A59665:2070
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.
First, One man after much profession intends to follow the Lord, conscience is troubled at humane inventions; Oh, saith he, if delivered, well enough, though I lose never so much! well, he lays out all, and is delivered; but that which quiets conscience, doth not quiet his heart and affections; but his very loss for conscience makes his lusts and desires after other things break out more eagerly, and men cannot now live upon Gospel only, with bread and water; no, no, you are deceived; as it is with sick men, they let go all their estate for recovery; but when recovered, they must get up their estate again, this will not satisfy: And thus some fall spiritually.
First, One man after much profession intends to follow the Lord, conscience is troubled at humane inventions; Oh, saith he, if delivered, well enough, though I lose never so much! well, he lays out all, and is delivered; but that which quiets conscience, doth not quiet his heart and affections; but his very loss for conscience makes his lusts and desires after other things break out more eagerly, and men cannot now live upon Gospel only, with bread and water; no, no, you are deceived; as it is with sick men, they let go all their estate for recovery; but when recovered, they must get up their estate again, this will not satisfie: And thus some fall spiritually.
Secondly, Others they sought for much in Ordinances, but finding not what they looked for, Ordinances are but as pictures fair a far off; but when men come near them, Word, and Fellowship, and people of God, then they despise them, because they find not a living God there.
Thirdly, While God keeps men under sad temptations, wants and afflictions; Oh then they are humble, and pray; but when blest with ease, and peace, and plenty, and honour, then how lofty and secure? this is better than the Lord: Never such a decay of the spirit of prayer; never was there such a confusion in the world, such burning of Cities, slaying of men, rents of Churches, God minding to stain the pride of all glory; and yet never such hearts.