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Master Bezaes sermons upon the three chapters of the canticle of canticlesMaster Bezaes sermons vpon the three chapters of the canticle of canticles
Master Bezaes sermons upon the three chapters of the canticle of canticles wherein are handled the chiefest points of religion controversed and debated between us and the adversary at this day, especially touching the true Jesus Christ and the true Church, and the certain & infallible marks both of the one and of the other. Translated out of French into English by John Harmar ...Master Bezaes sermons vpon the three chapters of the canticle of canticles wherein are handled the chiefest points of religion controversed and debated betweene vs and the aduersarie at this day, especially touching the true Iesus Christ and the true Church, and the certaine & infallible marks both of the one and of the other. Translated out of French into English by Iohn Harmar ...
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1587Oxford: printed by Ioseph Barnes, 1587
Sermon 23: THE XXIII SERMON. Our help be in the name of God &c. It is written as followeth in the…
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3 But what meaneth that which afterwards is added by her, namely, that she found him not? And how agreeth this with that promise of Christ verified by so many experiences, knock and it shall be opened unto you, seek and you shall find? Matth. 7.7. and Luk. 11.9.10. And if the Lord hath caused himself to be found of those who sought him not, Esa. 65.1. (for it is the shepherd which seeketh after the stray sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd, Matt. 18.12) how is it possible that this spouse found him not? I answer that the spouse saith not, that she could never find him, which should contrary the promise above: but that seeking after him in her bed, she found him not. True, in her bed, for there he was not. To find him therefore, it is not enough to seek him, but we must seek where he is to be sought: & therefore it is no marvel though the spouse found not her Bridegroom in her bed, for he was not there. Moreover we must seek him in a fit and convenient time if we will find him, namely when the time is of setting the door open▪ otherwise we loose but our pains to seek him, Isaiah. 55.6. and we must knock at the door, before it be bolted on the inner side, Mat. 25.12. Farther we must ask of him, of whom we ought to ask, and who will not be mocked 1. King. 18.27. and then, that which we ought to ask, Mat. 20.21. and again, in such a sort as we ought to ask, Jam. 1.7. and finally, unto the end which we ought to ask it. We may not therefore wonder, or take on with God, but with our selves, if for the most part we find not that which we seek after. For the fault is in us. And though we failed in no one point of those which I have above set down yet we must do God this honour to give him leave to choose the time and the means, to grant us that which he will give us, when we have demanded it as he hath given us our rule. Abraham believed and obtained the child which was promised him, but it was five and thirty years after the promise was made. David obtained the kingdom: but it was after he had waited in waiting,