A59665:1748
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.
Quest. What are those slothful opinions?
Answ. First, What is this but one, to make the Law no rule to a Christians life? as though a Christian should be like a man at Sea, and carried by the wind, but he must have no Compass to sail by also: In these last times Christ's Kingly Office is chiefly opposed; men are glad of Christs righteousness and death to save them, but when he comes to plant his Laws (as all Conquerors do amongst men) they do then shake them off, and under a colour of love to their Prince, make his Laws no bonds to bind them; so these think this is the liberty of a Christian, the liberty of a Prince to be lawless, 2 Pet. 2. 19.
Answ. First, What is this but one, to make the Law no rule to a Christians life? as though a Christian should be like a man at Sea, and carried by the wind, but he must have no Compass to sail by also: In these last times Christ's Kingly Office is chiefly opposed; men are glad of Christs righteousness and death to save them, but when he comes to plant his Laws (as all Conquerors do amongst men) they do then shake them off, and under a colour of love to their Prince, make his Laws no bonds to binde them; so these think this is the liberty of a Christian, the liberty of a Prince to be lawless, 2 Pet. 2. 19.
Secondly, That there is no activity of Grace received, no power to stir till stirred; and therefore leave all upon Christ, they can do nothing; if he gives nothing, they cannot help it; if he doth, then all is well, &c. It is true, till the Lord doth help what can we do? But there is an immutable assistance of Spirit, whereby the Lord doth enable his to act more or less like himself, when stirred up: And if you find none, because you fall short of Christ, do not think that the Lord will be a cover to such a cap; nor a pillow for a slothful heart; there is a sickness in the best, and must be followed, else we dye.