A59665:160
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.
CHAP. VI.
Containing Motives and Arguments to persuade us unto the Love of Christ, and to be Espoused to him.
Containing Motives and Arguments to perswade us unto the Love of Christ, and to be Espoused to him.
IS there no communion to be had with the Lord Jesus,1 unless Virgins? unless espoused to him? Oh therefore here is a match for you, choose him, get your affections, if entangled, to come off if ensnared to any other thing, and set your hearts, bestow your love upon him. For 'tis not a dead Faith, (but such a faith as is animated by love) that doth espouse you to him, Gal. 5. 6. Faith which works by love. And therefore as the love of other things (not worth looking after) hath got the sovereignty and royalty of thy heart, so this is a conjugal love, when it bears rule in the heart; let Christ have this love. And as you have loved creatures for themselves, now love the Lord Jesus for himself. And as they have easily enticed you to set your hearts upon them, now be persuaded to set your dearest affections on him. Its said of John Baptist, he was the Bride-groom's Friend, to speak for him, John 3. 29. And truly 'tis the main work of the Ministry, to woo for Christ; and so to present chaste Virgins to Christ. This shall be my work now, which may be seasonable in this decaying time. Therefore I shall chiefly bend my speech to three sorts.