A59665:2049
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.
For Explication of this Point, we are to attend how and why this is thus; and that not in the worst, but in the best of the foolish Virgins.
First, The Spirit of God comes upon many hypocrites in abundant and plentiful measure of awakening grace; I say it comes upon them as it did upon Balaam, Numb. 24. 2. And as it is in overflowing waters, which spread far, and grow very deep, and fill many empty places, they fall upon the ground, they come not from any spring within the ground; and hence though they last not always, yet they last some good time; so it is here, the Grace and Spirit of God come suddenly and plentifully upon many a man, which gives them a time of flourishing, it comes not from imitation, or education, or moral persuasion only, but physically from the Spirit of God, 1 Sam. 10. 12. when they wondered that Saul was among the Prophets, one answered, who is their father? who gave them this gift of prophecy? is it not the Lord? so the fame Lord is rich to Saul also: And I say it is only awakening grace; for renewing grace, savingly to change their nature, is not given, but awakening grace, which works upon conscience, and conscience upon the whole man; and thus it was here with these Virgins, they had wonderful light, and a spirit of illumination to see the Lord Jesus, and hence to look for him with much affection and forwardness, as well as the wise, and to keep them company in Church-fellowship, and though they were secure, to complain of their decays, and desire the spirit of grace which they saw in the wise.
First, The Spirit of God comes upon many hypocrites in abundant and plentiful measure of awakening grace; I say it comes upon them as it did upon Balaam, Numb. 24. 2. And as it is in overflowing waters, which spread far, and grow very deep, and fill many empty places, they fall upon the ground, they come not from any spring within the ground; and hence though they last not always, yet they last some good time; so it is here, the Grace and Spirit of God come suddenly and plentifully upon many a man, which gives them a time of flourishing, it comes not from imitation, or education, or moral perswasion only, but physically from the Spirit of God,