A59665:446
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.
7. Hence the Lord speaks peace to his people, that they may say, I was so vile, and yet loved; Oh Grace! Oh love! Ezek. 16. 63. When they see nothing but shame, and shame covers them, and afraid to appear before God, it is for this end. I'll name no more. Do you not observe it? Sometime you shall find the Lord so strangely carrying matters, as if he did not love nor care for his people, against the hair and grain of their desires, and when all comes to winding up, 'tis to advance Grace. All a mans good days, and bad days, all Gods frowns and smiles, all the Lords Food and Physic, all God cares for, works, plots for, 'tis to do his people no more hurt than this, to advance his Grace in them, and by them. All his hewings and hammerings of you, nay his knocking you a pieces, and new melting, and new casting of you, 'tis that you may be Vessels of his glorious Grace, that you may be able to live in the air of Gods Grace, to suck in, and breath out Grace, and let all the power of Hell seek to blur it, yet Grace shall conquer. Who would not be under Grace? Oh poor creature, Satan is tempting, sin vexing, yet Grace must reign.
7. Hence the Lord speaks peace to his people, that they may say, I was so vile, and yet loved; Oh Grace! Oh love! Ezek. 16. 63. When they see nothing but shame, and shame covers them, and afraid to appear before God, it is for this end. I'le name no more. Do you not observe it? Sometime you shall find the Lord so strangely carrying matters, as if he did not love nor care for his people, against the hair and grain of their desires, and when all comes to winding up, 'tis to advance Grace. All a mans good dayes, and bad dayes, all Gods frowns and smiles, all the Lords Food and Physick, all God cares for, works, plots for, 'tis to do his people no more hurt than this, to advance his Grace in them, and by them. All his hewings and hammerings of you, nay his knocking you a pieces, and new melting, and new casting of you, 'tis that you may be Vessels of his glorious Grace, that you may be able to live in the air of Gods Grace, to suck in, and breath out Grace, and let all the power of Hell seek to blur it, yet Grace shall conquer. VVho would not be under Grace? Oh poor creature, Satan is tempting, sin vexing, yet Grace must reign.