A12167:686
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
Sermon 11 › I called but he gave no answer &c.Sermon 11 › I called but hee gave no answer &c.
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 let us know for our comfort, that even this conflicting condition is a good estate. In a sick body it is a sign of life and health approaching when the humours are stirred, so as that a man complains that the physic works. So when ⟨p. 289⟩we take to heart our present condition, though we fail and find not what we would, yet this will work to the subduing of corruption at length. It is a sign of future victory when we are discontent with our present ill estate. Grace will get the upper hand, as nature doth when the humours are disturbed.
And let us know for our comfort, that evē this conflicting condition is a good estate. In a sicke body it is a signe of life and health approaching when the humours are stirred, so as that a man complaines that the phisicke workes. So when ⟨p. 289⟩wee take to heart our present condition, though wee faile and find not what wee would, yet this will worke to the subduing of corruption at length. It is a signe of future victorie when wee are d•scontent with our present ill estate. Grace will get the upper hand, as nature doth when the humours are disturbed.
4. Again when we are in such a seeming forlorn estate, Let us have recourse to former experience. What is the reason that God vouchsafes his children for the most part in the beginning of their conversion (in their first love) experience of his love to ravishment? It is, that afterwards they may have recourse to that love of God then felt to support themselves, and withal to stir up endeavours, and hope; that finding it not so well with them now as formerly it hath bin,1 by comparing state with state, desires may be stirred up to be as they were or rather better.
4. Againe when wee are in such a seeming forlorne estate, Let us have recourse to former experience. What is the reason that God vouchsafes his children for the most part in the beginning of their conversion (in their first love) experience of his love to ravishment? Jt is, that afterwards they may have recourse to that love of God then felt to support themselves, and withall to stirre up endeavours, and hope; that finding it not so well with them now as formerly it hath binn,