A12167:1068
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.
And because it is the special office of the ministry to lay him open,1 to hold up the tapestry, to unfold the hidden mysteries of Christ, labour we therefore to be alway speaking somewhat about Christ or tending that way, when we speak of the Law, let it drive us to Christ, when of Moral duties, to teach us to walk• worthy of Christ. Christ, or somewhat tending to Christ should be our theme and mark to aim at.
And because it is the speciall office of the ministry to lay him open,1 to hold up the tapistry, to unfold the hidden mysteries of Christ, labour we therefore to be alway speaking somewhat about Christ or tending that way, when we speake of the Law, let it drive us to Christ, when of Morrall duties, to teach us to walk• worthy of Christ. Christ, or somewhat tending to Christ should be our theame and marke to ayme at.
- 1That because the special of fice of the ministry is to un•old Christ, therefore all our discourse should tend this way in some sort.That because the speciall of fice of the ministery is to un•old Christ, therefore all our discourse should tend this way in some sort.
Therefore what shall we judge of those that ⟨p. 429⟩are hinderers of this glorious ordinance of Christ in the Gospel, they are enemies of conversion and of the calling of Gods people, enemies of their comfort: and what shall we think of those wretched and miserable creatures, that like Cain are vagabonds, who wander and will not submit themselves to any ordinance meekly, but keep themselves out of this blessed opportunity of hearing the excellencies of Christ, which might draw their hearts to him, we are made forever, if Christ and we be one, if we have all the world without him it is nothing, if we have nothing in the world but Christ, we are happy. Oh happy then when this match is made between Christ and the soul, the friends of the Bride and of Christ, they laying open the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Spouse, draw the affections, work faith, and so bring the Bride and the Bridegroom together.