A12167:598
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.
I speak to any Christians experience, if in the midst of obedience they do not find that comfort they looked for, and that it is meat and drink to do Gods will. Therefore keep not off and say, I am dead and drowsy, therefore I shall be still so; you are deceived, fall upon obedience and practising of holy duties, and in the midst thereof thou shalt find the presence and assistance of Gods Spirit, that will comfort thee.
I speake to any Christians experience, if in the midst of obedience they doe not find that comfort they looked for, and that it is meate and drinke to doe Gods will. Therefore keepe not off and say, I am dead and drowsy, therefore I shall be still so; you are deceived, fall upon obedience and practising of holy duties, and in the midst thereof thou shalt find the presence and assistance of Gods Spirit, that will comfort thee.
The third thing observable from hence is this: That Gods Graces are sweet.
The third thing observeable from hence is this: That Gods Graces are sweet.
Pleasant and sweet,1 compared here to myrrh which was an ingredient in the holy oil, grace makes us sweet, prayers are sweet, as it is Rev. 8. 4. Christ mingleth them with his own sweet odours, and so takes and offers them to God. Holy Obedience is sweet and delightful to God and to the conscience, it brings peace and delight to others, therefore they are called fruits; fruit doth not only imply and show the issuing of good things from the root.