A59665:1219
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.
8. When men; Principle is nothing else but common gifts, which are inward, and abiding long in the Soul. That a man now thinks he hath Grace, and sure signs of the Lords love, and here is fastened: when there be two things wherein it appears here is no inward Principle. 1. These gifts ever puff up, and make a man something in his own eyes, as the Corinthian knowledge did. And many a private man thinks himself fit to be a Minister, many a Minister better than all the Parish besides; when Paul was the least of all the Saints. And hence commonly they degenerate to pride & form. 2. These keep men strangers to Christ, & the life of Faith; they have these affections, yet ignorant of Christ, take these as signs of his love, & live without him. And this is indeed the inner Principle which all the wicked in the world want; there is in true Grace an infinite circle: a man by thirsting receives, & receiving thirsts for more. But hence the Spirit is not poured out abundantly on Churches, because men shut it out by shutting in, and contenting themselves with their common graces and gifts, Mat. 7. 29. Examine if it be thus. If so,
8. When men; Principle is nothing else but common gifts, which are inward, and abiding long in the Soul. That a man now thinks he hath Grace, and sure signes of the Lords love, and here is fastned: when there be two things wherein it appears here is no inward Principle. 1. These gifts ever puff up, and make a man something in his own eyes, as the Corinthian knowledge did. And many a private man thinks himself fit to be a Minister, many a Minister better than all the Parish besides; when Paul was the least of all the Saints. And hence commonly they degenerate to pride & form. 2. These keep men strangers to Christ, & the life of Faith; they have these affections, yet ignorant of Christ, take these as signes of his love, & live without him. And this is indeed the inner Principle which all the wicked in the world want; there is in true Grace an infinite circle: a man by thirsting receives, & receiving thirsts for more. But hence the Spirit is not poured out abundantly on Churches, because men shut it out by shutting in, and contenting themselves with their common graces and gifts, Mat. 7. 29. Examine if it be thus. If so,