A12167:187
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
Sermon 2 › Eat O friends, Drink, &c.Sermon 2 › Eate O friends, Drinke, &c.
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.
We have need to have Christs spirit to help us to know what good is in us. And indeed a Christian should not only examine his heart for the evil that is in him, to be humbled, but what good there is, that he may joy and be thankful. And since Christ accepts the very first fruits, the earnest, and delights in them, we should know what he delights in, that we may go boldly to him, considering, that it is not of our selves, but of Christ, whatsoever is graciously good. Therefore we ought to know our own Graces, for Christ, when he will have us comfortable indeed, will discover to us what Cause we have to rejoice, and show us, what is the work of his own Spirit, and our right to all comfort.
We have need to have Christs spirit to helpe us to know what good is in us. And indeed a Christian should not onely examine his heart for the evill that is in him, to be humbled, but what good there is, that he may joy and be thankfull. And since Christ accepts the very first fruits, the earnest, and delights in them, we should know what hee delights in, that we may go boldly to him, considering, that it is not of our selves, but of Christ, whatsoever is gratiously good. Therefore wee ought to know our owne Graces, for Christ, when he will have us comfortable indeed, will discover to us what Cause we have to rejoyce, and shew us, what is the worke of his owne Spirit, and our right to all comfort.
And so, for others, we should not only joy in our selves,1 and in our own Condition, and Lot, but also in the happy condition of every good ⟨p. 63⟩Christian. There is joy in heaven at the conversion of one sinner.2 God the Father joys to have a new So•ne. God the Son to see the fruit of his own Redemption, that one is pulled out of the state of damnation. And God the Holy Ghost, that he hath a new Temple to dwell in. The Angels, that they have a new charge to look to, that they had not before, to join with them to praise God, so there is joy in heaven, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost with the Angels joy at it: And all True hearted Christians joy in the graces one of another.