A59665:1578
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. Many think the act of grace ceaseth, when it doth not act alway upon the same object; as some think, because they have not the sense of Gods love alway, all grace is lost, when it may be there is sense of corruption at that time; sometime God gives victory over temptation, it riseth again: Now the soul thinks the very act of grace ceaseth, when yet its now warring against the temptation; sometime ⟨p. 237⟩the Spirit of grace may lead a man to prayer and sadness, sometime to a mans calling and cheerfulness. The act of grace is small, its dominion large.
2. Many think the act of grace ceaseth, when it doth not act alway upon the same object; as some think, because they have not the sence of Gods love alway, all grace is lost, when it may be there is sence of corruption at that time; sometime God gives victory over temptation, it riseth again: Now the soul thinks the very act of grace ceaseth, when yet its now warring against the temptation; sometime ⟨p. 237⟩the Spirit of grace may lead a man to prayer and sadness, sometime to a mans calling and cheerfulness. The act of grace is small, its dominion large.
3. They think they are not constant, when they are not so at all times, as they are at some times: As a man thinks he is unconstant at prayer, because he is not all day upon his knees; not heavenly minded, because he is not all day long minding heavenly things: Whereas the Spirit should be ready so to do and be at all times, and in every worldly occasion to be sowing or reaping some spiritual good; yet 'tis not a season alway to be upon the Mount. Sometime Moses must come down to the camp. God requires every •it season for his special Worship, not every Particle of time.
3. They think they are not constant, when they are not so at all times, as they are at some times: As a man thinks he is unconstant at prayer, because he is not all day upon his knees; not heavenly minded, because he is not all day long minding heavenly things: Whereas the Spirit should be ready so to do and be at all times, and in every worldly occasion to be sowing or reaping some spiritual good; yet 'tis not a season alway to be upon the Mount. Somtime Moses must come down to the camp. God requires every it season for his special Worship, not every Particle of time.