A12167:369
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.
Now Christ is merciful both by his office, and by his nature; our nature he took upon him, that he might be a merciful redeemer,1 And then as God also he is love,2 God is love, that is, whatsoever God shows himself to his Church, he doth it in love, If he be angry in correcting, it is out of love, if Merciful, it is out of love, if he be Powerful in defending his Church, and revenging himself on her Enemies, all is love, God is love (saith John) that is,3 he shows himself only in ways, expressions and characters of love to his Church; So Christ, as God, is all love to the Church. And we see the Scriptures also to set out God as love, both in his essence, and in his relations, 1. in Relations of love to his Church; He is a Father,4 As a Father pitieth his child, so the Lord pities them that fear him, and 2. also in those sweet Attributes of love, which are his essence, as we see, Exod. 34. 6. When God describes himself to Moses after his desire to know him, in the former Chapter, Thou canst not see me and live; yet he would make him know him, as was fit for him to be known, Jehovah,5 Jehovah, Strong, Merciful, Gracious, Longsuffering, &c. Thus God will be known in these Attributes of Consolation. So Christ as God, is all love, and mercy, Likewise Christ ⟨p. 140⟩as man, he was man for this end to be all love, and mercy, Take him in his office as Jesus to be a Saviour, he carrieth salvation in his wings, as it is Mal. 4. 2. both by Office, and by Nature.
Now Christ is mercifull both by his office, and by his nature; our nature he tooke upon him, that he might be a mercifull redeemer,1 And then as God also he is love,