A59665:1580
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.
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.
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 Ionathan, 1 Sam. 14. 8. Then he alone and his Armour-bearer went against an Host, yet 1 Sam. 17. 11. Against Goliah not a word. Paul to his death was a faithful and able Minister of the Gospel, though sometime his mouth stopped, and his heart straitned: The Ship may be going to the Harbour, though somtime greater, somtime lesser winds.
Secondly, But yet I confess there is much changeableness in the Saints, and unevenness in their course, and their Spirits are apt to grow weary and faint, otherwise they had not need to be exhorted not to be weary, and when they are lifted up, they soon sink down, Heb. 12. 1. And hence question, Was there ever grace in this heart? But yet there is much difference between the unconstancy of the one and of the other, in three things: