A59665:1486
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. He reveals by the Spirit and Light of Glory that this good is theirs, their propriety. The first gives rest to the soul, viz, the Spirit of vision incompletely. This Spirit of Faith whereby the soul knows all this good is mine, this gives it completely. Now the New Jerusalem is come dow• •rom Heaven, and God is among men, 1 Pet. 1. 8. For if a Christian sees the greatness of this glory, but not as his, the soul will never cleave to the Lord indeed, nor find full rest; and hence when the riches of Gods grace is revealed, and the Feast set before them, they do not eat, because they fear they were not bidden. Now both these give full peace and rest to the soul, when the soul hath the Lord Jehovah in his arms, and hence he cares not now when death comes: Oh it shall be a welcome day to them! And hence they wish they might sin no more, or cease to be. And hence they wish they could set even the whole world a wondering. Was it ever heard since the world began of such a pattern of mercy? Its true, the Lord indeed keeps his Servants for a time under much darkness and doubts, but it's certain even in the meanest Saint this light is sown for them, and joy for the upright in heart, and some work there is for the Lord to do for them, and then he kee•s a Sabbath of rest in them.
2. He reveals by the Spirit and Light of Glory that this good is theirs, their propriety. The first gives rest to the soul, viz, the Spirit of vision incompleatly. This Spirit of Faith whereby the soul knows all this good is mine, this gives it compleatly. Now the New Ierusalem is come dow• •rom Heaven, and God is among men, 1 Pet. 1. 8. For if a Christian sees the greatness of this glory, but not as his, the soul will never cleave to the Lord indeed, nor finde full rest; and hence when the riches of Gods grace is revealed, and the Feast set before them, they do not eat, because they fear they were not bidden. Now both these give full peace and rest to the soul, when the soul hath the Lord Ieh•vah in his arms, and hence he cares not now when death comes: Oh it shall be a welcome day to them! And hence they wish they might sin no more, or cease to be. And hence they wish they could set even the whole world a wondring. Was it ever heard since the world began of sch a pattern of mercy? Its true, the Lord indeed keeps his Servants for a time under much darkness and doubts, but it's certain even in the meanest Saint this light is sown for them, and joy for the upright in heart, and some work there is for the Lord to do for them, and then he kees a Sabbath of rest in them.