A59665:747
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, They are all one with him in fellowship, the Father in him, and he in them, and they in him, and so made perfect in one.
Secondly, They have his fellowship only: so do you long for more of his fellowship, so as to be made more one with him, and him with you, so as he may be your strength, and life, and peace, and for his fellowship only, otherwise you may go without him at last, Luke 13. 26, 27. Have we not eat and drank in thy presence, &c. The Jews before Christs coming had Christs presence then, but a greater measure of it is given to the Church since his Resurrection and Glorification, for it was reserved to honour Christ in his first coming. But how many be there that see not the Lord Jesus so as they did under veils? either get more, or say Christ is not risen, John 14. 16. Christ promiseth to send his Disciples another comforter: who was that? the spirit of truth whom the world could not receive, because it knew him not: Why had the Disciples no spirit now? yes, he was in them, but not that full measure, with which though they were not as yet sealed, yet they knew they had him, and that Christ was theirs too. So, hast thou the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, Oh beg for more of it, not miraculous gifts, for that is in vain, but more of the special powerful presence and fullness of it, for 'tis this that the world cannot receive. I have oft feared it's the great sin of this last age to comfort and settle christians in their weak beginnings, as though there was no more of Gods Spirit to be poured down in times of the Gospel. But consider,
Secondly, They have his fellowship only: so do you long for more of his fellowship, so as to be made more one with him, and him with you, so as he may be your strength, and life, and peace, and for his fellowship only, otherwise you may go without him at last, Luke 13. 26, 27. Have we not eat and drank in thy presence, &c. The Jews before Christs coming had Christs presence then, but a greater measure of it is given to the Church since his Resurrection and Glorification, for it was reserved to honour Christ in his first coming. But how many be there that see not the Lord Jesus so as they did under vails? either get more, or say Christ is not risen,