A59665:2224
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.
Answ. 1. Honour and advance the Lord's rich grace in thy heart, before thou goest to him for the Spirit of life; thus that poor woman, If I can but touch his skirt, I shall be whole; if I can come to him, I shall have help; many can think before they go to Christ, I shall never speed, I shall never over come these evils; and hence the Israelites are excluded Canaan: though I know the Lord doth pity his poor people when they believe, though not thus far; as it is with men, if you would get their hearts from them; commend them; so here; and though this doth not move the Lord, yet it is an Ordinance; 'tis a way of God, Micah 7. 17, 18.
Answ. 1. Honor and advance the Lord's rich grace in thy heart, before thou goest to him for the Spirit of life; thus that poor woman, If I can but touch his skirt, I shall be whole; if I can come to him, I shall have help; many can think before they go to Christ, I shall never speed, I shall never over come these evils; and hence the Israeli•es are excluded Canaan: though I know the Lord doth pity his poor people when they believe, though not thus far; as it is with men, if you would get their hearts from them; commend them; so here; and though this doth not move the Lord, yet it is an Ordinance; 'tis a way of God, Micah 7. 17, 18.
2. Take up a firm resolution never to let thy heart go from seeking the Lord till this is wrought, Psal. 27. 4. this I will seek after; see that thou must needs have this; and hence do not say, I have desired and gone to the Lord, and no help comes, and now sit down; no, but take advantage hereupon to desire the more, and to make the Lord's denials or delays the ground of the […] Canaanitish woman, crumbs; as Jacob by wrestling against the Ang•• […] blessing at last; Say, as it hath been long, so therefore Lord help […] But sins are many, and the heart is worse: Oh the more need of […]