A59665:1709
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.
WE must know that the Lord in subduing a sinner to the obedience of himself, it is with him as with an enemy in a City, there are many strong holds of sin, to which he retires and resists, 2 Cor. 10. 4, 5. and when one is down he flieth for shelter into another, and maintains that as long as he can; so it is with men: Or as it is with divers fruits, they have their several seasons of growing, and then of withering; so it is here; according to the several seasons of a mans life, so are his lusts growing and decaying; there are the first and the last ripe fruits.
VVE must know that the Lord in subduing a sinner to the obedience of himself, it is with him as with an enemy in a City, there are many strong holds of sin, to which he retires and resists, 2 Cor. 10. 4, 5. and when one is down he flieth for shelter into another, and maintains that as long as he can; so it is with men: Or as it is with divers fruits, they have their several seasons of growing, and then of withering; so it is here; according to the several seasons of a mans life, so are his lusts growing and decaying; there are the first and the last ripe fruits.
First, Take a man that is born and bred up to some years, man is a sociable creature, and it is a misery to live and be alone; hence the first evil he usually chooseth is evil and loose company; his lusts are grown up to some years, and now he desireth a match for them, and first he chooseth a companion; and Satan hath a mighty hand in this; because as the Lord when he first sends to do his work, he sends two by two to animate and strengthen one another in the work; so Satan doth first join hand in hand together that men might corrupt one another, and harden one another in wickedness; this (I say) is the first usually; hence Ephes. 2. 2. and Prov. 2. 12. Wisdom first keeps from the evil man; and this sin is for a time the dearest sin; for here he meets with some pastimes, mirth, and so much love from them, that he loves this last more than all the friends he hath (though they dissuade him;) more than all the Sabbaths of God, and hence he profanes them; more than Christ himself, and hence when he hath many times purposes of turning to God, his company with-holds him.