A59665:1667
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.
First, Set a high price upon those awakenings and revivings of heart that God sometimes giveth you; I am sure you find these sometimes. A man that hath nothing to lose, will sleep with his doors open in the night; when a man hath a treasure he will be watchful to keep it; all security comes from an undervaluing of the Spirit of grace, and its presence among us, Prov. 4. 13. keep her, for it is thy life; and when it is lost, what are you but dead?
First, Set a high price upon those awakenings and revivings of heart that God sometimes giveth you; I am sure you finde these sometimes. A man that hath nothing to lose, will sleep with his doors open in the night; when a man hath a treasure he will be watchful to keep it; all security comes from an undervaluing of the Spirit of grace, and its presence among us, Prov. 4. 13. keep her, for it is thy life; and when it is lost, what are you but dead?
Secondly, Consider thy continual danger; if enemies be at the gates, all the Town is watching; one would not think the depth of security that is in a careless heart, Psal. 30. 6. I said I should never be moved; he had good days and a thankful heart; then God did hide his face: A man would think Sampson should awake when the Philistines are upon him; but here Devils be upon thee, 1 Pet. 5. 10. If all be well now, yet remember evil days; would you know when? even then when men say peace.
Thirdly, Know the work you have to do, and make it your main business; when men have weighty business of the world in hand, they cannot sleep in their beds; and as the wicked,