The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

1. Observe Gods several and various dispensations of himself and his Grace toward thee, whether they issue from his everlasting love or no; for if so, then he will everlastingly keep that which he hath given thee. Quest. How shall I know that? Answ. Look as that issues from eternal wrath, that separates the soul from God, or therein 'tis expressed; so that is the expression of eternal love which draws thee to God in Jesus Christ. Observe therefore the Lords carriage, ⟨p. 231⟩Doth it draw thee at last to him, nearer to him; and so the more he dispenseth of himself, the nearer thou art brought to him; here is the expression of eternal love, and the Lord will keep thee, John 6. 37. All that […] given me shall come to me. Let the Lord give his Spirit, though but little, they grow thankful. Oh he is come, whom I thought would never have returned again! Let him deny it, this keeps them humble. Let the Lord dispense himself in an Ordinance, they love him; and […] day […], better than a thousand elsewhere. Let him not do so, they feel the more need of him. Let the Lord free them from temptations, and give them conquest, Faith now rejoiceth. Let them fall into many temptations, their Faith grows the more purified than ever. Let the […] give them outward blessings, they grow more vile in their own eyes, less th•• the least, with Jacob. Let the Lord deny them, Hab. 3. 18. they rejoice in the Lord. They get good and are more endeared to the Lord by every carriage of the Lords, at least in the issue it is so. As 'tis with wicked men, they may for a fit be affected and return to the Lord, but in the issue they forget the Lord, so 'tis here contrariwise. There is not any unregenerate man, but something or other […] him. The wicked ever are like Chaff driven from God. Gold that is of an everlasting nature, keep it, beat it, burn it, you cannot consume, but only purify it, 'tis not so with Chaff. Let the Lord give him tastes of Grace and joy, it estrangeth his soul from Christ, it doth not bring him nea• to Christ.

1. Observe Gods several and various dispensations of himself and his Grace toward thee, whether they issue from his everlasting love or no; for if so, then he will everlastingly keep that which he hath given thee. Quest. How shall I know that? Answ. Look as that issues from eternal wrath, that separates the soul from God, or therein 'tis exprest; so that is the expression of eternal love which draws thee to God in Jesus Christ. Observe therefore the Lords carriage,