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religion_n christian_a church_n true_a 12,753 5 4.9116 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A58607 The parable of the ten virgins in a sermon preached before Her Royal Highness Princess Ann of Denmark at Tunbridge-Wells, September the 2d, 1688 / by John Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. Tillotson, John, 1630-1694. 1694 (1694) Wing S1205; ESTC R28124 15,203 31

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commandment_n in_o the_o general_a course_n of_o a_o holy_a and_o virtuous_a life_n the_o merit_n of_o christ_n perfect_a obedience_n and_o suffering_n will_v be_v available_a with_o god_n for_o the_o acceptance_n of_o our_o sincere_a though_o but_o imperfect_a obedience_n but_o if_o we_o take_v no_o care_n to_o be_v righteous_a and_o good_a ourselves_o the_o perfect_a righteousness_n of_o christ_n will_v do_v we_o no_o good_a much_o less_o the_o imperfect_a righteousness_n of_o any_o other_o man_n who_o be_v a_o sinner_n himself_o and_o the_o holy_a man_n that_o ever_o be_v upon_o earth_n can_v no_o more_o assign_v and_o make_v over_o his_o righteousness_n or_o repentance_n or_o any_o part_n of_o either_o to_o another_o that_o want_v it_o than_o a_o man_n can_v bequeathe_v his_o wisdom_n or_o learning_n to_o his_o heir_n or_o his_o friend_n no_o more_o than_o a_o sick_a man_n can_v be_v restore_v to_o health_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o physic_n which_o another_o man_n have_v take_v let_v no_o man_n therefore_o think_v of_o be_v good_a by_o a_o deputy_n that_o can_v be_v content_v to_o be_v happy_a and_o to_o be_v save_v the_o same_o way_n that_o be_v to_o go_v to_o hell_n and_o to_o be_v torment_v there_o in_o person_n and_o to_o go_v to_o heaven_n and_o be_v admit_v into_o that_o place_n of_o bliss_n only_o by_o proxy_n so_o that_o these_o good_a work_n with_o a_o hard_a name_n and_o the_o make_n over_o the_o merit_n of_o they_o to_o other_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o foundation_n either_o in_o scripture_n or_o reason_n but_o be_v all_o mere_a fancy_n and_o fiction_n in_o divinity_n the_o inference_n from_o all_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o application_n which_o our_o saviour_n make_v of_o this_o parable_n 13._o watch_v therefore_o for_o you_o know_v neither_o the_o day_n nor_o the_o hour_n wherein_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v the_o design_n of_o this_o parable_n be_v to_o instruct_v we_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v continual_o vigilant_a and_o always_o upon_o our_o guard_n and_o in_o a_o constant_a readiness_n and_o preparation_n to_o meet_v the_o bridegroom_n because_o we_o know_v not_o the_o time_n of_o his_o come_n to_o judgement_n nor_o yet_o which_o will_v be_v of_o the_o same_o consequence_n and_o concernment_n to_o we_o do_v any_o of_o we_o know_v the_o precise_a time_n of_o our_o own_o death_n either_o of_o these_o may_v happen_v at_o any_o time_n and_o come_v when_o we_o least_o expect_v they_o and_o therefore_o we_o shall_v make_v the_o best_a and_o speedy_a provision_n that_o we_o can_v for_o another_o world_n and_o shall_v be_v continual_o upon_o our_o watch_n and_o trim_v our_o lamp_n that_o we_o may_v not_o be_v surprise_v by_o either_o of_o these_o neither_o by_o our_o own_o particular_a death_n nor_o by_o the_o general_a judgement_n of_o the_o world_n because_o the_o son_n of_o man_n will_v come_v in_o a_o day_n when_o we_o look_v not_o for_o he_o and_o at_o a_o hour_n when_o we_o be_v not_o aware_a more_o particular_o we_o shall_v take_v up_o a_o present_a and_o effectual_a resolution_n not_o to_o delay_v our_o repentance_n and_o the_o reformation_n of_o our_o life_n that_o we_o may_v not_o have_v that_o great_a work_n to_o do_v when_o we_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n no_o not_o to_o dispose_v of_o our_o temporal_a concernment_n much_o less_o to_o prepare_v for_o eternity_n and_o to_o do_v that_o in_o a_o few_o moment_n which_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v the_o care_n and_o endeavour_v of_o our_o whole_a life_n that_o we_o may_v not_o