A59665:927
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.
SECT. IV.
Hence it may appear that the tr•e Believer may know the blessedness of his estate,1 by the •eculiarnesse of a work within him. For if indeed there should be no difference between those Graces that be in Hypocrites and in Saints, if no difference between Love, and Faith, and desire in one, and that which is in another, then none could know the blessedness of their estates by any work; but seeing that the Lord hath made a vast and a known difference, so that God knows it, and themselves know it, as hath been proved, and all the world might know it, but that they want eyes to see mens hearts, and they shall know it at the last day to their eternal anguish, when the hidden things of darkness, and the secrets of all hearts shall be opened, then it must needs follow from the knowledge of such a work, a man may conclude his blessed and safe estate. By work, I mean, no Popish good work, nor consider a work without a peculiar word of promise made the eunto. If we should ask a woman married to another Husband, how she knows such a one is her husband, she would manifest it by those peculiar acts or works or manifestations of a husband to her. She hath known he hath forsaken great offers, and come to her: Her heart that was most opposite, was at last overcome to forsake all, then they entered into a peculiar bond of covenant, so that they cannot part, and though they do depart, yet they stay not long. So here: If you should have asked the Israelites, how they did know they should be saved from the destroying Angel? Why the Lord hath promised to save us. You that do what? That sprinkle the door-posts with the Blood. So the destroying Angel of Gods presence shall destroy millions of people, and that in the night-time, when they least suspect it. Notwithstanding all deliverances; miracles, plagues and repentances, Shall you be preserved? Yes, the Lord hath promised it, and revealed it. To whom? To them that have their door-posts sprinkled with Christ's Blood, apprehended by the work of Faith, Rom 3. 24, 25.