The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

SECT. VI.

SEE therefore and believe the truth of this Point as well as hear it:¹ At the first coming of Christ, Heb. 11. 13. they did thus, saw the Promises afar off, and embraced them; so see it afar off: There be divers people that profess this truth that do not fully believe it; for if they did, they would never live as they do: That look as men that know the Judge rides Circuit within half a year, dare not commit any open sins; so if you believed this, you would make conscience of secret sins which this Judge shall judge.

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Others there be that do believe it as they do reports that every man saith, but they do not see that really to be true indeed, which their hearts literally believe; and hence mens hearts are not a whit moved with grief, or sorrow, or joy, or fear at the remembrance of this day. For as it is with us in reports of news out of Germany, many hear things, but are not affected with their misery, because they do not see it acted before their eyes; God presents not their sorrows; and hence they are not moved; but when they do see them acted, then they are moved much; so here. Look as it is with a man awake and in sleep; a man awake believes the day of Judgement, and never stirs; but when asleep he dreams of it, and is much affected with that because he sees it acted before his eyes; much more when men have not dreams but real visions or sight of it, it will affect: And hence set, painted fire before a Malefactor, it affects not, but show him really it wherein he must be burnt, now it amazeth him; and hence