A59665:957
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.
'T•s true, there is a difference,1 but is it possible to know it, seeing that a false heart may go so far? especially to know it in it self?
- 1Object.
'Tis true, 'tis difficult for men,1 Ministers, or Angels to reveal it, yet 'tis easy for the Lord Jesus to reveal it, and this he doth do. This light discovers hidden things as they are, his Spirit leads into all Truth. And this is a peculiar privilege and honour, as for God to know, so they partaking of the Divine Nature, for them to know their own hearts, Jer. 17. 9, 10. And although it be an easy thing for hypocrites, that never knew what Grace meant, to be mistaken, yet after the Lord hath made it known to the elect, 'tis no easy matter to deceive them. As 'tis with Apothecaries, that know when they meet with counterfeit drugs; or Jewellers, that know the difference between Bristow-Stones and Pearls. As the blind man saith, whereas I was blind, now I see, so I was dead, now behold I live. Old things are passed away, all things are become new. 1 Pet. 2. 9. They are called out of darkness into marvellous light. If they could not know a difference, why would the Lord command them to add one Grace to another, and grow in Grace? May they not well reply? Alas Lord I know not Trash from Treasure! I know nothing thou hast commanded me to do, but hypocrites may have and do. I say therefore the work may be seen in it self, and that by a three fold light.
'Tis true, 'tis difficult for men,1 Ministers, or Angels to reveal it, yet 'tis easie for the Lord Jesus to reveal it, and this he doth do. This light discovers hidden things as they are, his Spirit leads into all Truth. And this is a peculiar priviledge and honour, as for God to know, so they partaking of the Divine Nature, for them to know their own hearts,