A59665:433
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.
SECT. IV.
After you have done your work be ever humble, and be ready to give the Lord the honour of his Grace,1 that ever he gave any thing to you, that ever he did any thing by you; for the last end of all the Elect, 'tis to admire and honour the riches of Gods Grace, Eph. 1. 5, 6. Hence the Fall was permitted, never should Grace have been seen, if sin and misery had not come in. Now if this be our last end in Glory, then the heart is ready to have immediate fellowship with Christ there, when 'tis ready to act for its last end. Hence it's frequent in the Psalms, when David was in any strait, wanted any mercy, nay the presence of the Lord here, this is the last end he pursues, the last word he speaks before the Lord, My soul shall bless thee, as Psalm 63. 3, 4. and hence when all his enemies were subdued, and he ready to lay all in the dust, he gives the Lord all, 2 Sam. 22. per totum. and 23. 5. Beloved, this is Heavens work, Oh learn this Song before you go there, which none can learn but the Redeemed and Sealed of the Lord, ⟨p. 62⟩Rev. 14. 3. John 1. 14. It's writ of Christ, he was full of Grace and Truth; Do you ever think to meet with him, that get not your hearts full of the sense of it?
AFter you have done your work be ever humble, and be ready to give the Lord the honour of his Grace,