A12167:1014
Bowels Opened
Bowels opened, or, A discovery of the near and deer love, union and communion betwixt Christ and the Church, and consequently betwixt Him and every believing soul Delivered in divers sermons on the fourth fifth and sixth chapters of the Canticles. By that reverend and faithful minister of the Word, Doctor Sibs, late preacher unto the honourable society of Gray's Inn, and Master of Katharine Hall in Cambridge. Being in part finished by his own pen in his life time, and the rest of them perused and corrected by those whom he entrusted with the publishing of his works.Bovvels opened, or, A discovery of the neere and deere love, union and communion betwixt Christ and the Church, and consequently betwixt Him and every beleeving soule Delivered in divers sermons on the fourth fifth and sixt chapters of the Canticles. By that reverend and faithfull minister of the Word, Doctor Sibs, late preacher unto the honourable societie of Grayes Inne, and Master of Katharine Hall in Cambridge. Being in part finished by his owne pen in his life time, and the rest of them perused and corrected by those whom he intrusted with the publishing of his works.
London: printed by George for George Edwards, 1639
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.
Now if we can sit down with other things and can want Christ and the assurance of salvation,1 that sweet report of the Spirit, that we are his, and yet be contented well enough, here is an ill sign, that a man is in an ill condition, the Church was not so disposed here, she was never quiet nor gives over her inquisition and speaking of Christ, that by speaking of the object, she might warm her affections, until at the last she meets with Christ, these and the like signs there are of the truth of the love of Christ.2 But where there is a flaming love of Christ, there is this degree further, a desire of the appearance of Christ, a desire of his presence. For if Christ be so lovely in his Ordinances. If we find such sweetness in the Word and Sacraments, in the communion of Saints, in the motions of the Spirit. What is the sweetness (think you) which the souls in Heaven enjoy, where they see Christ face to face, see him as he is, hereupon the Spouse ⟨p. 405⟩saith Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: Oh that I might live in his presence, this is the desire of a Christian soul. When the flame of love is kindled in any strength, Oh that I might see him, and therefore it longs even for death, for as far as a man is spiritual, he desires to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, as Simeon, when he saw him (though in his abasement) Now I have enough, let thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. The presence of Christ (though it were but in the womb) When Mary the mother of Christ came to Elizabeth, it caused the Babe that was in her womb to spring. Such comfort there is in the presence of Christ (though he be but in the womb) as it made John to spring. What then shall be his presence in Heaven, how would it make the heart spring there think you? For that which is most lovely in Christ is to come. Therefore the Saints that have any degree of grace in the new Testament, they are set out by this description, they were such as loved the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: how can it be otherwise, if they love Christ, they love the appearing of Christ, wherein we shall be made lovely, as he is lovely.
Now if we can sit downe with other things and can want Christ and the assurance of salvation,