A12167:391
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.
We may know by the servants what Master dwells in an house, If Christ be in the soul there comes out of the house good speeches, and we watch the senses, so as there comes nothing into defile the soul, and disturb Christ, and nothing goes out to offend God. When we hear men full of gracious sweet speeches, It is a sign Christ dwells there. If we hear ⟨p. 151⟩the contrary, It shows Christ dwells not there, for Christ would move the whole man to do that which might edify and comfort.
Wee may know by the servants what Master dwells in an house, If Christ be in the soule there comes out of the house good speeches, and we watch the senses, so as there comes nothing into defile the soule, and disturbe Christ, and nothing goes out to offend God. When we heare men full of gratious sweet speeches, It is a signe Christ dwells there. If we heare ⟨p. 151⟩the contrary, It shewes Christ dwells not there, for Christ would move the whole man to doe that which might edifie and comfort.
Again, where Christ comes, Assistance comes there. When Christ was borne, all Jerusalem was in an uproar, so when Christ is borne in the soul, there is an uproar, corruption arms it self against Grace, there is a combat betwixt flesh and Spirit, but Christ subdues the flesh by little and little. Gods image is stamped upon the soul where Christ is, and if we have opened unto the Lord of Glory, he will make us glorious.
Againe, where Christ comes, Assistance comes there. When Christ was borne, all Ierusalem was in an uproare, so when Christ is borne in the soule, there is an uproare, corruption armes it selfe against Grace, there is a combate betwixt flesh and Spirit, but Christ subdues the flesh by little and little. Gods image is stamped upon the soule where Christ is, and if we have opened unto the Lord of Glory, hee will make us glorious.