A59665:1413
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. Fears and discouragements of spirit, for when deli•vered from snares, then fears come, and discouragements, either by reason of outward losses or the Lords anger: So that the soul fears it never had, never shall have any mercy, that hath thus abused it; and it hath thought God himself to say so, and his behaviour in not hearing and helping in so long a time, to witness so: Yet it will return, though the Lord never save it; it will not sin: Jonah yet looks again to the Temple, when he could not come to it, yet he would look to it. The soul will turn up its eyes and mourn; Oh that I have so abused the Lord and mercy! that Love it self should be angry and frown! Psal. 77. The Psalmist refused to be comforted, v. 2. Nay, v. 3. Though he remembered God, and all his love past, yet troubled, this brought greater trouble, yet v. 10. I'll remember the years of the right hand of the most High. Saul did not thus.
2. Fears and discouragements of spirit, for when deli•vered from snares, then fears come, and discouragements, either by reason of outward losses or the Lords anger: So that the soul fears it never had, never shall have any mercy, that hath thus abused it; and it hath thought God himself to say so, and his behaviour in not hearing and helping in so long a time, to witness so: Yet it will return, though the Lord never save it; it will not sin: Ionah yet looks again to the Temple, when he could not come to it, yet he would look to it. The soul will turn up its eyes and mourn; Oh that I have so abused the Lord and mercy! that Love it self should be angry and frown! Psal. 77. The Psalmist refused to be comforted, v. 2. Nay, v. 3. Though he remembred God, and all his love past, yet troubled, this brought greater trouble, yet v. 10. I'le remember the years of the right hand of the most High. Saul did not thus.
3. Thoughts of impossibility and unlikelihood to get peace or pardon, or victory over sin now. For sometime the Saints think, the Lord loves me, and yet lets these evils lie here, but I can get no help now, especially if after many prayers. I know help against all sins they cannot get, and hence are humbled, but against them sins that help can be got, wherein the Lord hath done it for others, and which make the Lord estrange himself it must be had (for this temptation to a Saint is an Hypocrites overthrow)