The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

Here many Christians are falsely bottomed, they are troubled about their ⟨p. 159⟩estate, come to some or other and profess their desires are after Christ and grace, &c. And then comforted (as in sinking fits a man snatcheth at any Flag or Twig) with them desires, before they have followed the Lord in the use of all means to get the thing they desire. And here is the first beginning of the Lords forsaking of them, and theirs of the Lord, and he is left alone only with his desires, that if any duty be neglected, desires comfort him; if grace resisted, desire; quiet him; if sin keeping him captive, desires fill him; Luke 13. 24. And so like a Bird that lies in the nest, but its wings never grow, there it perisheth. I know Saints may comfort themselves with desires before the things be given, because promised, but you shall see an endless reach in them in the use of all means, Phil. 3. 13. Others think their neglect of means to be but an infirmity, & that their desires will serve, & hence abuse that Scripture, Rom. 7.

Here many Christians are falsly bottomed, they are troubled about their ⟨p. 159⟩estate, come to some or other and professe their desires are after Christ and grace, &c. And then comforted (as in sinking fits a man snatcheth at any Flag or Twig) with them desires, before they have followed the Lord in the use of all means to get the thing they desire. And here is the first beginning of the Lords forsaking of them, and theirs of the Lord, and he is left alone only with his desires, that if any duty be neglected, desires comfo•t him; if grace resisted, desire; quiet him; if sin keeping him captive, desires fill him; Luke 13. 24. And so like a Bird that lies in the nest, but its wings never grow, there it perisheth. I know Saints may comfort themselves with desires before the things be given, because promised, but you shall see an endless reach in them in the use of all means,