PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS

Description

THOMAS SHEPARD (1605-1649) was a person of great learning, a hard student, an admirable preacher, and an excellent writer. Originally published in 1659 from sermon notes he left behind, The Parable of the Ten Virgins calls attention to true assurance of salvation. Shepard warns against antinomianism as he carefully distinguishes believers from nonbelievers. Following Matthew 24:1-13, the first part of this work details the visible church’s preparation to meet Christ at His return, while the second half explains His coming to meet her.

About the Author

Thomas Shepard was a person of great learning, a hard student, and admirable preacher, and an excellent writer. Educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, at the age of fifteen, he became lecturer at Earls Colne in Essex until he was silenced for non-conformity. He fled to Boston where he was pastor of the church at Cambridge and is credited for having stopped the progress of the antinomian heresy from breaking out in the new colony. Shepard was also involved in the founding of Harvard University and was instrumental in having it placed in Cambridge.