A59665:1066
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.
SECT. V.
TO all those that do effectually seek the Lord in the use of means. And for discovery thereof,1 Consider:
- 1Use 5.
1. If ever the Lord gave you a hear• effectually to seek him in means, you will find mighty opposition, temptations springing up one after another, &c. from within, from without, and the oppositions will make you seek him the more. Hence Rom. 13. 11, 12. he bids us put off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light. When man desires and lies in his sloth, he meets with little opposition or trouble of his own heart; but here 'tis otherwise, therefore put on armour. And I say the soul is made hereby to seek the Lord the more, as the blind man, Mark 10. 48. Redeem the time, because the days are evil. As 'tis with Mariners, they will not only use fair, but side, and almost contrary winds to come near the shore they are bound for; let the Lord give any grace, oh more of that mercy, as Moses, Deut. 3. 24. Let the Lord deny, yet the soul cries the more; let agonies come, Christ prays the more; let the will oppose, he will yield himself to the Lord to cross his own will, and deny himself; pe•ce makes him love, and affliction makes him seek the Lord early. Hence because thou art troubled at the feeling of a slothful heart, that will make you seek for more help.