A12167:204
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.
Christ maketh us a feast, a marriage feast, a marriage feast with the Kings son, of all feasts the most magnificent. A feast first in regard of the choice rarities we have in Christ. We have the best and the best of the best. Fat things and the marrow of fatness, 1wine, and wine on the lees, refined that preserveth the strength. The comforts we have from Christ, are the best comforts, the peace, the best peace, the privileges the highest privileges. His flesh crucified for us, to satisfy ⟨p. 69⟩divine justice, is meat indeed, his blood shed for us,2 is drink indeed, that is the best, the only meat and drink to refresh our souls: because these feed our souls, and that to eternal life. The love of God the Father in giving Christs to death, and Christs love in giving himself together with full contentment to divine justice: this gift it is that the soul especially feeds on, what could Christ give better then himself to feed on, he thought nothing else worthy for the soul to feed on, and this it daily feeds on, as daily guilt riseth from the breakings out of the remainder of corruption. Other dainties are from this, from hence we have the Spirit, and graces of the Spirit. If he giveth himself will he not give all things with himself?
Christ maketh us a feast, a marriage feast, a marriage feast with the Kings sonne, of all feasts the most magnificent. A feast first in regard of the choise rarities we have in Christ. We have the best and the best of the best. Fat things and the marrow of fatnesse, 1wine, and wine on the lees, refined that preserveth the strength. The comfor•s wee have from Christ, are the best comforts, the peace, the best peace, the priviledges the highest priviledges. His flesh crucified for us, to satisfie ⟨p. 69⟩divine justice, is meate indeed, his blood shed for us,2