The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

To the Watch •en of the Churches▪ nay to all that profess themselves to be their Brethren's keepers;¹ to […] Virgins,² not to lavish your cha••ty too far, it's a precious Grace, and you have little enough for […], but to bear a jealous heart, and to labour for a quick discerning eye to find out them that will […] themselves among you. This was the commendation and honour of the Ephesians, Rev. 2. 2. I confess it •s a sinful extreme to cry do•n all the virgins as foolish, when there be Five wise. Satan will seek to •reak he •ond of Brotherly-love by so•ing false reports, and horrible suspicions: and 'tis a hard thing fo• a Pa•• after the Lord hath wrapped him up to the Third Heaven in Revelations, not to be pu•tup, and in seeing himself at a distance from other men, not to despise and condemn them that have not risen so high as he, especially in a discontented spirit nothing will please them. A false heart when, he sees more than others as he thinks, now thinks highly of himself, as so he great reformer of Churches and world, especially if men of shallow heads; and •ence such do censure and condemn all that do not magnify them, and reverence their Judgements, and the dust of their feet. And yet 'tis another sinful extreme to swallow down all flies that be in the cup, and to think too charitably of every one that doth pro•esse. Children that have no children themselves, will make children of clouts, and then love the•; and hence many a soul lies blee••ng to eath because they have such tender Friends as will not search them. An I doubt not but many in Hell ay say, Oh that I should live among such and such, and they never de faithfully with me.