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

14 But some man will happily demand, in what sort this is to be understood, that he which cometh himself to awake the spouse, inviteth her to come unto him? The answer is, that we would never come unto Jesus Christ, either to hear him, or to practise his doctrine, if as he hath loved us first, so he came not also to summon and warn us first, to follow him. For if he came unto us to stay and abide here below with us, then were his kingdom of this world: but now he ceaseth not ⟨p. 255⟩to cry after us to draw us from hence on high unto him, Coloss. 3.1.

14 But some man wil happily demaund, in what sort this is to bee vnderstoode, that hee which commeth himselfe to awake the spouse, inuiteth her to come vnto him? The aunswere is, that wee would neuer come vnto Iesus Christ, either to heare him, or to practise his doctrine, if as he hath loued vs first, so he came not also to summon and warne vs first, to follow him. For if he came vnto vs to staie and abide here below with vs, then were his kingdome of this woorlde: but now hee ceaseth not ⟨p. 255⟩to crie after vs to draw vs from hence on high vnto him, Coloss. 3.1.

15 What did this Bridegroom then say by all the ancient prophecies and shadows of the Law, but this, Come unto me, and rest not your selves on that which you here see with your eye, but hold your selves unto him, who is to come in person? Which thing being not well considered by the hypocrites and ignorant, seeking after their salvation in the altars and sacrifices, we see how sharply and bitterly they are for that cause reprehended throughout the whole Scripture. Which more is, this Bridegroom being arrived in person, and making himself visible and palpable in flesh (which the Apostle justly calleth the great secret or mystery