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.
Richard Sibbes 1577–1635London: 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.
Again, His desire is to make her better, and not to cast her away for that which is amiss. And for Outward ills, they are but to refine, and make us more conformable to Christ our Husband, to fit us for heaven, the same way that he went. They have a blessing in them all, for he takes away all that is hurtful, he pities, and keeps us as the apple of his eye. 1Therefore, let us often think of this, since he hath vouchsafed to take us so near to himself. Let us not loose the comfort that this meditation will yield us. We love for goodness, beauty, riches, but Christ loves us to make ⟨p. 51⟩us so, and then loves us because we are so in all estates whatsoever.
Againe, His desire is to make her better, and not to cast her away for that which is amisse. And for Outward ills, they are but to refine, and make us more conformable to Christ our Husband, to fit us for heaven, the same way that he went. They have a blessing in them all, for he takes away all that is hurtfull, he pitties, and keepes us as the apple of his eye. 1Therefore, let us often thinke of this, since he hath vouchsafed to take us so neere to himselfe. Let us not loose the comfort that this meditation will yeeld us. We love for goodnesse, beauty, riches, but Christ loves us to make ⟨p. 51⟩us so, and then loves us because we are so in all estates whatsoever.
Truth is the Spouse of our understandings it is not left to us to be wanton in opinions to take up what conceit we will of things, so we ought to have chaste affections not cleaving to base things, it hath been oft times seen, that one husband hath had many wives, but never from the beginning of the world, that one wife hath had many husbands. God promiseth to betroth his Church to him in righteousness & faithfulness, that is, as he will be faithful to her, so she shall by his grace be faithful to him, faithfulness shall be mutual, the Church shall not be false to Christ; so there is no Christian •oule must think to have many husbands; for Christ in this case is a jealous husband. Take heed therefore of spiritual harlotry of heart, for our affections are for Christ, and cannot be better bestowed. In other things we loose our love, & the things loved; but here we loose not our love, but this is a perfecting love, which draws us to love that which is better, then our selves. We are, as we affect, our affections are, as their Objects be, if they be set upon better things,
then our selves, they are bettered by it, they are never rightly bestowed, but when they are set upon Christ; and upon other things as they answer, and stand with the love of Christ. For, the prime love, when it is rightly bestowed, it orders, and regulates
⟨p. 52⟩
all other loves whatsoever. No man knows how to use earthly things, but a Christian, that hath first pitched his love on Christ, then seeing all things in him, and in all them a beam of that love of his, intending happiness to him, so he knows how to use every thing in order. Therefore let us keep our Communion with Christ, and esteem nothing more, then his love, because he esteems nothing more then ours.
And if Christ be so neere us, 1Let us labour for chast judgements, that we doe not defile them with errours, seeing the whole soule is espoused to Christ, 2Truth is the Spouse of our understandings it is not left to us to be wanton in opinions to take up what conceipt we will of things, so we ought to have chast affections not cleaving to base things, it hath beene oft times seene, that one husband hath had many wives, but never from the beginning of the world, that one wife hath had many husbands. God promiseth to betroth his Church to him in righteousnes & faithfullness, that is, as he will be faithfull to her, so she shall by his grace be faithfull to him, faithfullnes shall be mutuall, the Church shall not be false to Christ; so there is no Christian •oule must think to have many husbands; for Christ in this case is a jealous husband. Take heed therfore of spirituall harlotrie of heart, for our affections are for Christ, and cannot be better bestowed. In other things we loose our love, & the things loved; but heer we loose not our love, but this is a perfecting love, which drawes us to love that which is better, then our selves. We are, as we affect, our affections are, as their Objects be, if they be set upon better things,3 then our selves, they are bettered by it, they are never rightly bestowed, but when they are set upon Christ; and upon other things as they answer, and stand with the love of Christ. For, the prime love, when it is rightly bestowed, it orders, and regulates ⟨p. 52⟩all other loves whatsoever. No man knowes how to use earthly things, but a Christian, that hath first pitched his love on Christ, then seeing all things in him, and in all them a beame of that love of his, intending happinesse to him, so he knowes how to use every thing in order. Therefore let us keepe our Communion with Christ, and esteeme nothing more, then his love, because he esteemes nothing more then ours.
1Use 3.Vse 3.
2Verit•s est spons• intellectu•Verit•s est spōs• intellectu•
Our hearts can tell us, whether we yield consent to him, or not.1 In particular, whether we have received him,2 as he will be received, as a right Husband, that is, Whether we receive him to be ruled by him, to make him our Head. For the wife, when she yields to be married, therewith also surrenders up her own will to be ruled by her husband; so far she hath denied her own will, she hath no will of her own. Christ hath wisdom enough for us, and himself too, whose wisdom, and will must be ours; To be led by divine Truths so far, as they are discovered unto us, and to submit our selves thereunto, is a sign of a gracious heart, that is married to Christ.
