A59665:987
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. Do not think that the being of Grace is lost, when 'tis hid, by the cessation of it for a time from act. For 'tis hard to know whether Grace be there, when acts are not seen or felt; now sometimes 'tis so. The heart grows careless and negligent, ceaseth from acting, quencheth the flame of the Spirit. Hence come fears, was there ever Grace here? The Sluggards Garden grows full of Nettles, and he saith, was the ever good seed sown here? Answ. Consider 'tis in this case, as 'tis in sin. Though the act of sin ceaseth, yet there is a bent of heart still toward it; and a carnal heart will return to his old Bias and bent again: So though the act of Grace ceaseth, yet there is an inner man, a gracious bent and frame put upon the will, that though for a time it ceaseth acting, yet it will return to its old bent again, to its own nature, which is called the seed of God, 1 John 3. 9. From which a man can never fall. For in sleep there is cessation from acts, yet the frame remains still. In the old Law, if any unclean thing fell on a Pitcher, it was accounted unclean, but if in a Spring, not, because it would work it out again; so here: There is a Spring of Grace, which may be muddied and stopped up, ⟨p. 145⟩yet it will work it le•• clear again. And this Gods people shall find, there is something in them that springs up to everlasting life all their days.
2. Do not think that the being of Grace is lost, when 'tis hid, by the cessation of it for a time from act. For 'tis hard to know whether Grace be there, when acts are not seen or felt; now somtimes 'tis so. The heart growes carelesse and negligent, ceaseth from acting, quencheth the flame of the Spirit. Hence come fears, was there ever Grace here? The Sluggards Garden grows full of Nettles, and he saith, was the ever good seed sown here? Answ. Consider 'tis in this case, as 'tis in sin. Though the act of sin ceaseth, yet there is a bent of heart still toward it; and a carnal heart will return to his old Byas and bent again: So though the act of Grace ceaseth, yet there is an inner man, a gracious bent and frame put upon the will, that though for a time it ceaseth acting, yet it will return to its old bent again, to its own nature, which is called the seed of God,