A59665:2159
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 these Virgins here did seek after the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of Christ, and hence did get that measure which lighted their lamps for a good season; and they contented themselves with this, and gave over seeking until it is too late; and therefore now they say, Give us of your oil, our Lamps are o•t: These foolish Virgins when they had got somewhat, they are carried with abundance of affection and profession, they think themselves as good as the best, and what need they seek for more! and then grow secure and fall asleep until ⟨p. 79⟩all is spent. The Scripture is pregnant every where for this. But let us look and see the causes of this.
For these Virgins here did seek after the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of Christ, and hence did get that measure which lighted their lamps for a good season; and they contented themselves with this, and gave over seeking untill it is too late; and therefore now they say, Give us of your oyl, our Lamps are o•t: These foolish Virgins when they had got somewhat, they are carried with abundance of affection and profession, they think themselves as good as the best, and what need they seek for more! and then grow secure and fall asleep until ⟨p. 79⟩all is spent. The Scripture is pregnant every where for this. But let us look and see the causes of this.
First, Sometime it is because they know not what that measure is which doth accompany salvation; but they set up an imagination of their own heads, which is a false image of Saving-grace, and when they have that, now they think all is well, and they go no further. Judg. 2. 11, 12. People that know not the Lord, nor the po•er of his grace, will set up other gods, and serve them, and there rest; until it is with them, as it was with those, when the anger of the Lord waxeth hot, and spoilers come, now they cry unto the Lord; What is the reason why many a man falls short of the righteousness which is of God, viz. of Faith? Because he sets up in his head a righteousness of his own; and if I get that, then I hope the Lord will accept me, and forgive me; and hence