A59665:1979
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.
SECT. II.
Quest. What Spirit of holiness is it which is a Christians glory?
Quest. WHat Spirit of holiness is it which is a Christians glory?
Answ. It is not every patched profession of holiness which is a Christians true glory; for by what means is the name of God more blasphemed by the wicked of the world, than by those that profess holiness, yet break out into scandalous sins! Rom. 2. 14. it is a wonder if a profane man be good a little; but it is a greater wonder and scandal if a professor be bad a little. Neither is it a most glorious appearance of holiness; this is deceit, craft, and hypocrisy, not a glory: A Stage-player that acts the part of a King, wants the glory of a King; and hence Paul opposeth himself to these, 2 Cor. 5. 12. But when there is first an exemplary holiness, arising secondly, from the fullness of the Spirit of grace within, as here in the Virgins, a shi•ing profession from an inward Spirit, when Christ hath attained the end of offering up himself, that men are a peculiar people, zealous of good works: Suppose the lamp doth burn, yet if not for the end it was made, so that a man can scarcely see his way, nor others by it, its glory is much lost: Now the end of the Spirit of holiness is this, the end of Christ's death and ministry is this;