A12167:431
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.
But what is the ground of such love?
1. He loves them at he beholds them in his Fathers choice, as they are Elected of God, and given unto himself in Election:1 Thine they are thou gavest them me; Christ looking on us in Gods Election and choice, loves us.
1. Hee loves them at hee beholds them in his Fathers choise, as they are Elected of God, and given unto himselfe in Election:1 Thine they are thou gavest them mee; Christ looking on us in Gods Election and choyce, loves us.
2. Again, He loves us, because he sees his own Graces in us, he loves what is his in us. Before we be actually his, he loves us with a love of good will, to wish all good to us; But when we have any thing of his Spirit, that our natures are altered and changed, he loves us with a love of the intimatest friendship; with the love of an Head, Husband, Friend, and what we can imagine; he loves his own Image. Paul saith,