A12167:281
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 3 › I sleep, but my heart waketh.Sermon 3 › I sleepe, but my heart waketh.
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.
3. Again, look to the examples of others that are more gracious, I have as many encouragements to be thankful to God, and fruitful, they enjoy no more means then I, and yet they abound in assurance, are comfortable in all conditions, J am down in a little trouble, subject to passion, to barrenness, and distrust, as if there were no promises of God made to sowing in righteousness, thus a man may discern he is a sleep by comparing himself with others that are better then himself.
3. Againe, look to the examples of others that are more gratious, I have as many incouragements to bee thankfull to God, and fruitfull, they enjoy no more meanes then I, and yet they abound in assurance, are comfortable in all conditions, J am downe in a little trouble, subject to passion, to barrennesse, and distrust, as if there were no promises of God made to sowing in righteousnesse, thus a man may discerne hee is a sleepe by comparing himselfe with others that are better then himselfe.
4. Again, it's evident that we are growing on to a sleepy condition by this, when we ⟨p. 98⟩find a backwardness to spiritual duties, as to prayer, thanksgiving, and spiritual conference, it should be the joy of a Christian, (as it is his prerogative) to come into the presence of Christ and to be enabled to do that, that is above himself. When what is spiritual in a duty will not down with us, it is a sign our souls are in a sleepy temper, there is not a proportion between the soul and the business in heavenly duties, whom do we speak to but God, whom do we hear speak in the Word but God, what should be the temper of those that speak to God, and hear him speak to them, it should be regardful, reverent, observant, those that are watchful to the eye of a Prince, what observance they show, when they are to receive any thing from him or to put up any request to him,1 Offer this to thy King, saith the Lord by Malachi, when a man comes drowsily to God, to sacrifice, to hear, to pray, &c. offer this carriage to man, will he take it at thy hands. Oh the mercy of our patient God, that will endure such services as we most frequently perform! by this indisposedness to duty more or less, may we discover our sleepiness.