A59665:2253
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.
Because they have but their measure received wholly,1 and dependent wholly from another, answerable to their own necessities; therefore it is not in their freedom, but in the hands of him who hath received it without measure, John 3. 34, 35. but the Father hath put all things into his hands; as it is in stars, one star doth not give light to another, but the Sun to all, having received it without measure comparatively; so one Spring doth not beget another, but it is in the Sea, which hath water without measure, from whence they come and return again.
BEcause they have but their measure received wholly,1 and dependent wholly from another, answerable to their own necessities; therefore it is not in their freedom, but in the hands of him who hath received it without measure, Iohn 3. 34, 35. but the Father hath put all things into his hands; as it is in stars, one star doth not give light to another, but the Sun to all, having received it without measure comparatively; so one Spring doth not beget another, but it is in the Sea, which hath water without measure, from whence they come and return again.
- 1Reason 1.
Because all the Saints,1 and all the fellowship of God's people, it is but a means, or they are but instruments in the hands of Christ to convey Grace; now you know all instruments act and work according to the will of the principal agent; as it is not in the axes hand to cut down one tree for fuel, another for building; but in the agents hand, especially if the instrument be weak and powerless, and such are the people of God;