A59665:1049
The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied
The parable of the ten virgins opened & applied being the substance of divers sermons on Matth. 25, I-13 wherein the difference between the sincere Christian and the ... hypocrite ... are clearly discovered ... / by Thomas Shepherd ; now published from the authors own notes ... by Jonathan Mitchell ... Tho. Shepherd, son to the reverend author ...The parable of the ten virgins opened & applied being the substance of divers sermons on Matth. 25, I-13 wherein the difference between the sincere Christian and the ... hypocrite ... are clearly discovered ... / by Thomas Shephard ; now published from the authours own notes ... by Jonathan Mitchell ... Tho. Shephard, son to the reverend author ...
London: printed by J. Hayes for John Rothwell, 1660
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. Nay thou art so far from being blessed in having them thus, that Gods fiercest plagues shall here approach thy dwelling. The Ark among the Philistines, made the Lord plague the Philistines.
2. Nay thou art so far from being blessed in having them thus, that Gods fiercest plagues shall here approach thy dwelling. The Arke among the Philistims, made the Lord plague the Philistims.
3. Nay this shall lay all desolate one day. They cried the Temple of the Lord, Jer. 7. Go to Shiloh. So I say, Go to the Palatinate, Go to Germany, France, go to the places whence you came, and see what the Lord hath done.
4. This shall be as to Saints greatest joy, when they shall look back, and see all the difficulties they have passed over, that here and there hearts and help failed, and there I lingered, but the Lord was merciful, and pulled me out, and they shall wonder at that Faithfulness and Grace; so here: This will be terror and anguish; that I came so far, and had means, and took some pains, and was almost persuaded one time, almost confuted another, almost conquered and had yielded up all at another, but oh my Lump fell down to the dust again, and my soul forsook the pursuing of the Lord again? and this shall be the portion of Hypocrites. You may neglect and wrap up your Talents, but the Lord hath a time to call you to an account what gain you make. Look therefore to it, it may be some of you have need to improve means, you despise them in one place, and hither you come for them, and poor hearts, eyes dim, hearts hard, Consciences asleep, ears deaf, breath gone, life lost, God departed, and nothing left but a dead Carcass. It may be some are sincere, and the work of Gods Spirit is set back, your Lamps are out, your watchful minds and tender hearts and earnest pursuit after the Lord is gone. Oh then consider what little cause you have to boast in means! Men that have no part in ships, look for no gain; but if you