A59665:925
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.
2. A great mistake of the work of Grace, together with their own experience, for they conceiving Grace to be but a mean thing, and not understanding it, because they never felt it in themselves; hence make no difference between one man ⟨p. 135⟩and another, and hence maintain apostasy from Grace. I hope I need not stir you up to abhor this conceit, considering what hath been said. I grant indeed a man may fall away from Grace, considering Grace without Christ to keep it. But yet 'tis in it self such a living Fountain, as in it self doth not perish, though it may; and in respect of Christ, it cannot.
2. A great mistake of the work of Grace, together with their own experience, for they conceiving Grace to be but a mean thing, and not understanding it, because they never felt it in themselves; hence make no difference between one man ⟨p. 135⟩and another, and hence maintain apostacy from Grace. I hope I need not stir you up to abhor this conceit, considering what hath been said. I grant indeed a man may fall away from Grace, considering Grace without Christ to keep it. But yet 'tis in it self such a living Fountain, as in it self doth not perish, though it may; and in respect of Christ, it cannot.
Obj. Did not Adam fall from all his Grace?
Answ. Yes, because he had neither the Covenant of Grace, nor the Spirit of Grace, nor power of Grace to support and keep him; but its Gods covenant now to write his Law, to ut his fear in the heart, never to depart, and to give the Spirit of Christ, who is now risen from the dead. Because I live, you shall live also,