A59665:1157
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.
I know no man that can from any ground limit the measure of it.1 For it may be in some men in greater power, in some men in less, in the same man at one time in a greater measure, at another time less. If one ask of trees, what measure of fruit they can bring forth; we cannot tell, because sometime more, sometime less: and the same tree more one year than another, and more at one time of the year then another; for they have their winter season. Only this, whereas before conversion he is stark dead to act, now he is alive and is not dead. And if a man should after conversion be but in the next disposition to receive Grace, then how could one Christian be more grown and stronger in Grace in his inner man than another? I know not any to question this, only I speak it to cut off their carnal hopes, that think Christ is theirs, when they have nothing, can do nothing, and slightly say he must do all; I cannot, I tell you the Saints can, they cannot but love the Lord, and choose the Lord. &c.
I know no man that can from any ground limit the measure of it.1 For it may be in some men in greater power, in some men in less, in the same man at one time in a greater measure, at another time less. If one ask of trees, what measure of fruit they can bring forth; we cannot tell, because sometime more, sometime less: and the same tree more one year than another, and more at one time of the year then another; for they have their winter season. Only this, whereas before conversion he is stark dead to act, now he is alive and is not dead. And if a man should after conversion be but in the next disposition to receive Grace, then how could one Christian be more grown and stronger in Grace in his inner man than another? I know not any to question this, only I speak it to cut off their carnal hopes, that think Christ is theirs, when they have nothing, can do nothing, and sleightly say he must do all; I cannot, I tell you the Saints can, they cannot but love the Lord, and choose the Lord. &c.
- 1Answ.