The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

And therefore consider of this, many a man hath been well brought up, and is of a sweet, loving Nature, mild, and gentle, and harmless, likes and loves the best things, and his meaning, and mind and heart is good, and hath more in heart than in show, and so hopes all shall go well with him. I say, there may lie greatest hypocrisy under greatest affections; especially if they want light. You shall be hardened in your hypocrisy by them. I never liked violent affections and pangs, but only such as were dropped in by light; because those come from an external Principle, and last not, but these do. Men are not affrighted by the light of the Sun, though clearer than the Lightning.

And therefore consider of this, many a man hath been well brought up, and is of a sweet, loving Nature, mild, and gentle, and harmlesse, likes and loves the best things, and his meaning, and mind and heart is good, and hath more in heart than in shew, and so hopes all shall go well with him. I say, there may lie greatest hypocrisie under greatest affections; especially if they want light. You shall be hardned in your hypocrisie by them. I never liked violent affections and pangs, but only such as were dropt in by light; because those come from an external Principle, and last not, but these do. Men are not affrighted by the light of the Sun, though clearer than the Lightning.

Hence take heed of contenting your selves with every kind of knowledge:¹ Do not worship every Image in your own Heads; especially you that fall short of Truth or the knowledge of it; for when you have some, there may be yet that wanting which may make you sincere. There are many men of great knowledge, able to reach themselves and others too, and yet their hearts are unsound. How comes this to pass? Is it because they have so much light? No, but because they want much; and therefore content not your selves with every knowledge. There is some knowledge which men have by the light of nature (which leaves them without excuse) from the Book of Creation, some by power of education, some by the light of the Law, whereby men may know their sin and evils, some by the Letter of the Gospel, and so men may know much, and speak well, and so in seeing see not; some by the Spirit, and may see much, so as to prophesy in Christs Name, and yet be bid depart,