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

12 But what is the cause the spouse useth here the word of ⟨p. 301⟩returning? For this presupposeth some retire & withdrawing going before. And this is the reason, why some have taken this word as if return were as much as, forsake me not. But it is better we keep the signification of the word, notwithstanding with some declaration of it. For to say the tueth, the Bridegroom did never utterly forsake this spouse, no not when she for the most part forgot herself & her duty greatly: for which reason we shall ordinarily find in the Prophets, in one & the same Prophecy, the wound of chastisement, and the medicine of grace, never befalling the like to Zion, as unto Sodom and Gomorrah, Esa. 1.9. But because he is never so near at one time, as at an other, not only when the drawing back is on the spouses side, Jer. 2.3. but also when it pleaseth the Bridegroom so to prove his spouse, Psal. 44.1. & as the Lord hath thought it good to make his trueth to shine in the world, more in one time then in an other, as it is to be seen in the ancient history, especially from Joshua until the time of David: this is the cause why the spouse beseecheth him to approach nearer and nearer: as also, how ever it be, the Lord for his part hath done, though the one half hath more & more abused this grace & favour of his. This is then that prayer which we in like manner should daily make, beseeching the Lord (who justly seemeth to draw himself from us by little & little, having verily taken out of the world within these few years, so many great and excellent lights of his Church, who might yet have continued, because we were not worthy of them) that it will please him to approach and draw nearer again unto us then ever before.

12 But what is the cause the spouse vseth here the woord of ⟨p. 301⟩returning? For this presupposeth some retire & withdrawing going before. And this is the reason, why some haue taken this woord as if returne were as much as, forsake me not. But it is better we keepe the signification of the worde, notwithstanding with some declaration of it. For to say the tueth, the Bridegroome did neuer vtterly forsake this spouse, no not when she for the most part forgot herselfe & her duty greatly: for which reason we shall ordinarily finde in the Prophets, in one & the same Prophesie, the wound of chastisement, and the medicine of grace, neuer befalling the like to Sion, as vnto Sodom and Gomorrha,