be_v force_v to_o huddle_n up_o a_o imperfect_a and_o i_o fear_v a_o insignificant_a repentance_n and_o to_o do_v that_o in_o great_a haste_n and_o confusion_n which_o certain_o do_v require_v our_o wise_a and_o most_o deliberate_a thought_n and_o all_o the_o consideration_n in_o the_o world_n and_o we_o shall_v provide_v store_n of_o oil_n in_o our_o vessel_n wherewith_o to_o supply_v our_o lamp_n that_o they_o may_v burn_v bright_a to_o the_o last_o i_o mean_v we_o shall_v improve_v the_o grace_n which_o we_o receive_v in_o baptism_n by_o abound_v in_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o in_o all_o the_o substantial_a virtue_n of_o a_o good_a life_n that_o so_o a_o entrance_n may_v be_v minister_v to_o we_o abundant_o into_o the_o everlasting_a kingdom_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n by_o this_o mean_n when_o we_o be_v call_v to_o meet_v the_o bridegroom_n we_o shall_v not_o be_v put_v to_o those_o miserable_a and_o shark_a shift_n which_o the_o foolish_a virgin_n be_v drive_v to_o of_o beg_v or_o borrow_v or_o buy_v oil_n which_o will_v all_o fail_v we_o when_o we_o come_v to_o depend_v upon_o they_o and_o though_o the_o die_a man_n may_v make_v a_o hard_a shift_n to_o support_v himself_o with_o these_o false_a comfort_n for_o a_o little_a while_n yet_o when_o the_o short_a delusion_n be_v over_o which_o will_v be_v assoon_o as_o ever_o he_o be_v step_v into_o the_o other_o world_n he_o will_v to_o his_o everlasting_a confusion_n and_o trouble_n find_v the_o door_n of_o heaven_n shut_v against_o he_o and_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o his_o vast_a treasure_n of_o pardon_n and_o indulgence_n which_o have_v cost_v he_o so_o much_o and_o be_v worth_a so_o little_a he_o shall_v never_o see_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o last_o we_o shall_v take_v great_a care_n that_o we_o do_v not_o extinguish_v our_o lamp_n by_o quit_v the_o profession_n of_o our_o holy_a religion_n upon_o any_o temptation_n of_o advantage_n or_o for_o fear_n of_o any_o loss_n or_o suffering_n whatsoever_o this_o occasion_n will_v call_v for_o all_o our_o faith_n and_o patience_n all_o our_o courage_n and_o constancy_n nunc_fw-la animus_fw-la opus_fw-la aenea_fw-la nunc_fw-la pectore_fw-la firmo_fw-la when_o it_o come_v to_o this_o trial_n we_o have_v need_n to_o gird_v up_o the_o loin_n of_o our_o mind_n to_o summon_v all_o our_o force_n and_o to_o put_v on_o the_o whole_a armour_n of_o god_n that_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o stand_v fast_o in_o a_o evil_a day_n and_o when_o we_o have_v do_v all_o to_o stand_v and_o now_o my_o brethren_n to_o use_v the_o word_n of_o st._n peter_n i_o testify_v unto_o you_o 12._o that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a grace_n of_o god_n wherein_o you_o stand_v the_o protestant_a reform_a religion_n which_o we_o in_o this_o nation_n profess_v be_v the_o very_a gospel_n of_o christ_n the_o true_a ancient_a christianity_n and_o for_o god_n sake_n since_o in_o this_o hour_n of_o temptation_n when_o our_o religion_n be_v in_o so_o apparent_a hazard_n we_o pretend_v to_o love_v it_o to_o that_o degree_n as_o to_o be_v content_v to_o part_n with_o any_o thing_n for_o it_o let_v we_o resolve_v to_o practise_v it_o and_o to_o testify_v our_o love_n to_o it_o in_o the_o same_o way_n that_o our_o saviour_n will_v have_v we_o show_v our_o love_n to_o he_o by_o keep_v his_o commandment_n i_o will_v conclude_v all_o with_o the_o apostle_n exhortation_n so_o very_o proper_a for_o this_o purpose_n and_o to_o this_o present_a time_n 27._o only_o let_v your_o conversation_n be_v as_o it_o become_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v chief_o and_o above_o all_o take_v care_n to_o lead_v life_n suitable_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o then_o as_o it_o follow_v stand_v fast_o in_o one_o spirit_n with_o one_o mind_n strive_v together_o for_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o in_o nothing_o terrify_v by_o your_o adversary_n which_o to_o they_o be_v a_o evident_a token_n of_o perdition_n but_o to_o you_o of_o salvation_n and_o that_o of_o god_n now_o unto_o