A59665:1187
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.
2. This will make a man content himself with a bare form, with a false confidence if this be true. For take a man that hath bin long seeking to get strength against a vile heart, and •e finds none; there is no power of heavenliness, he is earthy; no meekness, he is proud; I would say to him, do you ever think to get any power of meekness, love, faith, &c. You shall never do it, never have it here; all your strength is immediately from Christ, look for it there; in conscience a man must cease there. And 'tis certain all our strength is in, and from the Lord; but 'tis dispensed mediately, Eph. 3. 16. Paul prays he may be strengthened with might in the inner man. Or thus, a man may not pray for strength of Grace, which Paul refused not.
2. This will make a man content himself with a bare form, with a false confidence if this be true. For take a man that hath bin long seeking to get strength against a vile heart, and •e finds none; there is no power of heavenliness, he is earthy; no meekness, he is proud; I would say to him, do you ever think to get any power of meekness, love, faith, &c. You shall never do it, never have it here; all your strength is immediatly from Christ, look for it there; in conscience a man must cease there. And 'tis certain all our strength is in, and from the Lord; but 'tis dispensed mediatly, Eph. 3. 16. Paul prays he may be strengthned with might in the inner man. Or thus, a man may not pray for strength of Grace, which Paul refused not.
3. Then the Saints if they be asked whether they believe, or can love the Lord Jesus; their answer must be, no I have no power to love, nor believe, and then Peter did ill to answer so, Lord thou knowest that I love thee. Then Paul to say, We can do nothing but for the Truth. Then that Martyr that to then that said, the Lord strengthen you: yes saith he, the Lord doth. I know if the Lord withdraw his Spirit, we are gone, as Adam; but is there not the immutable assistance of it? Is there not the Promise, I will never leave thee, though sometimes weaker, sometimes stronger?