A59665:1189
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.
4. This will make a Christian hide and not improve his Talents; he hath Grace, but no power to put it forth. Then suppose God gives power to see Truth one day, I must not see it with this eye the next; but look up to Christ, and say, I cannot see at all.
II. Causes of this.
1. In opposing the outward principle of life, or first principle, and this second, I must live on Christ; hence I must no•, I have no power to act my self in any measure, because all my strength is in him. Whe• if this were true, a man might argue, because all Grace is originally in Christ, hence no Grace in me, because all Glory is in Christ originally; hence no Glory shall be conveyed to me. No, this Scripture reconciles these: Because I live, therefore you shall live also, John 14. 19. Because Christ is strong, hence he will make us strong in the inner man, and not in the Spirit only: because Christ is glorious, hence we are predestinated to be made like unto him. Because all sap lies in the root, to say therefore there is no sap or power in the branch to fructify; this is false.
1. In opposing the outward principle of life, or first principle, and this second, I must live on C•rist; hence I must no•, I have no power to act my self in any measure, because all my strength is in him. Whe• if this were true, a man might argue, because all Grace is originally in Christ, hence no Grace in me, because all Glory is in Christ originally; hence no Glory shall be conveyed to me. No, this Scripture reconciles these: Because I live, therefore you shall live also,