he_o that_o be_v able_a to_o establish_v you_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o keep_v you_o from_o fall_v and_o to_o present_v you_o faultless_a before_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o glory_n with_o exceed_a joy_n to_o the_o only_a wise_a god_n our_o saviour_n be_v glory_n and_o majesty_n dominion_n and_o power_n both_o now_o and_o ever_o amen_n finis_fw-la book_n publish_v by_o his_o grace_n john_n lord_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n thirty_o sermon_n and_o discourse_n upon_o several_a occasion_n in_o three_o volume_n octavo_fw-la the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o treatise_n of_o mr._n sergeant_n etc._n etc._n octav._n a_o discourse_n against_o transubstantiation_n octavo_fw-la alone_o price_n 3d._o a_o persuasive_a to_o frequent_a communion_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n octavo_fw-la alone_a price_n 3d._o in_o twelves_o bind_v price_n 6d_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o lincoln's-iun_n chapel_n on_o the_o 31st_o of_o january_n 1688._o be_v appoint_v for_o a_o public_a thanksgiving_n to_o almighty_a god_n for_o have_v make_v his_o highness_n the_o prince_n of_o orange_n the_o glorious_a instrument_n of_o the_o great_a deliverance_n of_o this_o kingdom_n from_o popery_n and_o arbitrary_a power_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o queen_n at_o whitehall_n on_o matth._n 5._o 44._o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o king_n and_o queen_n at_o hampton_n court_n on_o luke_n 10._o 42._o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o queen_n on_o matth._n 25._o 46._o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o upon_o a_o monthly_a fast_n on_o eccles._n 9_o 11._o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o lord_n mayor_n at_o bow-church_n upon_o the_o monthly_a fast_n on_o jer._n 6._o 8._o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o queen_n on_o act_n 24_o 16._o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o queen_n at_o whitehall_n upon_o the_o monthly_a fast_n septemb._n 16_o 1691._o on_o zech._n 7._o 5._o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o queen_n at_o whitehall_n march_n 20._o 1692._o on_o psalm_n 73._o 25._o a_o thanksgiving_n sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o king_n and_o queen_n at_o whitehall_n octob._n 27._o 1692._o on_o jer._n 9_o 23_o 24._o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o king_n and_o queen_n at_o whitehall_n feb._n 25_o 1693_o 4._o be_v the_o first_o sunday_n in_o lent_n on_o titus_n the_o 3d._o and_o the_o second_o sermon_n concerning_o the_o divinity_n and_o incarnation_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n octavo_fw-la a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o queen_n at_o whitehall_n concerning_o the_o sacrifice_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o christ_n on_o heb._n 9_o 26._o octavo_fw-la a_o sermon_n concerning_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o trinity_n on_o 1_o tim._n 2._o 5._o octavo_fw-la v._n 8_o 9_o 10_o 11_o 12._o v._n 8._o v_o 9_o v._n 10._o v._n 8._o v_o 9_o v_o 13._o 1_o pet_n 5._o 12._o philip_n 1._o 27._o
the_o parable_n of_o the_o ten_o virgin_n in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o her_o royal_a highness_n the_o princess_n and_o of_o denmark_n at_o tunbridge-well_n september_n the_o second_o 1688._o by_o john_n lord_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n london_n print_v for_o b._n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n against_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n and_o w._n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleet_n street_n mdcxciv_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o princess_n and_o of_o denmark_n at_o tunbridge-well_n september_n the_o second_o 1688._o the_o parable_n of_o the_o ten_o virgin_n matth._n xxv_o 1_o 2._o etc._n etc._n then_o shall_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v liken_v unto_o ten_o virgin_n which_o take_v their_o lamp_n and_o go_v forth_o to_o meet_v the_o bridegroom_n and_o five_o of_o they_o be_v wise_a and_o