A12167:518
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.
And then again, Naturally there is a great §4deal of Hypocrisy in us;1 we may do duties to satisfy Conscience (for somewhat must be done,) to hear now and then, read and come to prayer betwixt sleeping and waking (yawning prayers) when we can do nothing else; somewhat must be done, conscience else will cry out of us that we are Atheists, and shall be damned: some slubbering service must be done therefore. Yet notwithstanding herein is our hypocrisy, that we cannot bring our hearts to do it, as it should be done to purpose, for though it be true that there is much imperfection in the best actions, the best performances, yet this is hypocrisy when men do not do it as God may accept it, and as it may yield themselves comfort. The heart draws back: duties it will and must do, but yet will not do them as it shall have comfort by them. This is inbred in the heart naturally, conscience forceth to do something, though the flesh and ⟨p. 218⟩corruption pulls back. This is the disposition of all men, till they have got the victory of their own Atheistical hearts.
And then againe, Naturally there is a great §4deale of Hypocrisie in us;1 wee may doe duties to satisfie Conscience (for somewhat must be done,) to heare now and then, reade and come to prayer betwixt sleeping and waking (yawning prayers) when we can doe nothing else; somewhat must be done, conscience else will cry out of us that we are Atheists, and shall be damned: some slubbering service must be done therefore. Yet notwithstanding herein is our hypocrisy, that we cannot bring our hearts to do it, as it should be done to purpose, for though it be true that there is much imperfection in the best actions, the best performances, yet this is hypocrisie when men doe not doe it as God may accept it, and as it may yeeld themselves comfort. The heart drawes backe: duties it will and must doe, but yet will not doe them as it shall have comfort by them. This is inbred in the heart naturally, conscience forceth to doe something, though the slesh and ⟨p. 218⟩