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

for otherwise we should always find this promise infallibly true, Knock and it shall be opened unto you, ask, & it shall be given you. But we are to observe and retain one general rule in this matter, that is to say, that concerning temporal blessings, which have not a special promise (as David had a special promise of the kingdom, and therefore he specially craved it, & obtained it, Psal. 2.6. and .4.4. and elsewhere in many places: and Daniel after the 70. years accomplished and expired prayed specially for the return of the people, Dan. 9.2.) we may not demand them at Gods hands but with these clauses, If it be good, if it be expedient, when, and in such sort as it shall please thee: but as for demanding grace at his hands by the remission of all our sins, bringing unto him an heart truly humble and contrite, we may and ought to crave, and demand this with all holy assurance grounded upon him, Heb. 4.16. and Jam. 16. yea so far as to defy all our enemies, according to the example of the Apostle, Rom. 8.37. for, saith he, he which hath not spared his own Son, but given him for us, how will he not give us all things with him? Let us therefore hearken unto this spouse, or let us be rather this spouse, which saith, My beloved is mine, and I am his. What shall Satan then be able to do against us, seeing this Bridegroom, together with all that he hath, is ours? Why should our sins appal and astonish us, seeing he hath carried them upon the wood of his cross? 1. Pet. 2.24. seeing he is the Lamb that taketh ⟨p. 297⟩away the sins of the world, and that that which he hath suffered for us, is ours? Shall the want of righteousness, and the perfect accomplishment of all the Law of God which we ought to perform daunt us? Why? He hath accomplished the whole Law for us, and he is ours with all his obedience, Gal. 4.4. & Rom. 5.19