A59665:1659
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.
Thirdly, If thou knowest nothing from them, then relate thy own condition, this is a most lovely provocation, and exhortation unto another frame, for one great cause that hardeneth men in their security, is because they see no such living Christianity in the world: But when they do, now (Zach. 8•) many shall take hold of the skirt of a Jew, for they shall say God is with you; Agrippa was almost persuaded and awakened when he heard Paul relate his conversion; although there be many impostors in the world that do so, Tell me, are all things in peace with you? the Devil is in you then: What? hast no temptations? yet many; Dost not observe how they prevail? yes; dost never get strength against them? yes; hast no good days after them? yes, much peace and life, and presence of God! Hath the Lord given these talents to ⟨p. 10⟩thee to be hid in a Napkin, this treasure to keep and not to spend? who knows but that the speaking of these may awaken others? these temptations, and this condition is mine, these sins I find he makes a great matter of them; Lord what will become of me that am hardened under them? this peace they find, my Soul is a stranger to it; Conscience will work thus: Women should speak thus to women, and men to men; others were provoked by the example of the Corinthians, to help others; so there is a provoking power here.
Thirdly, If thou knowest nothing from them, then relate thy own condition, this is a most lovely provocation, and exhortation unto another frame, for one great cause that hardeneth men in their security, is because they see no such living Christianity in the world: But when they do, now (Zach. 8•) many shall take hold of the skirt of a Iew, for they shall say God is with you; Agrippa was almost perswaded and awakened when he heard Paul relate his conversion; although there be many impostors in the world that do so, Tell me, are all things in peace with you? the Devil is in you then: What? hast no temptations? yet many; Dost not observe how they prevail? yes; dost never get strength against them? yes; hast no good days after them? yes, much peace and life, and presence of God! Hath the Lord given these talents to ⟨p. 10⟩