The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

1. Because at first conversion there is much see•ing of Christ, for healing the horror and smart of sin, as well as for the curing of the wound and scar of sin: hence when espoused, and horror being past, that wheel being broken, a man draws more heavily now, and neglects seeking; now the Knife is out of his heart he cries not so earnestly.

1. Because at first conversion there is much see•ing of Christ, for healing the horrour and smart of sin, as well as for the curing of the wound and scar of sin: hence when espoused, and horrour being past, that wheel being broken, a man draws more heavily now, and neglects seeking; now the Knife is out of his heart he cries not so earnestly.

2. Because when espoused, and much affected, commonly a man trusts to his affections, when he hath a fullness of them: hence the Lord lets Satan prevail, Luke 22. 31, 33. Satan hath desired to winnow thee as wheat, and I (saith Pe•er) am ready to dye with thee; but you see he fe•l, and then when the Lord looked upon him, he went out and wept bitterly: How shamefully hast thou fallen, should any love him more than you if ever he pity? well, for his Name-sake he hath done it. But how oft hast thou broken Covenant? how forgetful of the Lords kindness? The Lord looks upon thee this day, why hast thou so soon forgot me, and forsaken me? have I not took thee from the Dung-hill, nay from Hell? and whereas I had so many thousands to set my love on, I chose thee; and whereas thou couldest not love me when I offered my self, thou couldest not return me ⟨p. 45⟩love again, I gave it therefore to thee, yea and have given my self to thee for ever: Hast thou thus forgotten me, when as I take little wrongs from thee more heavily than great ones from others? Oh that this might make you go out and mourn bitterly: so if ever you have tasted that love as Peter did, Christs looks will humble you.