Sibbes - Houston-Packer Collection BX9339.S5 B6 1641

My Do,e. · . ·t8 3 \ fides ht'm.Yo-u k~~~i~ theRevelation,the Spo~efeoj S-~ It . VII. I chrijl is brought in like a f·irgin contrac1ed, but I the RomiflJ church like a whore. Therefore the f. Church of God mufi take heed ofthe Romane I (hurch, forthatisnotaDova, we mufi beVirgins, who. mufi keep chafie foules ro Chrifi, as Rc''•i 1 y,ou have It,Rev.I4·4· :rhofethat follow the Lamb, 4 4 ' wherefoever he goeth, they h1-.ve not defiled them- · [elves withwomen 1 the meaning is fpirituall,name- / ly that they have not defiled themfelves with I Idolatry and fpiriruall fornication ; they have \ chafte hearts to Chrifi:fo in this refpe&cheyre- !' femble -the Dove. Thde therefore that draw ' away from the love of Religion to mixture, to ll bemeretrices, and harlots in Religion, they are . not ChrifisDoves, as faneas theyyeeld to this, \ 1 it is an .argument that they have falfe hearts; ! i Chrifis Church is a Do·ve, !hekeeps clofe and i inviolate tohim. · Againe, this creature is ofa neate difPofttion, -+· it will;.not lodge where it fhall be troubled with Neatnefe. ilench:,and annoyed that way,and likewife feeds ! neatly on pure graine, not upon carrion, as you 1 fee in the .Arke, when the Ravenwas fent out, it ·lights upon-carrion, of which there was then plenry, and therefore never came into the Jrke againe: B~t the Dove,when !hewent out, would Gen.s.7. I not light upon carrion,or dead tbings;and fo fin ding no fit food came backe againe to the Arke. So the Chrifl:ian {oule in this refpett is like ·a Do·ve,that will not feed upon worldly carrion,or finfull pleafures, but upon Chriil: and fpirituall ~ N 4 things. Simi/1. v I I j

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