A59665:693
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.
1. A man may lawfully desire them,1 provided his desires are not •w•llowed up in them, but run through them to Christ himself. For 'tis not lust properly to desire a creature, or any pleasure in it; but to desire it for it self, and for pleasure's sake. For now a man makes a god of it. Thus it was with the Israelites, Exod. 17. Give us water that we may drink; so give me sleep that I may rest, give me clothes that I may be warm, give me estate that I may be rich, &c. Now when a heart desires them, but his desires end not there, but run through them to Christ, that he flings down all comforts, and saith what is this to fellowship with Christ: Thus far a man may desire and rejoice in them, and 'tis a sin to do otherwise. Nehem. 9. 35. A man may be content to have a Spring run through his ground to the Sea, to be swallowed up there, but to swell, and rise, and overflow his ground and house, that's not safe, he may be drowned so: So men come to be drowned in their lusts, that let them swell within doors.
1. A man may lawfully desire them,1 provided his desires are not •w•llowed up in them, but run through them to Christ himself. For 'tis not lu•t properly to desire a creature, or any pleasure in it; but to desire it for it self, and forpleasures sake. For now a man makes a god of it. Thus it was with the Israelites, Exod. 17. Give us water that we may drink; so give me sleep that I may rest, give me cloaths that I may be warm, give me estate that I may be rich, &c. Now when a heart desires them, but his desires end not there, but run through them to Christ, that he flings down all comforts, and saith what is this to fellowship with Christ: Thus far a man may desire and rejoyce in them, and 'tis a sin to do otherwise.