A59665:1579
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.
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.
4. Many think the power of Grace is ceased and taken away, when some special enlargements are: As a Christian shall find at some times, having special work to do, special miseries to go through, he hath special enlargements of the Spirit, of joy, courage, boldness with God, love and zeal. These lasting not, he thinks all is gone now. But look as it was with Jonathan, 1 Sam. 14. 8. Then he alone and his Armour-bearer went against an Host, yet 1 Sam. 17. 11. Against Goliath not a word. Paul to his death was a faithful and able Minister of the Gospel, though sometime his mouth stopped, and his heart straitened: The Ship may be going to the Harbour, though sometime greater, sometime lesser winds.