The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

Answ. You may do all this, and yet you may be found foolish for all this. Evangelical work which is accompanied with Salvation in some, it may be Hypocritical in thee: And therefore take heed you do not take shows for substance. For look as in the Gospel Gods utmost perfection of wisdom and love appears, so the most hidden and admirable delusions of Satan are Evangelical. There his power is employed to undermine, and so to keep his head. Oh that we could but imagine and set before our eyes the amazing condition of such a man! whose plagues shall be made wonderful, that hath been troubled with sin a long time, at last looks to Christ, and there rests, and so hears all Sermons, and there still sleeps, and considers often that his ways are evil, but never suspects his Faith to be evil, then he comes to die, and then looks for Christ; at last the week or snuff ⟨p. 125⟩dies, and Sun sets, and darkness approacheth, and then suddenly slips into Hell, where he sees Christ and Saints afar off: And what hath deceived them? Oh their Faith hath deceived them, to see Christ shaking them off as dust: Oh they wish, Oh that I had known or feared this before! and will you not fear now? as for you profane ones that can scoff, and drink, and break Sabbaths, and live idly, your judgement is writ upon your foreheads: but Oh take heed you that have escaped these pollutions, lest you deceive your selves here. To show you that deceit particularly, it's not my time yet, but go alone and think sadly of it, I may look for justification by Christ, and wait for Christ, and yet perish. Oh let me be sure I get such a Faith as will not deceive me here: Should not a man you will say trust to Christ? yes when you can in truth; but thy Trust may be but Presumption.

Answ. You may do all this, and yet you may be found foolish for all this. Evangelical work which is accompanied with Salvation in some, it may be Hypocritical in thee: And therefore take heed you do not take shews for substance. For look as in the Gospel Gods utmost perfection of wisdom and love appears, so the most hidden and admirable delusions of Satan are Evangelical. There his power is employed to undermine, and so to keep his head. Oh that we could but imagine and set before our eyes the amazing condition of such a man! whose plagues shall be made wonderfull, that hath been troubled with sin a long time, at last looks to Christ, and there rests, and so hears all Sermons, and there still sleeps, and considers often that his waies are evil, but never suspects his Faith to be evil, then he comes to die, and then looks for Christ; at last the week or snuff