The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

2. There comes some goodness of the Gospel to the heart, that men hearing and seeing Salvation wrapped up there, Oh that is sweet and good! and hence their affections and hearts are in some measure conquered by the power of the overdazeling truth, and hence Hypocrites being thus conquered, partly being of this opinion, partly tasting some good of it, desire it out of self-love, expect it out of self-delusion, and profess themselves Virgins out of these Principles.

2. There comes some goo•nesse of the Gospel to the heart, that men hearing and seeing Salvation wrapt up there, Oh that is sweet and good! and hence their affections and hearts are in some measure conquered by the power of the overdazeling truth, and hence Hypocrites being thus conquered, partly being of this opinion, partly tasting some good of it, desire it out of self-love, expect it out of self-delusion, and professe themselves Virgins out of these Principles.

In regard of power of Evangelical examples in the five wise Virgins:¹ for look as 'tis with living men when the Sun shines upon their heads, they cast their shadows that follow them; so when the Lord Jesus shines upon the souls of his own people, almost every honest sincere-hearted man will cast his shadow that will be like him; hence Hypocrites in those Churches which are commonly rather led by example than by rule, will be very like them, and imitate them: if they should not, what communion could they have with them, or what love could they receive from them? for there is a mighty power in eminent examples to overbear Hypocrites, that if they will turn themselves into any form, they must into theirs, as in Joash: for there are two things in the carriage of the Saints.

In regard of power of Evangelical examples in the five wise Virgins:¹ for look as 'tis with living men when the Sun shines upon their heads, they cast their shadows that follow them; so when the Lord Jesus shines upon the souls of his own people, almost every honest sincere-hearted man will cast his shadow that will be like him; hence Hypocrites in those Churches which are commonly rather led by example than by rule, will be very like them, and imitate them: if they should not, what communion could they have with them, or what love could they receive from them? for there is a mighty power in eminent examples to overbear Hypocrites, that if they will turn themselves into any form, they must into theirs, as in Ioash: for there are two things in the carriage of the Saints.