A12167:543
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 to this end beg of God his Spirit, which is above all impediments. The more Spirit the more strength and courage against impediments. The more we attend upon holy means, the more spiritual and heavenly light and life is set up in the soul. The more Spiritual we are, the more we shall tread under foot all those things that stand ⟨p. 238⟩us and Heaven. Let us therefore labour more and more for the Spirit,1 and then we shall offer an holy violence unto good things; as it was said of John Baptists time, The Kingdom of God suffered v•a•eace, men were so eager of it, as that they surprised it as a Castle, by violence. There is no way to take Heaven but by offering, violence to discouragement, corrupt on and whatsoever stands in the way, The violent only takes Heaven by force. Now when we are spiritual, we shall not pretend, That there is a lion in the way, that there are difficulties, as the sluggard doth, that thinks himself wiser then many men who can render a reason: but we shall go boldly and courageously on; and know that there are more encouragements for good, and stronger, then the world hath allurements to be naught, which are but for the present life, But we have inward ones, which will hold out in the hour of death and after. Therefore, go on boldly and resolutely in good things, always remembering to beg the Spirit of God, that may arm our Spirits with invincible courage.
And to this end begg of God his Spirit, which is above all impediments. The more Spirit the more strength and courage against impediments. The more wee attend upon holy meanes, the more spirituall and heavenly light and life is set up in the soule. The more Spirituall wee are, the more we shall tread under foot all those things that stand ⟨p. 238⟩us and Heaven. Let us therefore labour more and more for the Spirit,1 and then wee shall offer an holy violence unto good things; as it was said of Iohn Baptists time, The Kingdome of God suffered v•aeace, men were so eager of it, as that they surprized it as a Castle, by violence. There is no way to take Heaven but by offering, violence to discouragement, corrupt on and whatsoever stands in the way, The violent onely takes Heaven by force. Now when wee are spirituall, wee shall not pretend, That there is a lyo in the way, that there are difficulties, as the sluggard doth, that thinks himselfe wiser then many men who can render a reason: but wee shall goe boldly and couragiously on; and know that there are more incouragements for good, and stronger, then the world hath allurements to bee naught, which are but for the present life, But wee have inward ones, which will hould out in the hower of death and after. Therefore, goe on boldly and resolutely in good things, alwayes remembring to beg the Spirit of God, that may arme our Spirits with invincible courage.