A59665:837
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.
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, John 5. 35. and hence they believe as the stony ground that had some ploughing, and hence received the Word with joy and believed, Psalm 66. 3. It's a Prophecy of the Kingdom of Christ, Antichrist he tormented the consciences of men, Rev. 9. Men have no peace within or without. Luther is raised up, and preacheth the Doctrine of Free Grace, which a world of men looking to their ease, others in truth receive it; for some time before his death he cries to God that he may not live to see the ruins that were coming on Germany for their contempt. The Law is the Ministry of Death, the Gospel propounds great privileges, with much more sweetness to sinners, and hence hither men fly.
Because the Gospel brings the greatest and sweetest consolations with it.