III.—The gates or the palace may be shut while we are calling on the oil seller.
“While they went to buy, the Bridegroom came.” There is an old saying, that “praying breath was never wasted.” But this parable does not teach that lesson. There are not a few who think they can atone for the sins of a long life by crying with their dying breath, “Lord, have mercy on me!” But the truth is, there may be the fear of punishment without any penitence, and cries for dread of hell may not be the sacrifice of a broken and a contrite heart.
Let us not put off our repentance too long, or while we are sending for the minister to instruct us, death may claim us for his prey. Or while we are saying to the teacher of religion, “What must I do to escape hell?” the fetters may be fastened on our soul. The palace-gate may swing to before we can make the oil-man hear.