The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

Hence do not trust men too far, nor boast of any man too much, especially¹ in regard of his glorious profession and affections at the first; God sends divers of his faithful servants to a place, and many at first hearing are wrought upon, battered down, convinced, mourning after peace, going to Ministers, delight in Ordinances; now many Ministers bless God for their conversion, and many a Christian is put out of doubt of it, parents of their children, and children of their parents, one brother of another, and one Christian neighbour of another; whom he got out once to hear, and once hearing overcame; and for a time there is no other: Oh take heed of boasting too much, it may be they may and will fall (before they have lived many years) down, when at their height: what man was ever sought unto more than John? all Judea came unto him, yet at last they forsake him, rejoiced but a season in that light; they went also from him to Christ, Joh. 7. 26, 32. yet John complains, none received ⟨p. 66⟩his testimony; Christ himself preached in Capernaum, and […] exalting a man, they boasted in him; yet only a few Babes which the Lord wrought upon; the Galatians would lose their eyes for Paul, yet afterward they flight him, and join with false teachers against him: Oh therefore pray for them, and weep for them, but do not trust them too far; neither trust your selves too much; Joh. 8. 31. Then are ye my disciples if you continue; Demas forsakes Paul, all in Asia forsake me.