A59665:357
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.
Do not fear the love of Christ is not toward you, because he hides his face, and departs some times from you; Husbands remain so when they depart,1 and leave the house for many a day, and 'tis simple to say he is not my Husband now. So here the Lord loves his people, yet departs, Isai. 54. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. and truly 'tis very hard when inward blows, and sad desertions, and outward miseries, and no Christ found, though sought for. But how shall I then know and discern his love? Answ. Many things might be said this way, only one thing observe, whether thy love remains still to him for himself; for it's rule that most commonly a christians purest and dearest love appears in Christs absence from him. As 'tis with Friends, while with us we love them, but when gone, we feel that love mo•e quick than before. Jerusalem lies in the dust, and now the very dust is beloved, Psal. 102. 13, 14. and if it be so, it's certain we love him because he loved us, and we continue to love him, because he continues to love us; now look then if thy love do not appear, 1. In mourning for his absence. 2. In longing for his presence. 3. In blessing him for a little that is left of himself, as seeing such want of him; and is not this for himself to have his company again, that though God gives thee all other things, yet when thou comest to consider the Lord is gone, this strikes near, as when Christ departed away, John 16. 5, 6. But because love may be benumbed, and lye dead, therefore try it a time of parting, and put thy heart thus to it; if he be none of thine, then take thy fill in thy sin, and forsake him: no Beloved, here you shall see the heart will yield and melt, John 13. 3, 4, 5, 6, &c. and it will say, Lord let me never sin more against thee, though never saved by thee. And take it for a rule, do not think the Lord hath left off his love to you when you depart from him, and he from you: but lying in your Departures, Oh that is sad; but return again, it comforts the Lords heart, especially when 'tis for himself, not for peace and salvation, but though he never saves me, Oh yet I will look after him.