The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

2. There is a winning virtue in it, an attractive virtue; hence men endeavour to be and live like them, to be of the same mind, the same heart with them: and hence others take them, and they take themselves to be sincere, and hence they are Evangelical Gospel Hypocrites that lye hid in these Churches: Hence Zach. 8. 23. Many shall take hold of a Jews skirt (I doubt not but some false ones,) we have heard God is with you. And as Christ when lifted up and risen, so Saints draw Hypocrites to them.

2. There is a winning vertue in it, an attractive vertue; hence men endeavour to be and live like them, to be of the same mind, the same heart with them: and hence others take them, and they take themselves to be sincere, and hence they are Evangelical Gospel Hypocrites that lye hid in these Churches: Hence Zach. 8. 23. Many shall take hold of a Iews skirt (I doubt not but some false ones,) we have heard God is with you. And as Christ when lifted up and risen, so Saints draw Hypocrites to them.

Because the Gospel brings the greatest and sweetest consolations with it.¹ Hence a man under the terror of the Law, and sense of curse for his sin, will make his last refuge hither, and hide himself under the wing of the Gospel, not so much out of love to Christ, or Gospel, but because they serve his turn, and give him ease. Like men scorched with hea•, and almost ready to die, the shadow of a Tree is now very comfortable, and therefore there they sit; so these: Or as men with scalded ⟨p. 123⟩arms, they put them into water, which gives them ease, no cure; but because it gives them ease, there they keep them, so here: Men have been scalded with wrath, Oh now Gospel is very sweet, and so are eased […] it, never cured by it. Therefore here you shall find them disclaim all Works, and cry up Grace only; where the purest Churches are, there are usually great awakenings, there God is very near men, and made most manifest to mens consciences, and there are most soul-plagues, contempt of the Spirit of Grace, and hence most dreadful torments of conscience, and fearful lookings for of Judgement. Now hence it comes to pass when Christ is offered, and general notice given to mens minds, that yet there is hope and mercy for great sinners, this fills them with joy and peace, as Johns hearers,