Continue Reading ]
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. Ver. 11. _Afterward came also the other virgins_] The greater number by odds that stand trifling and baffling with Christ, and their souls futuring their repentance, Epimetheus' post masters, _semper victuri_ always about to liv... [ Continue Reading ]
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Ver. 12. _Verily I say unto you, I know you not_] _i.e._ With a knowledge of approbation or delight. _Verba notitiae, apud Hebraeos secum trahunt affectum._ _See Trapp on "_ Mat 7:23 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Ver. 13. _Watch therefore_] Lest ye smart for it, when God shall send out summons for sleepers. This is an exhortation answerable to that Matthew 24:42, and the upshot of that, this, and the ensuing parable. _S... [ Continue Reading ]
For _the kingdom of heaven is_ as a man travelling into a far country, _who_ called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. Ver. 14. _And delivered unto them his goods_] There is scarcely any man but hath some one thing or other in him, that is excellent and extraordinary; some special... [ Continue Reading ]
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Ver. 15. _According to his several ability_] Usurers use not to lend to those that cannot give pledge or security. Howbeit, we have nothing of our... [ Continue Reading ]
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made _them_ other five talents. Ver. 16. _Went and traded_] Grace grows by exercise, and decays by disuse; as that side of the teeth which is least used in chewing is apt to have more rheum to settle upon it. Though both... [ Continue Reading ]
And likewise he that _had received_ two, he also gained other two. Ver. 17. _He also gained other two_] The Lord, as he hath a fatherly respect to our weakness so as not to overlay us, so he takes well aworth what we are able, and exacts no more than he gives. Despise not therefore the day of small... [ Continue Reading ]
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. Ver. 18. _Digged it in the earth_] Through sloth and pride; as many today will do no more service to God than may breed admiration among men. Some preachers (saith one) to win applause, set forth at first with such... [ Continue Reading ]
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. Ver. 19. _And reckoneth with them_] This is that which we must also come to, 2 Corinthians 5:10. Christ will one day say, _Redde rationem, _ Give an account of thy stewardship. Cicero could say, Let us so frame our course... [ Continue Reading ]
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. Ver. 20. _He that had received five_] He was first called to an account, and if four, or but one of his five talent... [ Continue Reading ]
His lord said unto him, Well done, _thou_ good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Ver. 21. _Thou hast been faithful over a few things_] So the Lord calleth the greatest measure of grace here... [ Continue Reading ]
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. Ver. 22. _Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents_] It is with Christians as with planets. The moon goes her course in a month, the sun in a year,... [ Continue Reading ]
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Ver. 23. _Well done, good and faithful servant_] Though this second had the same good acceptance as the former, yet... [ Continue Reading ]
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: Ver. 24. _Lord, I knew that thou wert, &c._] _Invalidum omne natura querelum._ A sorry senseless excuse it is that this... [ Continue Reading ]
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, _there_ thou hast _that is_ thine. Ver. 25. _I was afraid, and went and hid, &c._] So God must bear the blame of his unfaithfulness. "The foolishness of man perverteth his way," and (then to mend the matter) his heart fretteth against... [ Continue Reading ]
His lord answered and said unto him, _Thou_ wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Ver. 26. _Thou wicked and slothful servant_] God puts no difference between _Nequaquam et nequam, _ an idle and an evil servant. Had idleness bee... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and _then_ at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Ver. 27. _Received the same with usury_] Our Saviour doth no more patronize usury here than he doth injustice,Luke 16:1; theft,1 Thessalonians 5:2; dancing, Matthew 11... [ Continue Reading ]
Take therefore the talent from him, and give _it_ unto him which hath ten talents. Ver. 28. _Take therefore the talent from him_] God will take his own, and be gone from an unworthy people or person, Hosea 2:9. The idol shepherd's "arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye utterly darkened," Z... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 29. _But from him that hath not shall be, &c._] _See Trapp on "_ Mat 13:12 _"_ where the like is spoken, but with this difference. There our Saviour... [ Continue Reading ]
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Ver. 30. _And cast ye the unprofitable servant_] Αχρειος, useless. That had his soul for salt only, to keep his body from putrefying, that worthless, sapless, useless man, that is no more missed... [ Continue Reading ]
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: Ver. 31. _And all the holy angels with him_] He shall not leave one behind him in heaven. Oh! what a brave bright day must that needs be, when so many glorious suns shall s... [ Continue Reading ]
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth _his_ sheep from the goats: Ver. 32. _And before him shall be gathered all_] Then shall Adam see all his nephews at once; none shall be excused for absence at this general assizes, none... [ Continue Reading ]
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Ver. 33. _The sheep on the right hand, &c._] A place of dignity and safety. Our Saviour seems here to allude to that of Moses' dividing the tribes on Gerizim and Ebal. Those six tribes that came from the free women are set to... [ Continue Reading ]
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Ver. 34. _Come, ye blessed of my Father_] _Paterne alloquitur._ As who should say, Where have ye been, my darlings, all this while of my long ab... [ Continue Reading ]
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Ver. 35. _For I was an hungred_] "For" in this place denoteth not the cause, but the evidence. It is all one as if I should say, This man liveth, for behold he moveth. Where it will... [ Continue Reading ]
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Ver. 36. _Naked, and ye clothed me_] Darius, before he came to the kingdom, received a garment for a gift of one Syloson. And when he became king he rewarded him with the command of his country Samus. _Ae... [ Continue Reading ]
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed _thee_ ? or thirsty, and gave _thee_ drink? Ver. 37. _Then shall the righteous, &c._] Not that there shall be then any such dialogism (say divines) at the last day: but Christ would hereby give us to understand... [ Continue Reading ]
When saw we thee a stranger, and took _thee_ in? or naked, and clothed _thee_ ? Ver. 38. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 25:37 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? Ver. 39. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 25:37 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done _it_ unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done _it_ unto me. Ver. 40. _One of the least of these my brethren_] What a comfort is this, that our own Brother shall judge us, who is much more co... [ Continue Reading ]
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Ver. 41. _Then shall he say also, &c._] Then: judgment as it begins here at God's house, so shall it at the last day. The elect shall be crowned, and then the... [ Continue Reading ]
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: Ver. 42. _For I was an hungred, &c._] Ill works are the just causes of damnation, as being perfectly evil. But good works can be no such causes of salvation, because due debts to God, and at the best imperfect.... [ Continue Reading ]
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Ver. 43. _I was a stranger, &c._] These fools of the people had a price in their hands to get heaven (as Joseph by his bounty bought the land of Egypt), but they had no heart to it, Pr... [ Continue Reading ]
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Ver. 44. _Lord, when saw we thee, &c._] They were sand blind, and could not see Christ in poor Christians, μυωπαζοντες _, _ 2Pe 1:9... [ Continue Reading ]
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did _it_ not to one of the least of these, ye did _it_ not to me. Ver. 45. _Inasmuch as ye did it not to one, &c._] Omissions then are damnable sins. Ammonites and Moabites were bastardized and banished the beauty of holiness,... [ Continue Reading ]
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Ver. 46. _And these shall go away, &c._] The sentence began with the godly, the execution with the wicked: both that the godly may see their desire upon their enemies,Psalms 58:10; Psalms 79:10; and also, that... [ Continue Reading ]