SERMON XVI. ON A DEATH-BED REPENTANCE. Matt. xxv. 10. 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. BY SAMUEL S. SMITH, D. D. L. L. D. NEW-JERSEY PREACHER. SERMON XVI. Matt. xxv. 10.-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. UNDER the simple and familiar images of this parable, are conveyed truths the most interesting to mankind, the most awful to sinners. Sincere repentance and the habits of a holy life, are, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, the only preparation which can justly be relied on for a peaceful death, and a happy immortality. But sinners, mistaking the nature of repentance, as ifit consisted merely in the tears extorted by the terrors of their last hour; or in the bitter reproaches which they make to themselves for the folly and madness of their worldly pursuits, when the world itself is seen to be perishing from their embrace; mistaking the nature of heaven, as if it consisted in a happiness independent on the regeneration of the heart, resolve to enjoy the world, while they have powers to taste its pleasures, or to pursue its interests, and to postpone their preparation for eternity, till, at length, they leave it to the dreadful hazard of a death-bed. To destroy this most dangerous and fatal error, and to preserve men always awake to their everlasting interests, so that neither death nor judgment shall find them unprepared, is the great object of our blessed Lord in this parable. For this end he pictures to us the surprize and consternation of foolish virgins who were employed at a marriage to be in waiting for the bride groom; but who, having neglected their duty, were not in readiness to receive him at his coming, and were in consequence, excluded from the honors and joys of the nuptial festival. The structure of the fable is founded on an eastern custom of celebrating marriages at a late hour in the evening. The bridegroom and his attendants were received at the house of the bride by a train of virgins bearing lamps or flambeaus in their hands. In the case here imagined, a part being wise and attentive to their duty held themselves in readiness to fulfil their office whenever their Lord should appear; the rest being thoughtless and improvident, left their lamps unfurnished with oil, trusting that they should have time to replenish them after the first signal had announced the approach of the bridegroom. But, while they were buried in profound forgetfulness, a sudden cry was made from every side-behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him! Then appeared the folly of those who, in the season of preparation, had neglected their proper duty. While they were seeking in vain to repair their error, and, in the hurry and confusion of their spirits, were continually committing only new mistakes, the bridegroom had already come and entered into his apartments ; those who were ready entered along with him, and the door was shut. After which, there was no more admission either for attendant, or for guest. With what force and truth does this beautiful fable represent to us the infinite danger of delaying our repentance, and preparation for eternity till the moment when God is calling us by the voice of death to appear in his presence. The bridegroom hastens to his joys, and does not wait to give time for the foolish virgins to |