A12167:461
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.
My Dove.
We know when Christ was baptised, the Holy Ghost appeared in the shape of a Dove (as a symbol of his presence,)1 to discover thus much, That Christ should have the property §1and disposition of a Dove, 2And be meek and gentle. For indeed he became man for that end to be a merciful Saviour. Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly. 3And I will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed, &c. said he, and therefore the Spirit appeared upon him in the shape of a Dove. As likewise, To §2show what his office should be; for even as the Dove in Noah's Ark was sent out, and came home again to the Ark with an Olive branch, to show that the waters were abated: So Christ was to preach deliverance from the deluge of Gods anger, and to come with an Olive leaf of peace in his mouth, and reconciliation, to show that Gods wrath was appeased. When he was borne,4 the Angels sung, Glory to God on high, on earth peace, and good will towards men: Now as Christ had the Spirit in the likeness of ⟨p. 189⟩a Dove, So all that are Christs, the spouse of Christ, have the disposition of Christ, that Spirit that framed him to be like a Dove, frames the Church to be a Dove, as the ointment that was poured on Aaron's head,5 it ran down upon the lowest skirts of his garments.
We know when Christ was baptised, the Holy Ghost appeared in the shape of a Dove (as a symbole of his presence,)