A12167:173
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.
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.