A12167:223
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.
Let this draw us on that we see here Christs hearty and free welcome, the gracious look that we are like to have from him. He counts it an honour since he hath made such rich provision, for us to take part, and for our part show our unwillingness, that such free kindness should be refused. We cannot honour his bounty more then to feed liberally of that he liberally sets before us. We are glad to perceive our friends upon invitation to think themselves welcome. Let us open our mouth wide since Christ is so ready to fill it, we are not straitened in his love but in our own hearts. The widows oil failed not till her vessels failed. 1We are bidden to delight in the Lord, and in whom should we delight, but where all fullness is to be had to delight in? Our spirits are not so large as those blessed comforts are which we are called to the enjoyment of. If the capacity of our souls were a thousand times larger, yet there is so large a sea of comfort ⟨p. 77⟩in Christ, as they are not able to comprehend it, a taste of these good things breed joy unspeakable, and peace that passeth understanding; 2what will the fullness do? This taste we feel in the ordinances will bring us to that fullness hereafter. O let us keep our appetites for these things which are so delightful, so suitable to the soul. How great is that goodness which he both lays up for hereafter, and lays out for his, even here in this life.
Let this draw us on that we see heere Christs hearty and free wellcome, the gracious looke that we are like to have from him. He counts it an honour since he hath made such rich provision, for us to take part, and for our part shew our unwillingnesse, that such free kindnesse should be refused. We cannot honour his bounty more then to feed liberally of that he liberally sets before us. We are glad to perceive our friends upon invitation to thinke themselves wellcome. Let us open our mouth wide since Christ is so ready to fill it, we are not streightned in his love but in our owne hearts. The widdowes oyle failed not till her vessels failed. 1We are bidden to delight in the Lord, and in whom should we delight, but where all fullnesse is to be had to delight in? Our spirits are not so large as those blessed comforts are which we are called to the injoyment of. If the capacity of our soules were a thousand times larger, yet there is so large a sea of comfort