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

4 But here the spouse seeketh after him whom she ought to seek, & faileth not in any thing save this, that she seeketh him of error there where he is not: and where is that? In her bed. And yet who gave her this bed, and who laid her there? Her Bridegroom, having so expressly invited her, and so amiably and kindly entertained her, as we have seen in the chapter going before, and especially in the tenth verse, and in the verses following. What is the reason then, why he could not be found, as if he had parted clean away? Because the spouse falling asleep, made more of the gift, then of the giver, that is to say, gave herself so far over unto this rest and ease, that she continued to be heavy and drowsy still. So cometh it to pass in all other temporal and spiritual blessings, when we stay and settle our harts and minds wholly upon them. Life it self is an especial gift and blessing of God, in whom we are, we move, and we live. Act. 17.28. But say we once with the children of this world, There is nothing more to be desired then to live? We are dead whilst we live, 1. Tim. 5.6. As much is to be said of all the commodities and blessings of this life, albeit they be the blessings of God, unto them on whom the gift is bestowed of using them well, as on Abraham & on Job, Job. 31. and on a very few others. But what do the most part of the world desire? Mary they would find Paradise in their bed, that is to say, they would have a peaceable gospel, that they might lie down softly and sleep, & pass their time of life with others in rest and security. I speak not yet of them, who loose the ⟨p. 312⟩reins to all sorts of pleasures, and give themselves over to their unmeasured lusts: but of those who would content themselves with a measure. Notwithstanding if we settle & rest our selves hereon, as if we were to find herein our only felicity, we shall find our selves deceived, and deprive our selves of the principal use of these benefits and blessings, which is to handle them so as if we handled thorns, Mat. 13.22. & to be more careful in the well disposing our expense, then in the increasing of our receipt,