A59665:1196
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.
Thirdly, Those that deny the evidence of it, the evil of which apprehension, I conceive to be no less then taking away that which is the chief, if not only difference between hypocrites and Saints in virgin Churches, for so 'tis made here. A man saith I have Christ, and so have not they: I ask, where is the Spirit? You have the Deed, where is the Seal? You have the Testator, where is the Executor, the Spirit in you? Yes, I have it, it hath witnessed Christ is mine. Answ. It hath witnessed, but what hath it wrought? Where is the power of his death, killing thy lusts; Where is the life of the Spirit of Jesus in you? Where is the Oil in your vessel? Truly I look for the Bridegroom, but I regard not that, neither are others to regard it in way of evidence. Then I say the chief evidence is destroyed in the Churches. I have known many that have had assurances, yet never saw them prove right, till it witnessed this was here. What should be the causes of this, and that men should make blusters in the Churches, because of this, as though it was building on wo•ks? In several men they are several.
Thirdly, Those that deny the evidence of it, the evil of which apprehension, I conceive to be no less then taking away that which is the chief, if not only difference between hypocrites and Sa•nts in virgin Churches, for so 'tis made here. A man saith I have Christ, and so have not they: I ask, where is the Spirit? You have the Deed, where is the Seal? You have the Testator, where is the Executor, the Spirit in you? Yes, I have it, it hath witnessed Christ is mine. Answ. It hath witnessed, but what hath it wro•ght? Where is the power of his death, killing thy lusts; Where is the life of the Spirit of Jesus in you? Where is the Oyle in your vessel? Truly I look for the Bridegroom, but I regard not that, neither are others to regard it in way of evidence. Then I say the chief evidence is destroyed in the Churches. I have known many that have had assurances, yet never saw them prove right, till it witnessed this was here. What should be the causes of this, and that men should make blusters in the Churches, because of this, as though it was building on wo•ks? In several men they are several.