A59665:2413
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.
Secondly, Then all deformities shall be taken away from his people, and he shall adorn his Bride in perfect beauty; for this is one part of Christs conjugal love to his Spouse and People, Ephes. 5. 25. different from other Husbands, who find but do not make them beautiful; for if the Lord should meet his people, and they him with their deformities, they would do it unwillingly and with shame: as in this life why are Saints unwilling yet to be with the Lord? viz. because there be so many deformities and spots abiding on the Spouse; sometimes the soul would not have Christ, and such a heart too, though he offers himself to it; Lord depart, I am a sinful man, Luk. 5. 8. Oh but then all deformities shall be removed; Phil. 3. ult. Who shall change our vile bodies, not destroy them; and make them like his glorious body, which shines brighter than the Sun: Matth. 13. 43. Then shall the righteous shine like the Sun; is there any beauty like that of Christs? then shall they be like unto him; 1 Joh. 3. 2. it is a dishonour for a mighty Prince on the day of marriage to let his Queen go in rags; they shall be Christs then; And look as it was with Joseph, all his shame, baseness, imprisome•ts, did but •ake way for his glory; and hence he was delivered out of prison by the Kings command; now his apparel, and countenance, and name, and estate, and all is changed; so here, all your shame, imprisonment in the grave-chains of sins, that enter into your soul, doth but make way for this certain glory; As it was with Joshua, Satan stood at his right hand to accuse him, he only stands before the Lord, at last the Lord saith, Take off these filthy garments; is not this a brand? So Satan and Conscience accuse often here, but then it shall be so that all thy filthy garments shall be taken away.
Secondly, Then all deformities shall be taken away from his people, and he shall adorn his Bride in perfect beauty; for this is one part of Christs con•ugal love to his Spouse and People,