A59665:2314
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. V.
OF Instruction.1 1. Hence we may see the glory of the Gospel, in that it is the Ministry of the Spirit of God; this the Apostle professeth it exceeds in glory; glorious light it scatters, that which hath been hid from the wise, nay, from Prophets, and Abraham who desired to see this day, and saw it but •• far off; hence it is called marvellous light, which brings the foul to the light of that blessed face of Jesus, and his glorious love, which never shall be sounded to the bottom of it, which damps the glory of all other things; and although many great and wise despise it, yet if they did know they would not despise the Lord of glory, nor crucify him; but their eyes shall never see those glorious consolations and comforts promised to the people of God; I will send the […], saith Christ, which […] can be taken […] from Believers, which in midst of all misery comforts; it is a great mercy when a man sees his sin, else he would never seek for remedy; but the Law cannot do any thing but arrest, and imprison; it cannot get sin removed; yet the Gospel can set at liberty, which […] prisoners; Joh 8. 32. You shall know the truth, and ⟨p. 99⟩that shall make you free. I can through Christ, &c. Phil. 4. 13. It is a marvellous mercy to tremble before God, and see, and know, and be affected with Gods wrath; but yet if this be all, the heart will sink and fly from God; now the Gospel reveals Christ, and so Joh. 10. 16. his sheep he hear and follow him; and the Gospel comes to hell with the Spirit, to a poor sinner when he is blind, captive, broken, mourning, never so miserable; now the Gospel penetrates thus low, and brings the Spirit with it; it makes the soul not only to see Christ, but gives it him, and now it is safe. Oh (beloved!) if the Spirit be glorious, then is the Gospel glorious; if the Ministry of men could bring in, and draw with them the Princes of this world, and all their wealth to serve you, Angels and their Ministry, nay, bring Christ himself bodily to you, how glorious were this? but what is this to bring the Spirit into a Sty, into thy Soul! Oh therefore take heed of a light esteem of the Gospel, as those