five_o be_v foolish_a etc._n etc._n my_o design_n at_o present_a be_v to_o explain_v this_o parable_n and_o to_o make_v such_o observation_n upon_o it_o as_o seem_v most_o natural_o and_o without_o squeeze_v the_o parable_n to_o spring_v from_o it_o and_o then_o to_o make_v some_o application_n of_o it_o to_o ourselves_o then_o shall_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v liken_v unto_o ten_o virgin_n by_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v mean_v the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o thing_n under_o the_o gospel_n by_o the_o ten_o virgin_n those_o who_o embrace_v the_o profession_n of_o it_o which_o be_v here_o represent_v by_o their_o take_v their_o lamp_n and_o go_v forth_o to_o meet_v the_o bridegroom_n in_o allusion_n to_o the_o ancient_a custom_n of_o marriage_n in_o which_o the_o bridegroom_n be_v wont_a to_o lead_v home_o his_o bride_n in_o the_o night_n by_o the_o light_n of_o lamp_n or_o torch_n but_o this_o profession_n be_v not_o in_o all_o equal_o firm_a and_o fruitful_a and_o therefore_o those_o who_o persevere_v and_o continue_v steadfast_a in_o this_o profession_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o temptation_n and_o allurement_n of_o the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o fierce_a storm_n and_o assault_n of_o persecution_n to_o which_o this_o profession_n be_v expose_v and_o be_v thus_o firm_o root_v in_o it_o do_v bring_v forth_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o abound_v in_o the_o grace_n and_o virtue_n of_o a_o good_a life_n these_o be_v the_o wise_a virgin_n but_o those_o who_o either_o desert_a this_o profession_n or_o do_v not_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n answerable_a to_o it_o be_v the_o foolish_a virgin_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a difference_n between_o they_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v how_o the_o parable_n represent_v they_o vers._n 3_o 4._o they_o that_o be_v foolish_a take_v their_o lamp_n and_o take_v no_o oil_n with_o they_o but_o the_o wise_a take_v oil_n in_o their_o vessel_n with_o their_o lamp_n so_o that_o they_o both_o take_v their_o lamp_n and_o both_o light_v they_o and_o therefore_o must_v both_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v some_o oil_n in_o their_o lamp_n at_o first_o as_o appear_v from_o verse_n 8._o where_o the_o foolish_a virgin_n say_v unto_o the_o wise_a give_v we_o of_o your_o oil_n for_o our_o lamp_n be_v go_v out_o they_o have_v it_o seem_v some_o oil_n in_o their_o lamp_n at_o first_o which_o keep_v they_o light_v for_o a_o little_a while_n but_o have_v take_v no_o care_n for_o a_o future_a supply_n and_o therefore_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o wise_a and_o foolish_a virgin_n do_v not_o as_o some_o have_v imagine_v consist_v in_o this_o that_o the_o wise_a virgin_n have_v oil_n but_o the_o foolish_a have_v none_o but_o in_o this_o that_o the_o foolish_a have_v take_v no_o care_n for_o a_o further_a supply_n after_o the_o oil_n which_o be_v at_o first_o put_v into_o their_o lamp_n be_v spend_v as_o the_o wise_a have_v do_v who_o beside_o the_o oil_n that_o be_v in_o their_o lamp_n carry_v likewise_o a_o reserve_v in_o some_o other_o vessel_n for_o a_o continual_a supply_n of_o the_o lamp_n as_o there_o shall_v be_v occasion_n the_o wise_a take_v oil_n in_o their_o vessel_n with_o their_o lamp_n now_o the_o meaning_n of_o all_o this_o be_v that_o they_o who_o be_v represent_v by_o the_o wise_a virgin_n have_v not_o only_o embrace_v the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o the_o foolish_a virgin_n also_o have_v do_v for_o they_o both_o have_v their_o lamp_n light_v but_o they_o likewise_o persevere_v in_o that_o profession_n and_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n answerable_a to_o it_o for_o by_o oil_n in_o their_o lamp_n and_o the_o first_o light_v of_o they_o which_o be_v common_a to_o they_o both_o be_v mean_v that_o solemn_a profession_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n which_o all_o christian_n make_v in_o baptism_n by_o that_o far_a supply_n of_o oil_n which_o the_o wise_a virgin_n