A59665:452
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.
First, A coming to Christ, which is our work, i. e. Gods work in us.
Secondly, Receiving what I come for from Christ, which is the Lords work; Now the first gives evidence he shall have it, John 6. 35, 37. Hence the Lord will have them rejoice in what Christ hath, as my Grace is sufficient; but if it comes not presently, then they cast off Faith, and so cast away Grace, I feel no good: hence John 4. 48. &c. I know there is a seeming coming to Christ, to have the Grace of Christ and sin too, and this you may well cast off: and a coming for his Grace and Spirit only, and you despise Grace, and distrust the Lord if you cast off this, or you seek to put the Lord out of his working by a covenant of Grace, (where he takes his times as he pleases) and give a flat lie to all promises of Grace, and refuse to be contented with Christs Grace, that thou mightest have the more attributed to thy self, and the Lord the less.
Secondly, Receiving what I come for from Christ, which is the Lords work; Now the first gives evidence he shall have it, Iohn 6. 35, 37. Hence the Lord will have them rejoyce in what Christ hath, as my Grace is sufficient; but if it comes not presently, then they cast off Faith, and so cast away Grace, I feel no good: hence Iohn 4. 48. &c. I know there is a seeming coming to Christ, to have the Grace of Christ and sin too, and this you may well cast off: and a coming for his Grace and Spirit only, and you despise Grace, and distrust the Lord if you cast off this, or you seek to put the Lord out of his working by a covenant of Grace, (where he takes his times as he pleases) and give a flat lie to all promises of Grace, and refuse to be contented with Christs Grace, that thou mightest have the more attributed to thy self, and the Lord the lesse.