A12167:845
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.
What is thy Beloved more then another Beloved, &c.
We see there is excellent use of holy conference, the Church coming to the daughters of Jerusalem, speaking of Christ her Beloved that she is sick of love, &c. The daughters of Jerusalem are inquisitive to know Christ more and more, here is the benefit of holy conference and good speeches, one thing draws on another, and that draws on another, till at length the soul be warmed and kindled with the consideration and meditation of heavenly things. That that is little in the beginning may bring forth great matters.1 This Question to the Church, and talking with her: I charge you if you find my Beloved to tell him that I am sick of love, breeds Questions in others: What is thy Bel•ved, &c. Whence upon the description of her Beloved, her heart is kindled, she findeth her Beloved, so that talking of holy and heavenly things is good for others and our selves also.2 It is good for others, as it was good for the daughters of Jerusalem here, for thereupon they are ⟨p. 332⟩stirred up to be inquisitive after Christ, and it was good for the Church her self, for, hereupon she took occasion to make a large commendation of Christ; wherein she found much comfort.
We see there is excellent use of holy conference, the Church comming to the daughters of Ierusalem, speaking of Christ her Beloved that she is sicke of love, &c. The daughters of Ierusalem are inquisitive to know Christ more and more, heere is the benefit of holy conference and good speeches, one thing drawes on another, and that drawes on another, till at length the soule be warmed and kindled with the consideration and meditation of heavenly things. That that is little in the beginning may bring forth great matters.