only_o take_v care_n to_o provide_v be_v signify_v our_o constancy_n and_o perseverance_n in_o this_o profession_n together_o with_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o improvement_n of_o the_o grace_n receive_v in_o baptism_n by_o the_o practice_n and_o exercise_v of_o all_o the_o grace_n and_o virtue_n of_o a_o good_a life_n whereby_o man_n be_v fit_v and_o prepare_v for_o death_n and_o judgement_n which_o be_v here_o represent_v to_o we_o by_o the_o come_n of_o the_o bridegroom_n this_o be_v plain_o the_o main_a scope_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o parable_n i_o shall_v explain_v the_o rest_n of_o it_o as_o there_o shall_v be_v occasion_n under_o the_o several_a observation_n which_o i_o shall_v raise_v from_o the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o and_o they_o shall_v be_v these_o first_o i_o observe_v the_o charitable_a decorum_n which_o our_o b._n saviour_n keep_v in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o parable_n as_o if_o he_o will_v fain_o suppose_v and_o hope_v that_o among_o those_o who_o enjoy_v the_o gospel_n and_o make_v profession_n of_o it_o the_o number_n of_o they_o that_o be_v true_o good_a be_v equal_a to_o those_o that_o be_v bad_a for_o our_o b._n saviour_n here_o represent_v the_o whole_a number_n of_o the_o professor_n of_o christianity_n by_o ten_o virgin_n the_o half_a whereof_o the_o parable_n seem_v to_o suppose_v to_o be_v true_o and_o real_o good_a and_o to_o persevere_v in_o goodness_n to_o the_o end_n vers._n 1_o 2._o then_o shall_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v liken_v unto_o ten_o virgin_n which_o take_v their_o lamp_n and_o go_v forth_o to_o meet_v the_o bridegroom_n and_o five_o of_o they_o be_v wise_a and_o five_o be_v foolish_a second_o i_o observe_v how_o very_a common_a it_o be_v for_o man_n to_o neglect_v this_o great_a concernment_n of_o their_o soul_n viz._n a_o due_a preparation_n for_o another_o world_n and_o how_o willing_a man_n be_v to_o deceive_v themselves_o herein_o and_o to_o depend_v upon_o any_o thing_n else_o how_o groundless_a and_o unreasonable_a soever_o rather_o than_o to_o take_v pain_n to_o be_v real_o good_a 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be_v in_o we_o may_v see_v vers._n 6_o 7_o 8_o 9_o and_o at_o midnight_n there_o be_v a_o cry_n make_v behold_v the_o bridegroom_n come_v go_v you_o out_o to_o meet_v he_o at_o midnight_n the_o most_o dismal_a and_o unseasonable_a time_n of_o all_o other_o then_o all_o those_o virgin_n arise_v and_o trim_v their_o lamp_n and_o the_o foolish_a say_v unto_o the_o wise_a give_v we_o of_o your_o oil_n for_o our_o lamp_n be_v go_v out_o but_o the_o wise_a ans●ered_v not_o so_o lest_o there_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o we_o and_o you_o but_o go_v you_o rather_o to_o they_o that_o sell_v and_o buy_v for_o yourselves_o and_o how_o ineffectual_a all_o that_o they_o can_v do_v at_o that_o time_n prove_v to_o be_v we_o find_v verse_n 10_o 11_o 12_o and_o whilst_o they_o go_v to_o buy_v the_o bridegroom_n come_v and_o they_o that_o be_v ready_a
and_o to_o depend_v upon_o any_o thing_n else_o how_o groundless_a and_o unreasonable_a soever_o rather_o than_o to_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o be_v real_o good_a and_o fit_a for_o heaven_n and_o this_o be_v in_o a_o very_a lively_a manner_n represent_v to_o we_o in_o the_o description_n of_o the_o foolish_a virgin_n who_o have_v provide_v no_o supply_n of_o oil_n in_o their_o vessel_n and_o when_o the_o bridegroom_n be_v come_v will_v have_v furnish_v themselves_o by_o borrow_v or_o buy_v of_o other_o vers._n 8_o 9_o 10._o they_o content_v themselves_o with_o have_v their_o lamp_n light_v at_o their_o first_o set_v out_o to_o meet_v the_o bridegroom_n that_o be_v with_o their_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n by_o baptism_n but_o either_o be_v not_o steadfast_a in_o this_o profession_n or_o be_v not_o careful_a to_o adorn_v it_o with_o the_o grace_n and_o virtue_n of_o a_o good_a life_n and_o the_o true_a reason_n why_o man_n be_v so_o very_o apt_a to_o 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to_o