A59665:997
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. I.
THE Spring or one great cause and original of Evangelical Truth and Hypocrisy is the mind of man.
THE Spring or one great cause and original of Evangelical Truth and Hypocrisie is the mind of man.
For here there was an apparent difference between the Virgins in their practise and in their wills, as hath been shown; yet the Lord expresseth it in general thus, that some of them were wise (which is one part of the perfection of the understanding) and some of them were foolish (which is the ⟨p. 147⟩great defect of light in the mind or understanding) because the truth of the one and the falsehood of the other, manifested what their hearts were, in their heads and minds; and the Truth in the one, and Hypocrisy in the other did arise and was maintained by wisdom in some of their minds, and by folly in the mind of some others. Folly or want of Divine Light made the one unready for Christ, wisdom or having of Divine Light, made the other prepared for him: Not that it doth exclude the evil or change of the will and affections, but because they manifest themselves, and are maintained in the mind. Hence I say, one great reason or Original of both lies in the mind, Mat. 6. 22, 23. If thy eye be single, thy whole body is light, &c. The eye or mind of a man sits like the Coachman, and guides the headstrong Affections; if now this be blind, there will be falls and deviations into crooked ways, John 3. 19, 20. Light is come. Now what is the condemnation? Men love darkness, i. e. will be blind, and having sore minds and hearts, will not look up to the Sun. They see not, nor receive not the Truth in love, and hence condemned, and è contra. Hence