A59665:1167
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.
1. Hence therefore take heed of not owning the Spirit in this his presence. Do you thus requite the Lord, oh unthankful world! not so much as to own the presence of such a friend, neither in your selves, nor yet in others. How like the world is it to think that there is no such thing?
2. Take heed therefore of not esteeming highly of it. If ever God broke thy heart, thou wilt esteem this life, this principle as the greatest piece of love; and say, Lord I shall account this as the greatest part of love in the world, Psal. 119. 68. Thou art good, oh teach me thy Statutes: Now to undervalue this, and to account it common, and hence as no sign of love, 'tis a part of unthankfulness.
3. Take heed of imprisoning the Spirit of grace, common truth, Rom. 1. 18. It was fearful to imprison and silence that, much more this. It was the complaint of the Church in those days, None stirs up himself, Isai. 64. 7. What strength the Lord gives, let me use; what I want, the Lord hath enough to help me withal; put it to exercise, or else affliction will.