A59665:2208
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.
SECT. VII.
Quest. How bitter must it be?
Quest. HOw bitter must it be?
Answ. So bitter as that nothing contents your heart,1 whiles sin is with you, and the Lord is gone from you, Lam. 3. 49. Mine eye ceaseth not mourning, till the Lord look down from heaven; as a man that looks for a Prince to come and live with him, he prepares rooms for all his attendants, but he reserves the best lodgings for the Prince himself, and they are kept empty whiles he comes: So the soul entertains Creatures, and Ordinances, and Saints of God, but yet the heart is not content, but sits empty, desolate whiles the Lord is gone; for whiles the heart is delighted with somewhat else beside the Lord (that if the Lord comes, it is well, if not, it is merry and jolly) see what the Lord there speaks, Jam. 4. 8, 9, 10. Cleanse your hearts and he will draw nigh unto you; turn laughter to mourning, else you are not humbled. Let Gods own people do so, it stops up the fountain of Gods love, and sweetness of mercy, Psal. 30. 7