A59665:732
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.
2. Prize and love his presence, his face, the lifting up of the light of his countenance. Princes will not come, or if they do, not stay, if they perceive their company is a burden, and is not esteemed; no more will the Lord Jesus. They that are fallen in love together will find out each other though it be at midnight; prize Christs company, and you will not complain for want of time, and say you cannot, but you will find him out in Word, in prayers, though others be fast asleep, Mat. 13. 44. When the man sells all, now he buys the field, hath it, and enjoys it. You would have the Lords company and fellowship, I believe you; But what will you give for it? I will tell you. It may be you will give him the hearing for it, and give him a few good wishes, and a few good words, and a little leisure. But will you turn the whole world behind your back, and whatever you have out of doors, that he may come in: That now 'tis not honour, nor wealth, nor life, nor ease, nor Heaven, but him, and that not only in Heaven, but in his Swaddling-clouts, his Ordinances here, believe it salvation is at your doors. Zacheus being a low man of stature, gets out of the crowd, stands in the way, and the Lord bids him come down. Do thus when you come to any Ordinance, I tell you 'tis better than an host of Angels compassing thee about with praises. Oh that you had the life of experience! Hast not found him better than friends, than means, than thy self? Oh that you would believe experience!
2. Prize and love his presence, his face, the lifting up of the light of his countenance. Princes will not come, or if they do, not stay, if they perceive their company is a burden, and is not esteemed; no more will the Lord Jesus. They that are fallen in love together will find out each other though it be at midnight; prize Christs company, and you will not complain for want of time, and say you cannot, but you will find him out in Word, in prayers, though others be fast asleep, Mat. 13. 44. When the man sells all, now he buyes the field, hath it, and enjoyes it. You would have the Lords company and fellowship, I believe you; But what will you give for it? I will tell you. It may be you will give him the hearing for it, and give him a few good wishes, and a few good words, and a little leisure. But will you turn the whole world behind your back, and whatever you have out of doors, that he may come in: That now 'tis not honour, nor wealth, nor life, nor ease, nor Heaven, but him, and that not only in Heaven, but in his Swadling-clouts, his Ordinances here, beleeve it salvation is at your doors. Zacheus being a low man of stature, gets out of the crowd, stans in the way, and the Lord bids him come down. Do thus when you come to any Ordinance, I tell you 'tis better than an host of Angels compassing thee about with praises. Oh that you had the life of experience! Hast not found him better than friends, than means, than thy self? Oh that you would believe expetience!