Master Bezaes sermons upon the three chapters of the canticle of canticlesMaster Bezaes sermons vpon the three chapters of the canticle of canticles

7 And therefore let us remember, my brethren, that this place, this place I say, wherein we are, as also all other assemblies of the faithful, were there but two or three gathered together, are this wine-seller or banqueting hall of that great King of whom mention is made, Luk. 14.17. And who is he who being admitted into the house of some great Lord, to sit with him at his table, would willingly & wittingly bring thither with him any filthiness or villainy? Therefore always and as oft as we hear the trumpet of the Lord to sound, calling us into his house, I mean so oft as we hear the bell ringing unto a sermon, we ought not to go▪ but to run, nay to fly thither: & yet not so at random, but that we first prepare our selves, through a true contrition, and consideration both of the death of him who inviteth us unto this banquet, preventing us by his great mercy, as also of the excellency of that treasure which he will there distribute unto us, that we bring thither a mind apt and ready to be taught, an heart full of appetite of this heavenly food: in a word, a most ardent desire of receiving, eating, liking and digesting so precious a meat, to show afterwards the fruits & ⟨p. 224⟩effects thereof, within and without our house, at home and abroad, far and near, by all our actions aswell of the body as also of the mind. But what? It is no marvel though we have no taste and feeling of such a liberality of our God, seeing the most part contemn it, others eat of this food but for a fashion, and very few there be who digest it, to be sustained by it, a miserable and lamentable case, and for which we shall pay one day sweetly, if we think not betimes better upon it.

7 And therefore let vs remēber, my brethren, that this place, this place I say, wherein wee are, as also all other assemblies of the faithful, were there but two or three gathered together, are this wine-seller or banquetting hal of that great King of whom mentiō is made, Luk. 14.17. And who is he who being admitted into the house of some great Lord, to sit with him at his table, would willingly & wittingly bring thither with him any filthinesse or villany? Therefore alwaies and as oft as we heare the trumpet of the Lord to sound, calling vs into his house, I meane so oft as wee heare the bell ringing vnto a sermon, we ought not to go but to runne, nay to fly thither: & yet not so at randon, but that we first prepare our selues, through a true cō trition, and consideration both of the death of him who inuiteth vs vnto this banquet, preuenting vs by his great mercy, as also of the excellēcy of that treasure which he wil there distribute vnto vs, that we bring thither a mind apt and ready to be taught, an heart full of appetite of this heauenly foode: in a woorde, a most ardent desire of receiuing, eating, liking and digesting so precious a meate, to shew afterwards the fruits &