A59665:2034
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.
Answ. 1. Take heed of harbouring an ill opinion of holiness, for then if your judgements dislike it, your tongues and your lives shall disgrace it: Take heed of imagining that First, there is no grace in Saints, only immediate actings of the Spirit; this is no spirit of holiness, no more than in Balaam's Ass, through which God spake to him.
Answ. 1. Take heed of harboring an ill opinion of holiness, for then if your judgements dislike it, your tongues and your lives shall disgrace it: Take heed of imagining that First, there is no grace in Saints, only immediate actings of the Spirit; this is no spirit of holiness, no more than in Baalams Ass, through which God spake to him.
Secondly, That these graces are only common; who will seek much after that, or esteem that which is but common? this is to despise the Spirit, to contemn the blood of the Covenant, whereby the Church is sanctified.
Thirdly, That grace is so dark and obscure a thing always as no evidence can be had by it, though it be peculiar grace: this is a high degree of disgrace to the Spirit of Grace; if one should say here is a man, but believes not his testimony, 'tis doubtful and very questionable what ever he saith, it is a dishonour to him, take heed of this: When the Spirit of Holiness comes to us in form, it comes thus, with little peace; but when in power, with much assurance, 1 Thess. 1. 5. It is a sad thing, if that which was the complaint of the Prophet, shall be the complaint of the Spirit, Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed!
Thirdly, That grace is so dark and obs•ure a thing always as no evidence can be had by it, though it be peculiar grace: this is a high degree of disgrace to the Spirit of Grace; if one should say here is a man, but believes not his testimony, 'tis doubtful and very questionable what ever he saith, it is a dishonor to him, take heed of this: When the Spirit of Holiness comes to us in form, it comes thus, with little peace; but when in power, with much assurance,