The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

To the READER.

IF thou art one who knowest what 'tis to be serious in the great business of providing for Eternity, 'tis very probable thou mayest be no stranger to the Name of this Reverend Author, now with God, whose Name in both the Englands is as an ointment poured forth; and then thou wilt be eagerly desirous to peruse these following Sermons, in tendency to the further increasing thy stock of spiritual oil, and when thou hast read them, and sucked forth the sweetness and nourishment contained in them, and by the assistance of the holy Spirit turned them into good and healthful nutriment to thy soul, we question not but it will enhance the Authors worth in thy thoughts and estimation. But perhaps thou hast never lighted on any of those Flowers which this Holy man hath planted in Gods garden, and then we are confident thou wilt meet with such savoury sweetness in this Discourse, as will make thee wish Christs Church had longer enjoyed so choice and skilful a Workman. If thou beest one who hath hitherto little considered of God and thy soul, and the concernments of Eternity, or only now and then had some morning dew thoughts of that which deserves and requires the choicest and most vigorous workings of thy soul, we wish thou wouldst so far comply with Gods goodness in bringing this Book to thy hand, and gratify thy self, (we mean thy Soul, thy better self,) as to read over this Treatise, in which thou wilt meet with those serious and soul-piercing Truths, which by Gods blessing may be as poison to thy lusts, and awaken thee to a serious and hearty engaging in that work which none ever yet repented of. For the occasion of publishing this Piece, we refer thee to the larger Epistle of our Reverend Brother, and only add, that though a vein of serious, solid and hearty piety run through all this Authors Works, yet he hath reserved the best wine till the last. The Lord help thee and us so to read and improve these and such like labours of Gods Harvest men, that we way with the Wise Virgins have the Lamps of our souls trimmed and furnished with oil, that when the Bridegroom shall come we may be ready to enter with him into his Kingdom. Which is and shall be the prayer of us, who are hearty well-wishers to thy Soul,