A59665:2284
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. I.
Now follows secondly, their Counsel and Advice, [Go to them that sell and buy, &c.
Them that sell] Some there be that make this an Irony, or a plain mock of the foolish Virgins for their folly; as if they should say, You have lived like Hypocrites hitherto before the Lord among us, and deceived us and your own souls; now you would have out Grace to help you; no, get you gone to Mass-Priests, and Pardon-sellers, and Merit-mongers, and buy for your selves, they have merit enough, &c. But this meaning as it cannot be evinced necessarily from the words▪ so such an answer cannot stand with that sad and gracious compassionate spirit which is in every holy Virgin; for suppose God should break open the conscience of any in these days, and they opening their hearts to others, they should receive this answer [Nay seeing you have neglected your season so long, get you gone to Mass-Priests, let them help you;] would any of common honesty in like manner mock? much less a gracious heart; no, but if any have a true sense of their misery for sleeping out their season of Grace, their bowels will melt over them.
THem that sell] Some there be that make this an Irony, or a plain mock of the foolish Virgins for their folly; as if they should say, You have lived like Hypocrites hitherto before the Lord among us, and deceived us and your own souls; now you would have out Grace to help you; no, get you gone to Mass-Priests, and Pardon-sellers, and Merit-mongers, and buy for your selves, they have merit enough, &c. But this meaning as it cannot be evinced necessarily from the words so such an answer cannot stand with that sad and gracious compassionate spirit which is in every holy Virgin; for suppose God should break open the conscience of any in these days, and they opening their hearts to others, they should receive this answer [Nay seeing you have neglected your season so long, get you gone to Mass-Priests, let them help you;] would any of common honesty in like manner mock? much less a gracious heart; no, but if any have a true sence of their misery for sleeping out their season of Grace, their bowels will melt over them.