A59665:394
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.
But how shall I come to do this,1 thus to love the Lord?
- 1Quest.
1. Labour to find out the true sweetness, and to taste the bitterness of the deceitful sweetness of all Creatures, for this is a rule in reason, a mans affections like streams must run some way: and 'tis a rule in Theology, stop the affections from running to the Creature, and in a sincere heart it will run unto Christ, Hos. 2. 6, 7. if it be from all creatures: Now then the affection is turned from the Creature, when it finds the bitterness of the deceiving sweetness of it: and Secondly finds out the real sweetness of it; for make it as a rule, when a mans heart cannot love Christ (unless it be when it is benumbed) 'tis because he hath somewhat else to joy his heart; now let the Creature yield you no more joy, and Christ hath your love: indeed you may and must joy in the real sweetness of it, and this will increase, and not diminish your love.