A12167:958
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.
Why is Christ said to have the eyes of doves?1
- 1Quest.
The dove hath many enemies especially the white dove is a fair mark for the birds of prey,1 therefore God hath given that creature a quick sight, that she might discern her enemies, thus the Scripture helps us to conceive of the quickness of Christs eye, Rev. 5. 6. there are seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God, here Christ the lamb hath seven eyes and seven horns: what be these? Christ hath not only horns of power as the enemies have, horns of violence, he hath horn against horn; but seven eyes, that is, a quick sight to see all the danger the Church is in, and seven eyes; seven is a word of perfection, that is, he hath many eyes, an accurate sight, he hath not only an eye of providence over the ⟨p. 382⟩whole world, but an eye of grace and favour, lively, and lovely in regard of his Church. All things are naked and open before his eyes, as it is, Heb. 4. he can see through us, he knows our very hearts and reins, which he must doe ex Officio, because he must be our judge. He that is judge of all had need to have eyes that will pierce through all. It had need be a quick eye that must judge of the heart and affections: but what may we learn hence, That we have a Saviour that hath doves eyes, that is, clear eyes able to discern.
The dove hath many enemies especially the white dove is a faire marke for the birds of prey,1