A12167:161
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.
But how shall we know, whether we be espoused to Christ, or not?1
- 1Quest.
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.