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

THE residue of this thirteenth verse which we have read unto you hath been before expounded, in the tenth verse. But it is not without cause here reiterated. For besides that by this recital again of the same thing, we are advertised, more nearly to consider of, and more often to weigh the contents and meaning thereof, for the excellency of the comfort and consolation therein comprised: ordinary and daily experience might be able to teach us, how by nature, yea and that after our regeneration, we are heavy and sleepy, and always drowsy and lazy, some of us standing stock still in the way we began to take, others trailing the wing, instead of flying on, others turning tail and going backward. And therefore it is more then necessary that we be daily warned and pricked forward, the Lord, by whose only voice and mercy we are awakened, showing herein as in all the rest, his more then admirable patience in this, that he ceaseth not to cry continually in our ears, to draw us unto himself, as it is said, not without great reproach unto them, that he bare forty years with the manners and conditions of his people, Act. 13.18. and Psal. 95.10. as the Lord also complaineth in Ezekiel 22.30. and is declared unto us at large under the similitude of the vineyard, Mat. 21.33. And what shall we need to go far for examples? What hath the Lord done for the space of these threescore years since he began as it were a new to open his mouth among us? And what doth he still every day, but cry, up arise, up arise, up arise, Eph. 5.14. but who is he that giveth ear unto him? Who is he that awaketh? Where is he that putteth himself in the way? Nay contrariwise see we not that the most part make a mockery of it? Some to say, hold thy peace, others to seek by all means of cruelty and subtle treachery to stop the Lords mouth? See we not what swarms of Covetous men, Ambitious, Adulterers, Gluttons, Dissolute? In a word, who is he that answereth not, let me alone, I have somewhat else to do? Give ⟨p. 275⟩me leave to take a reckoning of my money, to seek after my gain, ease, & preferment, to be merry & pass away the time, as others do: briefly to say, let me be damned, what need you to care, you shall not answer for me? And if any man happily answer, Lord I go my ways thither, is it not for the most part to do as he did, of whom it is spoken, Mat.