A59665:2088
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.
Quest. How may this appear?
Answ. First, Because this is no more than what the Devils have; if this be Sanctification, to see, I have no Sanctification; if this be Humility, to see, I have no humility; if this be cleanness, to see, I have nothing but uncleanness; the Devils then are sanctified and cleansed; who as they are unclean spirits, and accursed of God, and set apart to all evil and sin, and bound up in the chains of darkness, so they know it; they believe the Word, and they know they have no Christ, no Grace, no love of God, never shall see mercy, comfort, &c. and tremble at this, with whom there is nothing but a fearful looking for of Judgement.
Answ. First, Because this is no more than what the Devils have; if this be Sanctification, to see, I have no Sanctification; if this be Humility, to see, I have no humility; if this be cleanness, to see, I have nothing but uncleanness; the Devils then are sanctified and cleansed; who as they are unclean spirts, and accursed of God, and set apart to all evil and sin, and bound up in the chains of darkness, so they know it; they believe the Word, and they know they have no Christ, no Grace, no love of God, never shall see mercy, comfort, &c. and tremble at this, with whom there is nothing but a fearful looking for of Iudgement.
Secondly, Because this is no more than what the Law may bring a man unto; For by the Law Rom. 3. 20. is the knowledge of sin; i. e. not only of gross sins but also of secret sins; for Conscience which is in every mans heart will discover the first, men that live under the Law see more; and hence Paul speaks of himself, so far forth as under the Law, Rom. 7. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11