A12167:163
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.
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