A12167:528
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.
To aid us wherein, Christ (knowing what an enemy we are to our selves in the ways of God) saith, Let a man deny himself, and take up his Cross and follow me, there is no following of Christ, considering that our flesh is so full of cavils and excuses, unless we practise that heavenly lesson of Christ, to deny our selves, our whole self, our wit and reason in the matters of God: our will and affections. Say nay to all the sluggishness of the flesh; silence all presently, as soon as ever they discourage thee from holy ways. Consider whence they come? which is enough: from Gods and our ⟨p. 224⟩enemy; and the worst enemy we have that lieth in our own bosom. And to enable us the better,1 mark what Paul saith, We are no more debtors to the flesh, &c. We owe nothing to it; I owe not such obedience, such subjection to the flesh and carnal reason: I have renounced it long since. What am I obnoxious to a man unto whom I owe no service. We owe the flesh no service or obedience, what shall we yield to that which we have long since renounced.
To ayde us wherein, Christ (knowing what an enemy wee are to our selves in the wayes of God) saith, Let a man deny himselfe, and take up his Crosse and follow mee, there is no following of Christ, considering that our flesh is so full of cavills and excuses, unlesse we practise that heavenly lesson of Christ, to denie our selves, our whole selfe, our wit and reason in the matters of God: our will and affections. Say nay to all the sluggishnesse of the flesh; silence all presently, as soone as ever they discourage thee from holy wayes. Consider whence they come? which is enough: from Gods and our ⟨p. 224⟩enemie; and the worst enemie wee have that lyeth in our owne bosome. And to inable us the better,1 marke what Paul saith, Wee are no more debtors to the flesh, &c. We owe nothing to it; I owe not such obedience, such subjection to the flesh and carnall reason: I have renounced it long since. What am I abnoxious to a man unto whom I owe no service. Wee owe the flesh no service or obedience, what shall we yeeld to that which wee have long since renounced.