The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

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.

4. Take heed of enfeebling this Principle, weakening of it: The Church of Sardis things were ready to die in it, you should strengthen this inner man, not weaken it, either by not feeding it with Christ, or wounding it with known sins against Christ. Therefore let all the Churches know this, and take heed that ⟨p. 177⟩you do not refuse to own this: where else will you make the difference between men, that either Churches may discern them, or you may discern, and so have peace your selves.

4. Take heed of enfeebling this Principle, weakning of it: The Church of Sardis things were ready to die in it, you should strengthen this inner man, not weaken it, either by not feeding it with Christ, or wounding it with known sins against Christ. Therefore let all the Churches know this, and take heed that