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

4 Now though this be a benefit altogether inestimable, that it pleaseth the bridegroom to awaken his spouse, to the end himself might teach her, & make her a better hus-wife in the house of her Bridegroom▪ yet what is this in respect of the extreme carefulness and diligence which he useth in this behalf? He mounteth, saith the spouse, over the mountains, and skippeth over the hills like a Roe or an Hind calf. And what understanding of man is able to comprehend so great a love and good-will? His sheep are wandered and strayed of themselves: and behold the shepherd who runneth after them, and there is neither rock, nor torrent, mountain, nor valley, which can stay him from passing over until he find them, to bring them back again unto the fold. And what manner of sheep I pray you? Mary such as are stubborn and rebellious, and seek themselves after the wolf, so little account make they of the shepherd. And of what shepherd? Of such a one as hath no need at all of the sheep, & who neither feedeth himself with the flesh, nor clotheth himself with the wool of them, and which of themselves can bring no other thing unto their shepherd then all manner of filthiness & uncleanness, & yet are sought after of him notwithstanding over hill and dale, of him I say, who neither hath any need of them, neither can ever receive any commodity by them. For there is nothing letteth, but that this which is here spoken of this agility ⟨p. 245⟩of the Bridegroom in hastening to waken his spouse being asleep, may not be understood of an other sleep then that, whereof we spake before. In a word if the Lord made not hast to provide for us, who doubteth but that we should have perished a thousand times before we could have said unto him with the Prophet, O Lord think upon mine aide, ô Lord make hast to succour me, Psal. 70.2. And therefore it is not without great reason that he upbraideth us with this slothfulness and recklessness of ours by his Prophet, saying, I have spoken continually unto you from the morning unto the evening, and you have not hearkened unto me: I have cried unto you, but you have not heard me, Jer. 7.13. and 11.7.