A59665:1127
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. III.
Hence we may see the reason why the Lord doth not abundantly reveal and communicate himself to the souls of many men.1 What is the matter? Is it because they find no want of his spirit, and life, and grace, and peace, and glory? Yes they do, and hence express their wants to men, and complain of their wants to God. Is it for this, that Christ hath not wherewithal? Yes, he hath received the Spirit without measure, John 3. 34. and fountains alway run, though men seldom drink. What then? Is it because they bring not their hearts, hold not their vessels under the Lords horn of oil? Yes that they do, but their vessels are naught, they are not only for him; they feel their want of grace and Christ, but not only or chiefly of this. Special Grace shall never be poured into a common vessel, a common heart, that lies in common for God, and lust, and world too. The honour, peace, life, gain, of a God, are sweet and precious. Lord ever give me that water to drink. But you have five husbands, and seek not this only: Hence, if the Lord de•ies you, you can be content, because you have something else to fill your vessels; if the Lord gives, you undervalue it and grow worse: and the very rising of that common grace you have, is the beginning of your apostasy, and setting off from God. And hence, no wonder why you pray but never have, Jam. 1. 6, 7. you want, and crave, but never find; your vessel is naught, though the Lord is good. 'Tis a black mark that thou art in bondage to the creature, and didst never know what the liberty, even the glorious liberty of a son means. And 'tis a most grievous bondage to be half unloosed and yet to be in bonds. And I assure you, if you knew the gift of God, if ever you tasted how sweet the Lord is; this is the only thing your souls will cry for: That when you come to ask, and the Lord saith, what would you have? Oh the spirit of life! Oh the anointing of my blessed head! And what else? It only; this is it only my vessel is made to hold, I am not made for my lust, nor sins, nor world: I would I had a bigger vessel, a larger heart to receive thy Grace only. I confess, a gracious heart may for a time be carried too violently after other things; and yet seek the Lord too, as Solomon,