The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

He therefore that is in earnest about this great business, will be glad of any good help to guide him in this way, this straight way to Life. And though there be many choice helps herein already extant, in the precious Labours of sundry of the Lords Faithful Servants, for which this Age hath cause on bended Knees to bless the Lord, and which will be such a testimony against the wantonness thereof, as it will never be able to answer: Yet of those that do clearly, particularly, livelily and searchingly discover and mark out this straight way, with the several practical turns thereof, and show where they that miss of the end at last, do turn out of it, although they go far therein; of those that Pilot us, when we come into the narrow Channel, unto the very point of entrance into life, and show us the Rocks and Shoals on either hand distinctly; of these (I say) there is not too great a number. For to speak any good and useful Truths, is good and commendable; ⟨image 3⟩but yet it is another and a further matter to hold the Candle to the poor people of God (even to the meanest) to light them to Heaven, or to take the soul by the hand, and lead if from step to step through all the difficulties, deceits and turnings at which the closest Hypocrites do miss their way and lose themselves; and to do this so convincingly, throughly and distinctly, as that the secrets of hearts may be made manifest, the secure self-deceiver discovered and awakened, and yet the humble upright Christian confirmed and encouraged.

He therefore that is in earnest about this great businesse, will be glad of any good help to guide him in this way, this straight way to Life. And though there be many choice helps herein already extant, in the precious Labours of sundry of the Lords Faithful Servants, for which this Age hath cause on bended Knees to blesse the Lord, and which will be such a testimony against the wantonnesse thereof, as it will never be able to answer: Yet of those that do clearly, particularly, livelily and searchingly discover and mark out this straight way, with the several practical turns thereof, and shew where they that miss of the end at last, do turn out of it, although they go far therein; of those that Pilot us, when we come into the narrow Channel, unto the very point of entrance into life, and shew us the Rocks and Shoals on either hand distinctly; of these (I say) there is not too great a number. For to speak any good and useful Truths, is good and commendable; ⟨image 3⟩