A59665:122
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.
SECT. VI.
2 The soul now comes to be Espoused to the Lord Jesus. Quest. How?
2 THe soul now comes to be Espoused to the Lord Jesus. Quest. How?
The soul beholding the glory of the Lord Jesus,1 makes choice of him, as in all Marriage bonds there is a choice made, and if love be great, there is little standing on terms: let me have him though I beg with him; so the soul sees such a suitableness in the Lord Jesus, as that it stands not on terms, let me have him though in prison with him, though in the Garden in Agonies with him, though in the Cross in desertions with him, he is enough; as Peter when he saw Christ on the Sea, desired he might come to him there, Heb. 11. 26. Choosing the reproach of Christ, &c. And look as Christ chooseth the soul, 1. The whole soul. 2. Everlastingly. 3. Above all others: so it makes choice of Christ, whole Christ, Phil. 3. 9. 2. Everlastingly, The Lord is my portion for ever, Psalm 73. 26. And before ever you can look for communion with him, you must make this choice of him, and glad too you may have him on any terms, nay put it to any soul the Lord hath done good to, and ask it, will you have him? 'tis such a mercy I cannot conceive how one so vile as I should have it: have him, the Lord of glory, the Prince of life and peace; O yes; Hence Peter said, Master, what shall we have that have forsaken all, and followed thee? you shall sit with me on Thrones; and look as Christ now chooseth the soul above others, as well as in Heaven,