A59665:2143
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.
Obj. But he may desire it without measure for his own ends.
Ans. I confess 'tis true; for men may desire honour and no honour but by gifts, and no gifts but by grace; and hence may desire infinitely, but yet it is but a measure, viz. to serve his own ends, but not the Lords ends; to set up himself; true desire of grace, is for that which may pull down self, and make God all, Psal. 119. 4, 5.
Ans. I confess 'tis true; for men may desire honor and no honor but by gifts, and no gifts but by grace; and hence may desire infinitely, but yet it is but a measure, viz. to serve his own ends, but not the Lords ends; to set up himself; true desire of grace, is for that which may pull down self, and make God all, Psal. 119. 4, 5.
Fourthly, It is not their only desire, or the only thing they desire, viz. the good Spirit of the Lord, and that they might not live or any thing else in them, but that the Lord may live, and his Grace and Kingdom may prevail in their hearts; the desires of Saints are only after this; or if their desires are after other things, the Spirit lusts against them, 2 Sam. 23. 5. As carnal desires are after life, and the comforts of it, so spiritual desires are after the life of Christ in them, and the comforts of the Lord thereby, Psal. 27. 3, 4. One thing I have desired, and that I will seek for; what was it? a Crown, a Kingdom? no, but that I may dwell in the Lords house for ever, and visit his Temple: Notable is that example of Abraham,