A59665:1280
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.
2. If there should not be this fullness, most of the Promises should be destroyed, and Gods Faithfulness fail, and the Saints be deceived. For Promises are made to them that mourn, to them that hunger, to them that believe, &c. Now many Hypocrites mourn, and desire, and the stony ground believed. Then it seems the promise is not true. Yes, and therefore there must be another kind of mourning, another and higher degree of the Spirit of Faith, &c. i. e. not of the same Faith, but of another kind of Faith.
2. If there should not be this fulness, most of the Promises should be destroyed, and Gods Faithfulness fail, and the Saints be deceived. For Promises are made to them that mourn, to them that hunger, to them that believe, &c. Now many Hypocrites mourn, and desire, and the stony ground believed. Then it seems the promise is not true. Yes, and therefore there must be another kind of mourning, another and higher degree of the Spirit of Faith, &c. i. e. not of the same Faith, but of another kind of Faith.
3. If not, then all Christian endeavour after a higher measure of Grace should be destroyed. For if any man only hath Christ in his eye, that he may have him, I say that is sweet; but I say you shall never have him, unless you receive him. Oh but many receive him! as John 2. 23. yet Christ committed not himself to them, for he saw what they were. Now therefore if you regard not the measure, i. e. such a kind of receiving of him, you will never seek for it, pray for it, nor learn to know it. And hence 'tis said, Prov. 15. 24. The way of life is above to the righteous, If it were not above, of that height, he would never come over difficulties to it.
3. If not, then all Christian endeavour after a higher measure of Grace should be destroyed. For if any man only hath Christ in his eye, that he may have him, I say that is sweet; but I say you shall never have him, unless you receive him. Oh but many receive him! as