add_v to_o their_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n the_o grace_n and_o virtue_n of_o a_o good_a life_n for_o the_o plain_a truth_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v man_n have_v rather_o that_o religion_n shall_v be_v any_o thing_n than_o what_o indeed_o it_o be_v viz._n the_o thwart_n and_o cross_v of_o their_o vicious_a inclination_n the_o cure_n of_o their_o evil_a and_o corrupt_a affection_n the_o due_a care_n and_o government_n of_o their_o unruly_a appetite_n and_o passion_n the_o sincere_a endeavour_n and_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o all_o holiness_n and_o virtue_n in_o their_o life_n and_o therefore_o they_o have_v much_o rather_o have_v something_o that_o may_v handsome_o palliate_v and_o excuse_v their_o evil_a inclination_n and_o practice_n than_o to_o be_v oblige_v to_o retrench_v and_o renounce_v they_o and_o rather_o than_o amend_v and_o reform_v their_o wicked_a life_n they_o will_v be_v content_v to_o make_v a_o honourable_a amends_o and_o compensation_n to_o almighty_a god_n in_o some_o other_o way_n this_o have_v be_v the_o way_n and_o folly_n of_o mankind_n in_o all_o age_n to_o defeat_v the_o great_a end_n and_o design_n of_o religion_n and_o to_o thrust_v it_o by_o by_o substitute_v something_o else_o in_o the_o place_n of_o it_o which_o as_o they_o think_v may_v serve_v the_o turn_n as_o well_o have_v the_o appearance_n of_o as_o much_o devotion_n and_o respect_n towards_o god_n and_o real_o cost_v they_o more_o money_n and_o pain_n than_o that_o which_o god_n require_v of_o they_o man_n have_v ever_o be_v apt_a thus_o to_o impose_v upon_o themselves_o and_o to_o please_v themselves_o with_o a_o conceit_n of_o please_a god_n full_a as_o well_o or_o better_o by_o some_o other_o way_n than_o that_o which_o he_o have_v prescribe_v and_o appoint_v for_o they_o by_o this_o mean_n and_o upon_o this_o false_a principle_n religion_n have_v ever_o be_v apt_a to_o degenerate_a both_o among_o jew_n and_o christian_n into_o external_a and_o little_a observance_n and_o into_o a_o great_a zeal_n for_o lesser_a thing_n with_o a_o total_a neglect_n of_o the_o great_a and_o weighty_a matter_n of_o religion_n and_o in_o a_o word_n into_o infinite_a superstition_n of_o one_o kind_n or_o other_o and_o a_o arrogant_a conceit_n of_o the_o extraordinary_a righteousness_n and_o merit_n of_o these_o thing_n in_o which_o some_o have_v proceed_v to_o that_o height_n as_o if_o they_o can_v drive_v a_o strict_a bargain_n with_o god_n for_o eternal_a life_n and_o happiness_n and_o have_v treat_v he_o in_o so_o insolent_a a_o manner_n by_o their_o doctrine_n of_o the_o merit_n of_o their_o devotion_n and_o good_a work_n as_o if_o god_n be_v as_o much_o behold_v to_o they_o for_o their_o service_n and_o obedience_n as_o they_o be_v to_o he_o for_o the_o reward_n of_o they_o which_o they_o be_v not_o afraid_a to_o say_v they_o may_v challenge_v at_o god_n hand_n as_o of_o right_a and_o justice_n belong_v to_o they_o nay_o so_o far_o have_v they_o carry_v this_o doctrine_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o not_o only_o to_o pretend_v to_o merit_v eternal_a life_n for_o themselves_o but_o likewise_o to_o do_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o for_o the_o benefit_n and_o advantage_n of_o other_o who_o have_v not_o righteousness_n and_o goodness_n enough_o of_o their_o own_o which_o be_v the_o silly_a conceit_n of_o the_o foolish_a virgin_n here_o in_o the_o parable_n as_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o show_v more_o full_o by_o and_o by_o and_o it_o be_v no_o great_a wonder_n that_o such_o easy_a way_n of_o religion_n and_o please_a god_n be_v very_o grateful_a to_o the_o corrupt_a nature_n of_o man_n and_o that_o man_n who_o be_v resolve_v to_o continue_v in_o a_o evil_a course_n be_v glad_a to_o be_v of_o a_o church_n which_o will_v assure_v salvation_n to_o man_n upon_o such_o term_n the_o great_a difficulty_n be_v for_o man_n to_o believe_v that_o thing_n which_o be_v so_o apparent_o absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a can_v be_v 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