The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

7. Those whose Principle is nothing else but the immediate actings of the Spirit of God upon them. For sometime the Spirit of God comes upon men, as Light shines on the mud wall, yet dwells not there as in the Sun. And hence many speak, pray, prophecy admirably, as Balaam, Numb. 24. 3, 4. Many men like Carriers bring others goods, that are not possessors of them. Now these are 1. External enlargements, and hence a man doth many things which he hath no inward power to perform, the Spirit is there assisting; hence he cannot do so at another time, but 'tis the Spirit only assisting. And hence a man may have abundance of knowledge, and he not affected with it; he may live, and pray with applause of men; others wish they were like him, yet live without love, & speak without feeling, and do without life, hence men leave themselves here. 2. Internal pangs, the Spirit of God begets some inward grief, especially when outward evils press, then inward flashes and desires, but they are soon done. There is no Spring, no Principle within. What the difference is between Saints unevenness, and this unconstancy, you shall hear hereafter: yet these are wrestlings of Spirit not yet conquering, and hence it possesseth not the Soul.

7. Those whose Principle is nothing else but the immediate actings of the Spirit of God upon them. For sometime the Spirit of God comes upon men, as Light shines on the mud wall, yet dwels not there as in the Sun. And hence many speak, pray, prophecy admirably, as Balaam, Numb. 24. 3, 4. Many men like Carriers bring others goods, that are not possessors of them. Now these are 1. External enlargements, and hence a man do•h many things which he hath no inward power to perform, the Spirit is there assisting; hence he cannot do so at another time, but 'tis the Spirit only assisting. And hence a man may have abundance of knowledge, and he not affected with it; he may live, and pray with applause of men; others wish they were like him, yet live without love, & speak without feeling, and do without life, hence men leave themselves here. 2. Internal pangs, the Spirit of God begets some inward grief, especially when outward evils press, then inward flashes and desires, but they are soon done. There is no Spring, no Principle within. What the difference is between Saints uneveness, and this unconstancy, you shall hear hereafter: yet these are wrestlings of Spirit not yet conquering, and hence it possesseth not the Soul.