A59665:1091
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.
3. Consider thy gains, there shall not be the least endeavour, desire, pursuit after the Lord, not the least Word, Prayer, Thought, time spent, but an abundant recompense is in Christs hands, 1 Cor. 15. 58. Ever abounding, knowing that it shall not be in vain. A man that rows against the stream, a little neglect of rowing carries him down again. But oh be ever abounding in the Lords works, for your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
3. Consider thy gaines, there shall not be the least endeavour, desire, pursuit after the Lord, not the least Word, Prayer, Thought, time spent, but an abundant recompense is in Christs hands, 1 Cor. 15. 58. Ever abounding, knowing that it shall not be in vain. A man that rowes against the stream, a little neglect of rowing carries him down again. But oh be ever abounding in the Lords works, for your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
4. Consider if after admonition again and again, yet you nourish sloth, there is some heavy stroke near thee. Believe it, he will not alway bear with thy neglect. As nothing joys him more than your company, so nothing cuts him more than your neglect: But though he save you from eternal misery, yet sometimes your greatest comfort is lost by this means, Mat. 26. 38, 40, 44, 45. First he stirs them up once and again, then leaves them, and comes again, and saith nothing, but the third time, sleep on, the Son of man is betrayed. So your comfort, and Christ and his presence are betrayed. Some have had their husbands, wives, children estates gone, but which is worst of all, the Lord betrayed, the comfort of their hearts gone, and hence horrors and fears surprise them.
4. Consider if after admonition again and again, yet you nourish sloath, there is some heavy stroke neer thee. Believe it, he will not alway bear with thy neglect. As nothing joyes him more than your company, so nothing cuts him more than your neglect: But though he save you from eternal misery, yet sometimes your greatest comfort is lost by this means,