Our hearts can tell us, whether we yeeld consent to him, or not.1 In particular, whether wee have received him,2 as he will be received, as a right Husband, that is, Whether we receive him to be ruled by him, to make him our Head. For the wife, when shee yeelds to be married, therewith also surrenders up her owne will to be ruled by her husband; so farre she hath denied her owne will, she hath no will of her owne. Christ hath wisedome enough for us, and himselfe too, whose wisedome, and will must be ours; To be led by divine Truths so farre, as they are discovered unto us, and to submit our selves thereunto, is a signe of a gratious heart, that is married to Christ.
Again, a willingness to follow Christ in all conditions as he is discovered in the Word. 1To suffer Christ to have the sovereignty in our affections, above all other things and persons in the world. This is the right disposition of a true Spouse. For as it was at the first institution, there must be a leaving of Father, and Mother, and all, to cleave to ⟨p. 53⟩the husband: so here, when any thing and Christ cannot stand together, or else we shall never have the comfort of this sweet Name. Many men will be glad to own Christ to be great by him, (but as S Austin complains in his his time) Christ Jesus is not loved for Jesus his own sake,2 but for other things, that he brings with him, peace, plenty, &c. as far as it stands with these contentments; if Christ and the world part once, it will be known which we followed. In times of peace this is hardly discerned. If he will pay mens debts, so as they may have the credit and glory of the name to be called Christians, if he will redeem them from the danger of sin, all is well; but only such have the comfort of this Communion, as love him for himself. Let us not so much trouble our selves about signs as be careful to do our duty to Christ, and then will Christ discover his love clearly unto us.
Againe, a willingnesse to follow Christ in all conditions as he is discovered in the Word. 1To suffer Christ to have the soveraignty in our affections, above all other things and persons in the world. This is the right disposition of a true Spouse. For as it was at the first institution, there must be a leaving of Father, and Mother, and all, to cleave to ⟨p. 53⟩the husband: so heere, when any thing and Christ cannot stand together, or else we shall never have the comfort of this sweete Name. Many men will be glad to owne Christ to be great by him, (but as S Austin complaines in his his time) Christ Iesus is not loved for Iesus his owne sake,2 but for other things, that he brings with him, peace, plenty, &c. as farre as it stands with these contentments; if Christ and the world part once, it will be knowne which we followed. In times of peace this is hardly discerned. If he will pay mens debts, so as they may have the credit and glory of the name to be called Christians, if hee will redeeme them from the danger of sinne, all is well; but onely such have the comfort of this Communion, as love him for himselfe. Let us not so much trouble our selves about signes as be carefull to doe our duty to Christ, and then will Christ discover his love cleerely unto us.
1The right disposition of the Spouse of Christ
2Vix diligitur Jesus propter Jesum.Vix diligitur Iesus propter Iesum.
Now, they that are not brought so near to this happy condition by Christ, may yet have this encouragement,1 there is yet place of grace for them,2 let them therefore consider but these three things.
Now, they that are not brought so neere to this happy condition by Christ, may yet have this incouragement,1 there is yet place of grace for them,2 let them therefore consider but these three things.
1Use 4.Vse 4.
2Encouragement and direction for such as are not yet in ChristIncouragement and direction for such as are not yet in Christ
1. The excellency of Christ, and of the state of the Church, when it is so near him.
2. The necessity of this to be so near him.
3. That there is hope of it.
1. The excellency of Christ, and of the state of the Church, when it is so neare him.
2. The necessity of this to be so neare him.
3. That there is hope of it.
The Excellency of this condition to be one with ⟨p. 54⟩§1Christ, is that all things are ours. For he is the King, and the Church the Queen of all, all things are serviceable to us, it is a wondrous nearness to be nearer to Christ, hen the Angels, who are not his body, but servants that attend upon the Church: the Bride is nearer to him,1 then the Angels, for, he is the Head, and Husband thereof, and not of the Angels. What an excellent condition is this for poor flesh and blood, (that creeps up and down the earth here despised.)
The Excellencie of this condition to be one with ⟨p. 54⟩§1Christ, is that all things are ours. For he is the King, and the Church the Queene of all, all things are serviceable to us, it is a wond•ro•s nearenesse to be nearer to Christ, hen the Angels, who are not his body, but servants that atend upon the Church: the Bride is nearer to him,1 then the Angels, for, he is the Head, and Husband thereof, and not of the Angels. What an excellent condition is this for poore flesh and bloud, (that creeps up and downe the earth here despised.)
But especially, If we consider the Necessity of it, we are all indebted for more then we are worth; to divine justice we owe a debt of obedience, and in want of that we owe a debt of punishment and we cannot answer one for a thousand. What will become of us if we have not a husband to discharge all our debts but to be imprisoned for ever?
