A59665:1829
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.
2. That have kept themselves and their hearts from soil, their lamps bright, but now though their hearts contract soil every day, they are settled upon the Lees, and their scent is in them, and their lamp never dressed.
2. That have kept themselves and their hearts from soil, their lamps bright, but now though their hearts contract soil every day, they are settled upon the Lees, and their scent is in them, and their lamp never drest.
3. That did once delight in approaching nigh to Christ in his Ordinances, in going forth in them to meet the Bridegroom; but now they not only neglect this, but take delight therein, and rest upon their neglect; as a sleepy man takes his delight, not in his work, but in the neglect of it; and though their hearts tell them of this, yet they go on their way, and dye so; what shall we think of them? I will not absolutely determine, but they give shrewd signs, that they are fallen into a dead sleep: For the Lord will awaken his Virgins before his coming; nay, he will awaken very many others for their sakes, rather than they shall be secure; Look as it was with Christ, the nearer he came to his end, the more enlarged, and heavenly, and spiritual; so it is with them that have the Spirit of Christ: Who are the Servants whom Christ shall bless at his coming? Luke 12. 37. Blessed are those that shall be found watching; That look as there is no smaller evil, but usually before it, comes the Lord and gives warning; so the greatest and last evil Death, that so they may prepare for that; as Paul, 2 Tim. 4. 5, 6, 7. The time of my departing is at hand (how could Paul tell that?) the Lord gave him secret hints of it, he could smell that state before he saw it or touched it; he could observe by the course and concurrence of providences; now my course is finished, the corn is gathered, all in Asia forsake me; so the Lord doth many times unto his people; however he doth keep them watchful: Oh consider it therefore, you that are secure, if the Word now doth not awaken, yet when thy sick bed comes, and death appears, remember this truth; But remember it now, I carry the brand of a Reprobate upon me.