A12167:1141
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 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,2 his Spouse, his Diadem and Crown? he will not.
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 mouthes for all things that are beneficiall to us, Lord I am thine, save me (saith the Psalmist) why? save me, beca•se 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 wisedome are in Christ, as all the senses are in the head for the good of the body, all fullnesse dwells in him, therefore pleade with him, I want wisedome, teach me and instruct me how to behave my selfe in troubles, in dangers, in feares; if it be an argument strong enough amongst men (weake men) J am thine, I am thy child, J am thy Spouse, &c. Shall we attribute more pitty and mercie to our selves then to the God of mercy and comfort, who planted these affections in the creature? Shall hee make men tender and carefull over others, and shall not he himselfe be carefull of his owne flock? doe wee thinke that hee will neglect his Jewels,