But especially, If we consider the Necessity of it, we are all indebted for more then we are worth; to divine justice we owe a debt of obedience, and in want of that we owe a debt of punishment and we cannot answer one for a thousand. What will become of us if we have not a husband to discharge all our debts but to bee imprisoned for ever?
A person that is a stranger to Christ though he were an Ahithophel for his brain, a Judas for his Profession, a Saul for his place. Yet if his sins be set before him he will be swallowed up of despair, fearing to be shut up eternally under Gods wrath; therefore if nothing else move, yet let necessity compel us to take Christ.
A person that is a stranger to Christ though he were an Achitophel for his braine, a Iudas for his Profession, a Saul for his place. Yet if his sinnes be set before him he will be swallowed up of despaire, fearing to be shut up eternally under Gods wrath; therefore if nothing else move, yet let necessity compell us to take Christ.
Consider not only how suitable and how necessary he is unto us, but what hope there is to have him, when as he sueth to us by his messengers, and woeth us when as we should rather seek to him, and with other messengers sendeth a privy messenger, his Holy Spirit to incline our hearts; let us therefore as we love our souls, ⟨p. 55⟩suffer our selves to be won. But more of this in another place. The next Branch is
Consider not onely how sutable and how necessary he is unto us, but what hope there is to have him, when as he sueth to us by his messengers, and woeth us when as we should rather seeke to him, and with other messengers sendeth a privy messenger, his Holy Spirit to incline our hearts; let us therefore as we love our soules, ⟨p. 55⟩suffer our selves to be won. But more of this in another place. The next Branch is
3. Christs Acceptation, 1I have gathered my Myrrh with my Spice, &c. So that together with Christs presence, here is a Gracious acceptation of the provision of the Church, with a delight in it; and withal, a bringing of more with Him. The Church had a double desire, 1 That Christ would come to accept of what she had for him of his own Grace, which he had wrought in her soul. And 2 she was also verily persuaded, that he would not come empty handed, only to accept of what was there, but also would bring abundance of Grace and comfort with him. Therefore, she desires, Acceptation and Increase: both which desires He answers. He comes to his Garden, shows his acceptation, and withal he brings more. I have gathered my Myrrh with my Spice, I have eaten my honey-comb with my honey: I have drunk my wine with my milk, &c. Whence we observe,
3. Christs Acceptation, 1I have gathered my Myrrh with my Spice, &c. So that together with Christs presence, here is a Gratious acceptation of the provision of the Church, with a delight in it; and withall, a bringing of more with Him. The Church had a double desire, 1 That Christ would come to accept of what shee had for him of his owne Grace, which he had wrought in her soule. And 2 shee was also verily perswaded, that he would not come empty handed, only to accept of what was there, but also would bring abundance of Grace and comfort with him. Therefore, shee desires, Acceptation and Increase: both which desires He answers. He comes to his Garden, shewes his acceptation, and withall he brings more. I have gathered my Myrrh with my Spice, I have eaten my honey-combe with my honey: I have drunke my wine with my milke, &c. Whence we observe,
First, Because they are the fruits that come from §1his Children, his Spouse, his friend, love of the person wins acceptance of that which is presented from the person. What comes from love is lovingly taken.
They are the Graces of his Spirit. If we have any §2thing, that is good all comes from the spirit, which is first in Christ our Husband, and then in us.1 As the Ointment was first poured on Aaron's head, and then ran down upon his rich ⟨p. 56⟩Garments: so all comes from Christ to us. Saint Paul calls the wife the Glory of her Husband, because (as in a glass) she resembleth the Graces of her husband, who may see his own Graces in her, so it is with Christ and the Church; face answereth to face (as Solomon •aith in another case) Christ sees his own face, beauty, glory in his Church, she reflects his Beams, he looks in love upon her, and always with his looks conveys Grace, and comfort; and the Church doth reflect back again his Grace; Therefore Christ loves but the reflection of his own Graces in his Children, and therefore accepts them.
They are the Graces of his Spirit. If we have any §2thing, that is good all comes from the spirit, which is first in Christ our Husband, and then in us.1 As the Oyntment was first powred on Aarons head, and then ran downe upon his rich ⟨p. 56⟩Garments: so all comes from Christ to us. Saint Paul calls the wife the Glory of her Husband, because (as in a glasse) she resembleth the Graces of her husband, who may see his owne Graces in her, so it is with Christ and the Church; face answereth to face (as Salomon •aith in another case) Christ sees his owne face, beauty, glory in his Church, she reflects his Beames, he lookes in love upon her, and alwaies with his lookes conveyes Grace, and comfort; and the Church doth reflect backe againe his Grace; Therefore Christ loves but the reflection of his owne Graces in his Children, and therefore accepts them.
