A59665:262
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. VI.
2 Consider of the means to act from Christ Jesus, and indeed herein lies the skill and life of a Christian, and this is the complaint of many a Soul, Christ is full, and he is not for himself, but for those that want, and I come to him when I want it, and yet I find no help; and hence many are brought to think either it's in vain to come to Christ, or else I have no Faith in Christ; I will therefore premise these three things.
2 COnsider of the means to act from Christ Jesus, and indeed herein lies the skill and life of a Christian, and this is the complaint of many a Soul, Christ is full, and he is not for himself, but for those that want, and I come to him when I want it, and yet I find no help; and hence many are brought to think either it's in vain to come to Christ, or else I have no Faith in Christ; I will therefore premise these three things.
1. That a false, double, treacherous, disloyal heart to Christ cannot expect to receive any thing it comes for unto Christ. As 'tis with a Woman, that though others do not, yet her Husband knows she is fallen in league with some other man, he will be strange to her, and will not do any thing for her. John 2. ult. He knew what was in man; as 'tis in grafts, James 1. 7, 8. Let not a double-minded man think to receive any thing at the hands of the Lord, for that is the nature of man under the power of any lust, it makes all serve it, even Christ himself, which he will never do, I am weary of your new Moons, saith the Lord, and you fast, and pray, and have no answer, for you fast for Debate: and therefore I take a man considered as broken off from the power of his lusts, not one that feels himself under the power of it, for such an one may be delivered from it, such a soul as can say, much ado have I had to feel my sin, and to be willing to part with it, but now I am; here is the Soul I speak of.