The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

SECT. VIII.

TO all the Churches of the Lord Jesus here planted in these Western parts of the World,¹ to maintain your Church-chastity and Virginity, you have a name of it abroad, pure chaste Virgin-churches, not polluted with the mixtures of mens inventions, not defiled with the company of evil men: pure Ordinances, pure People, pure Churches, which is the cause of the scoffs and enmity of some, but of the desire and joy of others. O if there, how happy I? and how blessed they? Take heed you do not defile your selves again. Open whoredom is too gross, too shameful, to yield to mans inventions, to open the door for all comers into the Church: but take heed of secret whoredoms and departings from Christ, for think of this speech when you see me dead, that of all Churches in the World, the Lord Jesus carries a most jealous eye over these for whom he hath done such great things; and I know it, he takes exceeding ill your secret wantonness and whoredoms of heart; the Lord hath kept you hitherto, look you maintain it, for you may be soon deflowered again, few Churches retain their purity long, aged, grey-haired purity is seldom seen. I will tell you of the several Temptations (some at least) that may prevail to the defilement of you.

TO all the Churches of the Lord Jesus here planted in these Western parts of the World,¹ to maintain your Church-chastity and Virginity, you have a name of it abroad, pure chaste Virgin-churches, not polluted with the mixtures of mens inventions, not defiled with the company of evill men: pure Ordinances, pure People, pure Churches, which is the cause of the scoffs and enmity of some, but of the desire and joy of others. O if there, how happy I? and how blessed they? Take heed you do not defile your selves again. Open whoredoom is too gross, too shameful, to yeild to mans inventious, to open the door for all comers into the Church: but take heed of secret whoredoms and departings from Christ, for think of this speech when you see me dead, that of all Churches in the World, the Lord Jesus carries a most jealous eye over these for whom he hath done such great things; and I know it, he takes exceeding ill your secret wantonnesse and whoredoms of heart; the Lord hath kept you hitherto, look you maintain it, for you may be soon defloured again, few Churches retain their purity long, aged, gray-haired purity is seldom seen. I will tell you of the several Temptations (some at least) that may prevail to the defilement of you.