A12167:170
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.
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,