A12167:1140
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.
Then again, as it comforts us against want, so it likewise fenceth us against all the accusations of Satan,1 I am Christs, I am Christs, if he have any thing to say, lo we may bid him go to Christ, if the Creditor comes to the wife, she is not liable to pay her own debts, but saith, go to my husband; so in all temptations learn hence, to send Satan whither he should be sent, when we cannot answer him, send him to Christ.
Then againe, as it comforts us against want, so it likewise senceth us against all the accusations of Satan,1 I am Christs, I am Christs, if hee have any thing to say, loe we may bid him goe to Christ, if the Creditor comes to the wife, she is not liable to pay her owne debts, but saith, goe to my husband; so in all temptations learne hence, to send Satan whither he should be sent, when we cannot answer him, send him to Christ.
- 1Against all Satans accusations.
And for the time to come,1 what a ground of comfort is this, that we are Christs as well as he is ours; what a plea doth this put into our mouths for all things that are beneficial to us, Lord I am thine, save me (saith the Psalmist) why? save me, because I am thine, I am thine, ⟨p. 459⟩Lord teach me and direct me. The husband is to direct the Spouse, the head should direct all the senses: All the treasures of wisdom are in Christ, as all the senses are in the head for the good of the body, all fullness dwells in him, therefore plead with him, I want wisdom, teach me and instruct me how to behave my self in troubles, in dangers, in fears; if it be an argument strong enough amongst men (weak men) J am thine, I am thy child, J am thy Spouse, &c. Shall we attribute more pity and mercy to our selves then to the God of mercy and comfort, who planted these affections in the creature? Shall he make men tender and careful over others, and shall not he himself be careful of his own flock? do we think that he will neglect his Jewels,