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

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 Eph. 5.32.) would not notwithstanding have us to stay our selves on that corporal presence of his, but contrariwise it is expedient, saith he, that I go my ways, Joh. 16.7. For, saith he, my father is greater then I. That is to say, so long as you shall see me in this humiliation and baseness of corporal presence in such an estate as you men are, you will never learn and know what the authority and power is which I have, and the possession whereof I shall then receive when I shall be entered into celestial glory with my father. And in another place, I go my way, saith he, to prepare a place, and lodging for you, Joh. 14.2. yea in my fathers house: and where is this house, seeing god is every where? It is true indeed that he is every where, because he is infinite. But he dwelleth not but in his Saints, & so consequently in his Church, being said to no other then unto his people, I will dwell among them. Yea so far is it that this Bridegroom dwelleth in the world: that contrariwise the Apostle desireth to be dislodged to be with him, Phil. 1.23. witnessing elsewhere that we are wayfarers and pilgrims here below, 2. Cor. 5.1. and therefore we sigh after his return, not to sojourn here, but to be caught up in the clouds with him, and to reign with him for ever in that habitation, whereunto he is first ascended, and whence he will one day come to carry us up above all the heavens, 1. Thess. 4.17