A12167:177
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.
Only let our care be to approve our hearts unto Christ. 1When our hearts are right, we ⟨p. 58⟩cannot, but think comfortably of Christ. Those that have offended some great Persons, are afraid▪ when they hear from them, because they think, they are in a state displeasing to them; So a soul, that is under the guilt of any sin, is so far from thinking that God accepts of it, that it looks to hear nothing from him, but some message of anger, and displeasure. But one that preserves acquaintance, due distance, and respect to a great person, hears from him with comfort before he breaks open a letter, or sees any thing, he supposes it comes from a friend, one that loves him. So as we would desire to hear nothing but good news from Heaven, and acceptation of all that we do, let us be careful to preserve our selves in a good estate, or else our souls will tremble upon any discovery of Gods wrath.2 The guilty conscience argues, what can God show to me, being such a wretch. The heart of such an one cannot but misgive, as where peace is made it will speak comfort. It is said of Daniel, that he was a man of Gods desires; and of Saint John, that Christ so loved him, that he leaned on his breast. Every one cannot be a Daniel, nor one that leans on Christs bosom, there are degrees of favour, and love: but there is no child of God, but he is beloved and accepted of him in some degree, but something of this before in the former Chapter.
Onely let our care be to approve our hearts unto Christ. 1When our hearts are right, wee ⟨p. 58⟩cannot, but thinke comfortably of Christ. Those that have offended some great Persons, are afraid▪ when they heare from them, because they thinke, they are in a state displeasing to them; So a soule, that is under the guilt of any sinne, is so farre from thinking that God accepts of it, that it lookes to heare nothing from him, but some message of anger, and displeasure. But one that preserves acquaintance, due distance, and respect to a great person, heares from him with comfort before he breakes open a letter, or sees any thing, he supposes it comes from a friend, one that loves him. So as we would desire to heare nothing but good newes from Heaven, and acceptation of all that we doe, let us be carefull to preserve our selves in a good estate, or else our soules will tremble upon any discovery of Gods wrath.