A59665:366
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.
How shall I know this?
First,1 If those fears thou hast drive thee farther from Christ, it's clear you are then to cast them off:2 those fears that cause sin are sinful, but to be driven from Christ is sinful, Luke 5. 9, 10. Lord depart from me, I am sinful: fear not saith Christ, 1 Sam. 12. 20. they were ready to cast off all, Fear not, saith he; think of this, what 'tis you get by nursing up those fears, they hinder your joy in, and your love to Christ, your blessing of Christ, cause a dead discouraged heart: nay though they drive you to Christ one way, if they drive you from Christ another way by questioning his care; concluding against his Truth, never doubt they are vile, Mat. 8. 26. Why did ye fear O ye of little Faith. So far therefore as fear drives us to Christ, 'tis good, otherwise to be cut off.
- 1Quest.
- 2Answ.
2. If the Lord hath drawn thy heart to come to Christ, and when undone, every way secretly persuaded thy heart that thou shalt have help if thou come, and by coming hast received healing Virtues of thy lusts and vile affections from the Lord Jesus, fear not now, 'tis a sin to fear I shall not have help, as