A12167:394
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.
This is useful many ways1, as first, cherish all the good conceits we can of Christ; Time vvill come, that the Devil vvill set upon us with sharp temptations, fiery darts, temptations to despair, and present Christ amiss, as if Christ were not willing to receive us, when as you see he knocks at our hearts to open to him, useth Mercies, and Judgements, the Ministry of his Spirit, and Conscience, and all; Will not he then entertain us, when we come to him, that seeks this entertainment at our hands? Certainly he vvill; Therefore let us labour to cherish good conceits of Christ. This is the finisher and beginning of the conversion of a poor sinful soul, even to consider the infinite love, and condescending of Christ Jesus for the good of our souls? We need not wonder at this his willingness to receive us, when we first know, that God became man, happiness became misery,2 and life it self, came to d•e, and to be a curse for us. He hath done the greater and vvill he not do the less? Therefore think not strange, that he useth all these means, considering how love he descended into the womb of the Virgin for us. Ephes. 4. 9.
This is usefull many vvayes1, as first, cherish all the good conceites vve can of Christ; Time vvill come, that the Divell vvill set upon us vvith sharpe temptations, fierie darts, temptations to despaire, and present Christ amisse, as if Christ vvere not vvilling to receive us, vvhen as you see he knockes at our hearts to open to him, useth Mercies, and Iudgements, the Ministrie of his Spirit, and Conscience, and all; Will not he then entertaine us, vvhen vvee come to him, that seekes this entertainement at our hands? Certainely hee vvill; Therefore let us labour to cherish good conceits of Christ. This is the finisher and beginning of the conversion of a poore sinfull soule, even to consider the infinite love, and condescending of Christ Jesus for the good of our soules? Wee need not vvonder at this his vvillingnesse to receive us, vvhen vvee first knovv, that God became man, happinesse became miserie,