A12167:117
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.
A notable place for this we have Psal. 10. 17.1 which shows how God first prepares the heart to pray, and then hears these desires of the soul stirred up by his own Spirit, Lord, thou hast heard ⟨p. 32⟩the desires of the humble, none are fit to pray but the humble, such as discern their own wants: Thou wilt prepare their hearts, thou wilt make thine ear to hear. So Rom. 8. 26. It is said, Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for, we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered. Thus the Spirit not only stirs up our heart to pray: but also prepares our hearts unto it Especially this is necessary for us, when our thoughts are confused with trouble, grief, and Passions, not knowing what to pray. In this case the Spirit dictates the words of prayer, or else, in a confusion of thoughts sums up all in a volley of sighs and unexpressible groans. Thus it is true, that our hearts can neither be lifted up to Prayer, nor rightly prepared for it, in any frame fitting, but by Gods own Spirit. Nothing is accepted of God toward heaven and happiness, but that which is spiritual: all saving and sanctifying good comes from above. Therefore God must prepare the heart, stir up holy desires, dictate prayer: must do all in all, being our Alpha and Omega.2
A notable place for this we have Psal. 10. 17.1 which shewes how God first prepares the heart to pray, and then heares these desires of the soule stirred up by his owne Spirit, Lord, thou hast heard ⟨p. 32⟩the desires of the humble, none are fit to pray but the humble, such as discerne their owne wants: Thou wilt prepare their hearts, thou wilt make thine eare to heare. So