A59665:1406
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.
But if the Spirit doth thus,1 Who then shall be saved? for who is there that departs not?
- 1Quest.
When I say the Spirit doth so assist the faithful,1 as that they never depart: The meaning is not, as though the soul should now never fall into any more sin or unbelief, for what do the Saints more complain of then their backslidings, Isa. 63. 17. Heb. 12. 1. Saints hearts are no sooner raised up, but their weights grow heavy and press them down; no sooner do they walk in the way, but they begin to fall off: But when I say so, I say three things. 1. Their whole heart never departs. 2. They do not depart for ever. 3. Though they do depart from the Lord, yet the Spirit doth not depart from them; as it is in common reason, the same thing may go either in a straight or crooked line to the same point. As a River may run in a straight or crooked line to the Sea. So the Saints, their springs (their hearts) being set a running after the Lord, though they do not follow him in a straight line, so as never to depart to the right hand or left; yet they are so kept by the Spirit that they are continually making after him, cleaving to him; though with many crooked windings of their hearts, this way and that way from the Lord. And therefore as it is in a wheel, it stands bent for such an end, yet •uns at one side, but is turned by the skill of him that guides it into the way again, and so let it run the m•n is with it: So 'tis here. And because something is like this in Hypocrites, I shall endeavour to cut the thread.